Good morning everyone!
Just picked my 2004 Lexus LS430 last night and drove it back home and I couldn't be more pleased (pictures to follow but I just couldn't help and make my first post as an official Lexus owner now).
Just for full transparency and in the interest of showing market value and what I paid: £3,700. Car was a Cat N for a caved in back bumper which was replaced, repainted and then scratched up again by the previous owner who forgot how long the car was and reversed in to his own living room wall... oops. 55,280 miles on the odometer, verified original as it has full main dealer history (services, any repairs etc) up to 40,000 miles from the original owner at which point it was bought by the gentleman that I bought it from and maintained by a (seemingly) reputable local mechanic.
Now on to some work that needs doing:
- Back and front bumpers need repainting but in all honesty, I'm happy to drive around with a bit of a scratched up bumper for a few months so not right at the top of the list.
- Another cosmetic item, some top coat is peeling off on the front passenger side door but again, not at the top of my list.
- Replace the wipers and the battery, wipers were an advisory on the last MOT and I quite like being able to see while driving in the rain and the battery has just gone flat as the previous owner really didn't drive it an awful lot.
- The bonnet struts have failed, a small inexpensive task but still worth doing.
- Top up fluids
- Brake rotors and pads, there is a bit of brake shake, not incredibly noticeable but the brakes is probably the one place of the car you want to feel absolutely confident in.
- Other than that, a good thorough clean, considering a full detail as the carpets are a bit dirty but I might have to pull the car in to the garage and borrow a carpet extractor from a kind neighbour.
- Called up Lexus to enquire about some prices:
- £770 (incl. VAT) for a full service
- £795 (incl. VAT) for a timing belt and water pump change.
Probably will get around to the timing belt at some point soon as a bit of preventative maintenance but will most likely buy the parts and find a reputable garage to replace them for me (I'm in South East London, Dulwich if anyone has any recommendations for good mechanics they've had experience with)
Thank you everyone and I look forward to being an active member of the forum!
