Big decision to make!

[Rexlex]

A pal of mine is selling his LS 460  going for the new model and he asked me if I wanted to buy it! Bomb shell... I wasn't expecting that so it kind of spun me out!

Here's the thing, he has owned this car from new its his baby always looked after it but because he goes abroad a lot for business the car is left standing in his garage, it's a very nice garage it has a radiator to keep the car warm and everythin? Some people have that,

don't they??

Anyways the car is mint low miles full history 4 new tyres Michelin's new discs and pads and its just had a main service from Leky

I hear you cry "so what's the problem grab it before someone else does" well the thing is... going back to "the thing" I already have my RX and I like it very much, I aint lookin for a new motor, well at least I wasn't but now I'm coming around to the flipping idea! Got me thinking I'm up nights I tell you! Do I really want to own an LS?

Oh' the LS 460 is 2007 just standard not SE or L 30k miles

I have never driven an LS 460 so any comments or advice would be really very helpful to enable me to make a decision, this is tough and at short notice but it seems like a good opportunity to own a nice car, but there are lots of nice cars out there that I do not want to own? My existing car is not a daily driver I do about 5k per year in my car and most of that is touring I love travelling around the UK in the summer, I also use it for the trip to Tesco's and generally running errands ideally I need to let my buddy know before he's off again on Sunday night, no pressure!

Happy New Year guys and gals.

[royoftherovers]

2 minutes ago, Rexlex said:

A pal of mine is selling his LS 460  going for the new model and he asked me if I wanted to buy it! Bomb shell... I wasn't expecting that so it kind of spun me out!

Here's the thing, he has owned this car from new its his baby always looked after it but because he goes abroad a lot for business the car is left standing in his garage, it's a very nice garage it has a radiator to keep the car warm and everythin? Some people have that,

don't they??

Anyways the car is mint low miles full history 4 new tyres Michelin's new discs and pads and its just had a main service from Leky

I hear you cry "so what's the problem grab it before someone else does" well the thing is... going back to "the thing" I already have my RX and I like it very much, I aint lookin for a new motor, well at least I wasn't but now I'm coming around to the flipping idea! Got me thinking I'm up nights I tell you! Do I really want to own an LS?

Oh' the LS 460 is 2007 just standard not SE or L 30k miles

I have never driven an LS 460 so any comments or advice would be really very helpful to enable me to make a decision, this is tough and at short notice but it seems like a good opportunity to own a nice car, but there are lots of nice cars out there that I do not want to own? My existing car is not a daily driver I do about 5k per year in my car and most of that is touring I love travelling around the UK in the summer, I also use it for the trip to Tesco's and generally running errands ideally I need to let my buddy know before he's off again on Sunday night, no pressure!

Happy New Year guys and gals.

One does not look a gift horse in the mouth.

Buy it, drive it,then sell it if you do not like it.

And explain that to your friend upfront.

[cruisermark]

There is the driving position between the 2 cars - I would suggest an extended test drive would help in making your decision 

[graham8370]

We could give you the best advice if we knew how much he would sell it for.

[jpjsavage]

Sounds ideal, depending on the price of course. Do let us know what transpires.

Sent from my LG-H870DS using Tapatalk

[Tulpen]

If the price is right, go for it. When I moved to Holland I had to let my 400 go. I decided to get an RX400h...…….a nice car but, as my good lady said, 'It's not an LS'. So, after a very short time, the RX went and I bought a 2007 460 - exactly the same as the one you have been offered. 

That was 6 years ago and I haven't regretted it. The LS (any variety) is a mighty beast and a joy to own and drive. Apart from the few months with the RX, I have been an LS owner since 1997. The LS is, and always has been, my daily drive.

I hope this helps your decision......if you want to know any more, just ask.

[Rexlex]

17 hours ago, royoftherovers said:

One does not look a gift horse in the mouth.

Buy it, drive it,then sell it if you do not like it.

And explain that to your friend upfront.

