Considering an 04 UL. Advice
07-25-13, 09:12 PM
#31
I don't know, reading on this forum the UL seems to only appeal to some people and it only adds so much value to the 430 pre owned price. 6 months ago I got traded in my UL for a Modern Luxury. The Modern Luxury is a 2006 got it with 20,500 miles and paid 26,500 from local lexus dealer. 22K+++ for a 2004 with 104K on the clock would be a deal I would not loose sleep over...
Also, In the current car market from what I can see people arent really getting the figures that NADA and KBB are showing based on your year, options, mileage, etc.
As more and more people wanting LS430's become educated buyers they know the potential problems that can be very expensive on an UL LS430. Some don't end up having problems but some do. My UL had 175K on it and I did not have any of the usual problems that are reported to happen in 430's. Towards the very end of my ownership I started to feel the suspension getting firmer and the Local Lexus dealer took it on trade and that was it.
Do I miss the UL? Not really. Most of the goodies are in the back of the car. I never sat in the back. I don't really notice that much of a difference at all in suspension feel and I even have the 18" wheels on my 2006. In my opinion the 2006 will be the better car in the long run...
Also, In the current car market from what I can see people arent really getting the figures that NADA and KBB are showing based on your year, options, mileage, etc.
As more and more people wanting LS430's become educated buyers they know the potential problems that can be very expensive on an UL LS430. Some don't end up having problems but some do. My UL had 175K on it and I did not have any of the usual problems that are reported to happen in 430's. Towards the very end of my ownership I started to feel the suspension getting firmer and the Local Lexus dealer took it on trade and that was it.
Do I miss the UL? Not really. Most of the goodies are in the back of the car. I never sat in the back. I don't really notice that much of a difference at all in suspension feel and I even have the 18" wheels on my 2006. In my opinion the 2006 will be the better car in the long run...
I spend a lot of time out of town and really don't put much mileage on.Now the trouble is the low balling on my trade.. ugh. Such a pain to deal with.
07-28-13, 06:54 PM
#32
Can anyone comment on the air suspension reliability?
I know I have been back and forth regarding my decision over an 04 UL vs on 06 ML. The price difference is actually going to be about $4500 now. I have beat them down to $19 even on the 04 and I just really like the car. It is in fantastic shape and brand new tires, brakes, tb/wp maintenance and it has more options of course. Plus they will give me a $1000 more on my trade. The only thing that has me worried is the suspension. I know eventually it will go out but is there something I should look for in the time being?
The other things I am wondering are these services. Any insight would be great.
Below is a list of the more "major" repairs. Almost everything else is just brakes, tires, oil changes, alignment, and checks.
Mileage: Repair #:
6657 0516704 FRONT AXLE
6657 0516704 FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT
6657 0516704 TRANSMISSION REPLACE
19991 0303509 R.HT CNTRL SNSR SUBASSY,1-SD
20445 0305581 REPROGRAM ECU
44705 0414531 FRT DR LOCK ASSY 1-SIDE
55136 0456234 OXYGEN SENSOR (ONE)
77321 0547392 FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER 1-SD
77321 0547392 PERFORMED RESEAL PROCEDURE
77321 0547392 REPLACE DRIVE BELT
88616 0578574 REPLACE TIMING BELT
88616 0578574 REPLACED WATER PUMP ASSEMBLY
88616 0578574 REPLACED CENTER ARM REST LATCH
88616 0578574 REPLACED CUP HOLDER ASSEMBLY
88616 0578574 REPLACED BOTH TRUNK SUPPORTS
94119 0588914 REPLACED BANK 2 SENSOR 1 OXYGEN SENSOR
94119 0588914 REPLACED BOTH FRONT DOOR SPEAKER
94119 0588914 POWER STEERING SERVICE
99827 0598383 SUSPNSN L.ARM 1-SD W/O B.JNT
I know I have been back and forth regarding my decision over an 04 UL vs on 06 ML. The price difference is actually going to be about $4500 now. I have beat them down to $19 even on the 04 and I just really like the car. It is in fantastic shape and brand new tires, brakes, tb/wp maintenance and it has more options of course. Plus they will give me a $1000 more on my trade. The only thing that has me worried is the suspension. I know eventually it will go out but is there something I should look for in the time being?
