masterff

wrong I paid $5450 last year ( end of july )

When I quote dollars it's what's been converted from the UK Sterling rate.

I paid £3450 which is $5480 in todays money, even last year it would of been under $6,000

visit www.autotrader.co.uk ( under the post code area for the search put in BS34 6DU ) and then for the car search put lexus LS and put under £7,000 you will see loads of cars that are cheap.

Remember £7,000 is $11,100

or go higher than this amount and use xe.com to work out the currency difference. The UK is far cheaper than the US for big luxury barges but only for the reason that no one wants to pay $10 a gallon to run one as it costs here.

Road tax here or Vehicle Excise Duty here for the LS430 before 2006 is $428 a year, this like your license plate tags you have to put on your cars http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_Excise_Duty

So these beauties are cheaper, but in the long run cost more to run than over in your part of the world well that might change as US Gas is going to be above $5 soon is it not?

C8V6C

There is a big price difference between 30 and 31s...but that stays true with resale value as well. Whenever it is time to move on, your 04+ is worth quite a bit more than an 01-03.

My main reasoning behind choosing 04-06 was the front end. It is much more aggressive and newer looking IMO. I also liked the idea of the 6 spd, but I am sure the 5 speed is pretty smooth as well.

If you are going to buy an 01-03 and do the front end and rear end conversion, save your cash and just spend the extra money for an actual 04-06 IMO. That is a ton of money, time, and work to get it done right, and the cost savings wouldn't be significant unless you get a steal on the car and buy used parts in good shape.

AJT123

I can't blame anyone for choosing the cheaper car, but to me the 04 styling upgrades DRAMATICALLY change the look of the car very, very much for the better.

Tmarbury

I made the jump from 01 to an 06, to me it was a big differennce.

- front end is completly different;
- airline trim seats;
- rear passenger mirrors mounted in the ceiling

Pulled this from an 2009 Post:

The Lexus LS 430 benefits from substantial engineering upgrades for 2004 + that significantly improve what was already a superb luxury car. It's quicker and more sophisticated than last year's model.

Model year 2004 + brings major changes to the LS 430: revised styling, suspension refinements, safety improvements, and mind-boggling technology. A new six-speed automatic replaces last year's five-speed for improved acceleration performance without sacrificing fuel economy. There are more airbags than ever before (eight) and a system that tightens the seat belts before a crash. There's a tire-pressure monitor, a backup camera, headlights that swivel for seeing around corners, and Dynamic Laser Cruise Control that maintains a set following distance to the car ahead. With Bluetooth and SmartAccess, you can unlock the doors, start the car, drive off, and make hands-free phone calls without even pulling your key or your cell phone out of your pocket or purse.

The front fenders, hood, headlamps, fog lamps, grille, front and rear bumpers, trunk lid, and rear combination lamps are all new and the front combination lamps (signal/parking) have been redesigned. The standard 17-inch wheels have been redesigned and new 18-inch wheels are available with the Sport Package, freshening the profile. These changes clearly upgrade the appearance for 2004 +, giving it a more substantial look and more presence, but few are likely to say, "Ohmigosh! It's the new LS 430!" Perhaps most noticeable to other motorists are the newly exposed dual exhaust tailpipes, which protrude from the lower edge of the bumper and project a look of power and performance to those in your rearview mirror. New LED brake lights are brighter, light up quicker, last longer, and draw less current, plus they look neat.

BLUF: Put an 01-03 beside an 04-06 drive them the same day, then decide. There is much, much more than meets the eye, however; the eye appeal for the 06 is ooooohhhhh so pleasing!