ubaid221

Mark,

I really think that anyone who asks for advice on an owners club forum, and further asks for where an auction is taking place, is not really knowlegeable enough to contemplate spending upwards of £8k at his first auction. I know a few people who ''know a little'' about cars getting their fingers burnt. I think we should tell Ubaid to get some real solid advice before going to the Auctions.

Graham.

You know the last time i bought a car from the auctions, it turned out to be a ROTTEN lemon...

anyway av learnt alot of lessons from (expensive) previous purchases...

Hi Ubaid, a 2004 LS430 is an awful lot of car for £9000.

If it's the car i'm thinking of (from John Stamford) then this particular car was first registered on the 9th July 2004. An average of only 500 miles per week which is nothing for these cars. As every member will tell you. 'Check the service history. 'I'ts advertised for £9 so I would expect to pay no more than £8.5

Regarding the transmission, I have never heard or seen any problems on the forums, and doing a quick search revealed only a couple of posts both concerning earlier models with well over 200k miles. The transmission was changed to the 6 speed box in 2004 with additional upgrades of Keyless Go, Tyre pressure warning, Side Knee airbags, check for these and you will know if it is a Mark 2 430. I wouldn't have thought a car first registered in July 04 was manufactured in 03 but you never know.

The timing belt should be replaced every 6 years or 100k miles, whichever is sooner. If done, there will be a sticker on the engine cover and also be recorded in the service record book

I would expect to see about 10 service stamps in the book.

Have recently purchased my 3rd Lexus, a 2006 430 with 115k on the clock, couldn't be happier.

Should you wait a bit longer? NO NO NO, Go for it.

Thanks for the advise.

you know what graham8370...i think ill check that car out...ill make an offer and see what happens....wish me luck

Thanks

Hi 117K is high for the year. should have 11 or 12 stamps at that mileage, will be due its second cam belt at 130k if the last one was replaced at 67k, if its motorway miles its no problem for it,as long as its been maintained. £9k is a lot for the miles but not for the year.I would try and get it for £7,500 to £8,000 If you dont do many miles a year ,say under 5,000 it could be a good buy if you were planing on keeping it a few years. If you do a lot of miles it would be a car for keeps as it will drop in value like a stone & be virtually unsaleable in a couple of years. Personally I would wait, if you have the time ,the new plate comes out in a couple of months & used cars are likely to take anouther big hit on the prices, Keep an eye on the Auctions for a later lower mileage one with some warranty left. It took me 12 months to find the right one for me ( I really wasn't in a hurry) but ended up with a mark iv instead of a mark 2 or 3 for the same money. If you are deperate for a car I would spend a grand on a good mk3 with history & drive that around untill the right 430 comes along at the right money, mileage/ history.

Thanks for the advice....I am really desperate for the car.....but I dont want to spend 9K (thats a lot of money for me) on a lemon...I am really looking for a car that will last me a few years without any problems cz I am intending to keep the car for a few years.

I think I should take my time.

Do you know of any car auctions? cz the only place I look is the autotrader.

Thanks

Hi.

What do you think of an LS 430, 04 plate with 117000 miles on the clock for 9K? is it worth it? Am a bit tempted..or shall I wait a bit longer for a lesser milage one?

av heard of some transmission problems on the 04 plates. Can someone clarify this.

And is 117000 too much on these cars? how often should the timing belt be replaced?

Also, for 117000 miles, how many service stamps should there be or how many services should the car have had (or is that a daft question?!)

whats the average cost of a service at Lexus for an LS 430?

Finally, av also heard of suspension problems on LS 430s....is this correct?

Thanks

Hi ubaid221,

I thought from your first post you were looking for an early 430, if you are looking at 54 plate models you are obviously looking at spending a lot more money, In this case I would be tempted to look at the auctions for a lexus, with some warranty remaining on it. The auctions are dead at the moment as the dealers cant shift what they have on their forecourts. so late motors are going for peanuts at the auctions, try looking on the BCA website, it gives you lists of upcoming auctions, All you need to do then is check the physical condition of the car & if theres any mechanical faults they can be done under warranty. DONT buy anything with no remaining warranty. You could end up with a 56 plate for less money than a 54 from a dealer or private.

ta Mark

Thanks Mark for the info. I am really looking for a post 54 plate models. Ill have a look around the internet to see if i can pick up a bargain. to be honest my budget is about £12000. I am still looking for a good example. ill try the website to see whats available.

Thanks

Hi.

