qpower

Hey all, new to the forum, so I apologize if I'm posting this in the wrong section.

I'm looking at replacing my 2004 Acura TSX with 213k with an 01-03 LS430 Ultra, with high mileage, because I'll be driving 500+ miles a week for the foreseeable future.

I love everything about the LS430 and have been researching it for months, but I did have a few questions I haven't been able to find answers for on the forums.

1. How does the LS430 handle? I plan on replacing the air-ride with Tein CS/Megan coilovers at a normal height for a sportier feel, but I'm also wondering about steering feedback. I've heard it's very light and I was wondering if anyone has managed to dial theirs in for a tighter feel. Any feedback from people with coilovers?

2. Does anyone live in a mountainous area? I've read up on the snow handling and it seems like it'll do fine with Blizzaks in snow mode, but I live in Pittsburgh and had a few concerns about the snow.

3. Anyone with an LS430 over 200k have any major reliability concerns? I'm looking at buying one with 200-300k miles on it as its gonna be my daily for the next 5 or so years.

I was considering an Infiniti M35X for a sportier feel and AWD, but I really love the fit and finish of the LS430 and would rather pick up clients in an LS than an Infiniti with no backseat features.

All that being said, if anyone knows of a black LS430 ultra with absurdly high miles and either black or saddle interior under $7k... shoot me a message!

Thanks all!

tallcaguy

A nice well maintained 01-03 Base w/ mileage in the low 100's will be around $8 in CA (maybe a little less back there).
It will last a long time. Buying an super high mileage Ultra to save a little money? When you're going to drive a lot? Plan on expensive repair bills.

2KHarrier

Welcome to the club Q, TCG makes a good point about driving a high mileage car daily. You will be faced with some bills.
As you probably are aware, it all comes down to how the car was maintained by the previous owner. If it has had regular maintenance visits and problems taken care of on a regular basis, 200,000 miles on an LS has less of an effect than 200K on a Buick.
The UL is the Top Tier LS and there are a few added maintenance concerns with that model, the big one being the Active suspension. You have a plan for that, so the only other major concerns IMO would be the rear A/C unit, adaptive cruise control and the assisted door closing mechanism. The majority of the car beyond that is the same as other versions.

Johnhav430

Nice to hear the TSX goes that far, my mom has a 2006 which I believe has just over 100k. It's just a car to her, so she was not happy paying $240 when one of the HIDs went out (I woulda done it for her if we lived close by), but other than that, not one thing has ever gone wrong with it. Oh, also, she uses premium and hates having to pay more, but she does it. (if it were me I'd likely run regular as I did with my Maxima for over 18 years--I run premium in the LS but I go to the warehouse clubs where it's only 20 cents more, sometimes less)

My thoughts are I would rather pay a little more and buy newer....isn't it '05 that clears a tranny TSB or something like that? And did it go to 6-spd vs. 5-spd?

I'm in a bad place geographically for having a so-called Japanese specialist/indie, but I'm using one tomorrow 60 miles away to do the LCAs. They have good reviews and seem to be professional--even called to confirm my appointment, nice touch from an indie. If you already have a specialist that works on your TSX, why not ask them what they think, and also, run a potential car by their shop to check it out? What I said to myself, is that next time I go to buy a used car, if, from a new car dealer, I'm going to ask to take the car for an afternoon. Not a lot of miles, but running errands, so I can uncover what's already broken. I missed the fact that the driver actuator was non-functional, as well as the brakes were pulsating, which necessitated 2 return trips, when the dealer is 150 miles away...I would have realized the issues if I had lived with the car a couple of hours...good luck.

2KHarrier

That is a fine point. Newer car VS. older with high mileage may be a more sound purchase. The 05 and 06 model years did not have the trans TSB to deal with. It only effected the 04's with the 6 speed through the early months of the 2005 run.
The 6 speed is nicer for commuting as well...

2KHarrier

Here's the entire TSB;

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ml#post5855411