TNTom

Hi chaps, looking at the possibility of a 300/430 mk3, i've checked a few posts and can't see a buying guide so too speak, please link me one if i've missed it.

Whats the difference in MPG between the V6 and V8 also does the GS have an AUX in option for the stereo. I'm after the Levinson system as i'm very picky when it comes to audio quality, one of the first things i look for in a car. Does this come in all the SE-L models and was it ever an option in just the SE?

Thanks in advance.

I am looking to sell mine. 2002 51 plate full Lexus history including cambelt 130k miles with LPG. Platinum ice colour. Reason for sale is that I have done about 8k miles in a year to my normal 20k plus. It has 11 months mot no tax as it ran out last month.

Anyone tell me what it's worth.

Ifty

Ps alloys need refurb as they have flaked and a front parking sensor.

Sounds interesting, i missed out on removalman's LS as i was trying to flog my merc first. But the LPG does make me very interested. PM me some more info if you could. You may have a buyer if it comes up for the right price.

Expect a phone call from me on Monday. If your number is listed on the advertisement. The honda is going for its mot and will be listed up for sale. Plus the Mercedes eBay add ends on Monday. Very eager to sort a deal if no one beats me to itm

I'm going to listen to the wise words on this forum and I've booked it in for an MOT tomorrow (Friday) and as soon as I've got the new certificate I will edit the listing accordingly.

Good advice all.

Oohh I hope it stays around untill Monday/Tuesday

If i get rid of one of my two cars in the next week or two I'll be in touch. New MOT would be nice though :)

You see Tom all good things come to those that wait! :)

Well it is slightly more then what i wanted to spend. But at least i know it's been well looked after, The Merc is on eBay at the moment, auction finishes on monday, If no one beats me to it maybe i could get an MOT thrown in! ;)

But it seems to be attracting a lot of interest on eBay mind

If i get rid of one of my two cars in the next week or two I'll be in touch. New MOT would be nice though :)

Well the price has been reduced to under 2k. I've just got out of work as i had some paper work to catch up on my day off. hopefully i can get down to go and see it today, as im not off again till Monday

I instantly thought when he said part exchange he was a dealer. Jumping to conclusions I guess. If it's still around Thursday I'll have a look. Suppose in need to stop making my decisions by looking at just the adverts.

Even before I go and look at a car I want it to at least have a few invoices or receipts, especially when buying a lexus, I understand what your saying. I just don't fancy buying a car that could have big bills hidden. Maybe it's just me being other the top but my method has served me well for the 18/19 odd cars I've had over the last 6 years. Apart from this bloody Mercedes I have. :-)

Well no evidence of cambelt change. 8 stamps i think he said up to 120,000 odd. All are lexus apart from the last. which was an indi. No actual receipts/invoices either. Think ill carry on the search.

The chap phoned me back, I think he is some sort of dealer. As he said it was a part ex. He sounded decent enough on the phone . (but you can never judge) He is going to send me details of service history today as it's on another "site" Will wait and see what comes of it

Cant see him being a dealer, looks like a golfer with the amount of clubs he sells. Prob as club pro. Interesting to see what part history means but looks nice and clean. Not been to the moon and back. Worth serious consideration. Bagshot, very exspensive place to live.

I've dropped him a message to see what history it has. Bagshot isnt to far from me either. Will se when he replies

This is cheap, But not sure if the guy is a dealer? plus only part service history. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2001-LEXUS-LS430-AUTO-GREEN-/380731473298?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item58a55d3d92

Someone care to fill me in on these sellers? Just out of curiosity. They obviously have a bad history among the forum.

For what it's worth, we often hear about car problems on these kind of forums, which is of course one of the main reasons for them. The problem is that we can get a negative opinion of a car because we've heard of the same problem 3 or 4 times. What we don't read so much about is the amount of cars (LS430's in particular) that go on for many, many trouble free miles.

The reason I mention it is because a guy turned up near my workshop today in a 430, private plate, but I'm guessing around an 04. I asked if he'd had any trouble with things like the air suspension and he just looked at me surprised and said "no problems at all" By that he meant the whole car. He said his last 430 had covered 360,000 with no real issues, which is good news for me as an LS430 may well be my next car!

Phil

I see what you're saying. I've got my mind set on an LS430 nothing will change that, i just want to buy from someone reputable, and not end up with a complete shed. This will be my first LS purchase so i will be going in without anyone experience on what to look out for when buying one apart from what I've read on here.

I would avoid, it's our Dudley traders pretending to be private sellers again.

Looks like they are moving up the food chain from 400s to 430s now.

Check his feedback for the last car he sold (his only feedback!) Don't know what feedback comments he left for the purchaser but ebay have removed it!

This is the reason i can trust you lot that i won't buy from a con man! I can imagine it must of contained a few unpleasant words for them to remove it. So i'll carry on and keep looking. Thank you very much sir!

Thread resurrection as I'm still on the hunt. I've come across this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-LS430-LPG-CONVERTED-LUXURY-PACK-/300970191380?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item461338aa14&autorefresh=true Now I'm a bit picky when it comes to advertising a car, although the ad isn't that bad, its all in caps and the grammar isn't great. Anyone know the history of this car?

