Unloved ls430

Chasdad · December 17, 2019

I started a job in a house this week for what looks like a fairly wealthy family

On the other side of the house is a blue 02 reg ls430.

4 flat tyres ,suspension low and covered in moss.

I mentioned it to the lady and its her old car and they just dont use it.

I did an mot check and it looks like it ran out in 2017. On around 65k miles. Good mot history too.

Ive not so subtly mentioned im a jap car nut and ill be interested.

Am i being a bit daft not wanting a once nice car left to rot

The-Acre · December 18, 2019

The suspension is likely to go down being left so long and if you can see a decent outcome go for it, sounds like you wouldn't have to pay much. Did they say why they stopped using it?

m4rkw · December 18, 2019

9 hours ago, Chasdad said:

I did an mot check and it looks like it ran out in 2017. On around 65k miles. Good mot history too.

Ive not so subtly mentioned im a jap car nut and ill be interested.

Am i being a bit daft not wanting a once nice car left to rot

I'd be wary of a car that's been sat that long. Will likely need a fair bit of work to get it back on the road and if the engine has corrosion on the cylinder walls or the valves due to lack of use that could get pretty expensive.

ambermarine · December 18, 2019

Sounds like they would be happy for you to take it off there hands for £500?

Chasdad · December 18, 2019

Theyre a couple of hoarders so not sure.

Thets probably rather it rot.

Itll need a Battery . 4 tyres and a service as a minimum. So i dont think its worth that

cruisermark · December 18, 2019

I think any lexus lover would be interested - but in this case too many unknowns . . . . . . expecially suspension.

I can help but think if this was a Mark 4 LS400 then it would be a lot more appealing

Chasdad · December 18, 2019

I agree. Having had a 430 that was reasonably well maintained .and still developed a lot of issues it will have to be virtually scrap value.

Howplum · December 18, 2019

Can you do most of the work yourself? Do you have the time? What will you do when it's finished? If you intend to sell it, is it likely to be financially viable? Even with a new Battery you might have to disable/deactivate the immobiliser somehow.

I'm trying to buy a 1996 LS400 that's been sitting for 3 years, so the brakes will need overhauling (due to a fluid loss), along with a new timing belt and water pump and full service. There are several other issues, but even doing the work myself, which luckily I have the time and inclination to do, I reckon I won't have much change out of £2,000. I intend to keep the car for a while, but still don't want to pay much more than it's scrap value of £100. In it's favour, the mileage is only 80,000 with just two owners, both of whom are known to me.

runsgrateasanut · December 18, 2019

Then there's rust, infestation, rats or mice chewing through electrics. Wouldn't touch it with the proverbial

The-Acre · December 18, 2019

1 hour ago, runsgrateasanut said:

Then there's rust, infestation, rats or mice chewing through electrics. Wouldn't touch it with the proverbial

It's only been two years, it's hardly an old barn find!

rich1068 · December 18, 2019

16 hours ago, Chasdad said:

Am i being a bit daft not wanting a once nice car left to rot

No. Offer them a few quid if you have a way to move it and take things from there. If things don't work out part it out. Don't listen to the naysayers.

runsgrateasanut · December 18, 2019

2 hours ago, The-Acre said:

It's only been two years, it's hardly an old barn find!

Flat tyres, covered in moss, I think it would have been better if it had been a Barn find. Seized Calipers, possible internal engine damage (I had an MR2 garaged for six years and during that time it developed a Head gasket corrosion problem) and then would you have to change the Cam belt? - big expense. New tryres etc etc. Good luck to anyone who wants the challenge when you can get a MOT'd one for maybe £2k upward.

The-Acre · December 18, 2019

41 minutes ago, runsgrateasanut said:

Flat tyres, covered in moss, I think it would have been better if it had been a Barn find. Seized Calipers, possible internal engine damage (I had an MR2 garaged for six years and during that time it developed a Head gasket corrosion problem) and then would you have to change the Cam belt? - big expense. New tryres etc etc. Good luck to anyone who wants the challenge when you can get a MOT'd one for maybe £2k upward.

Remember we're talking here about the possibility of getting it for peanuts. I'd risk it.

