XJSFan

I purchased a 2006 LS430(77K miles) with the premium pack in mint condition and with a full Lexus dealer service history. I paid $15,900 and am very happy with what I paid. Because of the condition of the car, I feel like I got a killer price. It needs nothing and also had new tires... Lucky me, knock on wood. LOL.

I did price these cars for over two months and If the 2004 has a full Lexus service history and is in great condition, then I would think $14K is a good price. Here in Wi at a Lexus dealer, they would be asking around $19K for a 2004 as described. Is it at a lexus dealer, private party or another car dealer? Good luck.

amit1947

The 2004 is at a Lexus dealer but it's had 2 owners.

Good thing I didn't go for the 2005 private party. He was asking 22k and went down to 21k (70k miles). Considering what you got, this would be a rip off!

Both cars are Ultra Luxury package, but on the 2005 that can't account for $6k difference in price compared to what you paid!

lexusls4

Wow by looking at the 460 ,I would of thought it would run better than my ls . Then again I heard a lot of people who had the 460 went back to a 430 . I guess the only one who stayed with the 460 was the guys who never own a 430 . I myself was thinking about a 460 too but the Camry like front end and rear end was not up to my expectation . I kind of though about the low profile tires on the 460 and a million thought came in my mind . The 430 in my opinion was the last of the original design ls . My 3 year old son seen a silver 92 ls400 and said dad your car right there ...even the resemblence of the original 400 and the 430 are still noticeable to a 3 year old . Let's get back on subject , I myself love the soft ride in my 430 . I recently joke with a coworker saying the ls so smooth ,you can run a deer and just notice a slight thump .

lexusls4

That's a great price ,it really depend on where the car at , who is selling the car and who's buying the car . Me personally I test drive the car and take the car to the next dealership where the comparison car is at . I tell them both I'm buying one right now so who is willing to make me happy by selling me a car at the price I feel comfortable at . My wife said im crazy but hey its not illegal to do so.

nautica602

Whoa Bob, I am on the same boat. I just purchased a 07 LS460L and wanting to go back to a 04-06 LS430. I previously had an 05 LS430 with no Navi. The LS430 to me looks more elegant, better built, quieter, and smoother. Don't get me wrong the LS460L is a great car and all, but I really don't need all that gadgetry and extra car payments. I am currently looking for a low mileage 04-06 LS430 with Navi and ML audio. I just posted my LS460L for sale online to get rid of it....lol!

XJSFan

I like Nav in newer current vehicles but never thought they were that good in the LS430's... Heck, I use my Iphone to get me where I want to go. I also have a Garmin...

sirtbizzle

I looked heavily at the 460 before I made up my mind and went with the 430. I read so many posts on the various forums about the degraded quality of the 460 when compared to the 430 that the decision was easy. The fact that I had to spend less money was icing on the cake!

I echo your complaints about the electronics being outdated, and I hope to remedy part of that with either a VAISTECH or USASPEC unit for ipod integration...

There's something about the styling of the 430 that I have always liked...it's "classic" and not trendy or ultra-modern/edgy. I like that - very understated I suppose.

These vehicles are a ridiculous bargain on the used market. The level of quality you are getting is beyond compare versus the competition from the European manufacturers.

Tmarbury

Amazing story. Despite the 460 newer body style being more agressive and stylish I still stayed with the 430. Here's my story; in 2011 I sold my 2001 LS and went shoppong for a 2010 LS460, but I settled for a 2006 430 for $23K with 73k miles. It was in immaculate condition Millenium Silver on Black (just what I wanted, being a Raiders Fan LOL). My wife thought I was crazy, but when I pointed out the cost savings, the ride comgort and the fact that I did not have to pay extra for the ML/ NAV package along with maintenance and the relaibility of the 430 I came out on the better end.

