Budd

New to forum and the vehicle line. Decided to go used luxury vehicle and have gone through
BMW 740i/Audi A8/Mer S430 research with poor results on reliability of the cars. I have narrowed my choices to a 2000 LS 400 OR 2001 LS 430. In my experience it is usually wiser to pick the last year of a car design than the first year. Does the 4.3l motor and the other changes on the LS430 warrant the 6-8K increase purchase price in the used market? I do not have much preference for the body styles and Iam more interested in the engineering/comfort/reliability of the two designs. Thanks for any support on this decision

vicpai

Even with a ultra-reliable manufacturer like Toyota, they simply don't make as cars as "bulletproof" as they used to, when they "earned" their reputation for reliablitiy and durability. Basically what I'm trying to say is, I would stay away from 1st year full redesigns. 2nd year and after, should be perfectlly fine for a Toyota/Lexus. My suggestion would be to go in for a WELL MAINTAINED 1999 or 2000 LS with VERY LOW MILEAGE (that is generally the best value). The PERFORMANCE difference between the aforementioned "400" and the "430" is very little!!....the 430 just has a bit more additional peak torque due to the increase in displacement (4.0 vs. 4.3), but the same peak hp, and the same 5-speed tranny (and the same 0-60 acceleration time of 6.3 to 6.4 secs as measured by the car mags). However, there is a SUBSTANTIAL difference in luxury and comfort (especially when you're comparing the LS 430 ULTRA-LUXURY PACKAGE)

Horta

I have asked those questions on this board many time, is it worth Upgradeing to a 01 430 for me. The overwhelming asnwer of no has always suprised me. I bought a low miles (24K) 1998 and now has 60k miles. I have asked should I upgrade and always No. The 01 430 is a great car, but not as fine tuned manufacturing/ quality wise as a 98-00. Again because its the first year of the new design. Now saying that it a phenominal car, i have never heard of an owner of a 01 really unhappy. But I have asked all owner who made a upgrade or that pwn both a 98-00 and a 01-03 it it worth the premium? There are some things that the 01 due better but their are more things that the 00 due better. Due some searches under my unser name and you should be able to find my threads with those questions.

Actually here is a reply I got from one owner who has both. Read this and see what items are most important to you. If none of these then what items are and ask those questions. i hope this infor helps. The point is either way you will have a awsome car...


Hi Horta,

I have the 98 LS400 and my girl friend has the 2002 LS430. But we drive and ride in each others car all the time. So I hope I can give you some useful information based on my experience in both cars -

Both car are pretty quiet. I cant really tell the difference in quietness and ride in city or on highway. However, her LS430 seems to make more road/tire noise because she has the optional 17" wheels(my guess). 16" was standard for 2002. This also answers your next question. I think my LS400 might be a little smoother.

I personally think the LS430 looks better. It's taller and looks more stately and expensive.

The LS430 has better AC for sure. I love the swing vents. It cools more quickly too.

Her LS430 has ML stereo. So there is no comparison.

Both cars are equally quiet when it comes to engine noise.

Both cars chip easily!! I hate it!! Lexus needs to fix this problem..

My interior is holding up much better. No squeaking or rattling at all. Leather still in good shape. Hers has the ecru leather. It gets discolored vary easily. Lexus has conditioned it already. Her interior has squeaking and rattling noise coming from the wood panels on the doors and the center consol around the nav screen area. It was fixed but the noise came back. Her auto folding outside mirrors have been replaced 2 to 3 times. They still act up sometimes. Her sun roof was replaced because it was making rattling noise.

Neither car has eletrical problems.

overall, I think my 98 LS is better built than her LS430. Based on what I have read and seen myself, I believe Lexus quality is sliding. It's wise to buy something that's at least in its 3rd model year. I highly recommend cpo.

LS400 - 96000 mi (purchased in April '01 as a cpo, had 33000 mi on it)
LS430 - 30000 mi (purchased new in july '02)

Hope this helps

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

They been perfecting the old LS series for 16 years before they produced the 2000 model. So its really as good as you can get.

