Need Advise on new to me 430 purchase
12-16-16, 05:27 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Need Advise on new to me 430 purchase
Hello All
Going to pull the rigger on a 430 soon but going to be very picky. looking for a years 2004-2006 preferably with the ul pkg but hard to find.
Do I really need the UL pkg? And How many miles is to many Should I shy away from one with more than 150K miles??
Thanks in advance
Going to pull the rigger on a 430 soon but going to be very picky. looking for a years 2004-2006 preferably with the ul pkg but hard to find.
Do I really need the UL pkg? And How many miles is to many Should I shy away from one with more than 150K miles??
Thanks in advance
12-16-16, 05:49 AM
#2
Moderator
The Ultra does have a few features that the other vehicle packages don't. Closest would be the CL (Custom Luxury). It has many of the same features the UL has, but without the adjustable suspension, rear AC and can cooler.
My 2005 is a Modern Luxury and my 2001 is a base model.
here's a great thread on the different packages;
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...y-package.html
As far as mileage goes, the less the better, but if the car was maintained, mileage has less of an effect on these vehicles. Many are approaching 300K and are still running, and a few have been destroyed by 150K because of a lack of maintenance.
It comes down to cost and features. Make sure you research the history of the vehicle and read the posts on here about owner's experiences.
My 2005 is a Modern Luxury and my 2001 is a base model.
here's a great thread on the different packages;
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...y-package.html
As far as mileage goes, the less the better, but if the car was maintained, mileage has less of an effect on these vehicles. Many are approaching 300K and are still running, and a few have been destroyed by 150K because of a lack of maintenance.
It comes down to cost and features. Make sure you research the history of the vehicle and read the posts on here about owner's experiences.
12-16-16, 06:05 AM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
I would always avoid the UL, mainly for the air suspension. But then for the rear a/c and the fridge which takes up trunk space.
I have a ML, which I would not go below. However, in retrospect, I would go for a CL. I don't really want the soft close doors as it sends the price up of the actuators, but figure wth headlamp washeres are nice to have, and radar cruise not really necessary but I try to ask myself if I were buying new, which would I have really chosen, and get that. It would have been CL. I think CL gives you a different interior scheme too. Though some of what the 2006 brochure says, seems inconsistent...
I have a ML, which I would not go below. However, in retrospect, I would go for a CL. I don't really want the soft close doors as it sends the price up of the actuators, but figure wth headlamp washeres are nice to have, and radar cruise not really necessary but I try to ask myself if I were buying new, which would I have really chosen, and get that. It would have been CL. I think CL gives you a different interior scheme too. Though some of what the 2006 brochure says, seems inconsistent...
12-16-16, 10:20 AM
#4
It all depends on what your goals are with the car. If you want all of the toys the UL is the way to go for what other people have said. ULs also have a better headliner, better wood, leather on the dash, console, and door arm rests. Each air shock runs around $900-1200 in parts alone depending where you buy it new. Used air shocks are just buying time since the rubber rots with age and will leak at some point. The laser or sonar based cruise control was a very high tech and cool feature back in the days when these cars were new. Now it is an expensive liability that no one but a dealer or Lexus specialist will be able to fix if it breaks.
I personally wanted the base model (with the 18 inch wheels for a bigger footprint) because it has the least stuff that can break. Smartphones do the navigation now so to me the ML was not worth it just for the Mark Levinson audio but very dated NAVi/display screen that is an expensive part should it break. The audio amps with the Mark Levinson system have been known to need repairs. The most expensive stuff than can break even on a base is probably the ABS system, folding mirrors, park sensor system, auto level headlights, and the heated/cooled seats. If they made a base base car without those things I would have gone for it. My top priority was easy to live with and ride comfort/silence inside; things the base does very well.
I personally wanted the base model (with the 18 inch wheels for a bigger footprint) because it has the least stuff that can break. Smartphones do the navigation now so to me the ML was not worth it just for the Mark Levinson audio but very dated NAVi/display screen that is an expensive part should it break. The audio amps with the Mark Levinson system have been known to need repairs. The most expensive stuff than can break even on a base is probably the ABS system, folding mirrors, park sensor system, auto level headlights, and the heated/cooled seats. If they made a base base car without those things I would have gone for it. My top priority was easy to live with and ride comfort/silence inside; things the base does very well.
