airahcaz

So years ago, my father traded in his brand new 2001 LS430 for an effing used S Class S430, AND had to put in more cash. What a horrible trade, air suspension problems ALL the time.

What is the best way to rid this clunker and get back into an LS, knowing he doesn't have much cash to outlay any further?

sojah

iTrader: (1)

what is the kbb on his s class? year mileage etc??

airahcaz

Sorry, 2001 LS430 to 2001 S430, and little over 100K miles I believe

Kbb says ~ $12-13K

I6turbo

iTrader: (1)

The "best" way in terms of lowest cash outlay is almost certainly to sell the S-class privately, and buy an LS. You MIGHT find a dealer where you could make a trade that you could live with, but chances are you'd get raped when you go looking for that kind of trade.

playa3uhh

I would personally try to sell it privately as well. Records and such would be helpful and you should disclose any problems with the vehicle. I would put it on autotrader.com and craigslist in your area. Then just turn around and buy another LS!

Tee

Craigslist FTW!

I sold two cars on Craigslist in less than 30 days in 2008.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

Ouch!!! these things are worthless now, esp. when it hits 100k.
nobody wants to touch german cars that are 100k+ knowing the crazy costs to maintain them.

my 01 s500 with 38k miles is wayl cheaper than a new corolla

how many times did your dad fix the air suspension?

basically, you're going to take a wash-be prepared to take a big hit and if it were me, I'd trade it in (if he's not going to sell it privately).

airahcaz

air suspension at least twice, he's a mechanic! Car is retarded, sitting low and undriveable at times. WTF

German cars over 100K really that bad eh??

Trade it in just to get rid of the headache? but that assumes buying a much higher priced vehicle?

We're talking 2001 LS430 here, for under $15K.

airahcaz

So frustrated, the 01 LS430 I had him get was black on black beauty... NO ISSUES.

718LS430

i just sold my fathers 2005 LS430 on craigslist and ther were a few 2001-2003 LS430s .i think a blk on blk for 9GRAND.. IM ADDICTED TO THIS SITE AND CRAIGSLIST

http://newyork.craigslist.org/search...k=max&hasPic=1

I6turbo

iTrader: (1)

Has he tried trading it to see what dealers will do? Just curious what they ask. He may have to bite the bullet and just get out of it, or else face continued/escalating repair costs and depreciation.

airahcaz

how disgusting eh? when this car was bought new from whomever, did they say, after 100K, you're on your own? I bet they said, you can have this car till death - fact is, you can drive an LS till death! (I previously had a 92 LS)


Well, trading it in is the quick way out, but we'd have to find an 01 or 02 as to not have to outlay much more cash

airahcaz

whoa:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/stn/ctd/1565212883.html

Jabberwock

yep you can buy a high mile (100k+) LS430 at really good discount prices. The public does not fully understand the quality and longevity of this car. Just make sure you get one with a documented service history and it should be a very solid reliable car. Sell the Merc privately for free on Craigslist or pay 30 bucks for an edmunds ad. I have used both very successfully. Use edmunds.com used car appraisal tool to appraise the Merc, then detail and shine the crap out of the Merc - I mean make it absoluetly showroom spotless - then price it at slightly lower than average private sale and it should go fairly quick. People snap up extremely clean, detailed cars because there are so many stinky sloppy broke-&^% cars out there for sale.

miniz

The real market value of an 01 S430 with in excess of 100k miles is around $9000-11000. Wholesale, these are selling for $7000-8000. As soon as any car goes over 100k miles, it becomes hard to sell and depreciates even further. This car is no exception! There are a LOT of people trying to unload these unreliable things right now.