Bingo.
OP, there is a lot of good info from reliable sources on this page, if you search them out. No need for a million garbage youtube links that just make the search more difficult.

 

Good luck in your search Marco.
CrisFix went to Rutgers University where he studied marine biology and graduated with a Bachelor of Science.
He bought, repaired, and sold cars while in school to earn money.
He now has a net worth of some millions and now earns over a million dollars each year on YouTube with his how-to repair videos and other car advice videos.
He makes so much money from his car business that he is not yet pursuing a career in marine biology.
His five video series on car buying gives accurate and useful information to anyone looking to buy a used car. And, the advice in those videos can help a buyer save money and avoid problems when looking for a car. It appears many have found his 5 video car buying advice useful as over 18,000,000 views of the 5 videos in this series may attest.
There are several posters who have given you sound advice about buying an LS 430 on this thread and are a great help. The 5 CrisFix car buying video series is also a great help and goes into great detail.
Someone might advise you there is no need for you to go to school to study computer science because it is just makes things more difficult as perhaps all one needs to know is ctrl alt delete or shut down and restart. But, you are still pursuing greater knowledge by attending school and earning your degree, irrespective of such advice.

 

21 years old? Any savings? Take 1/2 the money you’d spend on a car and put it away.

 

Very good advice. When I was 22, I had the choice of doing stock purchase (haha today the co. is worthless) and 401k. I didn't do it until 25. Imagine how much that cost ugh

Today there are 4 cos. valued at a trillion and up, and I only hold one of them, amazon. Nice 8-10% pop today. I can't believe I sold Microsoft and Google. I never touched apple (stupid) because I can't stand them.

So my advice is to buy a piece of something that might make sense, and stick with it. I just don't understand why I would not have kept Microsoft. I've had GE (hahaha), QCOM (hahahaha), and BAC all that time. The amazon I plan on giving to my son in the future, so I don't truly care about the paper gains. Just saying I agree, and at 21, one day you will be 31, 41, and even maybe 51. Another one I sold was facebook at 41 (wth my avg was 33 and I was scared to hold).

edit just thought of this I don't even have the cash to pay for the amazon capital gains, seriously, other than to take from proceeds

 

Agreed, the garbage youtube videos are confusing, But the good ones are worth watching. I wouldn't exclude them.

 

One other thing to consider vs a Prius or something, these cars are quick and will pull to high speeds with much more ease than an on paper "just as good" V6 since at the higher gears you actually have power at 4000 rpm.

I was reminded of this in the drive this morning with a tailgater, once I turned off 42 and he followed I decided to leave him. A V6 Camry doesn't follow an LS to 125

If you care about power.......not going to outrun the newest versions in it class but will still exceed most below it

 

What even is this thread now lmao

 

It's about 21 y.o., looking to buy his first car lol We were all 21 at some point, weren't we? (with the political correctness of this day and age there could be people who say how is it you assume everyone is over 21 haha--on the BMW forum that's not a safe assumption!).

I dunno about you, but it was a big deal for me, my first car was at 19. Today we treat so much as simply being not a huge deal. If it were my kid (mine is 6), I'd want him to make a good decision. If I were 21 I'd want a BMW--but this is predicated upon I was working on my cars back then as well so if no DIY imho a BMW is ill advised. But a 2007-2010 BMW 328i if taken care of is a good car. Again nice depreciation means buyer gets a nice car. I wouldn't bother with 335's, which is what I own. Again, the risk profile.

 

S&P 500 indexes make it easy....the key is to invest at an early age (21 is pretty young....hint hint) make monthly contributions and retire comfortable after 40+ years of investing.

 

Try the 2000 ls400. You can find one with great milage and condition for around $6000. It will give you some of the luxury options and leave you money for some upgrades if wanted

 

I have no clue what they might go for today, but I would even like a 1998 GS400--that was car of the year back then and had HID headlamps. Sweet ride.

 

The REALLY NICE 99s and 2000s have become Unicorns.

 

Lots of good information here for a young (or any age, for that matter) used car buyer. I have bought four used Lexus LS's, two 400's, a 430 and about a year ago a 460, the last two being Ultra Luxury models, and have been pleased with each one of them. I check used car value/price guides and expect to pay less than person to person price for base model with mileage rounded up to the next thousand miles and service records. Any necessary fixes must be priced into the deal so that my total cost is no more than the pricing guide indicated value. I do only the most rudimentary upkeep myself, but use the services of a private Lexus/Toyota non-dealer shop for everything needed. I have the peace of mind that everything has been properly maintained according to factory specs and with genuine Lexus parts. Maintenance is a necessary cost of owning and driving any car and safety and dependability should be your primary concerns. Good luck in your search.

 

I also had a 2010 Prius. Probably the most practical car I have ever owned. I sold it and got a 04 LS430 because when I was in college my dad gave me his 93 LS400 which I drove for 10 years and ever since then I was hooked on LS. They are solid built automobiles. I drove my LS 400 from Omaha to Sacramento 1900 miles in the Summer. No issues got like 27 MPG. One of the most quietest comfortable cars I have driven. Good choice 👍🏼. It’s very hard to find an 04-06 LS in the $5-$6k range. As soon as one pops up on CL, it’s gone.

 

I am just sorry I did not find the LS world sooner. I am about 4 decades your senior... Have LS400 as a daily driver for 5 years now and it is very nice. The solid quality. silent smooth ride. You sense the goal of the japanese engineers back in the day to make a solid vehicle no matter what.
However.
Essential to find a car that does not have expensive problems that needs fixing. These cars seldom break so if things work it will probably keep on doing it for a long time.
Essential to find a good and fair mechanic. It is very easy to get duped into expensive repairs and it is tempting for a mechanic to suggest work that really is not essential or expensive fixes especially if he thinks you can manage it without breaking the bank. Just being a young person having a luxury car will predestine some to think you can handle 1k$ extra without blinking. Smart to not give that impression and gather some knowledge to come across as a informed customer. Second opinions with someone else and discussing work estimates with this forum before and after is one way.
Many things can be expensive to fix IF they break on these luxury vehicles. More expensive then "normal" cars. Example Starter, Steering wheel motors, radio, mirrors etc can be costly if they fail. Used parts is sometimes not smart because of work needed. Do not forget the quite costly cambelt service either. It is a clear plus if that has been done recently.
Very important to choose a smart way to repair AND buy good parts should you need it. OEM not always smart choise. This forum can often help. I DIY everything . I do have a spare car if finding good cost effective parts and fixing a problem will take me a month or so which it sometimes does ( my Europe locations does not help). Sometimes I order from JAPAN. However NO unplanned repairs stopping driving yet. Only planned things. some bushings, cambelt ,brakes etc.