abrown5540

Team. I have loved the hell out of my 2001 LS 430 and I have 280,000 miles on her. I'm ready to buy a new Lexus and would like to know what is the CLOSEST used model to this great car? I want the same size, power, dependability and COMFORT (no "sporty" ride) that I'm getting now. What models should I be looking at? I will pay up to $55,000 for a used one. Please advise.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

The closest thing I've seen that was comparable to the LS430 is the 2013+ LS460L or LS600hL. I drove the older LS460 but preferred my 05 LS430. The newer LS is much nicer now and it's the only car I find comparable to the LS430. It looks great with the F-Sport package and the LS460 rides a lot smoother than I expected. The only other cars besides that would be an 04-06 LS430 or 98-00 LS400.

The newer S Class and 7 Series are great but wouldn't be as reliable as an LS.

abrown5540

Thanks Kira - I'm coming to the same conclusion and will probably test drive a 460 (2015) today ; )

aypues

I would test drive a certified S550 from 2014+ as well. They offer unlimited mileage warranties and the years can be extended. They are falling into the 50's now.

bmore430

If you have 55k to spend you have some nice pre owned options. I'd be looking at 2013 or newer LS460 or like others said I'd look at a Certified Mercedes S550 and get the unlimited mile and multi year extension.

If you are into luxury with a little performance I'd check out CTS V, E63, ISF

jrmckinley

You have a few options... but if you want comfort, I will respectfully disagree with the poster who recommended the F Sport LS460.
Option 1: '13 or '14 LS460. '13's CPO are about $42-$46k. '14's are going to be $45k-$50k. I think you will be glad if you can wait a few months. The '18 LS500 is debuting in January (Detroit show) and will make the '13 and beyond body style "old" and may drop the price a bit immediately. Supposedly there were a decent amount of lease vehicles of the LS, so you'll see '14's trickling in very soon which will lower the price of the '13's.
Option 2: Buy a '12 in a couple of months (you can still get CPO) and save yourself about $20k-$23k off your budget. Especially when the LS500 debuts, the '12 body style will be 2 generations old in some people's minds. I'm sure you are aware that the '12 vs. the '13 is a very different interior layout - but many people prefer the '12 due to it using touch-screen for the interface instead of the mouse-driven interface system on '13's and beyond.
Option 3: Explore the S class with the unlimited mileage warranty. That's one heck of a car, though for me I still prefer Lexus for the ride (not feeling quite as much of the road). But nothing other than Rolls Royce has the presence and command of an S class IMHO. I was a passenger in a test drive of a '14 S550 and it was really impressive. Not surprising as the S class always has been.

I'm in a somewhat similar boat- except my budget will cap out at $40k and I drive a 2004 LS with 245k miles. I'm really torn between the '12 and the '13 (and unfortunately there is exactly a $10k premium for the '13 vs a '12 with the same mileage). I really prefer the exterior styling of the '12/'11/'10 over the '13 and beyond. But I like the interior upgrade of the '13 and beyond. I hate the rim options on the '13 and beyond- and absolutely love the 19" 5 star rims on the prior gen. I don't need too many technical gadgets, and quite honestly, the fewer the better (to avoid things breaking). I'm really torn.

FWIW, I drove a '12 over the summer and felt it was a little too similarly laid out to my existing '04 LS and our '10 LX (buttons in exact same spots, it was the same exterior and interior color as my LS, nav interface identical to the LX, etc). It just felt too familiar- that's where the '13 would be a great change. I actually had that same "familiar feeling" when I went from my '96 LS to my '04 LS, but I was much younger then and more interested in the curb appeal of the '04. My decision criteria is a bit different now where I am looking for value. I really struggle with the $10k bump on the '13's and beyond as I don't see it being worth it, especially when I know I've got to drop about $2k on new rims and tires since I hate the rims that are available. That's why I'm waiting until mid-summer to pull the trigger. Lexus normally releases in August, so I think I can get a very good deal on a '13 in August (it'll be 5 years old) or absolutely steal a '12. I'm waiting to see how much the price gap narrows on a '12 vs. a '13 when the new 500 comes out.