Thanks for the replys gents. Again I'm gonna give this one a wide berth. I love toys in a car which is why the 430 appeals. My uncle had lexus for years getting a new model every couple of years, and the 430 is the one that I most liked. Unfortunately he recently passed away. I would of liked his GS450H but having only a few thousand miles on it it was way over what I could afford.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C402575

On a side note this has been around for the last couple of months, I've seen it on eBay,trader,gumtree and now car and classic, Not to sure what to think of it as it hasn't sold. I emailed the seller and he replied with this.

hi



There are no mechanical or electrical faults with the car - the aircon
does work - it was bought to replace my other 430 but due to having to
spend money on my original 430 i have decided to sell this one and
whilst its been parked up it has been scratched by kids playing around
it.



Pictures can be taken and emailed but in my opinion you need to view the
car to see the extent of the paint work damage - there are scratches
and scuffs all over randomly on the doors and bonnet - some will polish
out - some have cut the paint - perhaps this is whats putting buyers off

Having gauged your response to the comments on this subject so far I wonder if you are receptive to the suggestion that a Mark 4 Ls400 could be your better option .There are those on the forum who think it is the best of the 400s and as been compared favourably with the 430 on several posts. In fact one member was prepared to do a straight swap to go back to a 400 having previously owned one and gone up as he thought at the time to a 430 as it turned out for him it was a bad move as he had a lot of problems and could'nt like the 430.

I declined the chance to go up to a 430 having owned my mark 1 400 for 16 years that car is now 23 years old and still going.I trawled the forums here and in the states were 10 times as many were sold for feedback on the 430 and took a test drive in a 03 model and did'nt like it .My opinion is not relevant here but suffice to say I drive a 98 400.

I haven't though of looking at 400's They don't have as many toys which im obsessed with in a car. especially the cooled seats. I been in an ls430 but not driven one. I've never been in a 400. so i can't comment unfortunately. I need a Lexus owner near me so i have a gander at one :P

I live 5 miles south of Reading near Hook, any good to you if so your welcome to have a drive of mine if you are covered by your insurance other wise I have no problem in giving you a ride. Mike

Thanks for the offer, I'll see how i get on looking for a decent 430 first. The problem is that's what I've got my heart set on, if i don't get one now ill end up getting it later :D

Having gauged your response to the comments on this subject so far I wonder if you are receptive to the suggestion that a Mark 4 Ls400 could be your better option .There are those on the forum who think it is the best of the 400s and as been compared favourably with the 430 on several posts. In fact one member was prepared to do a straight swap to go back to a 400 having previously owned one and gone up as he thought at the time to a 430 as it turned out for him it was a bad move as he had a lot of problems and could'nt like the 430.

I declined the chance to go up to a 430 having owned my mark 1 400 for 16 years that car is now 23 years old and still going.I trawled the forums here and in the states were 10 times as many were sold for feedback on the 430 and took a test drive in a 03 model and did'nt like it .My opinion is not relevant here but suffice to say I drive a 98 400.

I haven't though of looking at 400's They don't have as many toys which im obsessed with in a car. especially the cooled seats. I been in an ls430 but not driven one. I've never been in a 400. so i can't comment unfortunately. I need a Lexus owner near me so i have a gander at one :P

Thanks for the info. I actually didn't know that, I've got a lot to learn by the sound of it! :D

Thanks gents. Appreciate your opinion. I'll hold out for the time being then. I do prefer the face lift but don't fancy paying the extra premium for it. There's nothing that floats my boat at the moment that I've found for sale. But I'll keep and eye out and post anything here. It will be my first lexus so advice is appreciated. If you see anything would be nice if you could pop it on here :-)

The chap I'm talking to on pistonheads, his sounds very clean. I'm pretty interested. Just again think the price Is a little high. This is what he sent

A few particulars about the car: Lexus LS430 Premium PackPlatinum Ice with Charcoal leather2001 51 plate89000 milesFSH, with 5 stamps with Lexus Bolton (supplying dealer) and 3 stamps with Sampson Lexus Specialists. Services at 8k, 15k, 23k, 35k, 53k, 62k, 72k and 82k miles.Cambelt done less than 1000 miles ago by Sampsons, not needed for another 90k miles or 10 years.Matching Dunlops all round.Wheels recently refurbished to a superb standardMOT to be done this week (it's due soon)5 months taxBody immaculate. No pin dents, ripply panels, no scrapes on bumpers, no bad paintwork. Odd stone chip and mark if you look closely but superb for the age.Interior immaculate. Drives perfectly and exactly as it should. Couple of things to mention.Car is booked in to have a new air con pipe fitted this week, the pipe in question has a tiny leak and the AC pressure drops within 7-8 weeks of gassing. Problem area has been identified using the UV dye and it will be sorted.Small area of clouding on pass side front window. Very common.Steering column electric adjustment hardly moves, the motors do work though. Adjustable manually by removing the column shroud, or can be sorted by shimming and greasing the plastic mechanism. Again, very common fault, plenty of information on the forums. Small bubble on passenger door where lower trim meets panel. Barely noticeable, and seems a shame to have the panel painted, so I haven't had it done. They are superb cars, silent inside, supremely comfortable, with fantastic build quality. I would advertise it at £4200ono if it went up for sale.

I wounder to, still annoyed I missed it. I'm in contact with a couple of guys about theirs. One on here and the other on pistonheads. Is it worth paying the extra for the face lift?