zippinbye

I'm a current GX owner and past LS owner (most recent was an 02 sold five years ago). I was perusing 430s for sale just to have a big sedan back in the mix of family vehicles. I'm shocked by the value retention; not much less than when I sold mine. I know there is a ravenous fan following, and these cars have earned a stellar reputation. 430 diehards tend to throw-out cautionary tales regarding 460s. But now that I see an early 460 is available with under 100,000 miles for $20k-ish, I have to give the newer gen serious consideration. Especially when I see what I think are silly prices on a clean 430. I've always assumed the 460 is an even better car than the 430, but I was averse to the investment when it was $40k or more. I've read the recent "Top Five Issues" thread, and that info is duely noted. Nothing too shocking, but perhaps a bit higher rate of failure in certain systems than the 430. With that understanding going forward, I would appreciate insight from anybody who has owned both generations, especially out of warranty, which higher mileage, and with a bit of DIY inclination. My money doesn't grow on trees, but a 460 for around $20 k compared to a 430 for the low $teens is almost a no brainier. Unless I'm delusional about the evolution of the vehicle and comparative reliability! Thanks.

BT3100

You may have seen my post on the top 5 issues thread.
Here's my feedback. I've driven the LS sedan for the last 15 years.

My last 430 was a 02' UL.

Positive: Great seats.... Comfortable, spacious.
Interior was well appointed with quality materials.
Durability I put over 120K miles on that car with nothing more than oil/brakes and an exhaust Y-Pipe
The car was a UL and had great features (Laser Cruise, rear seat massagers)

Negative: Look was/is dated with the bubble head lights.
GPS system sucks
Aside from that I really had no issues. The car was bullet proof and quite as can be.


460: Take a look at my post in the other thread.

Positive: Newer body style
Fuel economy - Hard to beat 25 MPG in a large car.
My car is an "L" so the back seat is huge! Great for the kids who are giants

Negatives not listed in the other thread
Headlights fog so quickly - had them professionally done and sealed. Less than 8 months later fogged up again
TPS system is a pain.
Windows are smaller compared to the 430 - harder to see
Tires--- the car eats tires.
Interior quality -fit and finish is nothing like the 430.


If I were you I would get the 430. Unless you hate the older body style it's hard to make a case for the 460. Yes they are newer but, when you consider the known issues it's a wash. Keep in mind parts for the 430 are less expensive..

The only real cost factor is that the 430 does have a timing belt that will need to be replaced every 90K miles. The 460 does not as it has a timing chain.

Good Luck

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

I'll preface this response with a warning due to recent similar threads that have degraded into personal attacks. DO NOT LET THAT HAPPEN TO THIS ONE. If you think your reply is personal, rude or disrespectful I strongly suggest you do not push the post reply button. Sorry to have to proactively warn, but the moderator team has spent far too much time on this issue recently.

To the OP, there are plenty of previous threads on this topic. Here are a few to get you started found by searching 460 430 in thread titles.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...hlight=430+460
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...hlight=430+460
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...hlight=430+460
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...hlight=430+460
etc etc


https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...hlight=430+460

warminwisc

The LS430 has unique classic styling.

SBlexus

If you love the 430 stay with the 430, if you love the 460 come on over we love to have you. Best car I ever owned. I've owned 3 Lexus hard to let them go!!!

SW17LS

Lordy...not another one of these.

Anyways, I have had both. The 430 is/was a great car, the LS460 is also a great car. Style wise they're different, the 430 is a more traditional car, the 460 is sleeker, more modern. I personally prefer the 460's styling, but the 430s are still handsome and I still admire them. The infotainment interface is worlds more modern in any 460 but especially the 2010+

Early 460s do have some common issues, the most significant being control arm failure. That repair can be done for about $1,500. As was stated above, no timing belt in he 460. That issue was addressed in 2011, and 2011 and later cars should not have the issue.

ML audio amp failure is another similar issue in early cars, that's also an issue in the 430.

