days away from owning my LS430
03-16-16, 05:42 PM
#1
days away from owning my LS430
Been trying to hold back on this post until the keys are in my hand but I gave in. Last week I paid for a transfer through CarMax on a 2006 LS430. I have been wanting to get into an LS430 and specifically 04-06 shortly after finding this forum. At the time I bought a 1998 GS300 and once I did my own LS430 retrofit on it I could not stop looking in this section of the forum.
The first one here that really got me digging into their threads member Sojah. He was selling his because he was heading over seas... I believe the person who bought it sold it shortly after as well. Then I tried to get my hands on Yosup Choi's car (usa5655) before someone got it and Sushiboiii beat me to that one. Never stopped looking for one though and now I'm just days away. Decided to start with a completely stock LS430 moonlight pearl. Been reading up in here more than usual so if I happen to send you a PM on something I just want to thank you ahead of time lol.
Lexus VIN history stopped in 2012 and the last 3.5 years is was used as a company vehicle for a real estate company in Southern Cal. Prior to that all the records are through San Diego and Carlsbad Lexus dealerships. I'm 90% sure I wont back away from the purchase when it arrives but who knows. I am def going to maximize the 30 day CarMax window that allows you to go through the vehicle and have them correct anything you aren't happy with and/or is a safety concern. The first thing I'm doing is taking it to my Lexus dealership and letting them run through the entire car so that if anything comes up I can hand that paperwork right over.
I don't anticipate there being much if anything but we'll see. Kinda in the dark with the last couple years so I've already sourced the major stuff if needed:
Aisin TKT-021 with the water pump
Thermostat
Serpentine belt
gaskets
fluids
on standby:
upper control arms
lower control arm bushings f/r
sway bar bushings and end links
and so on...
I'm going to do my best to keep this car stock as long as I can and just enjoy it... the bigger plans are also big money so when I start that process I want to spend the money once on each change instead of my previous changes.
Here are my previous Lexus vehicles:
1st one 1998 GS300
2nd was 1992 SC400
3rd Is a 2007 IS350 being sold when I get the new one
Hopefully it will not be much longer
The first one here that really got me digging into their threads member Sojah. He was selling his because he was heading over seas... I believe the person who bought it sold it shortly after as well. Then I tried to get my hands on Yosup Choi's car (usa5655) before someone got it and Sushiboiii beat me to that one. Never stopped looking for one though and now I'm just days away. Decided to start with a completely stock LS430 moonlight pearl. Been reading up in here more than usual so if I happen to send you a PM on something I just want to thank you ahead of time lol.
Lexus VIN history stopped in 2012 and the last 3.5 years is was used as a company vehicle for a real estate company in Southern Cal. Prior to that all the records are through San Diego and Carlsbad Lexus dealerships. I'm 90% sure I wont back away from the purchase when it arrives but who knows. I am def going to maximize the 30 day CarMax window that allows you to go through the vehicle and have them correct anything you aren't happy with and/or is a safety concern. The first thing I'm doing is taking it to my Lexus dealership and letting them run through the entire car so that if anything comes up I can hand that paperwork right over.
I don't anticipate there being much if anything but we'll see. Kinda in the dark with the last couple years so I've already sourced the major stuff if needed:
Aisin TKT-021 with the water pump
Thermostat
Serpentine belt
gaskets
fluids
on standby:
upper control arms
lower control arm bushings f/r
sway bar bushings and end links
and so on...
I'm going to do my best to keep this car stock as long as I can and just enjoy it... the bigger plans are also big money so when I start that process I want to spend the money once on each change instead of my previous changes.
Here are my previous Lexus vehicles:
1st one 1998 GS300
2nd was 1992 SC400
3rd Is a 2007 IS350 being sold when I get the new one
Hopefully it will not be much longer
Last edited by MikeFoxx; 03-17-16 at 09:48 AM.
03-16-16, 06:19 PM
#3
Pole Position
Congrats and welcome to the forum. I saw the '06 moonlight pearl at CarMax too. (Coincidentally, I'm picking up a moonlight pearl LS next week.) That's a very nice example of what many here say is the overall best LS model ever produced.
03-16-16, 07:29 PM
#5
^^^^ thank you sir... I sure did forget those. I do plan on actually keeping this one around for awhile thanks for throwing them on the list.
Thanks for the quick welcome here. Tom57 did you see that brown one in Florida though??? If the transfer fee went towards the cost I would have jumped on that one. There is a green one in Costa Mesa that I tried to pull but that carmax won't let it leave their lot. Can't really go wrong with any color for this model.
