Lexus LS430 Experience
 

Hey guys,

I've been recently looking into getting a 2005 and up LS 430 and was wondering if anyone had any experience with them? Engine and transmission appear to be bullet proof and they don't seem to have much issues with them. My plan is just to have a nice cruiser with air ride and a nice set of wheels.

Any advice would be helpful!

Thanks fellas.

My father in law had an 08 and it had a couple of minor things. The brakes were noisy as hell and nothing seemed to fix them and he had the speakers changed about 3 times because they rattled like hell. Not earth shattering but just nuisance things.

Darn, I should really test out the sound system and brakes before I buy. :(

They were really very minor.

I am looking to buy an earlier GS series for my wife.

She has a Silverado currently and wants something that is a little more comfy.

I think an older GS would be nice for her and it would allow us to reduce the mileage on the truck.

Everyone that I have know who have had these earlier Lexus's (Lexi?) have had great experiences with them.

can't go wrong with either GS or LS

Ummm....

You might want to see if the starter motor has been replaced...

I am not 100% positive, but I think that year is one of the years where the starter motor is actually inside the engine and replacing it is a total PITA involving removal of all coolant, accessories, wiring, and the intake manifold. Dealership replacement in the $1000+ range.

Lexus cars are very durable and reliable, but some design choices are... interesting. Ask about what to look for in the lexus forums.

^^ that could be very true. The only reason I will not buy a newish Lexus is because I do all my own work, and if you notice the engines used now in Lexus are not the same engines used in the Toyotas. As an example: A toyota camry v6 is not used in the lexus...

Acura uses Honda engines such as the J-series..

Pretty sure the Camry and ES350 both still share the 2GR-FE.

yup and i believe the avalon too

Uh...Toyota uses basically the exact same engines in the Lexus cars. They usually have a slightly higher compression ratio, similar to how Honda also raises the compression a little for the Acuras. Toyota also adds a slightly better VVT-i, and more of the engines are direct injected but that's it.

Thanks for the responses guys!

Find anything interesting yet?

my uncle had one. it was a good car, but a little boring to look at and drive. is the LS460 in your budget?

The wife and I went to a Lexus dealer and looked at 2 used ones.

Car A:
2014 Red with black Interior GS 350 AWD
22k Miles and $34,999 and had a warranty (wanna say its a Lexus Certified Car...I think thats 24 Months and/or 24k Miles?)

Car B:
2008 Grey with Black Interior GS 350 AWD
82k Miles and $16,999 (No warranty)

Both seemed to be in great shape.

Wife preferred the interior of the 2014...as did I.

I will still look around for an older one with a 1UZ engine...or a Manual IS300 (Unicorn...I know)

Anyone think these two cars at the dealership are good/bad values/prices?

Yeah found a few in the Dallas area but studying for the next exams is holding me back from checking them out lol.

You think they're worth it over a LS430? Cause honestly, I'm just looking for a nice cruiser. Not really anything too fancy. But yes, LS460 definitely in the budget :D

Let us know how it goes. I've been really interested in getting a Lexus lately, simply because it appears to be mostly worry free products. Also, its time for me to get a sedan :(. Feel like I'm getting too old to be modding cars. I'll be holding onto my FRS for as long as I live.

Used to have an LS430. Absolutely fantastic car. So quiet, so comfortable, and absolutely bulletproof. The UZ motor is impeccably smooth and it's easily one of my all time favorite motors.

A few things to note: Ensure that the air suspension is fine as it's not uncommon to have to replace an air strut on an LS with miles. Also, mine went through a couple O2 sensors all around the same time, so that's something to note. The O2 sensors are a complete pain to get to as well. The UZ motors do have the starter in the center of the V under the intake manifold, and it is a massive pain to do, but I've done it before and it's not hard, just time consuming. The perforated leather on the front seats also tends to tear so keep an eye out for that. Oh yeah, and the rear subwoofer was completely blown for the entirety of my ownership, so not sure if that was user error or if they're just poor quality.

Other than that they're fantastic cars. Kinda want to get another one myself!

personally i would. it looks like the price difference isnt that much at all.

