BT3100

I know that there are many threads about moving from a 430 to a 460. I read just about every one and still am on the fence. I have an 02' 430 that has 215K on the clock. She's an UL with Ecru and is starting to show her age. Some of the age issue include rims chipping badly, ecru seats are getting bad and I am having some issues with an exhaust leak from the Y pipe to the cat. I replace the $3 gasket and it's fine for a month then the CEL comes on. A few other nagging issues but nothing that I can't live with.
I do a ton of travel for work and put about 35K a year on my car. Thinking about pulling the trigger on a 08' 460L with 57K for $30k. Clean car with a very good service history. I hate the payment as my 430 is paid off but having a newer car seems appealing. I get mileage allowance for work which about $600/month.
History: Had my 430 since 9/2011. Got her with 99K. Replaced the TB at 100K (needs it again). New MXV4's last winter. Just had her inspected and new brakes all around. Car is in good mechanical shape but she's old and showing her age. The air suspension is in good shape but the compressor is coming on more and more over the past 3 months. I paid $12.5K for her in 2011 and even if I get $5K on a trade I feel like I got my money's worth.
I do use my car for work to entertain clients and when I do so I now use my wife's SUV as my car is a bit dated. I think this is the main reason for wanting a newer car.
I can still do so and keep the 430 but the 460 is tempting. Should I list my 430 and see what the market bears, hold her and run her till she dies or just trade her in and pull the trigger on the 460L?
I like the longer wheelbase and this car is the color that I like.

BMW7_LS430

Go for it if it fits in to your financial situation.
Mileage allowance pays for your gas and maintenance so it is really making a decision to either have a car payment or not.
Sorry, there is no right or wrong answer here.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

The 460 has a few ( ore more then a few) issues, id spend some time in the 460 section before you decide.

The 460's with a set of wheels are amazing looking cars

bmore430

Why not do an 04-06 for the newer updates,transmission etc and still excellent reliability that you've had with your 02? Plus you'll keep quite a bit of money in your pocket. I just went through the whole 460 phase months ago and after reading and pulling service records and test driving I ended up choosing a near mint 05 instead. I still see plenty of ridiculously clean low mile 430s for sale in Florida, Arizona, California etc.

airchomper

The consensus on the LS460s is that the 07-09s/any LS460 before 2010 has more issues than you'd expect in a Lexus LS. And again, they say that most of these things were fixed for the 2010 cars.

But when you look at the price of a post 2010 LS460, you realize it's quite a different proposition than an LS430. You could get multiple LS430s of any trim or year.

It sounds like you're in a tricky situation where you can't be without a car for a while while you look. But since you're not interested in buying and driving something like a manual insight and pocketing the reimbursement, it's obvious that luxury is important to you.

If you think an 04-06 car with the right options could sate you, then you've come to the right place. But if you're asking fellow connoisseurs what the next thrill is? Good luck. There isn't really another car like the LS430 on the market. Obviously the 460s cost quite a bit more. The 400s are pretty similar and a step backwards. GSs might be a good thing to look at, the newer ones are pretty comfortable.

Personally, I want to hold on to my LS430 to the bitter end. Ideally it'll crap out the last year Honda makes a stick shift Accord, since I think it'd be awesome to own an Accord from new. Those are tough cars!

lbintab

iTrader: (1)

I really haven't had much issues at all with my 07. The key is to find one that was well cared for and great service history. Majority will have it. Just make sure that the recalls were done. Many can still be obtained witha warranty or CPO. I say go for it.

Bob04

I agree. I wish I had been smart enough to do this.

peteybabes

I traded in my LS430 with only 60K on the clock!

I now have a 2007 LS460L with just about every conceivable option available. No issues worth mentioning so far, but i guess the car only just hit 22K

The 460 is the definite choice if your wife wants to entertain as the 460 is a significant departure in styling form the 430 and the 2008 fixed most of the "issues" that the 2007 had. Go out and test drive that car and do an honest assessment. You will always blow your guests minds with the incredible leg room.

Bob04

If you priority is ride, comfort, and noise isolation, make sure you spend a decent amount of time in the 460 to be sure it is acceptable to you. Pay special attention to the direct injection ticking at idle. It was a deal breaker for me. Drove me absolutely nuts. Sounded like the car was running on bad gas.

jayclapp

Yesterday's USA Today reported that when Ford's then new CEO Alan Mulally took over Ford 8 years ago, he "drove a Lexus LS 430 when he joined Ford, and called it the best car in the world....". Enough said!

peteybabes

except!. . . the LS460 wasn't available to him to test drive at that point. . .

LS430FL

I also agree. About a year ago, I knew I wanted to trade in my 2001 UL with 180K on the clock. Read through the 460 section for a few months and decided to stay with the 430. Since I live in South Florida finding a mint low mileage 430 is not too hard during the winter months when the snowbirds trade them in for no reason other than wanting a new car. I waited for the best one I could find to pop up at the local lexus dealer and went for it. Haven't had a regret since. Got a 2006 430 with 20K miles, a new car basically.

Doc Yota

After reading some of these comments, and comparing my 99 LS400 to my 02 LS430, I would be reluctant to move forward to an LS460. My 99 LS400 has been bullet proof compared to my LS430. Don't get me wrong, the LS430 is an awesome car and the issues have been minimal, heck I just today took my LS430 to Park Place to have the timing belt service done at 150,000 miles for the first time. That alone is a testament to how well Toyota builds vehicles. I have no doubt that Lexus will make another near bullet proof car like the UCF20 series. I hope they do it soon because I would love a new LS also.

BradTank

If you use your car for entertaining clients and your job actually pays for it, I can definitely understand getting something newer. I almost think you could make the case you "owe" it to your employer to make sure their customers feel like they're in a newer ride.

As much as I love the LS430, even a great car can get "used" up, and it sounds like your UL with 200k miles is not fitting your needs. I would sell it before you had anymore air suspension problems, and I think you can get more than $5k for it.

if I were in your position and put a huge amount of miles on my car, I would probably get something like a newer Lexus ES350 before I'd buy an LS460. Better mileage, less expensive, and likely cheaper to service but is still a roomy luxury car.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

I would take LS460L since it's so big. It's perfect for driving clients around.

If you want to save some money then an 04-06 LS430 would be great.