Please: Talk me out of it!!
09-16-10, 06:13 AM
#16
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FL
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Keep the 400, I had a 94 before i bought my 01 430 UL and I miss it everyday. I took mine to the dealer with 103K on it and the Lexus dealer offered me 13K if I traded it in towards an 07 460. I ended up not buying a 460.
The 430 has been great, I just worry about when my air suspension is going to go. Ive heard 35K miles and 120K miles, and when it does it means $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Final decision: Keep the 400. Buy the UL (work the price down if possible, 17 is a little high) but you will not regret buying the 430, best car I have ever owned
The 430 has been great, I just worry about when my air suspension is going to go. Ive heard 35K miles and 120K miles, and when it does it means $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Final decision: Keep the 400. Buy the UL (work the price down if possible, 17 is a little high) but you will not regret buying the 430, best car I have ever owned
09-16-10, 11:28 AM
#18
Hmm, I know I say this all the time with silver cars but I'd just rather err on the side of caution with my fellow car enthusiasts... but the paint on that car seriously looks all wrong. It literally appears as if the front half is a different shade of silver from the back half. Silver paint is tough to match but even some of the gaps appear inconsistent on this car.
Run a thorough Carfax and Autocheck history on it and ensure it doesn't have any accidents. More importantly, have a body shop check for paint-work. If as much of that car has been messed with as it looks like, I would pass.
Obviously, I'm not going to convince you out of an LS430, its an amazing car. However you should be prepared for the fact that the LS400 and the 430 are on different planes as far as overall durability and reliability. We're still talking about a Lexus, so you won't be disappointed, but you need to ensure that the vehicle was meticulously maintained or you could face problems down the line. Whereas the LS400, and especially the early 90s ones were somewhat of an anomaly in the luxury car world (being that you could almost ignore those cars and they'd keep on running), the 430 tends to be more in line with what you should expect from a used luxury vehicle.
The Ultra Luxury has an air suspension that can be very expensive to repair if it fails, power door closers that can fail and other general high end luxury items that can be problematic, so make sure everything runs and works smoothly.
By the way, if your credit is good enough to score a 4.5 percent rate and there's an insufficient supply of these cars in your local region... Why not go somewhere else? This is not a small purchase we're talking about here. I must be one of the few people willing to travel halfway across the country for a car.
Run a thorough Carfax and Autocheck history on it and ensure it doesn't have any accidents. More importantly, have a body shop check for paint-work. If as much of that car has been messed with as it looks like, I would pass.
Obviously, I'm not going to convince you out of an LS430, its an amazing car. However you should be prepared for the fact that the LS400 and the 430 are on different planes as far as overall durability and reliability. We're still talking about a Lexus, so you won't be disappointed, but you need to ensure that the vehicle was meticulously maintained or you could face problems down the line. Whereas the LS400, and especially the early 90s ones were somewhat of an anomaly in the luxury car world (being that you could almost ignore those cars and they'd keep on running), the 430 tends to be more in line with what you should expect from a used luxury vehicle.
The Ultra Luxury has an air suspension that can be very expensive to repair if it fails, power door closers that can fail and other general high end luxury items that can be problematic, so make sure everything runs and works smoothly.
By the way, if your credit is good enough to score a 4.5 percent rate and there's an insufficient supply of these cars in your local region... Why not go somewhere else? This is not a small purchase we're talking about here. I must be one of the few people willing to travel halfway across the country for a car.
something isnt right there.
The color looks a bit off and more importantly the lines on one side of the car do not seem to match up perfectly.
Be very careful on this one---always approach a buy like this with caution and dont let your wants and desire of the car cloud your descision.
Also your paying too much.
Good luck
09-16-10, 12:35 PM
#20
Pole Position
I have a silver '02 (have posted pics in CarGuy89's Flint Mica Thread) and depending on the time of day and from what angle viewed, the color varies considerably.
Just a subjective observation -
Will and the Fur Crew
09-16-10, 12:46 PM
#21
Pole Position
[QUOTE=BT3100;5792205
What do you think? Should I keep the 94' or go with the 02'?
Joe[/QUOTE]
Hi Joe -
Ironically, last Spring we were in the same situation as you. Our LS400 was in perfect running order and looked great - not a scratch and everything worked except for a foggy digital temp readout. Then we got the 430 itch and considered selling the 400 while still in top shape from a resale standpoint. We actually wound up w/ not just one, but two LS430's due to how much we liked the first one and have never looked back.
Only you can make the big decision as to whether to jump ship but you're also in a most fortunate position in that you can afford to take your time looking for the RIGHT 430 as your 400 has already taken the major depreciation hit in years past so what have you got to lose by waiting for the perfect ride ?
That said, the one in the pic looks mighty tempting but as others have pointed out, it may be just a tad bit pricy for the mileage.
Good luck in your search -
Will and the Fur Crew
What do you think? Should I keep the 94' or go with the 02'?
Joe[/QUOTE]
Hi Joe -
Ironically, last Spring we were in the same situation as you. Our LS400 was in perfect running order and looked great - not a scratch and everything worked except for a foggy digital temp readout. Then we got the 430 itch and considered selling the 400 while still in top shape from a resale standpoint. We actually wound up w/ not just one, but two LS430's due to how much we liked the first one and have never looked back.
