dmmoroney

Good Day All,

I finally picked up my 2004 LS 430, Cypress Pearl/Cashmere, with 124K Miles. Paid $8,900.

I have never felt anything like this! The cabin is so exquisite, there is ZERO road noise. Cars pass by and I don't even hear them! It's like driving on a cloud!

I am planning keeping this baby for a long time :-)

Next up is the 120K mile service. Has anyone had this completed by a local mom & pop mechanic? If so, what was your cost?

Thanks again for all your info as I went through this purchase process over the past few months!

Pics aren't great, but I will take better ones when the weather clears up a bit.

2KHarrier

Nice color DM... I love the Anthracite ( I believe that's what it's called).
Interior is super clean too. I didn't have the 120K service done on mine. I do most maintenance items myself. The big item was the TB which was done just prior to my purchase. The other items (fluid changes, tire rotations, plugs) could be done at any shop, really. You'll be a little shocked at what Lexus wants for that service, which probably is driving your question about the local shops.

dmmoroney

Yeah, I definitely won't be going to a dealership. I priced out a lot of parts on Amazon:

Premium Guard Cabin Air Filter
NPN Air Filter
Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5W-30 5qt. Oil
Motorcraft FL400S Oil Filter
8 Denso Iridium Long Life Spark Plugs
Aisin TKT-021 Timing Belt & Water Pump Kit

~~~Total is $270~~~

So that should hopefully save me a few bucks. My local mechanic is great, and he even accepts payments!

offbad

iTrader: (5)

try rockauto for your parts aside from oil

and you can't beat walmart 5qt jug pricing.

dmmoroney

I can't seem to find Pennzoil Ultra Platinum in-store anywhere. I'll order it online, $28 from Wal-Mart with free S&H. Everyone seems to have just Platinum, not Ultra Platinum.

I'll check out Rock Auto, never heard of it. Thanks for the tip!

texan_176

iTrader: (5)

The value with these cars is stunning.

What does that kind of money buy for most people not in the know? Some generic Camry or Accord with a 4 cyl engine and economy everything.

I think we are in the now or never spot of LS430 markets. Once they get to be 15-20 years old they will need replacement of time wear/tear parts such as rubber bushings and lines. For someone who can not DIY it will not make economic sense to do those repairs. Right now the cars are new enough to still drive very tight and they have depreciated favorably for a buyer. These are "low tech" by modern car standards and most people simply have no desire to buy one. This is just means more selection for us.

You got $50K car grade of stuff for under $10K and it is in amazing condition.

Jks24

I dont know if i would say there low tech but yah these cars are a amazing deal and for op your car looks super clean hood find!!!

jrmckinley

congrats- treat the car well and it will be good to you in return. i have a 2004 with 240k and it still blows me away each time i drive it- no rattles, no sound, nothing...just smooth as can be.

highly recommend checking out VAIS for some cool technology you can add to the factory radio. i put in streaming bluetooth and satellite in my car- i think each was about $200. totally worth it- i can do almost as much as most new cars (only limitation is no phone calling via bluetooth).

enjoy

dmmoroney

I plan on looking into that. I noticed that inside the center console someone installed a 3.5mm Monster Cable, which I assume is to plug into a phone. But when I plug it in nothing happens. I have no idea where the other end goes though, lol.

The ride is absolutely incredible. I really hope to have this for at least 3-4 years. The only concern I have is that I may be getting a new job that is further from my house, and over 2 mountains. I may need AWD at some point, so perhaps I could trade this in for a AWD LS 460.

lsdude

For the 3.5mm cable, try changing your audio mode to CD. I believe this is how the Vaistech/Grom units work.

jrmckinley

I have Vaistech streaming bluetooth in my car and I have to push the CD (or "DISC" - can't remember what it's called) button twice- you may want to try that. One push will play a CD, another push switches to another input and that may be what's controlling your 3.5mm cable.

dmmoroney

I'll try it when I go out to my car in a bit. Here is the cable, I took a pic yesterday but forgot to upload.

dmmoroney

So I tried the button pushing thing to no avail. Decided to open the owners manual to read up on changing inputs, and when I opened the leather booklet I uncovered this:

deadguy

Ditch the tape adapter and get the VAIS SLB3. Easy install with tutorials found here.

Congrats!!

dmmoroney

All the pics I see on the VAIS site have the Nav system. I do not have Nav. Can I still use VAIS?