12-16-16, 10:39 AM
#5
It all depends on what your goals are with the car. If you want all of the toys the UL is the way to go for what other people have said. ULs also have a better headliner, better wood, leather on the dash, console, and door arm rests. Each air shock runs around $900-1200 in parts alone depending where you buy it new. Used air shocks are just buying time since the rubber rots with age and will leak at some point. The laser or sonar based cruise control was a very high tech and cool feature back in the days when these cars were new. Now it is an expensive liability that no one but a dealer or Lexus specialist will be able to fix if it breaks.
I personally wanted the base model (with the 18 inch wheels for a bigger footprint) because it has the least stuff that can break. Smartphones do the navigation now so to me the ML was not worth it just for the Mark Levinson audio but very dated NAVi/display screen that is an expensive part should it break. The audio amps with the Mark Levinson system have been known to need repairs. The most expensive stuff than can break even on a base is probably the ABS system, folding mirrors, park sensor system, auto level headlights, and the heated/cooled seats. If they made a base base car without those things I would have gone for it. My top priority was easy to live with and ride comfort/silence inside; things the base does very well.
I personally wanted the base model (with the 18 inch wheels for a bigger footprint) because it has the least stuff that can break. Smartphones do the navigation now so to me the ML was not worth it just for the Mark Levinson audio but very dated NAVi/display screen that is an expensive part should it break. The audio amps with the Mark Levinson system have been known to need repairs. The most expensive stuff than can break even on a base is probably the ABS system, folding mirrors, park sensor system, auto level headlights, and the heated/cooled seats. If they made a base base car without those things I would have gone for it. My top priority was easy to live with and ride comfort/silence inside; things the base does very well.
12-16-16, 11:24 AM
#6
Pole Position
100% agree with texan_176. I bought my '04 back in May 2008, but even back then I was scared of getting too many bells & whistles for fear of things going haywire. i was scared of the nav because it controlled the AC...so if the screen breaks or goes down, I can't control the AC. I was looking for the least amount of things that could go wrong...and feel that was the right call (245k miles and counting).
My recommendation would be get a mid/late model year '05 or any of the '06's. '04's had odd transmission shifting at low speeds (fixed with an ECU upgrade, but still have to pay for it). Highly recommend getting one with the 18" wheels to improve the stance of the car. I added streaming bluetooth audio (no calls) from a vendor that advertises on here for about $200, also added integrated satellite radio for about the same. Since I have always used my phone for nav, I now have almost all of the functionality I would want out of a new car today (only thing missing for me is push button start...I hate having to take my keys out of my pocket to unlock and start the car). I don't have Levinson, really wanted that but I couldn't get it without having nav and I was dead set on not having navigation.
At the end of the day, what you should really go for is the best maintained car at a price you can afford and a color you like or can live with. Be patient. Once you get the car, do the recommended service and it'll take good care of you.
My recommendation would be get a mid/late model year '05 or any of the '06's. '04's had odd transmission shifting at low speeds (fixed with an ECU upgrade, but still have to pay for it). Highly recommend getting one with the 18" wheels to improve the stance of the car. I added streaming bluetooth audio (no calls) from a vendor that advertises on here for about $200, also added integrated satellite radio for about the same. Since I have always used my phone for nav, I now have almost all of the functionality I would want out of a new car today (only thing missing for me is push button start...I hate having to take my keys out of my pocket to unlock and start the car). I don't have Levinson, really wanted that but I couldn't get it without having nav and I was dead set on not having navigation.
At the end of the day, what you should really go for is the best maintained car at a price you can afford and a color you like or can live with. Be patient. Once you get the car, do the recommended service and it'll take good care of you.
12-16-16, 11:39 AM
#7
Lexus Fanatic
The fact that a shop who specializes in modules does not fix our modules, dunno, implies there is no market to repair lexus abs (I hope).
We're sorry, we do not currently repair modules for your vehicle.
Submit a repair request if you'd like us to consider your module.