Once I know the car is where I want it mechanically I will do one basic mod. I am going ceramic tint all around. Windshield will be a clear ceramic and the rest will be Llumar Blue 80. Should come out really nice against the white and tan interior.
Thanks for the quick welcome here. Tom57 did you see that brown one in Florida though??? If the transfer fee went towards the cost I would have jumped on that one. There is a green one in Costa Mesa that I tried to pull but that carmax won't let it leave their lot. Can't really go wrong with any color for this model.
Once I know the car is where I want it mechanically I will do one basic mod. I am going ceramic tint all around. Windshield will be a clear ceramic and the rest will be Llumar Blue 80. Should come out really nice against the white and tan interior.
03-17-16, 06:46 AM
#6
Pole Position
^^^^ thank you sir... I sure did forget those. I do plan on actually keeping this one around for awhile thanks for throwing them on the list.
Tom57 did you see that brown one in Florida though??? If the transfer fee went towards the cost I would have jumped on that one. There is a green one in Costa Mesa that I tried to pull but that carmax won't let it leave their lot. Can't really go wrong with any color for this model.
Tom57 did you see that brown one in Florida though??? If the transfer fee went towards the cost I would have jumped on that one. There is a green one in Costa Mesa that I tried to pull but that carmax won't let it leave their lot. Can't really go wrong with any color for this model.
I did not consider those Mike - my search was very narrow - looked exclusively and very narrowly for moonlight pearl Custom Luxury super low miles, for my lady. Agree that this model is very special.
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03-17-16, 01:53 PM
#10
Congrats...and while not the best color for Texas it will probably work in CA. I too have the ceramic tint and that is a great choice. Welcome and hope the car is everything you expect it to be.
03-17-16, 08:48 PM
#11
Thanks everyone I'm really looking forward to being active in this section of the forum. There are so many well done builds here without being over the top and washed down with a bunch of rep parts.
Finding certain things is a little trickier here because it's not always spelled out you have to actually read the posts and responses... it's a nice change is all I'm saying. Seems like the LS folks are a lil more laid back and helpful instead of trying to clown while being kinda helpful ^_^
Finding certain things is a little trickier here because it's not always spelled out you have to actually read the posts and responses... it's a nice change is all I'm saying. Seems like the LS folks are a lil more laid back and helpful instead of trying to clown while being kinda helpful ^_^
03-22-16, 07:45 PM
#12
Picked up my car today... man what a nice comfortable ride for my commute. I've been really missing put this whole time. Two things I noticed so far that carmax will need to correct. Passenger headlight is out im gonna swap bulbs and isolate if it is the ballast or bulb. I have my Osram cbi bulbs to test with which i was going to put in anyway. The other is the trunk button on the trunk lid doesn't release. The fobs and button up front do. Putting their 30 day coverage to use just gotta run through the rest of the car. I got them to polish the headlights and clean up the front leather. Overall I'm very happy with the purchase.
03-22-16, 11:15 PM
#14
Haven't checked the paint code but I'm pretty sure this is actually crystal white not moonlight pearl.
Found out why the passenger side bulb was out... going to have to use a hobby tool to vacuum out the other pieces really not trying to open these up already.
and my cbi bulbs are a different size... of course they are. Not worth it to cut the grooves out because one will be way bigger than it should be just to line it up. These are what came with the car. I'm going to order cbi bulbs in the morning and put my D4S cbi bulbs up for sale.
Already ordered 25 spacers rear 15 front, jdm smell good, and filters just basics right now. Gave all the leathers a really good cleaning and conditioner. It came with Lexus all weather mats which was a nice surprise since I was going to order weather tech but these are pretty thick.
Found out why the passenger side bulb was out... going to have to use a hobby tool to vacuum out the other pieces really not trying to open these up already.
and my cbi bulbs are a different size... of course they are. Not worth it to cut the grooves out because one will be way bigger than it should be just to line it up. These are what came with the car. I'm going to order cbi bulbs in the morning and put my D4S cbi bulbs up for sale.
Already ordered 25 spacers rear 15 front, jdm smell good, and filters just basics right now. Gave all the leathers a really good cleaning and conditioner. It came with Lexus all weather mats which was a nice surprise since I was going to order weather tech but these are pretty thick.
Last edited by MikeFoxx; 03-23-16 at 12:19 AM.