riknchar

Hello LS430 forum! I've been a long-time "resident" of the LS460 forum, and owned a 2008 LS600hL for 3 years and currently own a 2006 SC430. I made the switch to a leased 2017 Genesis G90 last summer, but am now considering jumping back into an LS model. I've always been intrigued by the 3rd Gen LSs -- they've always looks very classy to me -- and I'm starting to research the 3G LSs to learn as much as possible before I take the plunge. This forum contains a treasure trove of info about these cars (just like the LS460 forum), and I've learned quite a bit over the past couple of weeks.

I have been scanning all of the car web sites (autotrader, cargurus, etc.) to see what's available in a low-mileage 2004-2006 LS, and have found some decent looking candidates. From everything I've read, it seems the conventional wisdom is to avoid the ULs due to the likely air suspension issues. Other than that, the 2004-2006 models look pretty bullet proof.

I've recently narrowed in on a beautiful 2005 LS430 I found on AutoTrader. Here's the link: https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...delCode1=LS430

I'm looking for feedback from forum members on this specific car. The miles are great, and it looks to be in very nice shape inside and out. I don't see a Carfax, but the seller claims the car is a 2-owner and "accident free." The price seems very good to me also. I checked the Lexus service history online, but it looks like whoever owned the car never used the Lexus dealer for service, unfortunately. I've attached the service records I found.

I assume this car is overdue for a timing belt/water pump change if it hasn't already had one, right? My SC430's maintenance schedule called for timing belt replacement after 90K miles OR 9 years (I replaced mine last year due to age, even though I only have 21k miles on that one). I have a great local independent shop, and I was able to have my timing belt and water pump replaced on the SC430 for a total cost of $700.

Anything else I should be concerned about on this car? Thanks!

riknchar

If any of our forum members live in Minneapolis and wouldn't mind checking out this car, I'd greatly appreciate it! It's a bit unnerving buying a car sight unseen (I live in Omaha Nebraska), and any reassurance I could get from a seasoned Lexus lover would help ease my mind.

Johnhav430

For me, the price is high. I did pay more, as I bought a 2006 ML in 10/16 for $14,700, with 81k.

imho, low miles is not a benefit as many things deteriorate based on age. Not only that, it seems to be the consensus that the car goes 200k easily, and 300k likely (starting to see 3rd gens reaching 300k). So it's one of those things like insurance--insurance cos. will be glad to "overinsure" you. If zillow says your house is $600k, and you want $600k insurance, they will offer it to you. But they would never pay more than the 180k it costs to build you a new house. Same with these car dealers, I want to say kbb is irrelevant, as is the avg. miles that a 2005 would have! lol (in my analogy, can you realistically drive the car from 40k to 300k? 80k to 300k? 130k to 300k? my money says no, so why pay a high price for low miles?)

It does seem like our cars have the same issues again I think regardless of miles....door actuator, LCA bushings, saggy driver seat, so it's beneficial to get the price lower, and the miles higher, from my perspective....if it were me, I'd already think about $11k list, $10k sell, or something like that, and 2006 if possible just to make it a year newer (we're getting old so it doesn't matter that much)....my .02

whooodat

iTrader: (4)

Looks like a beaut! I would think the it was garage kept, the only question I have is how does the under carriage look since it's from MN? I agree that it will need WP & TB.

Hopefully someone from MN can help you out.... anyone...?

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

I would go for it almost a year ago i paid $10,500 for my ls with 82,000 on it so that sounds likes a good deal to me even the seats look new so i would go for it.

riknchar

Thanks for the initial feedback! One other question: I've read several forum members mention that they have purposefully stayed away from LS430s with Nav. Why? Is the Nav screen somewhat prone to failure? Or is it just extremely expensive to fix if it does fail? I like having a backup camera, but don't want to risk a very expensive repair to get one... Thoughts?

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

It because the nav unit, climate control, and mark levinson amp are all one unit and if the amp goes then you have no climate control. Also i would not worry about it at this stage in the game if the amp has not failed it is not going to also the amps arw $1400 new $750 rebuilt so its not that bad.

TriC

Given that it's being offered by a new car dealer, that's a good price for a Custom Luxury with 45K miles. Have them send you a copy of the Carfax and, if it's ok, go for it.

bloomwcjkl

I bought an 04 ML from the Minneapolis area with 63k miles. Flint Mica/Black. I am about 3.5 hours away. They started out high and I ended up paying $12,000. Maybe on the high side, but I was very comfortable with the couple and they did all maintenance at Maplewood Lexus.

I did a lot of back and forth with the owner who was ~80 and his wife. They used their LS as car to drive back and forth to Florida each winter/spring. Mine spent winters in Florida, so missed the Minnesota winters.

The area does have salt/sand during the winter. I think that owners that take care of their cars wash them often and I don't know if it would too much of a concern with 45k miles.