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12-16-16, 12:30 PM
#8
Man I hope ABS is not a common failure, I've seen newer Maxima owners paying > $4k. My BMW's did fail at 49k, and that is > $4k. Thank goodness I could diy, was between $400-$500 out the door buying the Motive and factory software. But I just checked, and the reputable place that fixes the Bosch modules, does not fix the LS. My fear would be that with BMW software, it is very clear what you are doing with the vehicle. Heck there is even a YouTube showing the complete job start to finish. What I have seen with Toyota software on YouTube, does not seem to be at all the same, much less info etc.
The fact that a shop who specializes in modules does not fix our modules, dunno, implies there is no market to repair lexus abs (I hope).
We're sorry, we do not currently repair modules for your vehicle.
Submit a repair request if you'd like us to consider your module.
The fact that a shop who specializes in modules does not fix our modules, dunno, implies there is no market to repair lexus abs (I hope).
We're sorry, we do not currently repair modules for your vehicle.
Submit a repair request if you'd like us to consider your module.
The ABS system in my SC300 is suspected in causing a brake failure that resulted in a minor collision. I am dealing with the repairs on it now.
More info here:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/per...n-the-sc3.html
It makes me want to buy an LS430 ABS unit while you still can and store it away. If I end up not needing it I can easily double my money selling it when they are discontinued by Toyota.
Last edited by texan_176; 12-16-16 at 01:10 PM.
12-16-16, 12:47 PM
#9
Pole Position
My LS's have a combined mileage over 550,000 miles (one with 275k+). Never had an ABS issue. Depending upon your driving (mostly local stop 'n go), you may have to rebuild the caliper pistons and/or replace the master cylinder.
12-16-16, 12:47 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
Do you have a link to the place that fixes modules?
The ABS system in my SC300 is suspected in causing a brake failure that resulted in a minor collision. I am dealing with the repairs on it now.
More info here:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/per...n-the-sc3.html
It makes me what to buy an LS430 ABS unit while you still can and store it away. If I end up not needing it I can easily double my money selling it when they are discontinued by Toyota.
The ABS system in my SC300 is suspected in causing a brake failure that resulted in a minor collision. I am dealing with the repairs on it now.
More info here:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/per...n-the-sc3.html
It makes me what to buy an LS430 ABS unit while you still can and store it away. If I end up not needing it I can easily double my money selling it when they are discontinued by Toyota.
https://modulemaster.com/rebuilds/
So many testimonials
https://modulemaster.com/rebuilds/testimonials/brakes/
The BMW is flawed design, and their rebuild supposedly eliminates the flaw, so it's better than a new part, which will only fail again. My hunch is Lexus does not have this flaw.
People with BMWs would often buy used to avoid downtime that the repair turnaround creates. But unfortunately, the used part is on borrowed time.....good luck with the SC.
12-16-16, 01:11 PM
#11
Yep, this place is awesome, I wish we had a place like this for everything we do in life. They deliver to the day that they say they will, answer the phone, email, chat. Top notch, it cost $288 for my BMW, incl. FedEx 2nd day air back. 5 yr. guarantee.
https://modulemaster.com/rebuilds/
So many testimonials
https://modulemaster.com/rebuilds/testimonials/brakes/
The BMW is flawed design, and their rebuild supposedly eliminates the flaw, so it's better than a new part, which will only fail again. My hunch is Lexus does not have this flaw.
People with BMWs would often buy used to avoid downtime that the repair turnaround creates. But unfortunately, the used part is on borrowed time.....good luck with the SC.
https://modulemaster.com/rebuilds/
So many testimonials
https://modulemaster.com/rebuilds/testimonials/brakes/
The BMW is flawed design, and their rebuild supposedly eliminates the flaw, so it's better than a new part, which will only fail again. My hunch is Lexus does not have this flaw.
People with BMWs would often buy used to avoid downtime that the repair turnaround creates. But unfortunately, the used part is on borrowed time.....good luck with the SC.
12-16-16, 04:20 PM
#12
Like many others here when I was in the market I specifically looked for 2005 and 2006 models which were basically recall free. I searched for Premium package because I didn't want the air suspension, NAV, Mark Levinson etc that were known issues.
