Advice on buying a high mileage LS430 (merged threads)
05-29-18, 04:46 PM
#108
Pole Position
2001-2006 ls430 (extremely high mileage)
Hello I need some advise from LS430 owners or anyone who has knowledge of the LS430,I was thinking about buying a LS430 with 285,000 miles at a great price,should I gamble or not and if I do buy what are some of the most important things I should look for???? Thanks in advance...
05-29-18, 06:36 PM
#109
Id take it for a 30 minute test drive and if everything runs, sounds and shifts well with no lights or codes on, Id do it all day for the right price.
A customer of mine just purchased a 230k mile LS430 from me and it drove like new with just minor cosmetic wear.
Check last timing belt service and budget accordingly. These cars are tanks if maintained.
A customer of mine just purchased a 230k mile LS430 from me and it drove like new with just minor cosmetic wear.
Check last timing belt service and budget accordingly. These cars are tanks if maintained.
05-29-18, 09:48 PM
#111
Pole Position
Id take it for a 30 minute test drive and if everything runs, sounds and shifts well with no lights or codes on, Id do it all day for the right price.
A customer of mine just purchased a 230k mile LS430 from me and it drove like new with just minor cosmetic wear.
Check last timing belt service and budget accordingly. These cars are tanks if maintained.
A customer of mine just purchased a 230k mile LS430 from me and it drove like new with just minor cosmetic wear.
Check last timing belt service and budget accordingly. These cars are tanks if maintained.
05-29-18, 10:12 PM
#113
Also has another customer w/ an LS400 that has 400K+. It's probably had multiple owners. The guy w/ the 300k '06 plans to give it to his son. I am "really racking up the miles" on mine. Drive 5k/year so not going to see big numbers on the odometer anytime soon 
05-29-18, 11:34 PM
#114
Id take it for a 30 minute test drive and if everything runs, sounds and shifts well with no lights or codes on, Id do it all day for the right price. A customer of mine just purchased a 230k mile LS430 from me and it drove like new with just minor cosmetic wear. Check last timing belt service and budget accordingly. These cars are tanks if maintained.
Hello I need some advise from LS430 owners or anyone who has knowledge of the LS430,I was thinking about buying a LS430 with 285,000 miles at a great price,should I gamble or not and if I do buy what are some of the most important things I should look for???? Thanks in advance...
Appreciate any input.
Last edited by BCT; 05-29-18 at 11:38 PM.
05-30-18, 04:45 AM
#115
Lexus Fanatic
Does your state have safety/emissions testing? haha wait a sec I work in NJ but don't live here and I thought no more safety and yes emissions every 2 yrs?
Anyway that would be my concern with any high mileage car. If the price is low enough, like 2k, imho and it drives fine, you can simply drive it into the ground. If you face a major repair, then let it go. Just as a reference, it seems to me that 2006 cars are 4 figures now on the lower end. So say a car with 130k is $9500. What should a car with 285k be? Mileage and time are the enemies of all cars. Mileage in itself does not seem to be as much of a factor on the LS430. Then there's time.
Me personally, I may prefer to pay a little more, and take something off the odometer...it depends...I would rather pay 7k for higher than 130k, than say 5k for 285k. But we don't know what price you are looking at...remember for us used car buyers, the dealer is generally not an option for service. I drove mine in with 81k, and they recommended over 5 grand of repairs (none of which were really needed).
Anyway that would be my concern with any high mileage car. If the price is low enough, like 2k, imho and it drives fine, you can simply drive it into the ground. If you face a major repair, then let it go. Just as a reference, it seems to me that 2006 cars are 4 figures now on the lower end. So say a car with 130k is $9500. What should a car with 285k be? Mileage and time are the enemies of all cars. Mileage in itself does not seem to be as much of a factor on the LS430. Then there's time.
Me personally, I may prefer to pay a little more, and take something off the odometer...it depends...I would rather pay 7k for higher than 130k, than say 5k for 285k. But we don't know what price you are looking at...remember for us used car buyers, the dealer is generally not an option for service. I drove mine in with 81k, and they recommended over 5 grand of repairs (none of which were really needed).
