RE: PH Fleet: 1997 Lexus 4.0 V8
Discussion
I'm unsure as to why some posts are so critical, you've spent circa £4,500 in total, and you are left with a great car that was worth £30k+ when brand new.
I have been stung by a 7 series, a rush of blood left me with a car which upon further inspection had rear suspension and gearbox issues i cut my losses rather than repairing it, for a few reasons, and i regretted both decisions (buying it without having a good look at others and not fixing it up) afterwards.
Your story does prove a couple of points, IMO, if you are to buy a cheap luxury car make sure you buy it with cash (no loans, finance etc) you need some cash just in case (and you may very well have had to cut your losses long before paying off the loan). Secondly, luxury cars are a fantastic bargain to buy. Try and buy a sports car that was once worth over £30k for less than £2k.
Good story, best of luck, GF 555
I have been stung by a 7 series, a rush of blood left me with a car which upon further inspection had rear suspension and gearbox issues i cut my losses rather than repairing it, for a few reasons, and i regretted both decisions (buying it without having a good look at others and not fixing it up) afterwards.
Your story does prove a couple of points, IMO, if you are to buy a cheap luxury car make sure you buy it with cash (no loans, finance etc) you need some cash just in case (and you may very well have had to cut your losses long before paying off the loan). Secondly, luxury cars are a fantastic bargain to buy. Try and buy a sports car that was once worth over £30k for less than £2k.
Good story, best of luck, GF 555
I completely relate Garlick. I have a hankering for a Mercedes CL but I'm not sure when they started production, and I'm not chancing one from the worst years of Merc cars that we've had befor the current line up.
I like these LS' and think it's well worth keeping them on the road. Forget the people moaning about it not making financial sense, to me this is a hobby, therefore I spend money on it as I enjoy it and it makes me happy. No more justification needed.
If it was all about financial sense I'd buy a 3 year old Kia, most depreciation done and warranty left. but I'd rather shave my eyelids than do that.
Nice honest report too.
I like these LS' and think it's well worth keeping them on the road. Forget the people moaning about it not making financial sense, to me this is a hobby, therefore I spend money on it as I enjoy it and it makes me happy. No more justification needed.
If it was all about financial sense I'd buy a 3 year old Kia, most depreciation done and warranty left. but I'd rather shave my eyelids than do that.
Nice honest report too.
Goodfella 555 said:
Secondly, luxury cars are a fantastic bargain to buy. Try and buy a sports car that was once worth over £30k for less than £2k.
Good story, best of luck, GF 555
Good point - had vaguely realised that barges are better bargains but when comparing the depreciation of a similarly priced sports car it's interesting to note the difference. Good story, best of luck, GF 555
Is there a thread comparing the difference in depreciation of different types of cars? Camper vans seem to stand up well as do small cars. Citroens and Mondeo sized cars pretty badly (especially the premium end).
People going on at the man for spending three grand on it, shock horror !
If he is enjoying it then what is the issue, people on here spend that on Monogrammed Proffesional Nappa Leather with Carbon insert Porsche cupholders or spend it on a new Astra or something and loose that much in the first few months of ownership, never mind the poor sod that bought this new.
It is quality engineering, the engine and box sound like they are ok, the body/interior straight then you cant begrudge the old woofer a few ball joints and the like.
I reckon that these are absolute rock bottom price wise now, the ropey ones are all getting scrapped now so the dross is dying off, nice, well cared for ones, though they will never be huge money I think will creep back up and perhaps meet somewhere near what it owes Garlick when he comes to get shut, so what if you loose a grand or so ? if you have had enjoyable motoring and a few tales and memories.
"The price of everything and value of nothing"
If he is enjoying it then what is the issue, people on here spend that on Monogrammed Proffesional Nappa Leather with Carbon insert Porsche cupholders or spend it on a new Astra or something and loose that much in the first few months of ownership, never mind the poor sod that bought this new.
It is quality engineering, the engine and box sound like they are ok, the body/interior straight then you cant begrudge the old woofer a few ball joints and the like.
I reckon that these are absolute rock bottom price wise now, the ropey ones are all getting scrapped now so the dross is dying off, nice, well cared for ones, though they will never be huge money I think will creep back up and perhaps meet somewhere near what it owes Garlick when he comes to get shut, so what if you loose a grand or so ? if you have had enjoyable motoring and a few tales and memories.
"The price of everything and value of nothing"
I've had a 97 and a 98 over the last 7 years. Only got rid of the 97 because it was smacked hard by - of all things - a Toyota pick-up.
Nothing has ever gone wrong on either, though a full service last year did make me cry a little. The fuel economy "cut your losses" argument is a bit of a non-starter: Yes, you could easily get a car that does double the mileage but, since the Lex is worth so little, you'd want to put at least 5 large into a replacement of similar quality.
As I've explained to the wife every time she eyes up a diseasel Mundeo estate, it would take 8 YEARS to recoup that outlay in saved fuel costs. Since no car other than a Lexus is going to last 8 years, then the whole exercise becomes academic.
