The '98 LS is most likely history

paulo57509

paulo57509

Joined
Jul 13, 2003
Messages
4,279
Location
Tracy, CA
Wife was rear ended while sitting at a stoplight, yesterday. Three quick punches. I think what she felt was the ABS of the other car.

The trunk will no longer latch. Waiting to get the police report than call my insurance agent again. Full coverage (which is foolish for an old car); I doubt insurance would pay to get it fixed, but we'll see. Twenty-two miles shy of 100k. Purchased in 2007 with 36k miles for $12k. Thought this was a once in a lifetime purchase. Not too broken up about it.

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Just out of curiosity, I browsed Carfax this morning, looking to see what potential replacements are out there. Found a 2002, LS430 with 24k miles; asking $20k at a local MB dealership. Has handicap plates; might explain the crazy low mileage. Might be worth a look.
 
I had a 1974 Plymouth Fury III that was low mileage and this was in the 80's. I had a new vinyl top put on it and the seat fabric replaced and it was a very nice ride with the 318 LA motor and 727 transmission and a great AC unit.. Coming home one evening and still day light I was rear ended turning left into the driveway. Three cars went bang, bang,bang into it. All had to be towed away but mine, I just drove it in the driveway. Busted the lens of the backup light but no real bumper damage, but it put a crinkle in the side of the body by the rear passenger door. I got it totaled by the insurance and bought it back. Put that monster between two Oak trees and chained down the front and hooked a come-along near where the hit was to the bumper. Tightened it all up and crawled in the trunk with a board and a hammer and took the crinkle right out. Got a backup lens from a u-pullit for a few bucks and almost like it was. Drove it for another 2 years. Maybe there is hope for yours if you can find the right guy to fix it.
 
Either way insurance will make you whole. One of two things will happen-- they pay to fix your car or they declare it a total loss. In the latter scenario you can choose:

A) take a small penalty for buying the car back (with salvage title), then fix it on your dime with insurance proceeds (usually with lots of money left over)
B) take the money and run to your nearest car dealer

On a car like that with low miles, I bet the comps (what they use to value it at) come out pretty favorable. What state you live in dictates how fun (or how much hassle) option A is going to be.
 
If the insurance does total it out for a good chunk of change I think I'd take it and search the vin online frequently for an auction listing and buy it from the auction. I doubt it'd sell for more than 1500 at the auction. It could easily be pulled back a bit and the trunk would close again though it would still have outer damage but on an old car who cares I'm not spending more than having it be pulled back.
 
It happened to my Dad’s car when my sister was also rear-ended. A total loss. I regret not putting $10k into it since not only invokes memory of my dad but the 2001 LS430 was dream machine. Immaculate paint and refinement. The car care nut just restored one for about $60k. I drove it several times and it is the pinnacle Lexus that today’s Lexus cannot exceed. No more V8s will ever be made again.

A real babe!
 
Guys, thanks for the support and advice. THB, I would like to keep the car and have it repaired. I'm going to see what needs to be done in order for this to happen and see where it goes. Since I wasn't witness to what transpired, I'll have to wait to see the police report; insurance needed answers to questions that I didn't have. The answers should be in the report.

I'm happy that no one was hurt, and thankful for the police officer and her two partners (one was a K9), and the driver of the car that the LS was pushed into. He helped my wife with photos and video, and collected info from everyone involved.

The driver that hit the LS was forthcoming with basic identification, his place of employment, etc., but cagey with other vital info and left before the police (and fire) arrived. The police officer asked my wife if she wanted this reported as a hit and run. I think he was more worried about a DUI; my wife reported that she could smell alcohol.

I'll post up with what happens when this all shakes out.
 
Wow, never looked at Lexus LS too much other than a time or two with my dad when he threatened to buy one. Put a 2000 LS400 and 2003 LS430 in Edmunds compare and interesting specs. 430 trunk is hugely larger. Same hp but 20# more torque from 4.3 engine. Regular gasoline for 4.0 but premium required for 4.3 engine. That would be the deal killer to me. And now it seems every new Lexus offered requires premium.
 
92saturnsl2 said:
Either way insurance will make you whole. One of two things will happen-- they pay to fix your car or they declare it a total loss. In the latter scenario you can choose:

A) take a small penalty for buying the car back (with salvage title), then fix it on your dime with insurance proceeds (usually with lots of money left over)
B) take the money and run to your nearest car dealer

On a car like that with low miles, I bet the comps (what they use to value it at) come out pretty favorable. What state you live in dictates how fun (or how much hassle) option A is going to be.
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Yes, because insurance companies always want to make you whole and happy. Reality is that the insurance companies are going to value this vehicle at maybe 4 k (swag). Prepare for a fight. I would definitely be looking for that repair on that car, which is at least as comfortable as anything sold today, and can easily run another 200,000 miles.
 
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