Only you can make the big decision as to whether to jump ship but you're also in a most fortunate position in that you can afford to take your time looking for the RIGHT 430 as your 400 has already taken the major depreciation hit in years past so what have you got to lose by waiting for the perfect ride ?
That said, the one in the pic looks mighty tempting but as others have pointed out, it may be just a tad bit pricy for the mileage.
Good luck in your search -
Will and the Fur Crew
Last edited by mewhee; 09-16-10 at 02:34 PM.
09-16-10, 01:04 PM
#23
Think that may be one of the dangers in using online pictures as a guideline. If you'll look at the first pic, the back looks darker (on my monitor), in the second, the front looks darker and the third, the back looks darker again.
I have a silver '02 (have posted pics in CarGuy89's Flint Mica Thread) and depending on the time of day and from what angle viewed, the color varies considerably.
Just a subjective observation -
Will and the Fur Crew
I have a silver '02 (have posted pics in CarGuy89's Flint Mica Thread) and depending on the time of day and from what angle viewed, the color varies considerably.
Just a subjective observation -
Will and the Fur Crew
09-16-10, 02:09 PM
#24
Pole Position
To some degree, however, no matter how much due diligence is taken it's still a crap shoot of sorts. But, as Pasteur once said - Chance favors the prepared mind ...
Will and the Fur Crew
09-16-10, 05:22 PM
#25
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Thanks everyone!
If I do move forward here I will take her to the best body shop in the area.
I drove my LS 400 225 miles today and she is so nice. Seems like if I do pull the trigger I may regret it. Also looking at an 02' at Lexus of Lawrenceville NJ also has the UL package. Gonna take my time here.. Thanks again for your insights and recommendations, I appreciate your point of view.
If I do move forward here I will take her to the best body shop in the area.
I drove my LS 400 225 miles today and she is so nice. Seems like if I do pull the trigger I may regret it. Also looking at an 02' at Lexus of Lawrenceville NJ also has the UL package. Gonna take my time here.. Thanks again for your insights and recommendations, I appreciate your point of view.
09-16-10, 05:33 PM
#26
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
A few more pics here...
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/1914846335.html
He has another here...
I hate the color (no offence to anyone with this color) I do like the interior color...
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/1951194897.html
Please tell me if these links are not allowed.. I will take them down.
Just want to buy the right car.. so if you think these are both cars to pass on just say it!
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/1914846335.html
He has another here...
I hate the color (no offence to anyone with this color) I do like the interior color...
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/1951194897.html
Please tell me if these links are not allowed.. I will take them down.
Just want to buy the right car.. so if you think these are both cars to pass on just say it!
09-16-10, 06:05 PM
#27
A few more pics here...
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/1914846335.html
He has another here...
I hate the color (no offence to anyone with this color) I do like the interior color...
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/1951194897.html
Please tell me if these links are not allowed.. I will take them down.
Just want to buy the right car.. so if you think these are both cars to pass on just say it!
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/1914846335.html
He has another here...
I hate the color (no offence to anyone with this color) I do like the interior color...
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/ctd/1951194897.html
Please tell me if these links are not allowed.. I will take them down.
Just want to buy the right car.. so if you think these are both cars to pass on just say it!
Is there any chance you would consider a 2004 with the Premium Package? That is what I bought for 17.5k and I think that even though I don't have all the toys, I enjoy the updates on the car more than the older LSs (and a few things the older ones didn't even offer, like the Intelligent Keyless Ignition, swiveling headlights etc). Certainly at the prices this guy is asking for these a 2004 can be found close in price if not a little higher.
If you must have Navi and all of that, then you will probably have to stick with a 2001-2003.
09-16-10, 06:22 PM
#28
I like the rosewood(?) wood on the silver car. The black cherry car has what was eventually called the modern luxury package (don't know if it was called that in 02) and would not have the air suspension. The black cherry is a love / hate kind of color as sometimes it looks burgandy and other times purple. When I bought, I made lists of LS colors my wife and I liked and hated. I tried to keep my search to those colors I liked and she could at least tolerate. Flint mica was #1 on both of our like lists. Look at the bright side - if you don't like black cherry, cypress pearl, and briarwood pearl, they are three of the rarest colors.
While I was targeting an 05 or 06, I test drove a low mileage 03 for comparison. Aside from missing one gear in the trans and lacking the backup camera, Bluetooth, and smartaccess, it was the same driving experience as an 04-06 for less $$. If you can live without the rather lame nav unit, a low miles 02-03 premium should be a good find at a good price. You can buy better nav and Bluetooth setups. You'll have to hit the button on the remote to open the doors and insert the key into the ignition, but your battery won't be drained if you go away for three weeks because the smartaccess kept looking for a fob.
While I was targeting an 05 or 06, I test drove a low mileage 03 for comparison. Aside from missing one gear in the trans and lacking the backup camera, Bluetooth, and smartaccess, it was the same driving experience as an 04-06 for less $$. If you can live without the rather lame nav unit, a low miles 02-03 premium should be a good find at a good price. You can buy better nav and Bluetooth setups. You'll have to hit the button on the remote to open the doors and insert the key into the ignition, but your battery won't be drained if you go away for three weeks because the smartaccess kept looking for a fob.
09-16-10, 06:55 PM
#29
Looks are certainly subjective, but I also tend to find the '04 to '06 more handsome than the '01-'03.
09-16-10, 07:02 PM
#30