LS430 vs LS460
09-01-08, 07:01 PM
#16
Lead Lap
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MA
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I never really liked the styling of the LS430, it's extremely bland, but I can see how some find it's understated styling classy. I still think the LS460 looks WAY too much like the Camry, it's pretty ridiculous how similar the LS, ES and Camry look to each other. I know it's hard for the ES and Camry to look different, but the ES330 looked pretty different from the Camry it was based on, in fact, I think the ES330 and the 2002-2005 or whatever Camry looked more different than the LS460 and the current Camry
09-01-08, 08:32 PM
#18
I really love both cars. They just hold such a presence when you stand near them. Honestly, if I had to pick, I'd take a LS430 simply because the LS460 is loaded with waaay too much crap that 95% of driver's will never use. It just seems like a big giant computer.
09-01-08, 10:52 PM
#20
Pole Position
just to be clear, we are really talking about 3 models in this discussion of LS430 vs LS460:
2001-2003 LS430
2004-2006 LS430
2007- Present LS460
When I first bought my new 2001 LS430, it had very understated styling very similar to the S Class circa 1992-1999. I was very glad Lexus offered a Sport Package because I could not stand stand the floaty weighted feeling of the standard suspension (well it was made for folks 3X my age at that time, so I understood). When I lowered it with H&R springs, it gave it much more presence with that "Euro stance".
When Lexus debut the 2004 model, it gave it a much needed makeover with a sterner front end and the LED tailights to show its upscale stature(i hate my front crossed eyed headlights). I was very tempted to trade mine in for it, but decided against it since again most of the changes were cosmetics.
The 2007+ LS moves away from the copycat styling of yesteryear and onto the new L-Finesse theme which is still somewhat derivative but much more distincitive. It has much more of a Euro look than before especially in the front where it is quite low, wide, and bulky looking. The rear though, especially tailights, isn't anything really unique (which they could of done it more like the LF-S concept car, that was a beauty!). Overall, I do like the design, but not enough to warrant a purchase yet. I just wish they made it more again, like the LF-S.....
2001-2003 LS430
2004-2006 LS430
2007- Present LS460
When I first bought my new 2001 LS430, it had very understated styling very similar to the S Class circa 1992-1999. I was very glad Lexus offered a Sport Package because I could not stand stand the floaty weighted feeling of the standard suspension (well it was made for folks 3X my age at that time, so I understood). When I lowered it with H&R springs, it gave it much more presence with that "Euro stance".
When Lexus debut the 2004 model, it gave it a much needed makeover with a sterner front end and the LED tailights to show its upscale stature(i hate my front crossed eyed headlights). I was very tempted to trade mine in for it, but decided against it since again most of the changes were cosmetics.
The 2007+ LS moves away from the copycat styling of yesteryear and onto the new L-Finesse theme which is still somewhat derivative but much more distincitive. It has much more of a Euro look than before especially in the front where it is quite low, wide, and bulky looking. The rear though, especially tailights, isn't anything really unique (which they could of done it more like the LF-S concept car, that was a beauty!). Overall, I do like the design, but not enough to warrant a purchase yet. I just wish they made it more again, like the LF-S.....
09-01-08, 10:57 PM
#21
Guest
Posts: n/a
The 2006 LS430 was the end of an era for the LS. Period.
The classic styling of Lexus has given way to the new rounded, swept, molded look that all too many automakers have gone. I'm not concerned about the latest infa-red technology, nor having bragging rights to owning the "latest & greatest" generation.
Additionally, the dealer markup isn't worth it when next year the broken record of "it's the newest!" will be muted. Speaking about being muted, never has a 430 owner had to worry about "wind noise issues"
I simply adore the 430 for its timeless beauty, presence, and as of late, cost to value ratio. An '06 430 with 20-30k miles can be had for around $35k.
Not to mention that the 430 has to this day, the best in the industry HID lighting. The 460's projectors pale in comparison, and the 600hl's LED output is laughable.
If it was in my wallet, I would take the $100k I had saved for the 460, and take a month vacation to Japan, plucking JDM only accessories, wheels, interior baubles, and all sorts of trinkets for the 430, and had them shipped back to the states.
Then I would simply bank the left over $30k, and call it a day.
The classic styling of Lexus has given way to the new rounded, swept, molded look that all too many automakers have gone. I'm not concerned about the latest infa-red technology, nor having bragging rights to owning the "latest & greatest" generation.