430s

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...delCode1=LS430

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...delCode1=LS430

460s

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...delCode1=LS460

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...delCode1=LS460

My research for 460 indicated that some former 430 owners percieved the new model as being less reliable, due to having to deal with them on newish cars. Anecdotal internet reading. Minor stuff, yet I think this may be a factor. I like 460 looks and more modern interior.

^sounds right, we also have to keep in mind that the 460 had way more tech than the 430. also that era for Lexus were a little meh when it came to quality and reliability. but still miles ahead of the 7er and A8 of that period.

I have been mainly looking at the Lexus GS, but the more I look at the LS, the more I like them.

I guess to me, the idea of buying a reliable older car that *use* to be really expensive is cool.

I agree that the LS460 has a more modern interior.

I am more or less waiting on a color combination to show up that I really like.

Car A: I found this Lexus LS 430 at a Toyota Dealership.

I like the color a lot. I really hate those wheels though...

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=146195996

Car B:I found this one at what seems to be an extremely shady Used Car Lot.

I really like the interior and the outside color.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=142788475


I think I will just be patient and wait for exactly what I want and then test drive it.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b614287f5a.jpg

I would look into the S161 Chassis GS300/400/430 2 Gen timeless Lexus design.


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I am still looking...

The more research I do, the more I like the idea of a low mileage 400 or 430.

The 460 seems great, but there have been some small, but expensive issues (guess that makes them not small issues huh?)

Big thing is that Air Suspension and the Mark Levinson Sound System on the 460 is stupid expensive to fix if it goes (the hard drive fix is like $5k supposedly).

I am looking for...

Comfy and smooth and quiet and uber reliable.

So I shall continue my search!

BTW it sucks living in Idaho and shopping for these...I am looking at a $200-300 plane ticket and then a 5-8 hour drive back home lol (Portland or Seattle or Salt Lake City).

I would love to just drive to a dealership or private party and sit in a nice one and test drive it...and buy it.

Yes the older Lexus models especially from the 90's and early 2000's just feel more solid with nicer materials inside and out, just not as refined in terms of design imo.

I still see a lot of mint LS400s running around town. My gf's RX300 is at 260,000km+ and the engine runs like new. Just a lot of minor issues here and there these days due to age.

Not refined in design you serious the first gen SC and 2 gen GS were amazing timeless Lexus designs.


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Yea I'm serious Toyota switch gear and interior ergonomics were never that great imo, you ever had a Honda from the late 80's to early 90's they were miles ahead.

When I was in elementary school my classmate's family had a 1st gen GS300 and my old man's colleague had a 1st gen ES300 (the one that came after the ES250).

Quality was quite good I give you that.

was in the same boat 2 years ago. Did plenty of research, wanted something very comfortable, sporty enough and reliable as a rock:


http://www.caranddriver.com/comparis...mparison-tests


Look at #1: BMW driving fun with Lexus/Toyota reliability. Regularly beat the competition from that era in almost every camparo. Makes an E46 feel like its been put together with plastic clips (I had both at the time). I have also owned a 2004 G35 and this blows it out of the water. I much prefer the V8 to the VQ35, no oil burning issues, more torque and doesn't run out of steam up top. If you find one with the sport and tech package that is what will get you ALL the goodies, pretty impressive tech for the year. Bluetooth, adaptive cruise control, 4 wheel steering, adaptive headlights, navigation, heated/AC seats, 14 speaker Bose...etc, etc.


The LS460 didn't give me that driving enjoyment but it was more isolating if that is what you are looking. My friends GS400 has served him well and reminds me of my car, just slightly more dated.

in my experience from owning a SC400 and GS300.

1. body panels from older Lexus were thicker.
2. reliability was good, SC at 130k and GS at 180k before selling.
3. the seats were super soft, but over time the leather worn out and ripped here and there.
4. overall the interior on the GS held up a lot better than the car it replaced (528i E39). the dash of the SC held up nicely, but as stated before the seats and door panels went to shit.

moving on, my next door neighbor has both the SC430 @50k and GS430 @80k. so far no mechanical problems. interior still looks pretty nice, but the seats arent as comfortable as my old cars. design wise, the exterior = meh but i dont mind the interiors.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXSRn_rC-KI"]lexus LS400 test - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZqFI2wtUVU"]Lexus LS 460 Champagne Glass Commercial Recreation - YouTube[/ame]

Finally somebody else noticed #1 I'm quite impressed about this myself everytime I wash the RX300.