alha

I know this is a rather old thread, but it piqued my interest because I too will most likely need to make a change in cars in the next 3-5 years. I currently have a 2000 LS400, which both my wife and I love. And that is unusual for her to say she loves a car, but there ya go. The ride is excellent, it has 150k on it, and has been dealer maintained since I bought it from them in '06 with 70k on the odometer. I've always loved the LS400's but couldn't afford one till it depreciated down from ~55k in 2000 to 15k in 2006. I've had a couple issues with it, worst was probably the starter that began acting up 6 months after I bought it, and then the maintenance like timing belt, etc, but overall, it's been a VG car. It has been a little banged up over the years, door dings here, some dumbazz at Home Depot did a nice bang in the front lip of the hood while I was inside, and most recently hail damage from a storm late last summer. It also has a little rust starting at the upper corners of the windshield/roof, but mechanically it's in pretty good shape, runs out well, Rides Like a Dream, and will get over 25mpg highway if I keep it below 70.

Here is my issue. While I was at the dealer getting my all my brakes replaced, along with them installing some new aftermarket converters, I had a chance to drive a loaner car. I forget the model of it, but it was one of those crossover style SUVish sort of things. It was a '13 or '14, not sure, but I was Amazed(!) at how poorly it rode. I have an 05 Ford Excursion that rides better than that thing did. Yes, I know, it is sort of an SUV, but still, it's a Lexus, Right?

Well, when I was picking it up I had a few minutes and spoke to a couple mechanics and another guy in the dealership about my cars (eventual) demise, hopefully after it hits 300k+. (I too have been looking around for a replacement LS400 with reasonably low miles, and they are getting harder and harder to find). After speaking with them, I learned a couple things. First, the newest models (460) drive NOTHING like my car. Not even close. This bummed me out, because the current cars are going to be the (hopefully) affordable ones when it is time to replace mine. They told me that other than the changes in the body style, the 400s and 430's are quite similar in ride, and I would be best served by looking for an '06 or '07 (whichever year they stopped making them) LS430 in VG condition with low miles, and I would most likely be about as happy with it as I am with the 400.

Based upon everyone's experiences, is what I have been told fairly accurate? I like the 400's body style a little better than the 430's, but that isn't a deal breaker for me. What is the most desirable option packages to have, and which ones have proven to be problematic and would be wise to avoid? Any suggestions/comments are greatly appreciated, because I know this car won't last forever, and like to have a plan formulated before that time comes, so I won't be in crisis mode if it happens suddenly (accident, dropping a rod, who knows?) Thanks for taking the time to read my little book here, but I wanted you to know where I was coming from.

jayclapp

There comes a time when fixing an older car that may cause you regret. I loved my original SC400, had it since new in 1991, and it was totaled by a red-light runner a few months ago. I had always thought I would keep the car in near perfect condition. As things started to wear our (it had 207,000 miles), I spent nearly $6000 in repairs in the previous year. The insurance company allowed me an additional $60 for those expenditures! We generally don't plan or expect such events, but you never know when things are completely out of your hands.

Bob04

Ouch. Never thought about it that way. If you drop a lot of money in a car that isn't worth a lot, it could all be gone if someone totals it for you.

I used to joke about something similar with my old beater Mitsubishi Mighty Max. I said that if I totaled it, I hoped it wasn't on a full tank of gas.

BMW7_LS430

See this thread for options and packages. My most desired trim is CL but some others prefer top of the line UL.
See my thread here for typical problems.

alha

Thanks for the replies and the links, but are there any better years in terms of issues/build quality/ride quality etc between the earlier and later models. I like that my 400 is a late production, year 2000 model, as I believe Toyota has a constant improvement mantra, and do mid year production changes/improvements, so mine is as improved as any made. Thinking along those lines, is the '06 the pinnacle of production of these? I heard that there were some quality issues with Toyota/Lexus later in the decade, is this true of the last of the 430s as well?

Gene01

There are only very minor changes from '01 to '03 and '04 to '06, mostly available colors, etc.
As far as the model year goes, the only thing that comes to mind is to make sure that an '04 has the Transmission has had the TSB work done. This should be recorded on the Lexus site.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

$6000 Jay? What did you drop it off at the dealer and say make her like new?