Additionally, the dealer markup isn't worth it when next year the broken record of "it's the newest!" will be muted. Speaking about being muted, never has a 430 owner had to worry about "wind noise issues"
I simply adore the 430 for its timeless beauty, presence, and as of late, cost to value ratio. An '06 430 with 20-30k miles can be had for around $35k.
Not to mention that the 430 has to this day, the best in the industry HID lighting. The 460's projectors pale in comparison, and the 600hl's LED output is laughable.
If it was in my wallet, I would take the $100k I had saved for the 460, and take a month vacation to Japan, plucking JDM only accessories, wheels, interior baubles, and all sorts of trinkets for the 430, and had them shipped back to the states.
Then I would simply bank the left over $30k, and call it a day.
The LS 460 took the LS to another Level with several world firsts. It comes in SWB and LWB and now you can get AWD. It came in V-8 and V-8 hybrid.
Believe it or not the LS grew in length maybe an inch from 1989-2005. It grew in height and width. Lexus honed the original LS over and over. The LS 460 is simply the finest Japanese luxury sedan ever created, with the 600h L being the grandest.
And for the record, I do find the LS 430 interior to be just about perfect with looks, quality, ergonomics and features. It really is pretty damn incredible when its loaded with the Ultra package.
09-01-08, 11:51 PM
#22
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ls460>>>>>ls430..
09-02-08, 07:00 AM
#24
to post nonsense, why else? And quite few mods these days are not lexus drivers anymore, so they seem to enjoy the fun...
6 years ago, I would not buy any lexus, save for possibly IS300. Now, I could see myself in each one of them, depending on what I need from the car.
6 years ago, I would not buy any lexus, save for possibly IS300. Now, I could see myself in each one of them, depending on what I need from the car.
09-02-08, 07:11 AM
#25
The LS460 is the first LS where you don't get the impression that the designers just looked over the fence and copied what Mercedes were doing. Equally the interior doesn't just look like a big Toyota with all the frills.
09-02-08, 07:33 AM
#26
Super Moderator
I would have bought a LS430 years ago, & not wait until this year to buy a LS460L just because of the exterior styling 
Not even remotely close.
I like the interior design of the 460 better as well.
Not even remotely close.I like the interior design of the 460 better as well.
09-02-08, 07:59 AM
#27
Lexus Test Driver
Same here. I was 29 when I bought the LS460 and I would have never bought the LS430 because I didn't want to become 59 overnight.
09-02-08, 08:21 AM
#28
I still prefer the 2000 LS400, it's just sooo classy.
On to the subject. I like both 430 and 460 but no way the 430 looks as good as the 460, not to me. The 460 is the sleekest luxo-barge on the market, except for the Maserati Quattroporte. The 430 in long and low in appearance. It wasn't until my car was parked next to Al's car that I realized it isn't as sleek and low as I though. That it gives the appearance of sleekness is one of my favorite things about it. That means it appeals to all, both older and younger and can be tailored to the taste of all who have the cheddar to cop one (I'm trying to learn to speak urban).
The 430 does have an excellently designed interior. I could drive either car but it would be the 460 for me...hands down....between these 2 choices.
I still have pangs for that LS400 though.
On to the subject. I like both 430 and 460 but no way the 430 looks as good as the 460, not to me. The 460 is the sleekest luxo-barge on the market, except for the Maserati Quattroporte. The 430 in long and low in appearance. It wasn't until my car was parked next to Al's car that I realized it isn't as sleek and low as I though. That it gives the appearance of sleekness is one of my favorite things about it. That means it appeals to all, both older and younger and can be tailored to the taste of all who have the cheddar to cop one (I'm trying to learn to speak urban).
The 430 does have an excellently designed interior. I could drive either car but it would be the 460 for me...hands down....between these 2 choices.
I still have pangs for that LS400 though.
09-02-08, 10:16 AM
#29
Pole Position
roflmao...fwiw, i bought my ls430 new when i was 25-26...hated the styling of the bulbuous gs430, couldn't live with the cramped rear quarters of the sc430 for friends, and despised small cars such as the is300. I didn't age 3X overnight, but it was interesting getting used to a large yacht after just driving around in an S2000. Getting double takes from older seniors in the car was also truly interesting, but lowering it later really helped. It truly still is the best darn car i have ever purchased.
09-02-08, 03:16 PM
#30
The LS 430 looks handsome, but definitely more conservative. The LS 460 looks sleek and modern, I enjoy looking at it. I like the LS 460 interior, and the LS 430 interior holds its own as well. Sometimes I wish one could convert the LS 430 exterior into the LS 460's body shell and keep the original car underneath (in lieu of buying a new LS 460).