Chasdad · December 18, 2019

If its not for peanuts i wont risk it. Got my toyota crown replacement on its way home from japan. So the mrs wont have me spending anymore

ajchetcuti · December 19, 2019

It's only been two years, it's hardly an old barn find!

Agreed here. My car was sat for 6 years and it's had zero ill effects. It's in great condition!

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ajchetcuti · December 19, 2019

If its not for peanuts i wont risk it. Got my toyota crown replacement on its way home from japan. So the mrs wont have me spending anymore

Let us know what they say! If you broke it for parts you could make some dough!

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m4rkw · December 19, 2019

8 hours ago, ajchetcuti said:

Agreed here. My car was sat for 6 years and it's had zero ill effects. It's in great condition!

One data point is not a good basis on which to make decisions. As others have said there are a lot of potential problems. In the same way that some people can smoke and drink whiskey all their lives and live to 90 without any apparent health issues, what you really need to do is look at the aggregate of 100,000 people doing the same thing.

Of course if it's cheap enough and you're willing to spend the time checking it out then sure why not, I just wouldn't risk a significant chunk of change on such a thing.

ajchetcuti · December 19, 2019

One data point is not a good basis on which to make decisions. As others have said there are a lot of potential problems. In the same way that some people can smoke and drink whiskey all their lives and live to 90 without any apparent health issues, what you really need to do is look at the aggregate of 100,000 people doing the same thing.
Of course if it's cheap enough and you're willing to spend the time checking it out then sure why not, I just wouldn't risk a significant chunk of change on such a thing.

Just sharing my personal experience and opinion [emoji6][emoji4].

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ajchetcuti · December 19, 2019

Better still, if you want a 430 why not widen your choice base......https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/Lexus-LS-430-Cars/9801/bn_55185382

I'd have one of every MK if I could. [emoji28]

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Chasdad · December 19, 2019

Im not looking to buy one.

This has just came up.as lovely as they are . After my last 430 i wouldnt be willing to pay good money for one.

Id buy a ls400 .

Chasdad · December 19, 2019

Luckily id already had an ls400 before i bought a 430.

Otherwise id never have believed whats said about lexus quality.

The 430 seem to have quite a few issues

runsgrateasanut · December 20, 2019

And now for something completely different!

I know a lot of people on the forum have Mercedes past experience and for good reason some Cars can be money pits which have leaned us toward Lexus..

If I had had the space and time, I certainly would have taken a punt on this vehicle. Of course it maybe that it has no engine, or that title may be disputed but someone i.m.o will have got a bargain I suspect. As a second Car - yes please

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293381314077?_trksid=p2471758.m4703

jonthetourist · December 20, 2019

I had one of those as my only car for 5 years before I switched to my first LS430 (now on my second). Great fun if you take the revs past 4k, very calm otherwise, and practical with a hard top for winter.

royoftherovers · December 20, 2019

32 minutes ago, jonthetourist said:

I had one of those as my only car for 5 years before I switched to my first LS430 (now on my second). Great fun if you take the revs past 4k, very calm otherwise, and practical with a hard top for winter.

Is your current 430 the one you bought from Stellar John?

If yes, can we have an update please?

jonthetourist · December 20, 2019

9 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

Is your current 430 the one you bought from Stellar John?

If yes, can we have an update please?

So far so good. Took it into Lexus Cheltenham for its annual service (intermediate) who gave it a clean bill of health. However I had asked them to fix the alignment on the headlights as part of it. They did the dipped beam, but not main. When I called them to point it out, they said main beam can't be adjusted. So I sent them some detail from the US forum on how to do it, and took it back in.

Despite the unbroken Lexus service history it's going in to Osaka next year - they are just so much smarter on these cars.

The paintwork was in good nick, but felt a bit matte. 15 years of London air, I guess. Eventually I got a clay mitt onto it and it is transformed. Much quicker job than I expected too.

Jon

PS Just realised most people won't know the back story. After 4 years with my Irish 430, I decided I couldn't see myself driving anything else, so this year bought the best one I could find, for huge money. One owner, 42k miles, full Lexus service history.