#3 was when Lexus used a single piece of real leather for the seats in their entire line-up, unlike Acura of the time where the side pieces tend to be synthetic leather.

You really have to put care on the leather seats of Lexus's in general but 2 Gen GS for me and the LS430 during that era where really the peak of Lexus's quality in the interior overall. Exterior wise you really need a set of aftermarket wheels to make the car standout.


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the GS wasnt that bad for a car with 180k. it still looked decent when i sold it. but the SC was a different story. i tired several different leather product but no luck :(

Still have a soft spot for the Mk2 GS (the one with 4 headlamps).
At the time, the V8 GS400 was advertised (briefly) as the fastest naturally-aspirated sedan in the world.

OK, found a nice 1999 LS 400...

It is Black on Black...(that is the color combo I want)

93k miles (pretty low for a car this age obviously)

Blue book has these around $6k this dealership is asking for $9k...but these are not easy to find (like say a 5 y/o Civic takes 30 seconds to find on Craigslist)

I sent in an offer and I am waiting to hear back...but I kinda plan on waiting this out this week unless they take my offer to really think about it.

Oh...one other thing...I would be spending $450 on a plane ticket to get there to check it out...so I sorta have to commit to buying it sight-unseen.

BTW the dealership is an actual Toyota dealership...which I know that no one likes dealerships, but I rather buy from a legit Toyota dealership rather than "Bob's Cars and Tattoo Parlor".

What do you guys think?

Is that a horrible price, or should I jump on it?

Financially speaking...I am in a position to actually buy a way newer Lexus LS...I just like the look of this generation and they have a really good reputation as far as reliability goes.

^over priced IMO

if it were me i would take this LS430

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...delCode1=LS430

That one you listed...has a really bad carfax...so it may be something, or it may be nothing.
The add says 74k miles...Carfax goes up to 343k miles...and then it disappears for 2 years and then pops back up with 74k miles.

The interior does look more like a 74k mile car though.

Though I have found some nice 430's at same price as that one I described and with same miles, but 5-6 years newer.

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistor...&partner=ATD_W

EDIT:

BTW I agree that 9k is overpriced. I made an offer of $7500, we settled sorta at $8000...but its still for sale for a couple days during their Memorial Day Sale.

I can still walk away, and they can still sell it for more if they can.

It has only been on the market for a little while (4 days), so my leverage isn't great.

I want it really bad...but not quite willing to sell a kidney for it.

After mulling it over...paying $8k for a car that is $2k over KBB seems kinda bad.

Agreeing to buy a car sight-unseen is also a really bad idea.

I was going to cost me $450 to just fly out that that dealership. If I decided I didn't want the car...it would be another $450 to get home...

So essentially $900 ($1k if you count a hotel room) just to test drive it.

I just can't with a clear conscience agree to that set up.

Also over the phone, the salesman mentioned that the driver door "sagged a little bit". I he claimed it was 1/16th of an inch. I doubt it only sagged 1/16th of an inch, would that even be noticeable?

The idea that the door sagged really scared me off. It might be nothing, or it might be something really bad. What if it made the car leak? What if it made the car loud at highway speeds?

If the car was in town and I could just drive down and check it out, I would for sure go check it out. But with it being a 5-6 hour flight (counting lay-overs) and $450 I just did want to invest those kinds of resources into checking this out (time and money).

The search continues!

I've driven SC300/400's, RX's, and older LS400's owned by my in-laws so was curious about the LS430. I checked out a local listing for a dark blue 2001 LS430 with 300k+ miles. Holy crap, this thing is dead quiet and smooth as fuck!

Only thing that held me back was rust, which was a no no for me. I will probably keep on the look out for one as a daily!