Vehicle depreciation

Fredo, I was anticipating that the Lexus would maintain its value pretty well, and that in the long run the cost of ownership wouldn't be too unreasonable. The mid sized Lexus wasn't around 4 years ago so wasn't part of the equation. I was in a position to afford the Lexus at the time, and it has several major advantages over the Landcruiser. Some people might say that the Landcruiser offers no more than the vastly cheaper Patrol? What do you drive Fredo?

Too bloody right, Freddo!!!

An extra 60 k for a fridge, a bit of leather and IFS???? You have got to be kidding!!!

Sometimes I think that people have more dollars than sense!!!

Tristjo.

Not to mention the V8 (only available in the $90k GXV then), variable ride height suspension, two diff locks, bigger brakes, and a level of quietness and comfort that makes the GXL seem pretty crude in comparison. Maybe the Lada Niva driver would use Tristjo's last comment about all the rest of us.

Ignore it Bob,

the "tall poppy" syndrome is still alive and well in Oz

enjoy the bush

DennisN

Ignore what, the fact that you got completly ripped off??? I don't have a problem with people who are wealthy, in fact, I would go as far as to say I am proud of them, because wealth follows years of persistance, and bloody hard work, things that alot of us are scared of!!

My problem lies with the way alot of people like to demonstrate their wealth. Why buy a car that really doesn't have much over one that is 60-70 thousand dollars cheaper???? Maybe for their public stature??

And your comments about the GXL being " pretty crude in comparison", that would have to make an 80 series, in your eye's, only comparable to a T model!!!

Please, mate, you don't have throw your money around for people to respect you!!!

Tristjo.

I didn't buy the car for "respect". The real reason was that I had been diagnosed with cancer and was recovering from the surgery/chemotherapy/radiotherapy. It was time for new vehicle and I recalled that I hadn't struck too many people on their death beds wishing they had driven a crappy car for the last few years of their life. So I thought with a 50% chance of being here in five years I might as well get a car I will really enjoy. Which I have.

Bob,

Mate, as I said, I have a lot of respect for people who have worked bloody hard to be where they are now. I never posted my response to incite an argument regarding "tall poppy syndrome". I don't hold any grudge against you whatsoever, and find it offensive that you would think of me as being such a jealous, small minded person.

I don't doubt that you worked very hard to own your Lexus, and I am very sorry that you have been affected by such a terrible condition.

I will say, though, that I don't find it surprising that your vehicle has depreciated so quickly, when, essentially, it is not 60k different than a GXL spec. It is the same with TI Patrols. When they were new, the sold for 70k, but you can pick up a 98 model, with around 100k on it for 35 grand!! A ST diesel Patrol, same age, same klm's, can be had for around early to mid 40k, but when new, sold for around 55k.

It's all about supply and demand, and what the current market is willing to pay for a vehicle, which now has an equivelant for around 65k in the V8 GXL.

Tristjo.

Rohan,

Did you confront the dealer pointing to the other car of same model, more klms etc and say, $10k more for that? $10k profit, shiat he wanted his money that week! must have been a slow week..

Just interested to see what they would say, havent been in that position myself to do that to one, but ID LOVE TO!!!!

No I didn't. I was on the way out after scoffing at his offer anyway. Saw the one in the yard, looked at the wife, shook the head and wandered off.Talk is cheap ...
Rohan (Sydney)

G'day Bob,

Yeah - it's sort of a Fairmont/Fairmont Ghia type of thing

At the end of the day people still see them as a Falcon - just with a few luxury bits to tart them up.

Normally they are mechanically the same vehicle, though I don't know if this is the case with the Cruiser/Lexus.

Anyway - sounds like you enjoyed your purchase and the time spent in it, and really thats all that matters.

enjoy the bush

DennisN

I recon the Lx's are a nice piece of kit.

If thats your thing, and you can afford it, who gives a toss anyway.

Its a bit disturbing about the resale though.

I suspect, as Old Soldier mentions, that it gets compared to a Cruiser.

How do the Lexus Cars fair, nothing else to compare them to.

I'm with Dennis on this one, ignore the rest, it aint my cuppa T either, but if you got the $ go for it... bleep if I had the $ Id order a custom GU with the new TD42T in an AUto if Nissan would do it.. But I couldnt face myself scratching a $40k car, let alone $100k!

But if he only offered you $40k (beats my thread on Rip off of the year hands down!!!!!), I would laugh at his face and walk out.. Id love a photo of your face when he offered $40,000! I think he would have known instantly he had no sale!!!!

