Reliability of LS430 with >100k miles
08-04-14, 09:03 AM
#16
If you opt for a premium package you don't have to worry about the navigation taking a dump on you and a rather expensive repair for something that is very outdated. I've seen more and more cases of this as these cars age.
The ultra luxury package will include air suspension that is costly and seems like more of a pain than its worth. Can swap to coil overs or oem non air springs/shocks.
You will likely have to replace steering motors at some point or have it disabled.
If you buy with 100k make sure timing belt and 90k major service is done.
The most money I spend on my 05 is premium gas. I average 12-13mpg around town. Road trips are 22mpg or more.
The ultra luxury package will include air suspension that is costly and seems like more of a pain than its worth. Can swap to coil overs or oem non air springs/shocks.
You will likely have to replace steering motors at some point or have it disabled.
If you buy with 100k make sure timing belt and 90k major service is done.
The most money I spend on my 05 is premium gas. I average 12-13mpg around town. Road trips are 22mpg or more.
08-08-14, 10:23 AM
#17
Driver School Candidate
I am thinking about getting a 2004 - 2006 LS430. They typically have 100k+ miles. I would look for one with a clean history and around 100k miles. Assuming they were well maintained, how reliable are they? When I look at this forum, most posts are about reliability issues. What are the most common issues with a 10 year old LS430 with 100k miles?
I have issues with the following:
1. Tail light harness can crack at light socket and cause tail lamp out message.
2. Woofer in back cracks, easy to DIY repair.
3. Door lock issues.
That's it.
08-08-14, 01:45 PM
#18
I'll tell you the most ANNOYING aspect of my '03 ... the sun visors and that damm creaking when you flip them down or up! I have never been able to silence them. Other than that (and having to regrease the steering motor gears to solve the noise on extension) my UL has been ROCK SOLID, but I've only driven it 90K miles so far.
10-10-14, 09:53 AM
#19
Driver School Candidate
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About as reliable as a car can be...
For the money, quite possibly the best car you can buy (used). 100K...ha Just getting started my friend.
Change ALL fluids routinely and slightly early. Change the oil before any trip over 1K, regardless of current numbers.
Get an Optima battery as these cars tend to eat batteries rather quickly. A D35 yellow top has lasted me (no stereo upgrades) over two years in FL!
Take car of her and she will take care of you...500K and beyond, is easily attainable, if you put in the wrench time.
Enjoy her!
Change ALL fluids routinely and slightly early. Change the oil before any trip over 1K, regardless of current numbers.
Get an Optima battery as these cars tend to eat batteries rather quickly. A D35 yellow top has lasted me (no stereo upgrades) over two years in FL!
Take car of her and she will take care of you...500K and beyond, is easily attainable, if you put in the wrench time.
Enjoy her!
10-10-14, 10:30 AM
#20
I traded my 02 with 200k for an 03 with 40k. If I hadn't had the 02 and this forum, I would have thought I purchased a lemon. In the first two months, I have had to replace both front door actuators, right front door speaker and rear speaker. I just laughed it off and still love my car.
10-10-14, 11:14 AM
#21
Yea, I agree with the other posters....I've owned my 2001 LS430 from when it had 60K on the clock and now it's at 178K, Only time it has failed me was a dead battery and an alternator at another time ($120 installed). Otherwise it's been rock solid...
The best car I have ever owned (and I have had Chevy, Ford, Honda, Audi cars before) by far....
The best car I have ever owned (and I have had Chevy, Ford, Honda, Audi cars before) by far....
10-10-14, 12:32 PM
#22
Driver School Candidate
I have a 2004 LS430 with 85,000 miles... See my post today ref. replacing main engine computer.
Overall, we have enjoyed the car but repairs are expensive. Don't own this car if you can not afford expensive repairs. The most significant problem is my current issue with the computer which will likely cost me around $2500. At 90k miles, time for a new timing belt... Another est. $1000 plus service.