The other things I am wondering are these services. Any insight would be great.
Below is a list of the more "major" repairs. Almost everything else is just brakes, tires, oil changes, alignment, and checks.
Mileage: Repair #:
6657 0516704 FRONT AXLE
6657 0516704 FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT
6657 0516704 TRANSMISSION REPLACE
19991 0303509 R.HT CNTRL SNSR SUBASSY,1-SD
20445 0305581 REPROGRAM ECU
44705 0414531 FRT DR LOCK ASSY 1-SIDE
55136 0456234 OXYGEN SENSOR (ONE)
77321 0547392 FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER 1-SD
77321 0547392 PERFORMED RESEAL PROCEDURE
77321 0547392 REPLACE DRIVE BELT
88616 0578574 REPLACE TIMING BELT
88616 0578574 REPLACED WATER PUMP ASSEMBLY
88616 0578574 REPLACED CENTER ARM REST LATCH
88616 0578574 REPLACED CUP HOLDER ASSEMBLY
88616 0578574 REPLACED BOTH TRUNK SUPPORTS
94119 0588914 REPLACED BANK 2 SENSOR 1 OXYGEN SENSOR
94119 0588914 REPLACED BOTH FRONT DOOR SPEAKER
94119 0588914 POWER STEERING SERVICE
99827 0598383 SUSPNSN L.ARM 1-SD W/O B.JNT
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 07-28-13 at 07:09 PM.
07-28-13, 08:52 PM
#33
if you're going for UL make sure it has PCS...it has saved me a few times. The early 04 UL's didn't have it.
07-28-13, 09:00 PM
#34
Lexus Champion
Price seems mighty high to me, for a 10 year old car. Regardless if it is an LS, it's not an LS460 and at $20K you are there. I would offer 14K tops.
As far as the transmission and ECM campaigns, they were nothing, the LS430 has an impeccable reliability record, among the top 2 or 3 in the world.
Have you done an Autocheck on the car? - if it has even 1 accident, then I wouldn't want it regardless of price. Use Autocheck.com, as CarFax has been a bit bogus lately.
As far as the transmission and ECM campaigns, they were nothing, the LS430 has an impeccable reliability record, among the top 2 or 3 in the world.
Have you done an Autocheck on the car? - if it has even 1 accident, then I wouldn't want it regardless of price. Use Autocheck.com, as CarFax has been a bit bogus lately.
Last edited by LScowboyLS; 07-28-13 at 09:06 PM.
07-28-13, 09:43 PM
#35
Price seems mighty high to me, for a 10 year old car. Regardless if it is an LS, it's not an LS460 and at $20K you are there. I would offer 14K tops.
As far as the transmission and ECM campaigns, they were nothing, the LS430 has an impeccable reliability record, among the top 2 or 3 in the world.
Have you done an Autocheck on the car? - if it has even 1 accident, then I wouldn't want it regardless of price. Use Autocheck.com, as CarFax has been a bit bogus lately.
As far as the transmission and ECM campaigns, they were nothing, the LS430 has an impeccable reliability record, among the top 2 or 3 in the world.
Have you done an Autocheck on the car? - if it has even 1 accident, then I wouldn't want it regardless of price. Use Autocheck.com, as CarFax has been a bit bogus lately.
As far as your numbers go, I'm not seeing those prices for an 04 with that package and history. Believe me, I would love to get it for 14 grand but there is no way the Lexus dealer is going to come down to that. I had to beat them up to just get to 19 even. I mean every place I have valued the car is over 19 grand retail. I don't have the option of private party and I do realize you do tend to save money over a dealer but you also don't get the warranty and they are going to give me $8,000 for my 99 LS400. Even the credit union valued the car at 19,2. It might be a bit of a wash. Paying a bit more for the 04 and getting more for my trade in. Not a strong market for a 15 year old LS400 with a clean retail of $10,500.
Does not have PCS but it does have laser cruise control. It was sold in January of 04.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 07-28-13 at 09:58 PM.