Nothing has ever gone wrong on either, though a full service last year did make me cry a little. The fuel economy "cut your losses" argument is a bit of a non-starter: Yes, you could easily get a car that does double the mileage but, since the Lex is worth so little, you'd want to put at least 5 large into a replacement of similar quality.
As I've explained to the wife every time she eyes up a diseasel Mundeo estate, it would take 8 YEARS to recoup that outlay in saved fuel costs. Since no car other than a Lexus is going to last 8 years, then the whole exercise becomes academic.
MoonMonkey said:
At this price point if it doesn't need it to pass an MOT then it doesn't need it...
Depends whether you are a discerning driver, or just happy to drive a nail really !I like things to work, always have, used to ride other kids bikes when I was a kid and wonder how they put up with them, all buckled wheels and rusty chains.
J4CKO said:
Depends whether you are a discerning driver, or just happy to drive a nail really !
I like things to work, always have, used to ride other kids bikes when I was a kid and wonder how they put up with them, all buckled wheels and rusty chains.
No, I think it depends on how picky you are. As an example a 2k car that needs a grand throwing at it to cure a 70mph shimmy when the car spends 90% of it's time in town isn't money well spent IMO. If you are only prepared to spend a grand or 2 on a car then your expectations need to be lower.I like things to work, always have, used to ride other kids bikes when I was a kid and wonder how they put up with them, all buckled wheels and rusty chains.
Fair comments I reckon. As said, too good to ignore the suspension and too costly a car to bin. True what people say about barge buying though, everyone wants a well sorted/ maintained car and that costs. Someone has to keep these things going and who says you should run a wreck on a shoestring? They are complex cars and money needs to be spent if you want to run and enjoy them as they are meant to be. It would be a crying shame if every remaining car was used in a banger rally or left to die IMO.
IF I had known/ realised the suspension I'd have bought another car but I didn't and was too soon to sell on too. As it stands I have a car like as much as my previous Mercs and I'll be keeping it for a while (so much so that the Mrs has been added to the insurance and she'll use it too)
By the way, don't forget I haven't spent three grand on it....remember the cheap parts. Anyway, I'm about to point it around the M25.
IF I had known/ realised the suspension I'd have bought another car but I didn't and was too soon to sell on too. As it stands I have a car like as much as my previous Mercs and I'll be keeping it for a while (so much so that the Mrs has been added to the insurance and she'll use it too)
By the way, don't forget I haven't spent three grand on it....remember the cheap parts. Anyway, I'm about to point it around the M25.
MoonMonkey said:
No, I think it depends on how picky you are. As an example a 2k car that needs a grand throwing at it to cure a 70mph shimmy when the car spends 90% of it's time in town isn't money well spent IMO. If you are only prepared to spend a grand or 2 on a car then your expectations need to be lower.
No, you're not quite getting it. A wheel wobble is cured by a balance, a car that feels dangerous to corner at speed isn't. So it's used in town a lot, but I use it for business, pleasure and holidays when I don't want to take the TVR.To have a car that feels awful under breaking, and has important parts that are worn out beyond use is not worth saving on. It carries me and the mrs after all.
MoonMonkey said:
No, I think it depends on how picky you are. As an example a 2k car that needs a grand throwing at it to cure a 70mph shimmy when the car spends 90% of it's time in town isn't money well spent IMO. If you are only prepared to spend a grand or 2 on a car then your expectations need to be lower.
No, you're not quite getting it. A wheel wobble is cured by a balance, a car that feels dangerous to corner at speed isn't. So it's used in town a lot, but I use it for business, pleasure and holidays when I don't want to take the TVR.To have a car that feels awful under braking, and has important parts that are worn out beyond use is not worth saving on. It carries me and the mrs after all.
Just wondering how much additional expense was involved in the bung to Mrs Garlick to agree to this (and each other purchase)...
...if nothing then suggest you don't trade your missus as quick as your cars!
Not sure it makes sense to pour money into an old Lexus but there are many more less satisfying ways of spending your cash. And any old, good car deserves to be saved where possible.
...if nothing then suggest you don't trade your missus as quick as your cars!
Not sure it makes sense to pour money into an old Lexus but there are many more less satisfying ways of spending your cash. And any old, good car deserves to be saved where possible.
Garlick said:
No, you're not quite getting it. A wheel wobble is cured by a balance, a car that feels dangerous to corner at speed isn't. So it's used in town a lot, but I use it for business, pleasure and holidays when I don't want to take the TVR.
To have a car that feels awful under braking, and has important parts that are worn out beyond use is not worth saving on. It carries me and the mrs after all.
Fair do's. I wasn't having a dig at your predicament just using a simplistic view as an example. Maybe poorly - granted.To have a car that feels awful under braking, and has important parts that are worn out beyond use is not worth saving on. It carries me and the mrs after all.
Like many on here I have a weekend car that wants for nothing and I almost suffer from OCD maintaining it. On the other hand I lower my expectations with the daily driver. Yes, it is well maintained but I'm not going to spend money on it unless I have to (come MOT time, something obvious needs attending to).
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