Aside from that, the outside mirror switch and gone bad a few times... relatively simple owner fix.
More significantly, the steering wheel telescoping motor went out and is too expensive to repair. Not certain but seen to recall an estimate B/T $800 & $1000.
Overall, we have enjoyed the car but repairs are expensive. Don't own this car if you can not afford expensive repairs. The most significant problem is my current issue with the computer which will likely cost me around $2500. At 90k miles, time for a new timing belt... Another est. $1000 plus service.
Aside from that, the outside mirror switch and gone bad a few times... relatively simple owner fix.
More significantly, the steering wheel telescoping motor went out and is too expensive to repair. Not certain but seen to recall an estimate B/T $800 & $1000.
10-10-14, 08:43 PM
#23
common/expensive repairs..mark levensen speakers, air shocks..nav unit(very rare) avoid all with premium trim. that's what I did
10-10-14, 09:03 PM
#24
Is this even a serious post?
No offense OP, but this post should be saying is their any other competing luxury car out there that head butts the LS430...
2006, the 430 received the most reliable car in its category. From owning about 5 430's, I can be brave enough to say that the 430 can go out there right now and compete with cars not even in its category in reliability.
The 430 might not be the most stable, most stylish etc. But it is THE MOST RELIABLE.
Feel comfortable and confident if this is your only concern.
BTW, technologically, just nowadays, the 2014 model cars have just caught up with the 430.
Fanboy right here, yes. But everything I wrote is factual and real.
Hope this can help in anyway.
No offense OP, but this post should be saying is their any other competing luxury car out there that head butts the LS430...
2006, the 430 received the most reliable car in its category. From owning about 5 430's, I can be brave enough to say that the 430 can go out there right now and compete with cars not even in its category in reliability.
The 430 might not be the most stable, most stylish etc. But it is THE MOST RELIABLE.
Feel comfortable and confident if this is your only concern.
BTW, technologically, just nowadays, the 2014 model cars have just caught up with the 430.
Fanboy right here, yes. But everything I wrote is factual and real.
Hope this can help in anyway.
10-11-14, 09:09 AM
#25
My experience with my LS430 (love it but still)...
I joined today just to share my own personal experiences... I own 2005 LS430, Ultimate Luxury, + satellite radio (dealer installed by original owner), chrome wheels, with the radar cruise + pre-collision. bought CPO in July 2009 as second owner with 35000 miles. I opted for the platinum extended warranty, extending to 100,000 total miles and 6 years : July 2015. I am still under warranty (and recently used it!). I absolutely love he car, but as someone who NEVER buys extended warranties on almost anything else, i can tell you that the warranty has paid for itself.
My first criterion for owning a car is reliability, and this car has made it in the most important regard: it never left me stranded or with an urgent problem. And unlike my Buick Lesabre, I have not not had to repair the same thing five times over (window regulator over and over). That being said, had I not been under warranty I would have had some expensive repairs beyond just maintenance. And maintenance is not cheap, even at a private mechanic but especially at a dealer. I have had far more frequent repairs needed on this car than on my previous 1990 plymouth acclaim (owner for 19 years) or 2005 buick lesabre. There are just so many mechanical and electronic doo-dads to go wrong, as you will see.
I bought the car via internet from Chicago (McGrath Lexus) in 2005 and had it delivered to NY. Generally positive experience, although I overpaid a bit for the warranty... not horribly but a few hundred dollars from what I have learned.
I was thrilled, it was beautiful with only very slight interior wear when I got it. Here is what I've had over the years... take it for what it is worth.
(1) Brakes had clicking sound/feel intermittent when I got the car. Drove me absolulely crazy first 3 months, the intermittent single pulse when I would apply breaks. Had to go to dealer three times. First they said it was because of newer brake pads (sure, right). Finally, diagnostic mechanic drove it, experiencet it, and said it was minor but had to be master cylinder. No other switches (I thought maybe it was the brake light activation switch or something). To dealer's/Lexus' credit it was replaced free under warranty
Cost: $960 value according to my receipt. Problem solved. Disappointed not found under pre-inspection, but it was subtle, I will admit.
