Flatearth

Hello, everyone,

Lexus noob here who nonetheless wants to make the best decisions possible. I'm looking to purchase a relatively lower mileage LS 430 in the next few months, and I'm looking for advice before I make the plunge. Here are my questions:

1. I do plan on taking the vehicle for inspection to a mechanic. I have a trusted mechanic, but he is not a Lexus specialist. Would you suggest taking it a local Lexus dealer instead?
2. Looking at 60-80k in terms of mileage. What type of maintenance am I looking at in the upcoming years?
3. Any additional advice? I will take a look at the stickied posts over the next few weeks.

Thanks in advance for your support and insights.

onthelo

1. Does not have to be Lexus dealer if you trust your independent mechanic
2. Prob. timing belt/water pump , possinly brake pads maybe rotors, tires, oil change basic stuff for the mileage
3. Look over service records and owner history for accidents and such
4. Take your time a lot of them out there but only a handful in very nice condition
5. Good luck LS430 awesome car to own!

Peacebay

Johnhav430

I ultimately purchased a 2006, in 10/16. Back then, I did see quite a few cars in the 60-80k range, but mine had 81k due to price (I wanted to be around $14k--remember this was almost 2 yrs. ago). I saw a sweet 2006 mercury one at the local dealer, but they wanted $22k!! NUTS!!

Personally, there is no disadvantage to a 2006, vs. a 2001, except that you can't measure the tranny fluid with a dipstick (not of any consequence). So I would try to go towards 2006, and then compare--how much less is a 2005?

Totally 100% with the tranny comment--if you are at 80k, I was told "there is zero chance of harming your transmission by performing a drain/fill." It would be nice to purchase one that had no more than 80k, and then get a series of 3 drain/fills.

I'm not sure how feasible that is because I see tons like mine at 120k these days (I'm at 108k).

What you might like to know is that in almost 2 yrs. of ownership, THE ONLY thing that has broken for me, are two park assist sensors. These are crazy reliable vehicles. Good luck!

p.s. timing belt should be $750-$900 at an indie, potentially $1,800 at a dealership. You want to engage someone who has done it before on Toyota V8's....

onthelo

The timing belt and water pump should be changed closer to 60k or 7 years depend on the mileage. Everyone going to have a different opinion but most Lexus tech will recommend around 60k. If its a low mileage car and has been sitting the belt should be replaced also. You can do the plugs around 100k. Just really depend on how it was maintained. Depending where you live and the mileage and condition I have seen these models go from $6500-$20,000. There are option packages you can get such as CL (custom luxury) ML (modern luxury), UL (ultra luxury) Sport just depend what you want feature wise and color wise. I prefer 1 owner car but harder to find. Low mileage harder to find. Just keep looking some good ones out there, take your time but IMO stay with 04-06 preferably 05/06 they have the nicer 18" wheel package and if your looking for the ultimate in ride comfort and luxury go with 05/06 UL which has air suspension, suede and a higher grade leather interior and more rear seat features. Plus these 04-06 have the better transmission and more appealing styling cues then 01-03. Again good luck everyone here has amazing input! Not to mention they are fun to work on and there are many things you can do to them if that be your liking I am going down a VIP style for mine but to each they own. It is fun sourcing parts from Japan and working on these high quality built luxury sedans.

Flatearth

Thanks everyone for the feedback -- I really appreciate it. I'll report back in when I've sealed the deal.

TriC

Lots of good advice given thus far. It might help if you can provide some idea of your budget. Generally speaking though, your stated mileage desire will cost $11,000 and up for a nice '04 to '06.

onthelo

Here in California typically a smidgen more we are seeing them around $14k-16 (dealer) $12k-14k (private party) depending on trim and the supply and demand as we don't have as many low mileage ones out here.

Flatearth

I have some flexibility, $12-15k. I'd prefer not to hit the higher end of the price range, but would consider doing so for an exceptional vehicle (of course, I'm still trying to figure out what that means). I live in southern CA.

Johnhav430

I see prices are a bit higher in CA.....due to age, I think it's going to be a plus that a car spent its life in CA. Mine was from FL (another debate perhaps not good if car was parked at the ocean, but apparently my car is above average based on the indie's comments with it on a lift), and I also deliberately sought out a non rust belt car. So where the car lived should be considered...

onthelo

$12-15k you should be able to find a very nice clean 1 or 2 owner no accident vehicle with decent mileage 60k-90k. The all original OEM cars are pulling more value then modified ones though

Bocatrip

It's funny, but a good suggestion would be not to count out the early models 01-03 that have been pampered and well taken care of for 1/2 of 04-06 model prices with normal/higher miles for their year. Yes... it's true that the lower mileage cars might demand a somewhat higher price. Taking that into consideration....a pampered, documented, original owner car is the absolute value... but I'm probably getting away from the OP objective. Good luck whatever you choose. The LS430 is the last of the true "forever cars"....if cared for.
PS....I've been on this forum since 2006... that's 12 years. I own the same 2001 LS430 for the last 9 years. It's the most trusted car I have in my fleet and I love it every day I drive it. 136,000 miles and drives like new with not a rattle or squeak. Enough said.

4litre

iTrader: (1)

Any year LS430 buy it for the best price. You won't want to drive anything else. Believe it!

caverman

I have only owned LS430 but for they price range you're looking at you could also consider a LS460. The 2010+ are starting to get into the $16k range. Obviously you're on the 430 forum so you'll get a lot saying to stick with 430 vs 460 and I'm not really disagreeing, I'm just saying that for that kind of money keep your options open to a newer model. The LS460 have their own set of pros/cons that you'll have to research but a less than 100k LS430 in good shape is getting harder and harder to find and you better look every day and be ready to jump as soon as you see it or it will be gone.

bradland

Consider bumping the mileage range up to 80-120K for several good reasons.
-Availability, for every 60-80K car out there you'll find, I'm guessing, four or five 80-120K cars.
-Timing belt has probably already been serviced, one less thing for you to worry about.
-In the grand scheme of age and longevity there is almost no difference in an LS430 with 70K and one with 110K.
-Price, the 60K-80K cars are usually found at Lexus dealers and they charge a premuim for them. Usually the owner, typically elderly, brings the car in for a TB service and gets sold on a new vehicle after seeing the price to change the timing belt. A large percentage of these cars never make it back out to the sales lot and if they do it wont be there long.