Love the 430's interior, but like the 98-00 exterior more, has more stance. (they went back to the squarish look in 04.)

lexusls430

I have a 2001 ultra and i have not had any problems and have not heard of any. If i was you id go drive both and see which one you like. The Ls430 ultra is the way to go, the handling is good and it is a bit quieter than a regular packaged 430 because it lowers at the speed of 62 and the car becomes silent. Get a 01 ls430 ultra and you will not regret it.

Budd

Thanks for all the feedback,....keep it coming. I plan on driving one or as many as I can find in the Bay Area,Ca of each year this week. Looks like I will start the purchase find in two weeks....
need to transfer money between accounts scenario.

Any Inputs on where to shop...has anyone used e-bay motors?

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

If the funds are avaliable, and your a gaduget guy, then go for the U (a lot of fun stuff)L. But if your just a point A to point B guy, then the older LS will suit you just fine.

Horta

My only problem with the UL in the 01-03 is the dark grey wood. I just cant stand it. I love wood but like it to look like wood not charcole. Please I mean no offense to those that have it. Trust me I wish I had your car. If you gave it to me I would baby it like my first born, I just cant see spending that kind of money and not be happy with the wood.

My 2 cents....

DDLexus

Horta... to each their own...
I personally had to have the dark wood found in the UL LS430. It made the car look so unique and classy. But I can understand your opinion and probably several others feel the same way.

On topic now...
The LS400 and the LS430 are two very different cars. If you seach the internet for 2001 LS430, you'll see several press releases and reivews that discuss how the LS430 was designed to re-invent Lexus. I purchased a book titled "The Lexus Story". I describes the quality problems that the LS was having in the late 90's and how Lexus began to re-design the LS. I think the LS430 was a result of the efforts to re-establish the company and its flagship line. I'm not sure what JD Power or Consumer Reports say in regards to this discussion, but its probably worth a look.

Reliability aside, which car infuses your emotions? Touchy/feely stuff here. Buying a car is always a very emotional decision. You're going to have to drive both cars and see which one really is right for you. The price premium on the LS430 is probably related to the new body style and the changes Lexus made to product a BETTER product. That's what I read.

I personally like my LS430, and would recommend this car to anyone looking for comfort, prescence, and reliablity. Performance driving should be devoted to another car, such as a 911 Carrera 4S. My next purchase!

DTT

Depend on the 4xterior style you like. Many prefer the 1998 - 2000 LS400 style over the MB style LS430. I must say the interior of LS430 is styled like a Bentley.

If I am over 50 and rich I probably want the LS430. I am few years younger than 50, so I drive 98 LS

DDLexus

Ha! I'm 31 and like the LS430. Again, it just comes down to personal opinion.

Budd

Well, after driving various 00,01,02 Ls's ,I have closed on the decision to purchase a 2002 LS430. I am know in the market to buy,so far via e-bay motors due to the overall lower price mean selling history. Looking at the basic model with 40K miles.


Does a 32K purchase price seem reasonable?


Love the seat on the LS430!!

DDLexus

I'd begin by checking auction prices for the car you want. Someone posted a speadsheet a few months ago with prices for the LS400-LS430 (00-02).
Search for "Auction prices" or goto https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...auction+prices

It give a good idea of what these cars are going for.

Cheers. Best of luck on your search. Personally, I'd probably pay $36k for a 2002 LS430 Base with 40k miles. May a grand or two more tops! I'm saying this before reading the xls spreadsheet. The downside to the spreadsheet is the lack of option lists. So, when a car has nav, the price should be higher. But there's just no way of knowing.

Cheers.

vicpai

....for the model (base) your looking at, and at the most I would pay a grand or two more than that. Normal mileage should be about 36K miles, for the age +/- 1 or 2K.

redkingjoe

this is one of the most interesting thread in this forum for me.

1 i'm very glad to be an owner of the 2000LS400 because it's the most mature year of LS400 (before it's death).

2 i'm very very much interested in the year of LS430 that i might need to buy. may be i'll wait till the LS450 comes out to get the best LS430.

3 does anyone else has more input on the LS400 vs LS430.

thanks