nmikmik

Tried posting this yesterday,
for some reason it did not work...

Seems like i am coming back to it over and over again.

Now I am considering 04 and up (thanks to Muti007 and friends )
and the price of course going the same direction.
I realize that is a matter of preference, and I suspect that 04-05 will have more things to break down. But I also don't want to be driving a car that is obviously dated.
Since I don't know these cars well enough, what is your opinion? Can you easily tell the 02 form 05 for example? besides the foglights and the LEDs...
Also one of the cars I am considering is 05 black/black. I have had dark cars before, but none of them were luxury or Lexus. All of them (with the exception of the current Saturn) had paint problems or at least clear coat issues. The 05 I am considering (have not seeing it yet) has been repainted by the current (2nd) owner, supposedly as just a color preference. It was too light of the black according to the guy and he wanted it very dark.... ? I've ones had a Camry repainted, but there was a big "pealing" reason for it.
The price is adjusted for that reason, but I am not sure:
a) Do I want a black car?
b) will the repaint job (was done at Lexus recommended shop) hold up in the California sun.

I of course, will be keeping the car in the garage most of time, but the sun can do a number on any paint job of any color...

Thanks again for all of your suggestions,

Muti007

Ah yes, the CLASSIC car guy conundrum. We ALWAYS end up spending way more than we had planned to.

When I decided to sell my Miata, I was going to just buy an AP1 S2000 as they were cheap and plentiful. The more I researched, the more I realized I had to have a clean, low mile 2nd gen and thats what I ended up with.

When I decided on an LS, I was originally just looking at late 90s model LS400s for a comfortable DD. Then I saw that for not too much more, an early 1st gen 430 could be had and it was a greatly improved car so I started looking at them instead. Well one thing led to another and finally it dawned on me that the only one Id ever be happy with would be the final gen, 04-06 and ended up looking for only fully loaded models with nav, ML, sat radio, bluetooth, backup camera, heated and cooled seats etc. Easily doubled or more what I was originally planning to spend.

Now I just bought a GX470 about a month ago. To me, the 03 is almost indistinguishable from an 07 on up. I easily could have found one for about $10-12k less than I paid for my 07. Then I began in depth research and realized I had to have at least an 07 or newer for the gen 5 Nav and a few other relatively insignificant upgrades, but I had to have it.

Were car guys. This is what we do. Almost every time. All 3 of these cars (All purchased within the last 2 years or so) I could have bought slightly older models with slightly less equipment for FAR less than I ended spending, but I couldnt do it the more I researched them. And I wouldnt be as happy with them either as I would have been settling. I dont regret my decisions at all. Neither will you as long as you can afford to do it. One bonus I have is Im single, no wife anymore so its my money and I can afford to do whatever the hell I want to do. I figure as long as I still take care of my mother and she has everything she could ever want or need, continue to always give to charity and those less fortunate than me and never, ever forget where I came from (poor as dirt, still value and am thankful for everything I have) God is cool with me and I am not hurting anyone. Cars are and always have been my passion. I am finally fortunate enough to be in a point in my professional life to afford the ones I really want. I am also 308 days sober today, so Im fighting my demons along the way as well and fulfilling my automotive passions is a pleasant diversion and great way to keep myself occupied.

My name is Muti. Im a carholic. And I think thats ok

Jabberwock

Muti speaks truth. I also typically start looking at a certain model car and then as I do more research I end up looking for something more and more specific and typically harder to find and a lot more expensive than my original modest car plan. Any time in the past that I have compromised my real wants to buy a less expensive car I usually regret it and get rid of that car asap. So moral of the story is that budget permitting wait a little longer and save some more if necessary but get what you really want. I have had some really nice cars in my life and have enjoyed every minute of driving and owning them - especially the latest one, the LS430. In fact at this point I don't know what I am gonna do for an encore in 2016 when I get rid of the LS430... most likely I'll get a 9th generation Prius SUV or something similar because gas will be $12/gal. But I will always miss that big smooth V8 in the 430.

warminwisc

Multi you crack me up!! Great job my friend staying sober!! Selling a car is expensive and a pain in the but, but make sure you have the cash so no buyers remorse.

warminwisc

I do not like black cars for the sun reason. Why buy a painted car when 99 plus percent are not, of course panels but not the whole car. I see so few of these in wisconsin I do not know the difference in years. The painted car is less, ya get what ya pay for.

