My father in-law passed away in December and I have an opportunity to grab his mint condition 03 LS 430 with 121K from the estate that has been in a garage now for the past 4 years. In 2020 he had the entire center console replaced, 4 new tires and new brakes all around. We sent the car out after he passed to have an inspection done and the battery replaced. It does however need the Timing Belt replaced. This would be a 2nd car for me as I drive a 2017 Yukon Denali. Any thought on the grab or the timing belt replacement?

 

I say, what are you waiting for? The timing belt service (which includes the timing belt, tensioner, pulleys, and water pump) should have been done at 90k miles. It sounds like your father in-law was very astute about maintenance on the car considering the new tires, brakes and console. Are you sure the timing belt service hasn't been done already? Ask the dealer to check the previous service records, or if he had it serviced elsewhere, ask them to look for a record. Even if it hasn't, being 30k miles overdue isn't an immediate concern. Last year I did the timing belt service on an LS 430 that was over 100k miles overdue and the belt was still ok, not great, but ok.

Reasons for my advice: 1. Buying a car from a known entity who kept good care of the car and stored it in a garage is every used car buyers dream. 2. 121K miles is not at all a concern for an LS 430, especially one that has been decently maintained. 3. Since it's from your father in-laws estate I would imagine you can acquire it for a very good price. 4. A timing belt service will likely be over $1200 if you have someone else do it, or about $350 in parts if you do it yourself, but then you're good for another 90k miles. If this is your second car, that could be 10 or 15 years. Small investment to own and drive one of the best cars Lexus ever made.

 

It would cost me $1500 from the Estate.

 

Dude, what? Go get it! And if you don't want it I do! I have three cars, and the LS 430 is the only one that isn't green.

 

An 03 LS with 121K miles for $1500? Why are you hesitating?

 

The car is sitting in the garage a 2 minute drive from my home to theirs.....I'll be buying it this week

 

can we see some pics? I dont think i have ever seen the color Midnight Pine Pearl
"

 

I don't have any yet but will post once I grab the car. This is what Midnight Pine Pearl looks like.....

 

UPDATE: Will have Title and Bill-of-Sale next week on the car along with an updated registration as I am keeping his vanity plate also. I have already scheduled it into the local Lexus dealer for the timing belt replacement. I pulled all the service records and he had already performed the 120K service interval.

I'm having 2 of the wheels repaired (minor rash) and the car paint corrected/ceramic coated once the timing belt is done. Looking for a good car cover because I will be storing the car away indoors December to March here in MA.

 

that must be an extremely rare color. I have never seen a Green LS430 in person or for sale, and i've been into LS430's for nearly 5 years now.
Very cool

 

01-03 only in LS and LC

 

Not clear if the TB is done or not from your post.

But if TB/WP not done, its something that an reliable independent shop can handle. Its just alot of unbolting and teardown. I had mine done last week in Raleigh NC. Parts and Labor were ~1100$. Dealership had it at $1500 - probably extra fees and supplies as well would be added.

I would GUARANTEE the belt was already done if its well kept. You can also youtube to remove the timing belt inspection cover - even pay a mechanic to inspect either way.

Its not throwing away money, either way its a minor investment in a car that is unbelievable to daily drive :-)

 

I have all his service records and the belt has not been done yet. There is also no sticker in the engine compartment, Valve Cover gaskets and spark plugs have been done when the 120K service was done

 

 

Mice residual....

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