bargain bucket big boy bruiser cruiser - Lexus GS300

[Ambleton]

markirl said:

Considering all the work you have done on the car and considering how cheaply you could probably pick up the body panels you need, would you not consider just repairing it?

I did have a look on ebay, but the bits I need:
2x wheel arch liners
Under tray
Front grill
Numberplate
Front bumper
2x fog lights
1x headlight

Add into the fact it needs new discs all round and some other work on the brakes, it all adds up to probably about 600 quid in bits

Even in a saleable state its probably only worth £750. I'll probably get £300+ if I sell it as it is as spares or repair as the 2jz engine is worth a fair chunk.

Luckily my parents have had 3 cars since september, with one sitting on the drive, so they've offered me the worst of the bunch for whatever I eventually get for the sorry looking lexus.

[Jimmy Recard]

I'd just keep driving it - it's shabby but hardly unusable

[alec.e]

I agree, doesn't look too bad...

[anonymous-user]

Driven worse.

Keep it. I've just read this thread through and it's clear you've binded with the car over the last year or so. Surely the parts can be got bit by bit, it's still usable until mot time at least... If the headlight is out, stick on whatever you've got on main beam and pretend you're a Peugeot.

[maxdb]

I think the worst of it will clean up and you can probably get away with having no fogs, undertray or arch liners

[Dhaval-9z41y]

Shame about the incident, the car looked tidy after all the work done.

Used to have a GS300 and they are amazing used car bargains if bought 5+ years old for not much more than nearly new focus money but all the toys, the best leather seats I have experienced and unparalleled refinement at the time for the value with all the spec you needed.

Tothis day I miss the comfortable seats and the mark levinson sound system!!

Hopefully you can repair the car in stages and still use it as it isn’t disastrous but the worst thing is after having it, you will sorely miss it not because of the value arguement but from the refinement, comfort and equipment you got used to.

All the best with your decision and atleast you are not hurt which is the main thing.

[E36Ross]

Surely worth bodging?

2x wheel arch liners - Cable Ties
Under tray - Wouldn't bother
Front grill - Maybe
Numberplate - Yes
Front bumper - Battle scars (Could even drift stitch if needed)
2x fog lights - Blank them
1x headlight - Yes



How have your parking sensors lasted the past year? Fancy some but don't want to be replacing after a few months.

[Ambleton]

E36Ross said:

How have your parking sensors lasted the past year? Fancy some but don't want to be replacing after a few months.

They're temperamental. They worked brilliantly for a few months, then either worked okay, or constant beep when in reverse.

[Ambleton]

The Lexus has now gone:

In true fashion of bangernomics though I have worked out all the costs. I bought the car in Late July 2016.

Full Table Below:
Purchase price = £700
TAX for 18months : £245*1.5 = £367.50
Insurance total for 18 months = £948 (circa £630/annum)
Air con recommission = £138
Full Major Service (including cambelt, tensioner, waterpump) = £703
MOT = £40
Reversing sensors = £8.99
Clear side repeater lenses = £7.99
Other sundries = £60 (paint for wheels, other works)
Brake pads rear = £28.99
4 Nexxen Tyres = £288
Sale Price = -£250
Total = 3090.47

Fuel average over lifetime in my ownership is 30.12mpg at an average fuel cost of ~118p/l
Total mileage covered – Almost exactly 33,000

33k miles at 30.12mpg works out at lifetime 1095.6 Gallons, 4980.7litres so circa £5,880 in fuel

This means total lifetime spend on the lexus:
£8,920.47 (including fuel, servicing, tyres, tax and insurance)
27.03p per mile (including fuel, servicing, tyres, tax and insurance)
9.21p per mile (excluding fuel)
5.23p per mile (excluding fuel, insurance and tax)

[AnduHowman]

Whats next?

[Ambleton]

My mum has donated me her 2007 Citroen C4 1.6HDI.

less than half the tax
2/3rds of the insurance price
1/2 the fuel.

I've brimmed it 3 times so far and averaged 55.7mpg. Overtakes are a thing of the past, but other than that it's not too bad and it's saving me a fortune in running costs.