I test drove apprx 25 different LS430s in about a 3 month period. I test drove a low miles 05 in mint cond with sport option and 18 inch wheels. I really wanted to like that car becuse I was excited about the sport option. It was a disappointment. No discernible handling difference that I could tell in regular street and highway driving and it was not nearly as smooth a ride as regular suspension. I definitely prefer the regular suspension and 17s on my 06 LS430. But I'm an old geezer and like a smooth ride.
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2006 LS 430 Black Cherry
Factory Stock except replacement kit for console ashtray. Mint condition with premium package - no Toyota Nav (on purpose). Latest Garmin Nuvi instead
I test drove maybe 10 and bought an 04 with std susp and 17 inch wheels. I drove a 2005 with 18 inch wheels. I do not think it had sport suspension but chrome wheels and summer tires. I think 05's come with 18 inch wheels and thought the 05 was a minor bit stiffer but had better road feel and handling. I liked it more but it was 6 k more than my 04 so I did not buy it. That was a while ago.
I test drove 3 cars. a 2005 standard with 18s, felt very floaty. An '04 Euro with 17s (yes, they made em) and it felt like the '05 with standard susp and 18s. Then, an '04 Euro with 18s. Noticeably more firm, no real difference in steering feel, but definitely less body roll in steady corners. It also sits lower and its lines look cleaner.
I bought that one. Coming from MB, which I still own, the Euro rides like a cloud. It doesn't bob when it hits undulations, it just feels a bit more connected over bumps, but is still plenty cushy. I nearly didn't buy an LS because the standard models (about 95% of what is out there) felt too much like an old Caddy. Just my opinion maybe.
I think you will like it. There is definitely a difference, and for me, it made the sale for Lexus.
If the difference is anything like the difference between sport and normal modes on the air suspension, I can't tell any difference, at least with 18's. The 18's give you slightly better handling while sacrificing some of the cushiness, so a normal suspension w/ 18's might be a compromise between the normal suspension w/ 17's and sport version w/ 18's.
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'03 LX470: sand dollar pearl/tan. A.R.T. slotted & cryo'd rotors, Porterfield R4s carbon/kevlar pads, Stoptech SS brake lines, ARB sahara bar, Kaymar towbar, HID's.
'05 LS430 Ultra: crystal white pearl/ecru, PCS radar cruise, 18" factory chromes incl. spare
'01 Honda prelude SH: silver/black, bone stock
I thought the 18" meant a sport suspension. How can you tell if it has a standard suspension but with 18" wheels? Is there an option code somewhere on the car?
Comes down to preference as to ride and handling. 18" wheels will ride firmer than 17 than 16. Sport suspension (cars are badged this way) will ride firmer than std. suspension. I personally like the soft ride of std. suspension and would avoid the larger wheels and/or the sport suspension. As far as air shocks, I would avoid those at all costs - had an LS with air suspension - when they fail it is a very costly fix, even if you replace each with std. struts.
Last edited by 027922; 10-30-09 at 09:16 AM.
Reason: added add'l info.
Looking for an 04 & wondered with the sport suspension option how much more harder ride or stiffer compared to the standard suspension?
There is no answer to this question, because it is totally subjective.
A 15 years old would think a go-kart with no suspension ride too soft, and a 80 years old geezer think a water bed is too hard
It really depends on the person's preference and what they are used to.
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06' SC430 Liquid Graphite wheels
05' LS430 Ultra Luxury w/PCS & OEM Sport Suspension
03' GS300 Sport Design
01' GS300 NAV/ML
01' ES300 HID/Wood wheel
98' ES300 Total Lost R.I.P.
04 LS Sport Suspension vs Standard
Hybrid Mode