Hi John, interesting idea, it means that I need to tax and MOT the car and that will cost me £800 unless I pay monthly on the road tax and maybe get temporary insurance the only problem with buying the LS is that I would need to sell my RX as I already have three vehicles in my drive

If I sold the RX but later on I changed my mind I honestly don't think that I would be able to buy another RX that was as good as mine at least not the same year and with low miles plus I know my RX its been maintained without cost being a limiting factor, the only thing I don't like about my RX is the ride is a bit choppy, its not the air ride version and that does let it down a bit, that said what car is perfect it does tick a lot of boxes for me, it's a neat practical fairly compact little car that is easy to drive, I only ever had three issues with it in my ownership one was an air con recharge and the second was the headlight level sensor, and the third was the Battery needed replacing but apart from that its been a great car and I consider these things as only to be expected for a 13 year old car

I had another look at the LS last night and boy it looks really good absolutely mint! Cream leather without a mark on it even the cream carpet is un-spoilt, it looks brand new and not 11 years old, I used a valuation tool online and its worth is £11,200 if you can rely on these things...but my friend wants £13,500! To be honest I think someone will pay over the top for a mint car, I guess I could buy it then think about it and if I don't want to keep it then I'll sell it on but I need to buy it at the right price if I am to make anything out of the transaction and given that I will need to payout for tax and insurance plus something for my trouble, you might be on to something John, buy it then think about it if I get it for the right price then I didn't loose plus I have time to consider what i want to do with my RX effectively buying some time and who knows I might be converted to LS ownership! It's got air suspension and it's shinny with chrome bits!🤪 It is a bit light on rear entertainment but I won't be sitting in the back...🙄

Be interesting to know what is the maximum that  one should expect to pay for a private buy? That way I can gauge what would be the right price to pay for it, my very maximum would be £13,500 but I wouldn't be able to make any profit or even cover my costs if I sold it at that price, in my humble opinion I think someone who is a big fan of the LS 460 looking for a mint car would pay 13.5 for it, but this is a SWB and not an SE! 2007 deep Blue with cream leather and with 34k miles near as dam it

So tell me I'm wrong I welcome any opinions maybe the price is lower or even higher   

[Rexlex]

17 hours ago, graham8370 said:

We could give you the best advice if we knew how much he would sell it for.

He's asking £13.5K, 2007 Deep Blue 34k miles cream interior absolutely mint and faultless, not SE or L model

[olliesgrandad]

Bottom line is if you want an LS it is worth paying a little extra for a mint low miles car. 

I once bought a Mercedes 300ce 10 years old with 10000 dry miles. I paid over the odds from a Mercedes dealer, but the car had been serviced every 1000 miles and wasn't even run in. That car new in 1992 cost £42,000 and I paid £15000 for it 10 years later. 

But boy did I enjoy driving it. It never had any repairs other than routine servicing 

[jpjsavage]

He's asking £13.5K, 2007 Deep Blue 34k miles cream interior absolutely mint and faultless, not SE or L model

Sounds a bit toppy to me. I paid a little more than that for a 2008 LS600h from a Lexus main dealer and that included a 3 year complete main dealer warranty. It did have 100k miles but it drives and looks like a new car [emoji3].

Sent from my LG-H870DS using Tapatalk

[jonthetourist]

OK, he's a friend. He's offering you first refusal on a car you know the history of, not a special price. You have a car you like, but suspect this may be an opportunity.

Thye are different cars. So I suggest you use your friendship to request an all-day test drive. Go somewhere you fancy going, and see what you think after driving the 460 fr at least 4 hours. Then you should be able to make the choice that works for you.

Good Luck!

[graham8370]

If you've fallen in love with the car and you really want it, pay somewhere between £11k --£12k.

As you're asking us what you should do, I don't think you really want it.

There is such a difference between the Base model and the SE-L. If you want a 460, wait for a good SE-L to come up.

