dave2500

Hello,

I posted in the general area, but they said I would have better results if I posted here.

I am looking at buying a used ls430,

I want to know what type of maintenance needs to be done on them (im use to American cars, so Lexus is all new for me)

Also what is the typical life span of one of these 100k, 150k, and 200k?

I would appreciate any information at all on these cars (they are very nice looking)

Thank you,
Dave

airchomper

You came to the right place!

These cars are a lot like American trucks - they work really well when you change the fluids (on these cars: brake fluid, transmission, differential, power steering, and engine oil). There are some semi-consumable parts - suspension bushings and tie rods (and things like that) that seem to last 150k in the north and 200k in the south.

They're excellent cars! I get ~27 mpg in mine (45 miles of freeway driving at 65 mph, 5 miles sub-30 mph traffic per day). Very spacious, very quiet, and it's rewarding to work on because it goes so long without needing attention. e.g The reward for doing some work on the car is another 10k miles of easy driving.

I really enjoy it. One part of me wants to get some sport sedan with a nice manual transmission but frankly there's nothing that's as reliable and faster for less money. Frankly, the only thing that'd get me out of the car is something with substantially better milage (2x the milage? - 50 mpg minimum, or electric) or something with excellent safety technology that would let me read a magazine or something in traffic.

These cars are unusually good deals for Toyotas. I have an 01, the 01-03s tend to be better deals but the 04-06s tend to be better cars. The sweet spot for most people is a car with100k-120k and a new timing belt / good service records. Anything younger on its original timing belt should get a new timing belt.

Find a shop that knows Toyotas (any shop that works on Hondas / Toyotas will do) and save a few bucks. They're good cars.

Sometimes a few people chime in with weird issues on high milage cars (300k+ miles) but they're solid until at least 200k.

Howzit

Check this thread out:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...er-thread.html

Legender

Dave,
Really can't go wrong with these cars. Just be careful doing the homework on the one you buy and insure the maintenance has been completed on time. Biggest expense will be the timing belt every 100k miles along with water pump, all the seals and any needed idlers. Most prefer the 2004-2006 models with added bells and whistles. Have you drive one yet? They are nice and the ride VERY nice when they have the proper maintenance done on them.

2KHarrier

I think they're so nice, I bought 'em twice...

anh2lua

I am on the same boat.
I was looking at a 2003 with 84k miles without any service record, asking 13k

Another one is 2004 with 117k from a lexus dealership with one owner carfax report and dealer services since day one, but asking 14k.

Which car would you choose?

Both of them look really good and ride super strong and smooth and quiet. I we were looking at a new 2016 honda accord too, but now we're leaning toward this LS 430.

Jabberwock

All other things being equal I'd buy the car with the solid dealer service record. LS430s with little to no dealer service record are pretty rare. I'd personal avoid one like that because there are plenty of cars with solid service records and documented care that will likely be more reliable. The exception would be if you were buying direct from an owner that did all the regular maint work themselves and had doco to prove it.

Howzit

I'd go with the '04. The service records are a key selling point and you can probably negotiate the price down some. The' 03 is due for a timing belt, the '04 should of already had it done. The '04 is also going to give you the 6-speed tranny and a few other things.

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

27 mpg?

Wow

Legender

Unless you're just really good with cars and do your own work you're better off negotiating the 2004 down to $13K and buying it provided the TB/WP has been done. Service records would show that. You'll be better off with the one that has a proven record of being taken care of. Then you'll just need to continue the tradition that's already started.

As for the Honda... I'm doing major repairs on an 05 for the 2nd time... things I've never had to do to any Lexus/Toyota that I've owned. After major trans and AC repair the Honda reputation for reliability is permanently tarnished.

XJSFan

2006 LS430's are the best... LOL. Maybe the most reliable car ever made.

dave2500

Hello,
isnt the who generation really the same frame/drivetrain (maybe not, i am probably ignorant when it comes to forign cars,, in the "american" car brands the whole generation is most of the time the same with just a few body modifications)

Thank you,
(im looking at a 2001? is a 2006 that much better

2KHarrier

There were various changes made starting with the 2004 models. There are loads of threads on this subject, and I'm sure one of the frequent posters will add the link to the variations thread. There is a sticky on the top of the LS page that discusses the year by year differences

Suffice it to say, the 2004-06 models were the best of the best, the Zenith of the LS series cars.

But, you will pay more. I just bought my 2005 with 48K for $19,000

.02

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

Yes,

The 04-06 is head and shoulders above the 01s.

Buy the 95-99 if you are going to go into an 01.

Otherwise do the 04-06 and never look back.

XJSFan

I just said the 2006 were the best because that is what I own. LOL. Being serious, the last year of a model usually ends up being the best year...