97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

What's the best year, least problematic year to get one of these>?

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

Hi Ko, thinking about getting a LS430 too?

I guess 06 is the best year, since it's the last year and most recalls have been fixed.

But any year of LS430 is bullet proof.

AlexusAnja

I'm biased towards '04 because I have one, but factoring in price (lower than '05 or '06 with same mileage), features (LED taillights, 6 speed trans.), and mnor "refresh" of the exterior design, it makes the '04 the best choice. If price is no option, then I would say get '06 only because newer, but other than that, no advantage to getting something newer. Only two "recalls" I can think of for the '04 and they were the fuel relay I believe, and the transmission flash issue, but those were with earlier production '04, so just check the service record and VIN.

bonafyd

iTrader: (6)

^^Yeah what he said^^

ikon_danny

I own an '04 as well and the reason I purchased the '04 was because of the subtle exterior changes. Not that I don't like the 01-03 but the 04-06 was my preference. I think all LS430's would be a good choice

I6turbo

iTrader: (1)

Least problematic was probably the '03. IIRC it scored the lowest incidence of problems of any vehicle ever in the JD Power 3-Year survey. Less than one problem reported per vehicle in 3 full years of ownership (actual number was .97). But it's not like the other years are problem prone.

FWIW, my '03 has 62K miles and the ONLY thing that's ever gone wrong was that the remote mirror control switch got a little bit balky on the driver side mirror. Replaced under warranty at 48K miles. My '03 GX470 with 89K miles has had ZERO things go wrong.

drink300

I've had an 03 LS430 and an 04 LS430.

The 04 has been a more reliable automobile. I'd go 04+.

link13

Bang for the buck right now, I would go with the '04. I decided not to buy a newer car, so I threw a little money at my old, faithful 1GS, but the '04 LS has been very, very tempting on a number of occasions.

Kaydee

I like the 04 ones better too...the angular headlights make it look very aggressive without looking arrogant. But I like the tails off the older gen

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

For those who either drove or owned bothe the 01-03 and 04+, which one is smoother... I believe they have different drivetrains?

AlexusAnja

I own an '04, but while test driving a few LS's, I did test drive an '03 for about ten miles or so and I really couldn't feel any significant difference. Atleast it wasn't different enough that either one stuck to my mind. I feel the .4 second gain on the 6-speed is completely lost in real world feel.

JDMUSCLE

iTrader: (1)

my vote for the 04 also, cause it has the same features as the 05 and 06 at the same time being lower in price!!

cpcc

03 the seats are softer. I have and 04 and my brother has an 03. World of difference between the comfort of the seats.

AlexusAnja

both the same trim? Are you comparing an '03 Ultra to an '04 Modern perhaps? I have the '04 with the semi-analine and I don't find the seats hard at all. If nothing, they're a little bit too soft for me, but if you say '03 even softer, then it might feel like sitting on air...