 

[cruisermark]

This car listed here was recently discussed on this forum:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201812123213416?sort=sponsored&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&make=LEXUS&model=LS 460&advertising-location=at_cars&page=2

21k miles - dealer price £14,995

Someone mentioned this was advertised privately for £7995

[Malc]

the owner from brand new would have suffered a huge amount of depreciation whatever he gets for the car ...........  a couple of grand less on existing depreciation of @ £50/60k should be irrelevant to him  i would have thought

I don't know the original price new in 2007 tho', just surmising

If you don't want it then make a silly offer that he can refuse, then if he doesn't the car's yours !  Your mind will be made up for you

It's now 12 years old remember and comparatively ........... at 10yrs old I paid £4k for my 56 plate Honda Legend with all bells and whistles and 106k miles ......... a faultless top quality car too

Malc

[jazz&coffee]

I have one and love it. The problem I think would be is your RX is an SUV and being a hybrid its practical for everyday use.  The LS is more than enjoyable but its not the sort of car you would treat the same as your RX in some ways.  Sitting high is nice but also driving a long sleek saloon is as well.  If you have the capital and space, why not have both?

[royoftherovers]

7 hours ago, Rexlex said:

Hi John, interesting idea, it means that I need to tax and MOT the car and that will cost me £800 unless I pay monthly on the road tax and maybe get temporary insurance the only problem with buying the LS is that I would need to sell my RX as I already have three vehicles in my drive

If I sold the RX but later on I changed my mind I honestly don't think that I would be able to buy another RX that was as good as mine at least not the same year and with low miles plus I know my RX its been maintained without cost being a limiting factor, the only thing I don't like about my RX is the ride is a bit choppy, its not the air ride version and that does let it down a bit, that said what car is perfect it does tick a lot of boxes for me, it's a neat practical fairly compact little car that is easy to drive, I only ever had three issues with it in my ownership one was an air con recharge and the second was the headlight level sensor, and the third was the battery needed replacing but apart from that its been a great car and I consider these things as only to be expected for a 13 year old car

I had another look at the LS last night and boy it looks really good absolutely mint! Cream leather without a mark on it even the cream carpet is un-spoilt, it looks brand new and not 11 years old, I used a valuation tool online and its worth is £11,200 if you can rely on these things...but my friend wants £13,500! To be honest I think someone will pay over the top for a mint car, I guess I could buy it then think about it and if I don't want to keep it then I'll sell it on but I need to buy it at the right price if I am to make anything out of the transaction and given that I will need to payout for tax and insurance plus something for my trouble, you might be on to something John, buy it then think about it if I get it for the right price then I didn't loose plus I have time to consider what i want to do with my RX effectively buying some time and who knows I might be converted to LS ownership! It's got air suspension and it's shinny with chrome bits!🤪 It is a bit light on rear entertainment but I won't be sitting in the back...🙄

Be interesting to know what is the maximum that  one should expect to pay for a private buy? That way I can gauge what would be the right price to pay for it, my very maximum would be £13,500 but I wouldn't be able to make any profit or even cover my costs if I sold it at that price, in my humble opinion I think someone who is a big fan of the LS 460 looking for a mint car would pay 13.5 for it, but this is a SWB and not an SE! 2007 deep Blue with cream leather and with 34k miles near as dam it

So tell me I'm wrong I welcome any opinions maybe the price is lower or even higher   

Many thanks Robert for that background perspective.

Someone told me a very long time ago that life does not come with a return ticket. I did not understand all those years ago, but as my journey has unfolded I see its significance.

Tell your pal of the outcome of your researches and why you feel it appropriate to offer him say, £12,000.You are not asking him to provide a warranty and you are taking whatever risks are associated with the car.

He will either accept your offer or he won`t. If he does then use a short period of time wisely and come to a decision re the LS or the RX.

If he does not accept, then you will not feel disgruntled as you still have the RX and a good friend.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

[Rexlex]

7 hours ago, cruisermark said:

This car listed here was recently discussed on this forum:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201812123213416?sort=sponsored&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&make=LEXUS&model=LS 460&advertising-location=at_cars&page=2

21k miles - dealer price £14,995

Someone mentioned this was advertised privately for £7995

I saw that, a bit steep I thought, a good comparison though but I doubt anyone in their right mind would pay 15 for a standard SWB, its low miles but I think you could buy one of these with 100k and it would be a good car as long as it was serviced properly, I certainly wouldn't part with 15k doh'😲

[Rexlex]

1 hour ago, royoftherovers said:

Many thanks Robert for that background perspective.

