4mar

I have a 2006 LS430 that I have been thrilled with but now coming off an extended lease....trying to decide to buy this car with 40,000 miles or buy an precertified LS460 2007
I have test driven the 2007 and I like the interior and exterior styling...but the interior quality I think is better in my 430 - trim etc also the comfort but styling is much newer looking in the LS460
It does not seem as quiet and we do like to do a lot of highway driving....but again the sporty look and the redesign of the LS to the 460 was a major change
Any suggestions or comments would appreciate
Thanks

VA380

I just got rid of my 04 LS430 for an 07 LS460L and it was a great decision. The 430 was the best car I have ever owned, but the 460 is THAT MUCH BETTER.

usermel

I say go for the LS460, it is updated and can't hurt to jump to it if the price isnt much different if you just keep the 2006 LS430, get the 2007 LS470 fellow member. Hope it works out. L.G.N.M

Maurice

Similar situation: got rid of my 04 LS430 for an 07 LS460 and regretted it for the three year lease of the 460 until it was finally up las February.

I agree that the 430 was the best car I have ever owned. But do not agree that the 460 was better. For now, I left Lexus, let's see what happens when they come up with the LS460 successor.

usermel

The reason Im intrigued by the gent, Maurice's comment is, I have noticed this alot more with this model LS than any of the previous ones. I dont think or know what Lexus has done to make this car less likable than the previous models changes. Yes, the LS430 wasnt liked exterior wise probably the most of any body style change period. Yet, it seems the comments on the new LS460 seem to FOCUS more on other items not previously thought about as ever becoming issues with a Lexus.

I wonder if Lexus has become a little arrogant with the year after year customer satisfaction awards they had won and not been as precise in recent years. As for me, I hope Lexus gets it right because I dig there cars. To me losing customers for reasons other than someone who wants a more performance driven ride or economics is unacceptable. You got European car drivers/owners I know who drive cars that cause issue after issue that wont leave Benz/BMW(though some have came to Lexus, lots still stay like a friend of mine who owns a Benz and had his suspension go out on him while driving) no matter what. Oh Well!!!! L.G.N.M

ckelly14

Just purchased a CPO LS460 and traded in my LS430. My thoughts:

Pros:
1. Electronics improved, although seems a bit outdated already. Take a look at my comments in the audio section.
2. Styling is significantly better. Wife doesn't refer to it as an old man's car (I'm 40).
3. Steering and suspension are better, sportier but not to the degree of a BMW or Audi (previous owner of both)

Cons:
1. Visibility more restricted
2. Brakes are funny, tough to modulate
3. LS430 was quieter

I general, I'm very happy with the trade although my 430 was much older and had 160K miles. If I had a later model 430, don't know if I would have traded yet. The 2010 LS460 seems to have improved some of my electronics complaints.

jmcraney

It likely has the "Wind Noise" defect that is very common in the 07s and less common but occurs in the 08, 09 & 10 models too. For most of the problem cars a 10 min/$2 DIY fix takes care of it. When the 07-10 LSs are adequately repaired they are exceptionally quiet.

Gojirra99

It's not only the wind noise, which has been a non-issue for my 08 LS460L so far, but Lexus deliberately made the engine noise louder for the LS460 than the LS430 so it feels sportier and not as sedate, to go together with sportier steering & suspension compared to the LS430.

captain1

I drove both (friend's LS430 and dealer's LS460). LS460 is quiet, but I felt LS430 is slightly quieter. Since the time I spent on both vehicles is short, I thought it was just the road condition (or my imagination).

jlawr

I Had a 2005 LS430, but waited till the 2008 LS460 to upgrade-- glad I did. Too many fixes required on the 2007 LS -- CPO or not.

Maurice

While the wind noise and particularly Toyota's attitude about it are the main reasons I switched to BMW, there were other things.

The 460 underwent a couple of recalls, about a month into, I had a problem with the battery recharging, they changed the windows (noise issue), the pillars kept getting damaged by the seat belts - later they issued a fix for that -, they took away some things I liked on the LS430 (I recall the air conditioning vents auto movement, storage trays under the seats, and a better coin holder).

And yes, the 430 was much quieter - and never had a single issue other than regular schedule service.

I really do not know what improvements they may have made in 2010 to the voice recognition, ipod integration and blue tooth phone - but the BMW 7 is far far in these regards than the '07 LS. (i like other things too)

jmcraney

OOPS! There is that "I" word again. Lexus would probably tell you it is your imagination but likely it's not. Most of the cars that are without the trim defect are so exceptionally quiet that no reasonable person would imagine they hear wind noise or road noise,

IStoSC

We have both and what I can say I love both almost equally for each of their unique virtues (I've written about before) but must agree that if I found a LS430 / LS460 that were theoretically the same year / miles / price / packages I would still go for the LS460 hands down...its more with the times and IMO just drives more responsive which for me makes it a more enthralling driving experience when its all said and done. To me the 430 feels more refined and mature whereas the 460 feels more young and captivating. If you can afford to do so I would be very supportive of the upgrade and if you chose not to you're still in excellent hands. Its a win win .

4mar

What was it that you really did not like in the LS460 vs the LS430....as stated I have had absolutely no problem whatsoever with my LS430....just thought a sportier style change might be nice...but do not want to give up the peace of mind of my 430 that has only 40,000 miles and 0 problems

Johnny

Then, if I were you I'd stick with the peace of mind - there's no substitute for that.

A trigger happy dealer kept me from buying a low mileage fully loaded LS430, and I really miss not having owned one...