I would love to have you post your feedback after some test drives. I'm going to start kicking tires and driving some '13's or '14's in the first part of the new year to see how they compare to the '12. I am interested to play with the new interface. I also have an Audi and not sure anyone can lay out the multimedia interface system better than them.

abrown5540

Jmckinley - thanks so much for you thoughtful and detailed response - - I will have to re-read it a couple of times because I'm not a "car sausage" person but you make some good points. I'm not looking at the sport - - tomorrow I will test drive a the 2013 460LS . I will try the S550 also. By the way - explain the "mouse" to me. are you talking about the navigation system? i

jrmckinley

Yes, the "mouse" is how I'm describing the interaction to the nav screen. On '07-'12 it was touch screen, then in '13 they changed it to where you use a mouse-like contraption on the center console to get around. It is all-or-nothing with the mouse, meaning it's the only way you can interact with the nav, etc (no touchscreen at all). I haven't played around with it too much but it sounds like it takes some getting used to.

Let us know what you think after driving it - and also keep us posted on how it compares to any other makes (MB S550) that you may drive.

Duck05

We bought a '14 LS460 in October of '15 to replace the wife's LS430. The LS430 is now my daily driver.

Having both an '01 LS430 (209K) and the '14 LS460 (a whopping 26K) I agree with a lot of what has been said above. No question a '13+ interior is much better if you can get used to the mouse controller. Exterior styling, wheel choice, F-Sport, AWD, etc are all personal choices and those are factors up to you and your budget.

Now that the LS430 is my daily (I drove it very infrequently before) and compared to the 460 my personal opinion is I prefer the 430. The wife likes the newer 460 just fine. It may sound crazy, but if you could find a low mileage '06 LS430 in the color and options configuration you prefer, that would not be a bad option and the cost delta is not too bad either (and then maybe save up for when the '18s hit....).

LS430inDE.

Does the new 'mouse' interface on the nav permit you to manipulate/input nav data while the vehicle is in motion? Of course it must permit climate/audio/etc, but curious if it lets you input nav data?

LS430inDE.

The answer to your question is EXTREMELY simple and straight forward. A 2004-2006 LS430!

You asked for the "closest used model" to your great 2001. If you loved your 2001, you'll be ga-ga over a creampuff 2004-2006! They are still easily found online, and many are even at Lexus dealerships (online). Forget about $55k. Why not spend $12k or less and pickup an awesome 3rd generation LS430!?!? You KNOW the reliability is there, too!

LS430inDE.

Ok, so my $12k figure might be a couple g's low..lol.

Here's a base model 2006 asking $15k.... https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-fo...-ls-430/07446/

Here's a Modern Luxury model 2004 asking $16k.... https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-fo...-ls-430/20152/

Here's a ? model 2005 asking $21k! (use the VIN decoder if you want).... https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-fo...-ls-430/20166/

FatherTo1

Duck, what are the differences that make you prefer the 430 over the 460 that's more than a decade newer? I really like our 430 but am already thinking of replacing it with a 460L after just eight months of ownership. I guess, deep down, I always really wanted the LWB and updated styling (inside and out) of the '07-'12. The few '07 and '08 models I test drove at the time all rode horribly -- very stiff and bumpy, which basically drove me towards an '06 430. In hindsight, and having learned more from this community, those 460s I test drove probably all needed LCAs replaced. There is no way a normal LS should ride as rough as those examples did.

PRSUIT460

iTrader: (3)

2013+ LS460 or a newer MB S63...

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

I just recently sold my 03 ls430 for an 08 460L and I really wouldn't overlook the 07-12 so quick

You can still find some very low mileage models at a good price, mine has only 37000 miles and feels and drives like its brand new.

Although you wont be finding that soft, plush ride that you have in your 430, that's gone now, and you wont find anything to match it unless you stick with another 430.

You might be surprised to find that you actually like the more firm, sportier ride in the 460, it has so much less body roll, and taking corners and highway ramps at speed is a breeze.

Also the 100 extra horsepower is really noticeable...its a totally different car, and you might enjoy it more then you think

Take a few for a test drive, mine has the air suspension which allows u to adjust from comfort "super soft" setting to the more firm sport setting (my personal favourite)

The interior is nicer in the 13+ models but is it worth an extra $15 or $20k? To me its not, but maybe it is for you