mukarram20

Hi Everyone
I hope that some one can help me out with a dilemma.

Right now, I have an 2001 LS430 with about 93,000 miles. Some one is offering me a 2000 ES300 with only 10,000 miles (yes only 10,000 miles - one owner for the ten year old car). That person is also looking for some cash as well so that is why he wants to trade and get money. He perfers to have a lexus trade in his ad. so my luck that I got interested.

1. What do you guys think? Is it a wise trade? I know I am going down but look at the miles!!! Right now, on my car, I have not done the 90k miles service that calls for timing belt change, coolant and power steering fluid flushes and possibly brake job in a year or so.

2. If you think it is a worthy trade, how much should I offer him in terms of how much cash along with my car? Do keep in mind that he is looking for a trade but he wants the money too.

Thanks a bunch everyone!

sojah

iTrader: (1)

i wouldn't do it unless you plan to put lots of miles a year on the es (DD).

Salil022

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't do it!!! Whatever cash you are going to put on top....Save that cash for 90k mile service and you have a trouble free car that is going to last you easy another 100k or more miles.

I would be hesitant to get a 6yr old car with only 10k miles...Either there is something he is hiding or car has not been driven much. All the fluids, maybe some seals, tires will need to be changed i am sure.

lamar411

Na I would keep your car... high year and low miles is usually a bad combo

honeygee2

I have a 2003 ls430 and a 2006 es330...both are great cars but the es can't hold a candle to the ls for ride quality, features and all around luxury. I would never do that deal.

jayclapp

I don't think you would be a happy driver if you spend a lot of time driving the ES. You'll likely miss the comfort of the LS.

SerasLibre

The LS is the most reliable car ever built. The ES is a glorified camry. A VERY NICE camry, mind you, but you will kick yourself when you see LS's driving by for making such a "low mileage" mistake.

TJW98LS

iTrader: (1)

An ES with 10,000 miles on it is worth as much if not less than your LS430... so why in the world would you be paying for the trade in the first place? Not only that, but your trading your baby for a sugar-coated Camry... I wouldn't

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

You will regret every minute after your trade.
This is from a person have had 01 ls430, 04 ls430, 97 es300, 00 es300.

AlexusAnja

Are you KIDDING ?!?!?!? So from top dawg to mini chihuahua? Dude, you don't go front riding on the captain's chair to going down to steerage. It's not logical man !!!!

90K on the LS is like brank new. 2K ES300 was nice, but not LS nice and to put only 10K in 10 years means it sat for a long long time doing nothing. Short trips and long stops make for a not so good riding car.

DON'T DO IT MAN !!!!

mukarram20

Foremost, THANK YOU FOR EVERY ONE who replied. I hate double posting myself but I posted the same question to both LS430 lovers and ES300 lovers and apparantely got the same answer of NO which is very interesting.

I do want to start off by saying I LOVE MY LS430. I love the ride (it is short though). So you may be considering why I am tempted. The reasons for my looking into this trade were as follows

1. I bought my LS430 about a year ago when it had 89,950 miles on it so I am prettly sure that the last owner did not do 90k as it would not make sense to do it and then sell the car. In a year, I only have driven to the point where it is only 92,500 miles. Yes, less than 3000 miles a year. I do go to work but it is very short ride. So I never had the luxury of TRULY enjoying the drive when my drive to work is only 2 miles every day. I doubt that I will be able to take this on a 100 mile drive as when we travel, we travel as a family of five in a minivan. So, here it is a matter whether I will feel the luxury drive difference of LS430 t0 ES300 in a 4 mile daily commute. I am off the entire summer as I teach at a college.

2. UPCOMING COST: I have to look at major 90 k service and also looking at brake jobs as it is due as well. LS430 does make kinda funny noise when going over 60 miles so I am not sure if is tire alignment or not (my tire pressure are on the target). Also, I had put previous post of VSC not working which shows in Maryland as the tire not only skids in snow but in rain!!! Some post indicated to work with OBD scanner which I did but with no luck and since this is a dealer (stealer) only job, that is another cost I am looking at.