I am looking into purchasing an LS430 (year 2000+). I am no mechanic and my knowledge of cars in limited.

I need some advice on what to look out for when i go to inspect the car.

Are there any common faults?

What else do you advise me to look out for (e.g. rust,electric problems etc)

Your help will be much appreciated

Thanks alot

I wouldn't rule out a very late LS400 if I was you I will list my reasoning below.

1) You can pick up a well looked after example for arond the £3000 mark these days. A 100% mint low mileage one for less than £4000

2) When I was looking for one I met 2 owners who had replaced their 400s with a 430 & said the found the 400 to be a more refined car. ( there are also reports that claim that the last generation 98 to 2000 Ls 400 was the pinnacle of the Ls range)

3) The road tax is a lot cheaper

4) You dont get that many more gismos in the 430.

5) You will not suffer as much depreciation in value.

If I was you I would drive both & see if you think the 430 is worth the extra money.

I may be biased as I have a Mk 4 but saying that I used to be in the trade & can honestly say that The MK 4 is a fantastic car & unbeliverble value for money, you could also put a bit of the money you saved aside & get it gas converted, be as cheap to run as a corolla then ( and do your bit for the enviroment)

remember its a buyers market, test drive loads so you get a good feel for the car. check all the electrics. listen for any clunks or creaks. A full main dealer history is best. check that the cam belt has been done. If this is all in order get a mate who is a mechanic to check it over. if you havent got one. see if you can take it to a lexus dealer for a pre MOT check ( some of them do it for free or for a small fee)

I bought mine in November a 98 full main dealer history cambelt,water pump,discs & pads just chaged. just fully serviced 2 owners with 132,000 miles for £2350 inc 6 months tax the original price was £4000. dont be afraid to make a silly offer as long as you do it in a friendly manner.

If you are patient and dont get youself over excited You will get a top car for a good price, & the golden rule is if you are not sure WALK AWAY

I hope this advice is of help, Good luck I am sure you will love your new car be it a 400 or a 430

Ta Mark

Hmm. I never really have done alot of homework on the LS400. its just been the 430. ill have a little read around the 400 soon. However, i'm really eyeing the 430 (54 plate). the post April 2004 model has all the gadgets that ill ever need ever!

Thanks for the info

12 months MOT is also always a good start,mine had 12 months and 12 months tax !

Service records are easy to forge, but see if they have the invoices to back up the service record, again mine did.

This alongside old MOT certificates can also warrant the mileage.

If not a call to lexus will also confirm if the car has indeed been serviced by an authorised lexus dealer.

Check the tires especially on the inside edges, unscrew the transmission fluid cap and check the condition of it.

Run the car engine dont be afraid of giving it a good rev look for all the tell tale signs of anything untoward.

Take the car for a good road test check out the heating, even if its summer run the heaters on full blast,and the air con on cold even if its winter.

Ask the owner lots of questions and ask to look at servicing invoices and repair bills.

Also get the car checked out, mycarcheck, HPI etc

When buying my lexus I was told walk away if it doesn't have full service,and a large number of previous owners is also not good.

Great info. Thanks alot. I am noting all of this down and making a check list.

Thanks

Make sure electrics all work, push all the buttons and turn all the knobs, including the ones in the back.

Drivers window can be a bit slow, but can be lubricated.

Check auto wipers work.

My door mirrors stick sometimes, but nothing that a bit of lube wont sort out.

See if you get a wobble on braking, LS can be hard on discs.

Dont know if others find this, but if I rev the car to 3000 revs and press the snow button then the revs drop to around 2000, you will need the snow setting in the bad weather.

Do all the ususal checks, service history, HPI, keys, etc etc.

Thanks alot for the info. ill keep it mind when I go to inspect.

Thanks

Hello a welcome to LOC

These car are pretty bullet proof.

Other than checking service history and checking the car is accident free the only other thing to check is the state of the alloys.

You may want to see if it has the latest sat nav up dated disc.

There s a LS430 on here for sale i believe the owner has had LPG added as well.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...showtopic=55627

Good luck and i have owned one a found it to be a lovely car.

Ian

Thanks for the link. That looks like a fine example. ill be looking into it definatley. Thanks

Hi.

I am looking into purchasing an LS430 (year 2000+). I am no mechanic and my knowledge of cars in limited.

I need some advice on what to look out for when i go to inspect the car.

Are there any common faults?

What else do you advise me to look out for (e.g. rust,electric problems etc)

Your help will be much appreciated

Thanks alot