07-28-13, 11:26 PM
#37
Lexus Champion
first rule: don't fall in love with any particular Lexus, there is always a better one right around the corner!
and if it is truly a great Lexus with proper service history, and no accidents, then you don't need a warranty! (believe me is a very expensive warranty, and is NOT bumper to bumper by a long shot)
and the dealer is NOT giving you $8000 for your car, more like $2500 if they are severely overcharging you on the newer car!
and one more thing, the "complete" service record in no way guarantees that this vehicle has not been in a serious accident, it only details the maintenance work done by Lexus dealerships, a private body shop could have made major repairs on this car and it would not be in the record you are looking at - get the Autocheck, no excuses! - I would never spend even 7K on a car without spending that little $30
and if it is truly a great Lexus with proper service history, and no accidents, then you don't need a warranty! (believe me is a very expensive warranty, and is NOT bumper to bumper by a long shot)
and the dealer is NOT giving you $8000 for your car, more like $2500 if they are severely overcharging you on the newer car!
and one more thing, the "complete" service record in no way guarantees that this vehicle has not been in a serious accident, it only details the maintenance work done by Lexus dealerships, a private body shop could have made major repairs on this car and it would not be in the record you are looking at - get the Autocheck, no excuses! - I would never spend even 7K on a car without spending that little $30
Last edited by LScowboyLS; 07-28-13 at 11:48 PM.
07-29-13, 04:58 AM
#38
I hear what you are saying. Do you think KBB is 6 grand overvalued? And NADA that does not have an option for the UL package? I have no problem spending money on the AutoCheck I am just trying to figure out the real market value on this car. I see 04's going for less at mom and pop dealers but I am not interested in going there. Looking at AutoTrader the 17,5 - 19,5 seems about the range at all the reputable dealers.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 07-29-13 at 05:23 AM.
07-29-13, 06:05 AM
#39
The dealer will always be more expensive and be closer to retail price. Don't ever go to a dealer and expect to get something closer to trade in. If Lexus dealer is selling it, then chances are it's a clean car without any accident damage. At lease Sewell won't mess with a car like that. Those types go to the smaller used car lots, where they will sell cheaper. Best source for clean and low price is individual who does not want/need to trade it in. But those are few and far between and you don't go buy one... you wait for one to show up for sale, then you do your due diligence.
Real question... you really like this one. Is is perfect for you? Are you willing to pay up and be happy? Is it the car or the deal you want? If this one breaks 6 mos down the road, are you going to be happy about fixing it...or disappointed?
The price from a dealer is about right... they are there to make money, not make you a deal.... you are paying up as opposed to buying from an individual... but that's a personal choice.
They probably have this priced higher because it's to unique ( not that many with this color combo) and know they can get more for it.
Real question... you really like this one. Is is perfect for you? Are you willing to pay up and be happy? Is it the car or the deal you want? If this one breaks 6 mos down the road, are you going to be happy about fixing it...or disappointed?
The price from a dealer is about right... they are there to make money, not make you a deal.... you are paying up as opposed to buying from an individual... but that's a personal choice.
They probably have this priced higher because it's to unique ( not that many with this color combo) and know they can get more for it.
07-29-13, 06:23 AM
#40
Just as a reference I saw there is currently a 2005 430 Fully loaded with every possible option. UL with PCS. It is the exact same color combination but with 66K miles. They are asking $23,950 Private party. BUt, here is the big thing. I was reading a question the seller answered to a potential buyer. The seller said all 4 shocks and struts were replaced in november of 2011...You could get into this car for a little more money but the several thousand dollar service is already done. One year newer, with less miles. Just a thought.
07-29-13, 08:46 AM
#41
Just as a reference I saw there is currently a 2005 430 Fully loaded with every possible option. UL with PCS. It is the exact same color combination but with 66K miles. They are asking $23,950 Private party. BUt, here is the big thing. I was reading a question the seller answered to a potential buyer. The seller said all 4 shocks and struts were replaced in november of 2011...You could get into this car for a little more money but the several thousand dollar service is already done. One year newer, with less miles. Just a thought.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 07-29-13 at 08:51 AM.
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