(2) When delivered, the rear parking sensor would go off very intermittently when in reverse (but not near anything). Answer: It was dealer's fault since there was some overspray on painting from rear bumper. Lexus, despite it being CPO, would not cover their own Chicago dealer's mistake, the local (Rockville Center) dealer told me. Good news was I called selling dealer, and they told me to try scraping off overspray (invisible to me) on the rear sensor. Thankfully, it worked, or I would have been out $300+ for a new set or rear sensors (they told me I had to replace all, that's how they sell/install them). This incident made me VERY wary of purchasing a CPO from a far-away dealer, if they will not cover their own CPO-prep fault... although maybe I could have pushed it up the chain. (Oh, yeah, I also had to pay for parts/install a front license plate bracket as required in NY... thanks Lexus... you'd think Chicago dealers have sold to NY over the internet in the past...).
(3) At around 40K, tilt wheel started failing intermittently. Car would not auto-tilt away reliably when I turned it off. Solution: Oddly enough, and to dealer's credit, car was diagnosed properly as simply needing a new battery. Apparently the tilt thing is not uncommon for a weak battery even when everything else works... Since I was at dealer anyway, and they did diagose it for me along with other warranty work, I sucked it down and bought it there. NOT covered under warranty, and Lexus is expensive.
Price: $280 for installed battery if I remember correctly. (Definitely over $250). Ouch.
(3b) at same time, speaker in right door failed. Marc Levinson
Prices: around $250 for ONE SPEAKER (not sure). Covered under warranty.
(4) Around 45k, the PCS (pre-collisison system)/Cruise light went off and cruise broke. Took 1-2 weeks to get car back. NY dealers weren't as familiar at time with the radar cruise, ultimate/custom luxury edition was not commonly sold here... They gave me a loaner the entire time to their credit. This is a COMMON FAILURE around 50k for this model due to known computer defect. Replaced computer. Radar Cruise is THE reason I got the ultimate luxury edition online rather than purchasing locally. I LOVE LOVE LOVE adaptive cruise as I hoped I would.
Price: around $1000 (but covered)
(4b) At the same time, I found out (from the dealer, to their credit) that one of my rear height sensors was bad. It turns out the system was out from the day I got it: the switch never did anything. I had read most of the manual but missed the part where it shows the message that should come up on the dash. I simply never new and never really cared to put the car in high position.
Replacement cost for height sensor: $450 (but covered)
if I remember. Covered under warranty. However, this shows to me that the CPO inspection was incomplete if performed... that feature SHOULD have been tested as part of CPO inspection and CLEARLY (in retrospect) was not!! Makes me wonder if CPO inspection even happened. I KNOW the car never gave me that ride height message on dash until the system was fixed, because I tried all the switches on first day I got it.
(5) outside mirror switch got stuck:
$250 or so, covered
After 3 years, the CPO was over, but here is what I have had reparied on the extended warranty so far:
(6) at 70K or so: left outmirror would not go tile up.
Solution: new mirror installed by dealer. Price around $700 (covered under warranty). Installed.
(7) At around 90k, steering wheel telescoping motor died.
Replacement around $700 (covered).
(8) Wheels started leaking air repeateldly. Wife killed a tire when she drove on it flat (no warning from low-pressure system). Went to a wheel specialist (not general tire dealer) who repairs them. Seems fixed for last 6 months or so. Cosmetically the chrome wheels are damaged and cannot be repaired, unlike regular alloy wheels which can be cosmetically improved for wheel rash and the rest (or so I am told). cost around $300 for 3 wheels to be repaired + rebalanced after.