If you like the color combination and features, it looks like a reasonable price. 1 year newer and 18k less miles.

My 2001 with 16" tires is a bit better on the harsh bumps compared to the 04 with 17" tires. The 04 seems a bit crisper in a few areas. But then, my 01 has 133k miles. Both are just great cars for the price/value.

One point, the technology is dated. Bluetooth is only for calls. It is not as easy to set up or use as compared to newer cars. A lot has changed in the 13 years.

I don't mind in my 2001. I am going to put the USA Spec BT45-TOY in my wife's 430 once the weather warms up a bit. That will provide bluetooth music and Aux input.

Johnhav430

I have the nav and no issues since 10/06, even put in a new disc. But it's not useful, except as a map facing north. This supplements my google maps or Waze, to see where I am in the big picture. The NAV comes with ML, which I would want as a minimum.

I'd even go further and look at the date of mfg, I'd want 6/06 as opposed to 10/05, both being 2006s. This is irrelevant to the price, but it means the car is almost 1/2 year newer, as again, these are old cars (not a problem they last).

I've heard people avoid the ULs since the shocks are $1k/corner (haha Mercedes is more than double that), but not everyone avoids, some love the UL as they were the top of the line.

I myself would like a CL, and these can be identified by having headlight washers, but NO ride height button. they can have some really cool aniline leather and sweet colors plus the laminated side glass. I think imho these cars are old, no need to buy the first one we see, get the right one, and realize the prices listed are inflated (esp. Carmax etc.)....

riknchar

So I'm learning more every day! The car I'm looking at appears to be a Custom Luxury (since it has headlight washers but no Height adjustment button indicating Air Ride)... Interesting. So I understand that means the car has the suede headliner and special non-aniline leather. I don't think it has the radar cruise or pre-collision system, though. Seems like the CL cars are somewhat sought after since they don't have the air ride suspension, but do have some of the other UL features...

The sales lady I've been working with did a full walk-around the car today and said the exterior and interior are the nicest she's ever seen on a 13 year old car. She said there were a couple of small scratches on the bumpers, but that's about it. The car was a local trade-in on a new Nissan. She said the car underwent a full inspection, and that everything checked out except the brakes, which were replaced on all 4 wheels (and an oil change was done). She wasn't sure about the timing belt/water pump (I'm guessing those things weren't done yet).

What's the thoughts on using a 3rd part inspection for a vehicle like this? Lemon Squad will check it out completely for $149. Worth it?

Thanks again to everyone for the great comments!

Legender

This is maybe one of the cleanest ones, with low miles coupled with a decent price that you're going to find. They don't come up that often. If you're really going to buy one, then spending $149 for piece of mind is a no-brainer for me. If this meets all your criteria then I'm not sure what you're waiting for.

Johnhav430

My experience with people looking at the vehicle....imho a Japanese specialist who is familiar with the LS430 is key. They are even better than the dealer. ( called one and was told, "I dunno, we don't see too many cars like yours." WRONG ANSWER!)

In my case, the first time my car went to a dealer, there were multiple $1400-$1600 repairs recommended, and the indie said no way. The indie even told me they don't believe I need to replace my LCA bushings, but when I insisted, they reiterated that in their opinion, there will be no benefit (imagine, indies have integrity, because they value their reputation).

The indie caught that my output shaft seal was leaking (<$20 part), 2 dealerships did not (too small of a fish to fry). Dealer would catch it when the vehicle is towed in on a flatbed and has no tranny fluid left.

If possible, let a Japanese specialist inspect the used vehicle, they will go to town and hopefully only recommend what's really needed, even if they are small nuisance jobs....

Another thing about used cars and dealers....I lucked out and bought my car at a GMC dealership. My brakes were pulsating and my driver door actuator was not working....they fixed it/took care of it. If you miss something, will the dealer you get it from take care of things, if you discover it 2 hours later after driving off? We're not talking about minor things like a blown fuse, but if you happen to find a door actuator not functioning etc....

edit in retrospect might be best to pickup a car during the week and early in the day, so you can turn around if you notice something. I was on a Sat. so I had to worry about it until Monday....also was 160 miles away. Not finding any coolant in the radiator wasn't a very good feeling either, but the car had a 1 mo/1k warranty per NYS law

Tharper1

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

Actually, if the ML amp goes bad, you'll have erratic or no sound. They can rebuilt for under $500 with a warranty. It's in the trunk in the upper left against the RR wheel well.

You can still use your NAV screen for climate.

Since you'll most likely use your phone for navigation, you won't need the screen for that. If you absolutely need a backup camera, then you have no choice but to get a Custom Luxury.

The NAV screen can also be refurbished for about $200 by Radio Medics in Rancho Cordova, CA. Phone is 916-851-9261.