05-30-18, 08:05 AM
#116
Pole Position
Could I ask what do you consider the right price for a 200K 04-06 LS430? This is assuming everything is working properly, in pretty decent condition, and has not been in accident before. I drive very little, maybe 2-3K a year since this will not be our primary car, so even at 200K miles, I won't be adding miles quickly. I am thinking around $5K or so depending what need to be fixed/replaced. I am pretty handy in fixing things. Sounds about right?
Same question. Could I ask what do you think a great price is?
Appreciate any input.
Same question. Could I ask what do you think a great price is?
Appreciate any input.
05-30-18, 08:18 AM
#117
Pole Position
Does your state have safety/emissions testing? haha wait a sec I work in NJ but don't live here and I thought no more safety and yes emissions every 2 yrs?
Anyway that would be my concern with any high mileage car. If the price is low enough, like 2k, imho and it drives fine, you can simply drive it into the ground. If you face a major repair, then let it go. Just as a reference, it seems to me that 2006 cars are 4 figures now on the lower end. So say a car with 130k is $9500. What should a car with 285k be? Mileage and time are the enemies of all cars. Mileage in itself does not seem to be as much of a factor on the LS430. Then there's time.
Me personally, I may prefer to pay a little more, and take something off the odometer...it depends...I would rather pay 7k for higher than 130k, than say 5k for 285k. But we don't know what price you are looking at...remember for us used car buyers, the dealer is generally not an option for service. I drove mine in with 81k, and they recommended over 5 grand of repairs (none of which were really needed).
Anyway that would be my concern with any high mileage car. If the price is low enough, like 2k, imho and it drives fine, you can simply drive it into the ground. If you face a major repair, then let it go. Just as a reference, it seems to me that 2006 cars are 4 figures now on the lower end. So say a car with 130k is $9500. What should a car with 285k be? Mileage and time are the enemies of all cars. Mileage in itself does not seem to be as much of a factor on the LS430. Then there's time.
Me personally, I may prefer to pay a little more, and take something off the odometer...it depends...I would rather pay 7k for higher than 130k, than say 5k for 285k. But we don't know what price you are looking at...remember for us used car buyers, the dealer is generally not an option for service. I drove mine in with 81k, and they recommended over 5 grand of repairs (none of which were really needed).
05-30-18, 12:14 PM
#118
Moderator
The key item on maintenance, assuming all major systems and tires are in good working order is the timing belt and water pump. You need to find out specifically when this maintenance was performed last. If last timing belt and water pump was done more than 90k miles ago, or more than 10 years ago, it needs to be done again. Cost is apprx $900-1400 depending where and how you have it done. If the TB/WP is way overdue I would avoid the car unless you can immediately get it into a shop to have the work done. It is not super complex but be aware that having this kind of semi-major maintenance work done at a bargain basement shop that may not have any experience doing TB on this engine type has occasionally resulted in a totally bricked engine.
Last edited by Jabberwock; 05-30-18 at 12:18 PM.
05-30-18, 01:00 PM
#119
Lexus Fanatic
Imho I'd try for $2k and then in my own head ask myself if I'm willing to do $2,500. That number is reasonably low such that even if the car became a total loss, it's not the end of the world. In other words, you can also buy say a Chevy Cruze for $2,500, but it would likely be a lot newer and a lot less miles. Part of the willingness to go LS430 is you want a flagship car, and it's known to be able to go a lot of miles and to be reliable. At the same time nobody gives anything away unless relatives. So in the end it's all about risk v. reward. $2k is worth taking a chance, $3k no, $2,500?
05-30-18, 01:31 PM
#120
Pole Position
The key item on maintenance, assuming all major systems and tires are in good working order is the timing belt and water pump. You need to find out specifically when this maintenance was performed last. If last timing belt and water pump was done more than 90k miles ago, or more than 10 years ago, it needs to be done again. Cost is apprx $900-1400 depending where and how you have it done. If the TB/WP is way overdue I would avoid the car unless you can immediately get it into a shop to have the work done. It is not super complex but be aware that having this kind of semi-major maintenance work done at a bargain basement shop that may not have any experience doing TB on this engine type has occasionally resulted in a totally bricked engine.