Major additional maintenance: brakes $700 (probably will check next time to avoid dealer.. that was just for pads on both axles, no new rotors), timing belt (nearly $1000 and not at dealer, included water pump, accessible engine seals at time, etc. but NOT the accessory belt). Tires (Dunlops that came with it were replacements already, nearly new and they wore after just 25000 additional miles... Replaced with Micheln MXV-4 which I am hoping to get at least 60,000 miles on). Broke cup holder $250 to install that piece of plastic... ouch. Nav system update in 2013: $200+ for the CD. (Ouch.)
So as you can see, the car has had its share of issues, typically once a year. I had dealer turn off the auto-tilt/telescope feature to avoid unnecessary wear on the motors still (tilt motor was NOT changed, I believe that is separate).
My first criterion for owning a car is reliability, and this car has made it in the most important regard: it never left me stranded or with an urgent problem. And unlike my Buick Lesabre, I have not not had to repair the same thing five times over (window regulator over and over). That being said, had I not been under warranty I would have had some expensive repairs beyond just maintenance. And maintenance is not cheap, even at a private mechanic but especially at a dealer. I have had far more frequent repairs needed on this car than on my previous 1990 plymouth acclaim (owner for 19 years) or 2005 buick lesabre. There are just so many mechanical and electronic doo-dads to go wrong, as you will see.
I bought the car via internet from Chicago (McGrath Lexus) in 2005 and had it delivered to NY. Generally positive experience, although I overpaid a bit for the warranty... not horribly but a few hundred dollars from what I have learned.
I was thrilled, it was beautiful with only very slight interior wear when I got it. Here is what I've had over the years... take it for what it is worth.
(1) Brakes had clicking sound/feel intermittent when I got the car. Drove me absolulely crazy first 3 months, the intermittent single pulse when I would apply breaks. Had to go to dealer three times. First they said it was because of newer brake pads (sure, right). Finally, diagnostic mechanic drove it, experiencet it, and said it was minor but had to be master cylinder. No other switches (I thought maybe it was the brake light activation switch or something). To dealer's/Lexus' credit it was replaced free under warranty
Cost: $960 value according to my receipt. Problem solved. Disappointed not found under pre-inspection, but it was subtle, I will admit.
(2) When delivered, the rear parking sensor would go off very intermittently when in reverse (but not near anything). Answer: It was dealer's fault since there was some overspray on painting from rear bumper. Lexus, despite it being CPO, would not cover their own Chicago dealer's mistake, the local (Rockville Center) dealer told me. Good news was I called selling dealer, and they told me to try scraping off overspray (invisible to me) on the rear sensor. Thankfully, it worked, or I would have been out $300+ for a new set or rear sensors (they told me I had to replace all, that's how they sell/install them). This incident made me VERY wary of purchasing a CPO from a far-away dealer, if they will not cover their own CPO-prep fault... although maybe I could have pushed it up the chain. (Oh, yeah, I also had to pay for parts/install a front license plate bracket as required in NY... thanks Lexus... you'd think Chicago dealers have sold to NY over the internet in the past...).
(3) At around 40K, tilt wheel started failing intermittently. Car would not auto-tilt away reliably when I turned it off. Solution: Oddly enough, and to dealer's credit, car was diagnosed properly as simply needing a new battery. Apparently the tilt thing is not uncommon for a weak battery even when everything else works... Since I was at dealer anyway, and they did diagose it for me along with other warranty work, I sucked it down and bought it there. NOT covered under warranty, and Lexus is expensive.
Price: $280 for installed battery if I remember correctly. (Definitely over $250). Ouch.
(3b) at same time, speaker in right door failed. Marc Levinson
Prices: around $250 for ONE SPEAKER (not sure). Covered under warranty.
(4) Around 45k, the PCS (pre-collisison system)/Cruise light went off and cruise broke. Took 1-2 weeks to get car back. NY dealers weren't as familiar at time with the radar cruise, ultimate/custom luxury edition was not commonly sold here... They gave me a loaner the entire time to their credit. This is a COMMON FAILURE around 50k for this model due to known computer defect. Replaced computer. Radar Cruise is THE reason I got the ultimate luxury edition online rather than purchasing locally. I LOVE LOVE LOVE adaptive cruise as I hoped I would.
