LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

LS430 long wheelbase (NOT)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-05-08, 11:31 AM
  #1  
feldman
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
feldman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default LS430 long wheelbase (NOT)

I know a guy who swears that his '06 LS430 UL is 6" longer than any non-UL and has more leg room in the back.

Obviously this isn't true as all LS430s are dimensionally identical. Does anyone have any idea why this guy thinks this? Could it be the paint color provides an optical illusion or something (his is silver)?

Thanks.
Old 06-05-08, 11:35 AM
  #2  
GS3Tek
Moderator
iTrader: (8)
 
GS3Tek's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: so cal
Posts: 12,358
Received 162 Likes on 123 Posts
Default

He can "swear" all he wants.
Actually, you want to make some $$$? Bet him $100 and see what he says
Old 06-05-08, 11:50 AM
  #3  
feldman
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
feldman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by GS3Tek
He can "swear" all he wants.
Actually, you want to make some $$$? Bet him $100 and see what he says
That's a good idea.

It's weird what some people come up with. Very odd. I think the salesman sold him the UL based on this premise of a longer wheelbase so he's stuck on it. Swears it has more legroom than his various friends with the non-UL '06.
Old 06-05-08, 11:51 AM
  #4  
SH212
Dances with goats
 
SH212's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: FL & NY
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

haha ^^ sounds like what i did when my friend told me his 300zx can beat my ls430
Old 06-05-08, 11:52 AM
  #5  
Kansas
Lead Lap
 
Kansas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,585
Received 252 Likes on 199 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by feldman
I know a guy who swears that his '06 LS430 UL is 6" longer than any non-UL and has more leg room in the back.Thanks.
He's probabaly just BS'ing you.

There were several U.S. companies that created lengthened versions of both LS400s and LS430s but they extended the wheelbase by at least several feet with the rear door size remaining the same as OEM.

Although it is very possible that long wheel base versions were built at the factory for special use but I doubt that one would have been certified for import to the U.S. If Ford can build Lincolns (the "Signature L") with a six inch extension for limo use, I don't know why other manufacturers wouldn't too.

Remember the rumored LS500L back in the mid 1990's? It was going to be a slightly extended LS400 with the V12 engine from the Toyota Century sedan: http://www.germancarzone.com/japanes...uxury-car.html

A lot of odd wheelbase models from foreign manufactures never make it to the U.S. - witness the variety of extended wheelbase E-Class and S-Class models from Mercedes which have never been sold in the U.S. but which you can see in diplomatic use, airport limo use, and to carry funeral and wedding parties in other parts of the world.
Old 06-05-08, 12:29 PM
  #6  
BNR34
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
BNR34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: So Cal
Posts: 6,858
Likes: 0
Received 25 Likes on 22 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by feldman
I know a guy who swears that his '06 LS430 UL is 6" longer than any non-UL and has more leg room in the back.

Obviously this isn't true as all LS430s are dimensionally identical. Does anyone have any idea why this guy thinks this? Could it be the paint color provides an optical illusion or something (his is silver)?

Thanks.
hey anything is possible, that guy didn't say his LS430 is stock from the factory

http://www.autabuy.com/Vehicles/Details.cfm?VID=49115



Old 06-05-08, 07:05 PM
  #7  
feldman
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
feldman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by BNR34
hey anything is possible, that guy didn't say his LS430 is stock from the factory

http://www.autabuy.com/Vehicles/Details.cfm?VID=49115



That's a cool car.

His car is stock with 6k miles on it. It's an '06 UL. He says that he lined it up with other cars and it's 6" longer.

Maybe he is putting me on, but to what end. It's ridiculous.
Old 06-05-08, 07:19 PM
  #8  
LSorBS
Driver
 
LSorBS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NorCal now AZ :/
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Here is what I think it is. He moves his front seat up six inches... and there you have it! extra rear leg room! I did that mod a few months ago, all my other LS buddies are VERY jealous. It's seating position "1"
Then if I don't need the extra room, I go seating position "3" and that changes my LS back into standard wheelbase mode. I'm not going to even TELL you what option "2" does

LWB LS430 FTW
Old 06-05-08, 07:42 PM
  #9  
04_LS_430R
Pole Position
 
04_LS_430R's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by LSorBS
Here is what I think it is. He moves his front seat up six inches... and there you have it! extra rear leg room! I did that mod a few months ago, all my other LS buddies are VERY jealous. It's seating position "1"
Then if I don't need the extra room, I go seating position "3" and that changes my LS back into standard wheelbase mode. I'm not going to even TELL you what option "2" does

LWB LS430 FTW
Haha!! Now that's just freaking hilarious.... yet so true! I have the same 3 buttons on my car too! I don't dare touch option 2!
Old 07-18-19, 05:07 AM
  #10  
Thecar
Driver
 
Thecar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: FLORIDA
Posts: 112
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

ARISE ZOMBIE! ARISE!!!!

I wanted to add something here since I was reflecting recently.

Back in the day (during the time the LS430 was being produced, I think), I was hanging out with my best friend whose father happened to be among the top brass at Boeing. The father allowed us to use the car that Boeing had thoughtfully provided to him, which was a Lexus LS. Now, my memory isn't the greatest, but I swear that I remember it being an LS430 (and not an LS460, which has way different styling that I think I would remember even over the years). The car Boeing provided for its executives was definitely a long-wheelbase model, that I recall perfectly. However, it was not stretched like a limo would be. My memory (such as it is) tells me it was a LWB LS430, about 6 inches more than standard.

Now, I have read numerous times there have never been LWB LS430s from the factory, but sometimes my memory makes me wonder...
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
2LonG
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
4
10-22-12 06:00 PM
Carc1n0gen
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
8
01-16-10 04:06 PM
rjm
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
1
08-26-06 01:46 PM
340HP
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
2
03-06-05 02:33 PM



Quick Reply: LS430 long wheelbase (NOT)



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 09:56 PM.