But even with Premium you will still have the normal LS430 issues like the mirrors, AFS system, steering motors etc.
With any LS430 you will need to budget for suspension because as these cars age and get more mileage the shocks, struts, bushings etc will need replacement.
But even with Premium you will still have the normal LS430 issues like the mirrors, AFS system, steering motors etc.
With any LS430 you will need to budget for suspension because as these cars age and get more mileage the shocks, struts, bushings etc will need replacement.
12-17-16, 12:30 PM
#13
I would always avoid the UL, mainly for the air suspension. But then for the rear a/c and the fridge which takes up trunk space.
I have a ML, which I would not go below. However, in retrospect, I would go for a CL. I don't really want the soft close doors as it sends the price up of the actuators, but figure wth headlamp washeres are nice to have, and radar cruise not really necessary but I try to ask myself if I were buying new, which would I have really chosen, and get that. It would have been CL. I think CL gives you a different interior scheme too. Though some of what the 2006 brochure says, seems inconsistent...
I have a ML, which I would not go below. However, in retrospect, I would go for a CL. I don't really want the soft close doors as it sends the price up of the actuators, but figure wth headlamp washeres are nice to have, and radar cruise not really necessary but I try to ask myself if I were buying new, which would I have really chosen, and get that. It would have been CL. I think CL gives you a different interior scheme too. Though some of what the 2006 brochure says, seems inconsistent...
My 2001 I have had from late 2004, Navi, ML, systems, never an issue... Problem on my 2001 that I found common was the tilt wheel motor... Mine is dead but, I manually set it where I wanted it and left it like that, If I found a motor for like $50, I would swap it out but, at $300+, I'll live without it.
Finding a UL is hard but, finding a used but good shape 2004-2006 CL is even harder...Trust me, on that one...
Last edited by DavidinCT; 12-17-16 at 12:35 PM.
12-17-16, 11:09 PM
#14
100% agree with texan_176. I bought my '04 back in May 2008, but even back then I was scared of getting too many bells & whistles for fear of things going haywire. i was scared of the nav because it controlled the AC...so if the screen breaks or goes down, I can't control the AC. I was looking for the least amount of things that could go wrong...and feel that was the right call (245k miles and counting).
My recommendation would be get a mid/late model year '05 or any of the '06's. '04's had odd transmission shifting at low speeds (fixed with an ECU upgrade, but still have to pay for it). Highly recommend getting one with the 18" wheels to improve the stance of the car. I added streaming bluetooth audio (no calls) from a vendor that advertises on here for about $200, also added integrated satellite radio for about the same. Since I have always used my phone for nav, I now have almost all of the functionality I would want out of a new car today (only thing missing for me is push button start...I hate having to take my keys out of my pocket to unlock and start the car). I don't have Levinson, really wanted that but I couldn't get it without having nav and I was dead set on not having navigation.
At the end of the day, what you should really go for is the best maintained car at a price you can afford and a color you like or can live with. Be patient. Once you get the car, do the recommended service and it'll take good care of you.
My recommendation would be get a mid/late model year '05 or any of the '06's. '04's had odd transmission shifting at low speeds (fixed with an ECU upgrade, but still have to pay for it). Highly recommend getting one with the 18" wheels to improve the stance of the car. I added streaming bluetooth audio (no calls) from a vendor that advertises on here for about $200, also added integrated satellite radio for about the same. Since I have always used my phone for nav, I now have almost all of the functionality I would want out of a new car today (only thing missing for me is push button start...I hate having to take my keys out of my pocket to unlock and start the car). I don't have Levinson, really wanted that but I couldn't get it without having nav and I was dead set on not having navigation.
At the end of the day, what you should really go for is the best maintained car at a price you can afford and a color you like or can live with. Be patient. Once you get the car, do the recommended service and it'll take good care of you.
12-18-16, 08:24 AM
#15
The 04 shift TSB (if needed) costs 100 at a good Indy. Still have basic AC and stereo if the Nav fails. I may buy a spare NAV. Who knows if they will still be available in the future. Can solve that problem now. Smart key is fun. Mark Levinson stereo is worth the repair costs.
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