caddyowner

I have the CL package with the black semi-aniline leather. When I was shopping for a car I sat in an UL with the same interior and decided that was the interior I wanted. In the pic, the sides of the center console, glove box, and lower dash are all leather covered rather than plastic. The CL and UL interior wood trim in black and saddle cars has antique walnut with the darkened edges. (I believe the birds-eye maple in cars with light colored interiors is the same in all trim levels.)

Jabberwock

Looks great - that extra leather on the CL package does give the LS a very classy old school look inside.

thinkin

It also replaces plastic on key parts of the door panel. Overall it's hugely noticeable and I had the same reaction you did, that any 430 I bought had to have it.

caddyowner

I figured if I was going to go to the "Dark side" and buy a Lexus, I might as well go all-in.

khoop

Well - today I drove up to see both cars (one with and one without ML stereo). Of course, even though the person I talked to on the phone said both cars were on the lot, only one was. Ugh.

The one I heard had ML stereo, and I loved it. Very balanced. The front drivers door speaker was blown, though - wonder if that's one of the issues people talk about. Need to see how different it is compared against a stock stereo.

One more question - the model I saw today had the 'sport' suspension. How different is that compared to the stock?

- Kent

caddyowner

^^^
The sport suspension is firmer, but definitely drive cars without it, too. Sport edition cars are harder to find if you get locked into finding one. Plus, the sport edition was only available on ML and Premium cars (04-06, I don't know about before).

khoop

Well - got to hear the Mark Levinson next to a stock system today. No comparison, IMHO. The stock system sounds good, but the low end is a bit muddy and undefined and the highs sound a bit thin for my taste.

So, I'm on the hunt....2003 or 2004 Modern Luxury here we come!!

Thanks to all for their advice!

- kent

Decius44

I know I'm a little late to this shindig. But in my opinion, wouldn't a 2004 be better than an 03 because of the model changes? Even if you go no ML you'd still benefit from the standard upgrades like 6 speed sequential shift.

CarGuy89

^don't forget that 04 gives you the nice xenon projector lights, backup cam + bluetooth with nav for the ML trim

khoop

Yeah - I'd really like the bluetooth and backup camera. It'll come down to price for me...

RickGS430

I enjoy the ML sound system, but the door speaker did go out after about 7 months..

jayclapp

If you want luxury, you've made the right choice. Luxury and cheap just don't go together.

XJSFan

I am not a fan of the ML sound. I have a 2006 GS430 with it and it just does not sound as good as the base system in my 06 LS430... To each his own. LOL.

DavidinCT

Did you know you bumped a thread from 2011 ?

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

The ML system in my base 02 LS sounds way better than the one in my 05 UL LS430. The bass is better and it sounds clearer in the 02.

I still plan to go aftermarket with both stereos though.