Wandl

Hi esteemed forum members. Currently exploring 04-06 LS430's, chanced upon a 04 LS430 UL with 145k miles and wanted to sound out some concerns to see if they are worth worrying about or not.

early build 04 LS430 with everything but pre-collision from what I can tell.
42k miles - replaced transmission + fuel pump. Assume this was part of the recall, standard stuff
88k miles - replaced spark plugs, timing belt, transmission flush, rear diff flush, power steering flush......but no mention of water pump? Did the Lexus SA miss this or this wasn't actually replaced?
107k miles - replaced both rear shocks; safe to assume replaced both rear air shocks right?

Thx

Tom57

You should be asking the seller (and checking maintenance history) whether the timing belt and water pump have been replaced. Timing belt is a 90K mile maintenance item.

StanVanDam

Early 2004s had a recall for the transmission and a recall to replace the fuel pump. It was common for dealers to replace the entire transmission, although some 2004s only got new software.

From my official service records, when Lexus did the timing belt on my 2002, they changed the water pump, opcode was 12LEZZ10. This was before I owned it, at 6.19 years in-service and 60185 km (37397 mi). You would have to ask them if they missed it or if they didn't replace it - I would think they should have replaced it at the same time.

If they said they replaced both rear shocks, I would also assume they are referring to the air shocks.

Wandl

Thanks - seller is a non-Lexus dealership so has no clue on anything that doesn't show up on Carfax. I found the info out on Lexus Owners site, which the dealer was unaware of. I may call the servicing Lexus dealer though, as it was done in 2009 or 2010, not sure what they can tell me - would highly assume Lexus service is competent enough to replace the water pump the same time but don't want to assume.

Checking service history, rear 2 air shocks were replaced twice! Once at 57k miles and once at 107k miles...ouch

JffGRY706

Lexus dealer does not replace water pump on 1st timing belt unless it shows signs of leaking. extra $350 for me as mine showed signs of beginning to leak according to lexus service rep. I inspected belt and pump, but I really didn't see any signs of leaking and belt looked like the new one. also if car was CPO then first shocks were warrentied, second set was them getting their money back.

tradosauru

If the seller is an independent car lot I would pass on the car.
How many owners did this car have?

Wandl

Autocheck shows 3 owners, though not sure how accurate that may be. It's a reputable Ford lot...just not a Lexus lot. Looking at it later today.

tradosauru

The one LS430 I looked at back in Nov of 2015 was at a Ford dealership and it was a total POS.
I hope you fare better.

1A1

Take your time. A better one may show up.

Steve

warminwisc

:History sounds solid to me if it had reg oil changes. I dought you could replace air with non air shocks but yur Lexus inspection should help clarify that. I bought my first 04 from a small corner indoor dealer in Chicago. Best car I ever owned guy new cars bought em at the Mannhein in Oak Creek. The owner could not figure out why they wanted so much for it off lease or he would have bought it. It was just a premium. That LS had reg oil changes from 0-200k when I sold it. I would trust this car if you got O/C assurances from records and passed a Lexus inspection look up history on Lexus site..

As these cars get older newer cars have caught up and when you start talking 12-15 k cars now people get scared of expensive repairs being a luxury car. They can buyFWD v6's where they really do not value RWD V8.

warminwisc

Three owners can often be deceptive my second LS was a company car the guy bought. How much are they asking? 10 grand?

Wandl

Looked at it today - it actually looks good. No tears in the leather, interior is pretty immaculate, it'll need new tires and brakes in 5-10k miles but 04 UL for $10.5k with 145k miles. Salesperson was clueless on any of the features of the vehicle, but then again it was at a Ford lot so that's a given. Still just thinking about it...