landar Posted April 3, 2010 Author Share Posted April 3, 2010 Not sure I want to climb the MB learning curve. But for the right price, is it worth it? Yes, Randy, buy that S420. It will be a completely trouble free car. By the way, I have this bridge in Brooklyn I would like to sell -- you could make a lot of money by charging tolls to cross it. Smart arsh. ;) So, how much for the bridge, Jim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatingupblacktop Posted April 3, 2010 Share Posted April 3, 2010 The S series is every bit a competitor to the LS. If you do your homework and understand that maintenance costs and reliability are a few steps behind Lexus and are willing to accept these shortcummings, it's a very comfortable ride. I know several MB owners who have never had issues with their cars. The rep says different. Nevertheless have ridden and driven them and every time I've been impressed with how smooth and quiet they are ... to the point of actually considering dropping by a dealer to see what's on the lot. Of course that only lasts until I get back in my LS. The S420 looks to be an absolute tank. Its a white beauty with no rust that I could see and appears to be in pristine shape. Crazy as it sounds, I am thinking of asking them to let me take her for a test drive, put it on a lift and look it over more carefully. I know nothing about MB and a little scared of it, maintenance-wise. From the looks of that thing, I would have knocked that truck into the next county rather than just rolled it (which in itself is pretty impressive). Not sure I want to climb the MB learning curve. But for the right price, is it worth it? Here tis -> http://www.lexusofmi...tails/641245813 You seemed qualified enough to take on MB ... you'll never know until you try it ... can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket! :whistles: On the other hand for a bit more $$$ you can be sitting in an 01 430. So ... you can either throw the dice or or buy into the casino! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landar Posted April 6, 2010 Author Share Posted April 6, 2010 Just heard from the insurance adjuster(the co. of the guy at fault). My Lex is a total loss. Estimated repairs: $14,380. They are offering me $9700 to settle. The rental car is to be returned in one week. Does that sound like a "fair" deal? They have a "take it or leave it" attitude. No negotiations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OmarG Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 not to be a vulture... but could you possible get some stuff from your car? i could use a passenger side window switch, first aid kit under the seat, floor mats, tool kit(... jack too), shifter indicator, trunk mat and spare wheel would be nice too! steering wheel and shift knob would be nice too along with all the wood trim really... I think you should buy your car back from the insurance company if you can. You could sell alot of stuff of it. PM me when you get a chance. And just get an LS430, they are phenomenal! 04+ if possible. Its still a very modern, comfortable, elegant and reliable ride. Probably the best used car on the market today!! i think you can get a little bit more money out of it too. Be firm with them! You had a PERFECT ls400, and perfect ones cost MONEY! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landar Posted April 6, 2010 Author Share Posted April 6, 2010 The carcass is barely cold! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billydpowell Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 The carcass is barely cold! you should be able to get a nice one for $9700... and no. I dont work for an insurance co. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatingupblacktop Posted April 6, 2010 Share Posted April 6, 2010 Just heard from the insurance adjuster(the co. of the guy at fault). My Lex is a total loss. Estimated repairs: $14,380. They are offering me $9700 to settle. The rental car is to be returned in one week. Does that sound like a "fair" deal? They have a "take it or leave it" attitude. No negotiations. They're obviously interested in the lowest possible payout. Value should be in the range of 9 to 11.5 depending on mileage, condition, options, etc. I'd squeeze them for more. Could even get an independent appraisal if you want to take the time. In Canada we have a gov't bureau/agency that you can appeal to if you think an insurance company is lowballing a settlement. You must have something similar. I used them once when my Scirocco was totalled. Got an extra grand in the end. Or you can roll over and play dead. :whistles: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landar Posted April 7, 2010 Author Share Posted April 7, 2010 They're obviously interested in the lowest possible payout. Value should be in the range of 9 to 11.5 depending on mileage, condition, options, etc. I'd squeeze them for more. Could even get an independent appraisal if you want to take the time. In Canada we have a gov't bureau/agency that you can appeal to if you think an insurance company is lowballing a settlement. You must have something similar. I used them once when my Scirocco was totalled. Got an extra grand in the end. Or you can roll over and play dead. :whistles: Not rolling over. I already fired off a heated email to the adjuster. Several in the insurance industry have already told me that I do not have to settle unless satisfied. They are subtlety telling me to stand my ground. One thing I have already discovered and working to correct..the adjuster just assumed my car had average mileage of 135k because the battery is toast and they could not get a readout. I pointed that out that my car has 97k and the adjuster wants "proof". I told her I am going to the yard and jump the battery to hopefully bring her back to life, snap a pic of the odometer. I also told them that I just got done replacing the TB/WP. They don't want to hear it. It is considered normal maintenance and does not add value. Just a word to all of you who prize your car...take some pics of it and document service, etc. All it takes is one accident like this and they offer you whatever they think they can get away with. The documentation can prove very valuable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1990LS400 Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 Not sure I want to climb the MB learning curve. But for the right price, is it worth it? Yes, Randy, buy that S420. It will be a completely trouble free car. By the way, I have this bridge in Brooklyn I would like to sell -- you could make a lot of money by charging tolls to cross it. Smart arsh. ;) So, how much for the bridge, Jim? For the bridge, I want ... one MILLION dollars! (quoting Dr. Evil) $9,700 sounds like a very nice settlement for a 98 LS with 100K miles. I've seen an 01 LS430 with similar miles sell for just a little more than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landar Posted April 7, 2010 Author Share Posted April 7, 2010 Got an updated quote with the correct mileage(97k). The offer is now $11k. Gonna take it and run. I asked for the buy-back (salvage) price and they told me it would take $2903 to buy. At that price, I am not interested. I could not part it out for anywhere close to that. The replacement search begins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eatingupblacktop Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 Got an updated quote with the correct mileage(97k). The offer is now $11k. Gonna take it and run. I asked for the buy-back (salvage) price and they told me it would take $2903 to buy. At that price, I am not interested. I could not part it out for anywhere close to that. The replacement search begins. Congrats! That's the way to play the game! An extra $1300! That's better than what I did. Now we know Randy is no pushover! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landar Posted April 7, 2010 Author Share Posted April 7, 2010 Now we know Randy is no pushover! Thats right! No pushover. Now, I just need to find $989k more to buy that bridge from Jim... ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billydpowell Posted April 7, 2010 Share Posted April 7, 2010 Now we know Randy is no pushover! Thats right! No pushover. Now, I just need to find $989k more to buy that bridge from Jim... ;) I think Jim does inhouse financing, but have him deliver it first.... happy hunting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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