Gut feeling of owner when buying

[PJD]

I am interesting in buying another LS430 (another story).  I am a little picky, but saw more or less exactly what I was looking for on eBay so gave the guy a call a week ago, - expecting a friendly chat with a fellow LS enthusiast (as he's owned the car over a decade!), - I wasn't overly impressed with his knowledge of the car considering it's a bit of a specialist ownership and, the long time he's owned it.  I was polite when I spoke to him, but I did ask a number of questions about the condition and history, - of which I found his response a little defensive.. at the time I wondered whether he had recieved a lot of calls and timewasters, so put it down to that.  

Anyway, I said I will contact him this weekend to come and view the car. 

True to my word, I have rang his phone (no answer) and left a message (no response).  A day later, and out of pure curiosity I called his number from a different phone and hey presto, he answered straight away.  At this point I concluded that he's not someone I want to deal with, perhaps he's a car dealer (he claims the reason for selling is that he's brought another Lexus, yet he's offering to part exchange your car (??))

It's frustrating as it looked like the car for me, - I am a genuine buyer with cash on the hip. 

Do you think trusting your gut in situations like these is the right thing to do? 

 

 

 

 

 

[Malc]

2 minutes ago, PJD said:

Do you think trusting your gut in situations like these is the right thing to do? 

yes

there's plenty out there once you've overcome your initial disappointment

Malc

[lex - eleven]

If it don't feel right don't do it. There's plenty more fish in the carpark.

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[PJD]

Conversation with a garage owner recently; he believes that the prices of (original) LS430s will start to shoot up.  Has anyone noticed that are getting rarer over the last, say 5 years, or not really?

[royoftherovers]

You are not displaying a gut instinct Phil, you are displaying common sense.

Walk away and find the car you are looking for.

[lex - eleven]

Hope so, I've a 2000 and a 2005 [emoji106]

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[cruisermark]

You did the right thing - I would do the same.

With regards to LS430 values - yes they are on the rise and when a low mileage one comes along the dealers will just price them really high - one example is a 37k miles facelift which a dealer has picked up and now priced at 10K

[RgrWynne]

Phil, just when you don’t think you will find what you want, one will pop up. My attitude is, if necessary, pay a little bit more for a really good one, but don’t compromise and buy a something that needs big  bucks, to bring up to scratch. Good luck, Roger

[Tinonline]

Does sound like a dealer hiding and with a very poor attitude to boot.

Agree with my friends’ comments above.

Walk away I think most owners know a decent amount about their cars...find one that does.

There are quite a few good ones on the market.

[Malc]

2 hours ago, PJD said:

Has anyone noticed that are getting rarer

they are indeed, there's quite a few being scrapped each year BUT being rare doesn't mean they have lots of value or even any sensible value that outweighs the cost of restoration, repair etc

you will find what you want sooner or later and it will probably be at a sensible price too

Malc

[Simoto]

Very true.  It’s very much a beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

As an enthusiast you will always find more value than others do.

The only time they really start to come into there own is when like with the stock market, important people start to buy, like car collectors celebrities and the like. The only other time this value goes up is if the cars have a massive power gain advantage and are cheap to tune, like Honda civics, Toyota supra’s and the like. 

But keep looking, especially if you have the time to wait. 

As “ You can’t produce a baby in 1 month by getting 9 women pregnant”

 

[lex - eleven]

Picked my 55 plate up a couple of weeks ago to replace my damaged 2000. It has extensive lexus service history with only a couple of independents, one being a Toyota dealership. 129000 on the clock and never failed an m.o.t. The guy was offered £3000 in part exchange for a Nissan elgrand and decided to list it on eBay for £2995 just so the dealer didn't make money on it - happy days!

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[matt8]

4 hours ago, PJD said:

I am interesting in buying another LS430 (another story).  I am a little picky, but saw more or less exactly what I was looking for on ebay so gave the guy a call a week ago, - expecting a friendly chat with a fellow LS enthusiast (as he's owned the car over a decade!), - I wasn't overly impressed with his knowledge of the car considering it's a bit of a specialist ownership and, the long time he's owned it.  I was polite when I spoke to him, but I did ask a number of questions about the condition and history, - of which I found his response a little defensive.. at the time I wondered whether he had recieved a lot of calls and timewasters, so put it down to that.  

Anyway, I said I will contact him this weekend to come and view the car. 

True to my word, I have rang his phone (no answer) and left a message (no response).  A day later, and out of pure curiosity I called his number from a different phone and hey presto, he answered straight away.  At this point I concluded that he's not someone I want to deal with, perhaps he's a car dealer (he claims the reason for selling is that he's brought another Lexus, yet he's offering to part exchange your car (??))

It's frustrating as it looked like the car for me, - I am a genuine buyer with cash on the hip. 

Do you think trusting your gut in situations like these is the right thing to do? 

 

 

 

 

 

Google his phone number. Does it pop up repeatedly on car adverts?

[ambermarine]

Yes i think you are spot on, avoid !

[The-Acre]

Personally, having done it, I would seriously consider a recent import Celsior, you'll get low mileage and no rust, plus some unusual extras!

[aviator888]

I would still arrange a meeting and have a look at the car.. 

These cars are not easy to sell with idiots ringing you all day asking silly questions, tire kickers etc..  and winding you up over time.. You will be able to tell straight away if he's a dealer or not.. who's name and address is in the logbook? How much does he know about the car? How is the advertisement put together? 

It's not the sellers personality you are interested but the car.. so give it a go 😊