Realistic Value?
#1
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Hello everyone, I had an 04 LS430 Sport for a brief period(roughly 6 months) and I loved it very much, it was in very good shape and drove almost like new despite having 195k on it. I had some issues with it like leaking valve covers, unknown timing belt history even though the seller said he changed it, I didn't have any record of that, also the LED tail lights had issues etc. and it was a rebuilt(Salvage) title, I didn't want to get rid of it but one time I was scrolling through offerup and a guy had a car of equal or more value than my LS which is more economical and he wanted to trade for an LS430 and I was looking to downgrade in terms of luxury to save on gas money etc. so I called him over and he obviously fell in love with the LS and I could work with the bit newer, fully loaded Honda he had. So fast forwarding a couple months, I have started to miss my LS and can see myself as being in the market for a nice one in the near future. I see a bunch of face-lift ones near me for 7-8k with less than 160k, and I still feel they are not worth that and would feel comfortable paying 6-6.5k for them. What would you guys pay for an average one? Decent shape, 150k or less, clean title, and 04-06... Ps looking at BaT, people are truly insane for paying nearly 30 grand for 16-20 year ones, even though they have low miles, one can do much better than that for that much even though we love our LS. Thanks much.
Last edited by cdvyas; 08-10-22 at 12:26 PM.
#3
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I assume the market price has only gone up since I bought my 04 with 69k miles literally driven by a little old lady and serviced at Lexus, and then bought by a guy at the dealership. I paid $10,750 in the Bay Area.
#4
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I saw this one, and would offer him 7k for it, seems like it's got 135k on it from the pic, would this be a good deal if I were to buy it? Basically I would be looking at spending 7-8k for a decent one which is not under 100k miles? Not looking for a garage queen but something I can drive around as a daily and still look presentable... Are these decent examples? I am in Cali so no rust on any cars...
https://offerup.com/item/detail/6002...=ls430&cid=5.1
Here is another one: https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...518006497.html
https://offerup.com/item/detail/6002...=ls430&cid=5.1
Here is another one: https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...518006497.html
Last edited by cdvyas; 08-10-22 at 03:15 PM.
#5
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Realistic values are pretty tough to nail down since there are many factors at play especially location. A car in a colder climate probably won't fetch as much as a similar car in a warmer climate. As a lot of people around here say, I think condition is more important than mileage to a certain extent. Spending $8-10k should get a nice example in today's market. Even cars with lower miles are going to need some maintenance just do to age so I personally wouldn't spend big money for a garage queen. I think I got a great deal a few months ago on my 04 UL with 110k miles for $8k but it's going to need tires, brakes, TB/WP, and VCG in the next year which adds up if not doing DIY. With that said, I think these cars are worth preserving and I'd rather spend money to do that than buy a newer car.
#6
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8k for a UL is a great deal! So when I am in the market for the next car in a year or so, I will deeply look at some LS430s and I can pick up a nice example sub 8-10k I will be happy and keep you guys posted... Seems like 430s are fetching a bit more than early 460s with similar miles.
#7
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I've seen reports that prices of used cars are up 30 percent from where they were pre-pandemic. $ 8K for a good 04-06 LS430 in this market is a great deal IMHO. Out here in WA, such cars are fetching $ 9-15 K and up. Currently there is an 06 CL in flint mica/black with about 60K miles and asking is ~ $ 17,000. I saw a '97 LS 400 coach edition 1 owner 175K miles sold quickly asking $ 12,000, probably double what it would have brought 3-4 years ago.
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#8
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I thought I stole my 04 LS Sport Susp. with ML package last winter for $3700 with 195k, it was a two owner and they had it for over 10 years which says how much people love theirs, it was salvage due to being rear ended in 2014, but the guy got it fixed professionally and kept it for seven more years before selling it to me, I honestly couldn't even spot the body work or paint work done on it, but it did have some oil seepage underneath and by the valve covers, also I didn't see any evidence of TB/WP service, and rear tail lights(pricey!) had a mind of their own so I knew I had to have about a $1-1.5k to make it perfect but it didn't bother me much and I drove it everyday. Anyways, the car I got in return is worth about $7-8k so I guess I did good and if I were to sell my LS for cash, I would have gotten no more than $5.5-6k that too because it was cosmetically sound inside out and didn't have any codes and all electronics worked like every Jap car... sound right about my evaluation of my old one? Anyways, will come back here when I am in the market for one.
#9
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I paid $8500 for my 2002 UL in February of this year. 153k miles, garaged, full service history since new and recent timing belt and WP service.
Car looks like it's brand new, and the only thing I needed to fix was the telescoping motor on the steering column, and also the subwoofer foam that still needs to be addressed.
Car looks like it's brand new, and the only thing I needed to fix was the telescoping motor on the steering column, and also the subwoofer foam that still needs to be addressed.
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