3. Back seats. I love the back seat of Lexus LS430 but honestly, I only sat in them once in the entire year as I drive it work and back. Who is going to drive me around?

4. Now coming to 2000 LEXUS ES300. Of course, i would never even thought of going down from LS430 to ES300 had it not been the condition and low miles. I tell you it looks like a BRAND NEW CAR. Now about that car. It is my friend's neighbour who is selling the car. My friend has been their neigbor for more than 10 years so knew the old lady who bought the car new in 2000. My friend swears that it was only out of the garage once a week for 2 mile drive to church. It does NOT even have a ding. I tried looking but damned be if I could find one DING ANYWHERE!!! Also, it has exactly 8100 miles CERTIFiED by CARFAX. She died few months ago and her son is trying to sell it as he wants money but he wants a lexus too. He had three offers but he refushed them all so far. He is looking for $1500 cash. He does have service records and it was meticulously maintained!

I AGREE AGAIN that I do not want to go down from a LS to a glorified camry but I hope you all realize my dilemma that:
1. My drive is only 3.8 miles total per day
2. I am the one one driving and not in the back seat
3. 90k maintenance cost
4. brake job due
5. Tires have about 20% life left where the ES300 tires look brand new!
6. LS430 has VSC issue - lot of garage have told me to take it to dealer only

If you STILL BELIEVE that I should keep and spend $2000 to $3000 to have my 2001 LS 430 with 93,000 miles to be what it should be rather than get 2000 ES300 with ony 8100 miles with no apparent issues and give $1500.

P.S. My friend is neutral here. He is neither encouraging nor discouraging me.

Also, I did look at KBB values. However, to be honest, I am not sure if a 2000 Lexus ES300 with 8100 miles is worth only $1000 more than the same model and year with 100,000 miles. What do you guys think?


Thanks again. I did promise the owner of ES300 that I would get back to him on this Saturday.

mukarram20

TO bring back LS430 to shape, I have to have the following done (I have it confirmed at two different automotive shops)

1. Timing Belt, possibly cams and water belt? One of them was talking about kit that comes with this whole process.
2. Power steering fluid is dirty so flush
3. Coolant fluid needs a flush
4. Front and Rear brakes are due for change and so is brake fluid
5. Tires have about 4 months life as per my daily drive
6. VSC issue - no price as they both suggested dealer to check it
7. Noise above 65 mph could be wheel alignmbet if lucky. If not, it could be more serious.
8. Inspection of other things as per manual which may be few $$$ as wel.

The last work done was oil change and tire rotation

What I want to know is if I can tell my wife with confidence that the above work will cost no more than $2000?

I am not sure at worst, what ES300 would need to have replaced. At best, what it would need to have replaced?

Thanks again!

I6turbo

iTrader: (1)

In the past 3 months I've had an '09 (3K miles on it) and '10 ES350 (500 miles on it) as loaner cars. If I had to keep and use them myself (couldn't sell the ES350 and buy something else) I WOULD NOT trade a good 90K mile '01 LS for either of those new cars (based upon comparison to my '03 LS with 63K miles). So for me the notion of trading for a 2000 ES300 isn't even a remote consideration. My $.02.

gs4bkny

Does it only have to be a trade? Is there a possiblilty that i can just out right buy the ES and just have both cars? You can have the ES as a daily drive and the LS as a weekend/summer warrior. Lets take into consideration that even with low miles, you still might have to service that car with new parts because it has not been driven and there are parts may go bad soon due to it not being used. This is just a guess. Those cost may = or exceed the cost of the upkeep/repairs on your LS. I would purchase a older car that was used everyday faster than i would purchase a older car that was only used 1 a week. but that's just my opinion.

Nick T

Lexus reccomends timing belt at 90k miles or 7 years. The t-belt in the ES300 is 9 years old. You would end up doing a 90k service on a car with 10k miles.