pmarr

https://sacramento.craigslist.org/ct...964738118.html

Is this a reasonable deal? I have seen the car and driven and it is fabulous. Just wanted this forum's take before I consider an offer on it. Thanks!

Bocatrip

Repairing a/c can be expensive and you have the torn seat and tires, etc. Car looks clean but still needs work.....and then there are the things you find out after ownership. At 175,000 miles in this condition, I'd look to get a better price and make sure you check out EVERYTHING! Good luck and let us know how you make out.

LesserEvil

i agree. by the time you fix the things that need fixing you are over 10k into it. you can find a lower mile ls430 for that price range.

tires 1000
new(used) seat leather plus labor ~500
ac is probably somewhere in the 500 range. (if its leaking coolant then the seals are bad and need replacing)
something is not right with the sun shade
illegal tint on windows
missing engine plastics (more of a red flag than anything)

it honestly looks like someone did a good job of cleaning up someones beater.
for the money you can do better.

here is a better deal:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto...975904916.html

edit: just saw that it does have engine plastics.

TriC

The 2004 in Sacramento is a $5000 car at best IMHO. It looks like the one with the link posted by LesserEvil might be a gem, but obviously there is a big difference in price.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

I completely agree with you. It’s worth paying more money for a better car.

Bocatrip

Always worth paying more for a car that has been cared for. Let’s face it.....these cars are old!!!!! Go for the best one for a fair price. Why go for a project car when there are well maintained cars available?

Longmire

I think this is like a $5k-$6K car with good tires and no issues with the AC and the torn seat. It doesn't look like a bad car, but I think you could do better if you wait. If they got desperate I would offer them around $3K and make the repairs myself.

430SLOwner

No, NOT a reasonable deal. 40% of asking is tops and probably still not a good deal. (If this 175,000 mile car was nearly perfect with 0 mechanical issues, then a reasonable deal at maybe 55% of asking from pp or maybe 80% from dlr.) Mechanical issues are deal killers and demand huge price discounting. Keep looking, You will find one with everything working and in nearly perfect shape, [Maybe tell seller you will consider paying the ask price if all issues are resolved. Seller will say no because seller already knows how much money was quoted for repairs. Maybe then throw say 1500 at him for car with such miles and current mechanical deficiencies with significant costs left to be borne by you to make repairs. (If AC issue was minor, a good bet seller would have had it repaired.) If seller is fair, may take a hundred or so more to get him to throw you the keys. If not, seller will own the car for a long time unless becoming realistic and adjusting price.]
Maybe consider looking for 05s and 06s to avoid earlier 04 trans issues. (02s and 03s considerably less money but 05s and 06s considerably more desirable all other things being equal.) If you want more power, LS 460s with no timing belt issue, working AC and similar miles can be had for such an amount as seller is asking. (While I like very much and own the LS430, hard to argue it is better than a very nicely kept LS460.) Be patient, Many LS430s and LS460s are on and are coming to the market. You will find reasonable sellers with near perfect examples at a reasonable asking prices (those do move fairly quickly). If you are willing to do repairs, keep in mind that high mileage autos with mechanical issues will usually only sell when priced at steep discounts, and use such knowledge when negotiating price.

Jabberwock

A well maintained and gently used LS430 is super reliable fantastic car. Don't buy a beater LS430 for any price or you will likely regret it.

These are expensive cars with expensive problems if they have been neglected. An LS430 that has not been well maintained can end up being a serious money pit.

Pay more up front to buy a well maintained, super clean LS430 and you won't regret it.

bradland

How does the passenger seat endure more wear than the drivers seat? That simple oddity alone would turn me away immediately...

Ellesse

Some people's significant others are more significant than others...

TTBomB

iTrader: (2)

To the OP, I am selling my White on Black 2005 UL with 216k miles.
All maintenance is up to date and I have all the receipts with dates, mileage, etc on each repair since I have owned it from 77k.
I added it to the market place. message me if you have any questions.
Thanks!

Duck05

There are a lot better cars out there in the Nor Cal area.... May be priced higher but the list of items on this car is too steep.

Keep looking.

pmarr

Thanks everyone for the feedback!
So when looking at used vehicles, it sounds like determining what the car needs to be 100% is part of the negotiating tactic. Needs tires, minus $800, needs TB/WP, minus $1000 and so on. Is this standard? Apologies if this sounds ignorant.
My budget is around $7000

430SLOwner

Unless you are an enthusiast who can do all your own work, maybe consider following the advice of buying a car with no issues, Prices are different for each make and model vehicle. An older Toyota work van may set you back $200 for a set of tires while a set a tires for your Bugatti may run $42,000.00 for a replacement set of 4.. Buying an expensive when new old vehicle may require expensive now repairs. Do some research on whatever car you may consider buying as there is no universal standard for all cars.... But, yes cost to bring car to "clean condition" (very nice body and paint, no dents, no rust, etc, no mechanical issues whatsoever, nice interior) must be deducted from the price of a car with issues. Cars with higher miles on the odometer bring less than cars with lower miles on the odometer. Do a lot of research on the interweb (used car values, reliability scores, cost to maintain, cost of expected repairs and required maintenance costs, etc. etc. etc.) before spending your hard-earned money on any car so your regrets may be less later on.... (edmunds dot com has a data base -Edmunds TMV- reflecting actual reported sales prices of used vehicles and reviews of vehicles.
Plenty of people out there who no longer have the money they had for a car and now have to scramble for bus fare because they didn't think it through ahead of time and bought some pile of shiny pretty looking metal they cannot drive due to issues they now cannot afford to remedy....