Someone told me a very long time ago that life does not come with a return ticket. I did not understand all those years ago, but as my journey has unfolded I see its significance.

Tell your pal of the outcome of your researches and why you feel it appropriate to offer him say, £12,000.You are not asking him to provide a warranty and you are taking whatever risks are associated with the car.

He will either accept your offer or he won`t. If he does then use a short period of time wisely and come to a decision re the LS or the RX.

If he does not accept, then you will not feel disgruntled as you still have the RX and a good friend.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Pending me test driving it and seeing the paperwork mots etc I have offered 11.5, I'm not being deliberately harsh he just came at me unexpectedly and just after Christmas too, I've only just had my RX serviced and also I insured it last week so I'm smarting a bit! We'll see what happens

[Rexlex]

Ok so just to catch up on this I didn't buy the car, my friend was offered £14,000 by someone else so I said take it! That's well over what I would pay and as somebody pointed out this is not an SE or an L there is no luxury pack I probably would have come up to £13,000 but only because it was a really nice car, I've been using one or two valuation tools and I have to say that they don't value them very high for such a lovely car? I think they are worth more but the market is the market, there is a SWB for sale near where I live being sold by a dealer for £10.500 or near offer, 2007 with only 55k! it's a really nice car but unfortunately it's Black with a beige interior and I'm not liking that combination myself but I do like the Blue now that I have seen it up close, I think I'll keep my eyes out for a Blue one in the coming months soon be March and we have a reg change so there might be a few more about and I'm certainly interested in exploring the idea of owning an LS, I do still love my RX though and its only got 65k on it 

[royoftherovers]

1 hour ago, Rexlex said:

Ok so just to catch up on this I didn't buy the car, my friend was offered £14,000 by someone else so I said take it! That's well over what I would pay and as somebody pointed out this is not an SE or an L there is no luxury pack I probably would have come up to £13,000 but only because it was a really nice car, I've been using one or two valuation tools and I have to say that they don't value them very high for such a lovely car? I think they are worth more but the market is the market, there is a SWB for sale near where I live being sold by a dealer for £10.500 or near offer, 2007 with only 55k! it's a really nice car but unfortunately it's Black with a beige interior and I'm not liking that combination myself but I do like the Blue now that I have seen it up close, I think I'll keep my eyes out for a Blue one in the coming months soon be March and we have a reg change so there might be a few more about and I'm certainly interested in exploring the idea of owning an LS, I do still love my RX though and its only got 65k on it 

Thanks for the update Robert and good luck in your quest to obtain what is rarely available.

[MLW]

I paid £4,500 for a 2002, LS430 with 30K on it. It had done about 2,000 miles in its last 6 years and was kept in a garage. Sold when the old gentleman owner died. I paid well over the odds but the condition and history were exceptional. 3 years later it is at 63K. I love it. Wonderfully reliable. The suspension is magic. We do not drive......we waft.

[Rexlex]

19 hours ago, royoftherovers said:

Thanks for the update Robert and good luck in your quest to obtain what is rarely available.

Yeah they are few and far between! Loads in the US and in Australia just need to keep an eye out in the UK im in no hurry so it'll be an interesting hobby for me.

 

[stevet]

What about this top of the range one?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201812183349951?logcode=visc&fromSA=true

[royoftherovers]

8 minutes ago, stevet said:

What about this top of the range one?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201812183349951?logcode=visc&fromSA=true

That`s the outfit that traded under "Mosesgate! near Bolton.

I would be very wary .

[RgrWynne]

On 1/13/2019 at 11:52 AM, MLW said:

I paid £4,500 for a 2002, LS430 with 30K on it. It had done about 2,000 miles in its last 6 years and was kept in a garage. Sold when the old gentleman owner died. I paid well over the odds but the condition and history were exceptional. 3 years later it is at 63K. I love it. Wonderfully reliable. The suspension is magic. We do not drive......we waft.

I don’t think you paid well over the odds if it all matches what you say. There would have been a queue of people with myself at the front. I paid similar to you over 4 years ago, with 59000 miles, now 95000, and apart from usual servicing etc have spent very little. I expect many more trouble free miles. Good luck, Roger