Muti007

Sometimes I share too much

nmikmik

Yea,
I call it a "Process of Yugo becoming a Mercedes", just for little more at the time, you can have....
And, since I am in fact married, these decisions don't come "cheap"
I think I just really need to look at that repainted car, maybe bring it to my buddy that owns a paint shop, maybe he can tell me what is that all about and what I can expect. If not, i'll just charge me up some patience and save for something that I really like. A Tesla S
p.s. I'd never want to have a black car ( or a RWD with or without traction etc. ) or anything close to black in Wisconsin, where i lived for only 11 years

Muti007

I personally run from cars that have been resprayed completely. They scare me.

My GX is the first black car Ive owned since my Porsche of years ago. The good news is its not my DD, its only for road trips and the occasional bad weather or rough terrain, which lets face it, in rich, yuppie Starbucks suburbia there aint much of. But as they say, just like a boat, the 2 happiest days of owning a black car are the day you buy it and the day you sell it. Theyre never clean. But it sure looks purdy!

I got just the front 2 windows tinted to the same color and shade as the rear windows' factory tint level. I think its a nice, simple clean look. Next up are black spoke wheels with a polished lip. I think when Im done, it should come together nice as an overall package, but theres still much to be done. Ive got the DVD bypass and Vaistech ipod kit on their way as well plus a few other upgrades so considering IVe had her for about a month now, things have been moving rather slowly as Ive also been working a lot, travelling on business, and sick as well and seeing specialists and having some procedures performed whilst also doing some upgrades on the LS. Im hoping within the next month or so to have the GX to where I want it, or at least 95% there.

warminwisc

I absolutely love my LS in snow with good tires. I throw it around corners in the snow the stab trac throws me back in line.I never get stuck and do not have that grinding of the anti locks, tires spinning under my feet. Sure a AWD 460 may be in the future but just so i can get to the northwoods cabin and the UP. Stab trac is awesome with the weight of the LS and good tires I pass everyone. Warm Snow is fun!!

Muti007

I hate the TC personally. IT just cuts power, that annoys me to no end. One second youre spinning the next youre not moving at all and then finally youre moving again but starting over. Yuck.

Thats why I try to keep different vehicles for different jobs, but then I also admit, Im nuts too. I do agree that with a good set of snows the LS would likely be an extremely competent vehicle in the white stuff.

nmikmik

I know,
that's what has stopped me from pursuing that car more aggressively, plus I lost the guy's contact number... As far as paint job, that does not scare me that much because I've seeing how it's done right and results can be just as good or better than factory. Although I am not sure about the factory process with all the oppositely charged systems. This guy I know, does absolutely marvelous job, for a price!

scottgolf

all good reasons to go with the 04 to 06, here is one more. the 6 speed alone makes the car worth it.

Also, I think my 05 interior is almost the same as my 88 560 sl looks just like it. i don't have nav, and i think nav makes the interior look dated. i don't see the toyotaness of the dash, rather i just feel like i am in my old 560 again only with a better ride. i have the 18 inch stock wheels on my car.

I drove an 02, and it was nice, but nothing like my 05. i would have went s500 rather than a pre 04 car.

scottgolf

oh yea i live in iowa, we get tons of snow our roads are crap and this is one of the best cars i have ever had in the snow that wasn't 4 wheel drive. i do put 18 blizzaks on it in the winter, just getting ready to take them off.

AlexusAnja

When we were shopping... we went from a new ES350 to GS350awd.... then ended up with our LS430 not even realizing how affordable my dream car was...

caddyowner

Muti is gonna talk me into getting that 2013 GS350 AWD with the luxury package, yet. Heck, what's $60K among friends. Maybe Lexus will give me $40K in trade for my LS (... and Prius and LX and first born son). LOL