IMHO the 430s are getting older, and the 460 will feel fresh longer.

zippinbye

Guess I had an inkling that I was passing down an already-blazed trail. Thanks for the thoughtful and civil responses, plus references to other threads. If it weren't for the modernized styling, more h.p. + mpg, and electronics evolution, the 430 would be an easy choice in my mind. I'm hearing that echo from others who know both cars. I have zero time pressure, so I'll drive some different iterations of the 460 and see where it leads.

UZ214

two years ago I bought a ls430, low mileage sports suspension ml etc, I put in about 40 k and apart form a busted shock bad NY pot hole that car was great. but I had issues with laggy Bluetooth and just the miniature nav screen used to bother me.
recently picked up a 2011 awd ls460 and its good too like the new enform system and the awd. I hope this is as durable as the ls430, the interior of ls460 I think is worse than than the ls430, but I think all Lexus cars interior went down hill after 2006. the ls460 feels little heavier but I get better gas mileage than my older car.
if I was you I would get a ls460 and skip the ls430

Kennyr44

It's just personal taste. I never wanted the 430 and held on to my 400. I understood the big upgrades since my friend has a 2005 430 I ride in. Now the 460 got me probably because of the modern look and 380hp. I'm glad I too waited for the 20k under 100,00 miles. That's what I paid with 84,000 miles, one owner perfect car.

ChrisK

iTrader: (1)

I had 2003 LS430 and recently upgraded to 2009 LS460 SWB AWD. Technology upgrade: newer ML, Bluetooth, AUX, MP3 and DVD, rear view camera, etc., as well as AWD made the decision very easy to me. I'm also a big fan of the updated styling and updated power train. By the way, my wife drives 2005 GX470 and she really likes it. I enjoy GX but prefer sedan.

Remi

I've had both as well - the 430 was problem free but did need timing belts. It was also quieter and more softly suspended but was more floaty - I really liked the big windows.

The 460 handles better, is much quicker and very quiet as well (except for the DI noise at idle which drives me nuts). The Bluetooth/nav/audio system is much more modern (but still behind the times, even on my '10). I don't think the fit & finish is very different - I actually like the 460 better inside (apart from the reduced visibility). I miss my 430 but I love my 460.

Kennyr44

Like your GX my wife drives a new 4 runner. It's awesome and fun to drive but I prefer a sedan for every day .

SBlexus

I have the long wheelbase with the upgraded leather. Love this thing!!!!

NickTee

How so? The LS430's interior was outdated and cheap-looking back in 2005, those gray buttons are ugly, it's only worse now.

SW17LS

Come on now, remember...be kind.

I totally disagree with that. The LS430 had a very high quality interior, styling wise I agree that the center stack always felt a little awkward to me, but especially in CL and UL trims the interior was *very* nice, with real leather on the doors, lower dash and console, very high quality leather seats, very nice suede headliner.

I will cede that the leather quality in my LS460 is nowhere near as nice as the leather quality was in my LS430 or my LS400....or my GS350 for that matter. I don't have the semi-aniline leather, but IMHO that leather should be standard in the LS, with even better leather available. Of particular annoyance to me is the center console armrest which basically feels like vinyl. I've been considering buying the better semi-aniline armrest because of that, its only $300.

My LS has real leather on the lower dash and console, but the door panels are a synthetic leather contrasted with real leather door panels that my LS430 and LS400 had. Even on 460s with semi-aniline leather the door panels are synthetic. I think the reason there was wear, both my 400 and 430 had significant hand wear around the door handles in the armrests from the oil on our hands as they got older. That won't be an issue with the synthetic material. It looks good.

Another gripe IMHO is the fact that the 460 now has a parts bin Gentex rearview mirror (same mirror that is in my Kia minivan, BTW) instead of the 460 specific, color keyed to the headliner mirror that the 400 and 430 had. I thought that added a very premium feel to have a nice ivory colored or grey colored mirror that wasn't a parts bin item there.

The LS460 interior I think style wise is more appealing than the LS430, but for 07-12 cars I agree there are clear reductions in material quality that were rectified with the 2013 refresh to a large degree.

But to say that the LS430 did not have a nice interior isn't fair IMHO.