As you say, enjoy it for another 7 years, and sell it for $45k then!

Have you looked in the trading post to see if others are for similar prices, and if they are selling?

With the last model update they reduced the price and increased the features to better compete with the rash of new luxo 4'by competition. Predictably this hurt the resale of older models.Regds

Bill

When you do get round to selling it. Get a trade in price and then do the second hand world a favour by selling it in the paper at that price. Then demand same deal from dealer with cash instead of trade in. If he says no just walk away and find one who will. Nice to know the depreceiation will go to someone who wants a good vehicle and not some parasitic dealer. I recently had to do a trade on a late model 4 x 4 as because of work I couldnt be without a truck while messing around selling and buying, certainly hurts when you drive past a month later and see it in the yard at 7 grand higher than you got for it. If I had have had the time would have rather passed on that deal to an honest punter who would have got a great truck for a good price.

Hey Willem,

I hope you never get rid of Rosie.

I had the use of a blue one of those some years back and this one was called "Flossie". [I wonder if they knew each other :):):) ]

It was a ripper, and took me an my son on a great jorney of discovery throughout SW Queensland at a time when he needed some time out with his old man.

It was my first taste of a Patrol and I have had a soft spot [and owned a few of the later models] for them ever since.

enjoy the bush

DennisN

Hello Dennis,

No, I have no intention of getting rid of the 'old girl'. At the moment I am doing some dustproofing and rust repairs to the floors and firewall I should have done 5 years ago. The model I have is the 'Heavy Duty' one and everything in it has extra strength especially in the drive train and chassis. I this is my 20th 4x4 and it is the most reliable one I have ever owned. Even when I was earning good money I still drove an old car. Now that I am retired and on a pension I have to watch my pennies. With this old vehicle I find that I worry less about it, I don't care about insuring it, I can drill holes in the bodywork, I can shape its configuration to suit my needs. It has no resale value but to me it is worth everything. I still find parts for it at the wrecking yards. It goes anywhere I point it and has incredible low gearing(has a 5 speed) for real rough stuff. On a good day I can sit on 110 km(with a tail wind). Apart from that I am the only one tall enough to get into the drivers seat and without power steering there aren't many takers to drive it !! I figure that I have about 15 years left of active travels out into the bush and if I make that age then this old vehicle will make it as well unless there is a government decree to ban all orange Nissans off the roads:-)

Willem said "unless there is a government decree to ban all orange Nissans off the roads:-) "there is one for sale at this very moment opposite Araulen Park wouldnt have been resprayed out of the same can of paint would it by any chance. :-)

Hey Johnsy, That is special Haymes Paint, mixed to just about the same original colour. A tad brighter though. Pity I applied it with a brush. :-) If you see a G60 for sale for 500 bucks let me know as I need some sparesCheers, Willem
Never a dull moment

Willem Ill sus out how much this ones going for and post later.cheers.

Hi Bob,

My Mum was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer just before Easter and has undergone an operation and chemo.
Since then dad has bought her a brand new Merc to drive in (she absolutely love it!), a dirty big big diamond ring (which she loves even more!!) and believe it or not, she said that she has never been happier and really enjoying life to the fullest.
I am planning to take her out 4wd and camping when it gets a bit warmer.
A wanker, definitely not, I'd love an LX470. I hope you enjoy your cars for for at least another 20 years.

JC

ditto the last 2 lines of JC
Good luck Bob and enjoy life to the fullestRichard

JC, I hope she's around for while to enjoy them. But then, you tend to appreciate everything more after a bit of a scare.

Brad, around town it uses about 20 L/100km. On Hwy at 110kph about 16 L/100km and towing seems alot worse ( maybe 25 to 30) - I haven't measured it. On a recent trip my mates were responsible for fuelling the Lexus and it was always stopping for drink while the TD5 seemed to go forever. I agree the current V8 for 60 k is good buying. Esp given that the rotten 4spd transmission has been upgraded.

Hah hah Biil, I did. The other car is a TD5 disco. Other than for replacement of CD player and immobiliser control unit, I've had a good run with it. Its driven day to day by my son but used for bush trips when Lexus not appropriate. I suspect reliability concerns relate to older models.

Yep Wil,

Cars are just recycled earth.

Yeah, my car equates to about 10% of my asset value :-)))Cheers, Willem
Never a dull moment