Price: around $1000 (but covered)
(4b) At the same time, I found out (from the dealer, to their credit) that one of my rear height sensors was bad. It turns out the system was out from the day I got it: the switch never did anything. I had read most of the manual but missed the part where it shows the message that should come up on the dash. I simply never new and never really cared to put the car in high position.
Replacement cost for height sensor: $450 (but covered)
if I remember. Covered under warranty. However, this shows to me that the CPO inspection was incomplete if performed... that feature SHOULD have been tested as part of CPO inspection and CLEARLY (in retrospect) was not!! Makes me wonder if CPO inspection even happened. I KNOW the car never gave me that ride height message on dash until the system was fixed, because I tried all the switches on first day I got it.
(5) outside mirror switch got stuck:
$250 or so, covered
After 3 years, the CPO was over, but here is what I have had reparied on the extended warranty so far:
(6) at 70K or so: left outmirror would not go tile up.
Solution: new mirror installed by dealer. Price around $700 (covered under warranty). Installed.
(7) At around 90k, steering wheel telescoping motor died.
Replacement around $700 (covered).
(8) Wheels started leaking air repeateldly. Wife killed a tire when she drove on it flat (no warning from low-pressure system). Went to a wheel specialist (not general tire dealer) who repairs them. Seems fixed for last 6 months or so. Cosmetically the chrome wheels are damaged and cannot be repaired, unlike regular alloy wheels which can be cosmetically improved for wheel rash and the rest (or so I am told). cost around $300 for 3 wheels to be repaired + rebalanced after.
Major additional maintenance: brakes $700 (probably will check next time to avoid dealer.. that was just for pads on both axles, no new rotors), timing belt (nearly $1000 and not at dealer, included water pump, accessible engine seals at time, etc. but NOT the accessory belt). Tires (Dunlops that came with it were replacements already, nearly new and they wore after just 25000 additional miles... Replaced with Micheln MXV-4 which I am hoping to get at least 60,000 miles on). Broke cup holder $250 to install that piece of plastic... ouch. Nav system update in 2013: $200+ for the CD. (Ouch.)
So as you can see, the car has had its share of issues, typically once a year. I had dealer turn off the auto-tilt/telescope feature to avoid unnecessary wear on the motors still (tilt motor was NOT changed, I believe that is separate).
10-11-14, 09:14 AM
#26
I think it cut off my post... here is end (sorry so long!)
Totalling up over the 5+ years so far, I see the car has cost nearly $5000 over 5 years in repair, NOT counting maintenance, brakes/tires, etc. No major system failures.
Basically, everything that is KNOWN to be a problem HAS been a problem. Cruise control computer, telescoping wheel motor, etc. With 2 feared exceptions: (1) General nav system failure (expensive) and (2) Air shocks (very expensive for each wheel!!). I always hoped that if they did die, the car would still be under warranty, but no such luck yet...
Oh yeah, hope the ML amp doesn't die, that seems a fairly common issue that I have not had..
I will have to decide next July whether to keep the car after the warranty. Probably yes, as I love how it rides, its smoothness, etc. And car has never let me down in a big way yet. And there is honestly no car I'd want to replace it with that is affordable today. The feeling of quality and sturdiness is simply unmatched by other cars I have driven, although mainstream cars have improved dramatically in the past few years. I would expect to average $1k - $2k average per year in repairs after the warranty is out (not counting maintenance, and figuring some bigger repairs as car gets older) which would go a fair way to a newer car lease, but I like to drive cars till they drop, and I do love this car.
But it does require time and attention, as the above issues indicate. Maintenance is not inexpensive (brakes are ludicrous). Parts are expensive. I feel happy that I got warranty, as it gave me peace of mind and covered itself (both the CPO portion and the extended part).
Hope this gives some insight.
Totalling up over the 5+ years so far, I see the car has cost nearly $5000 over 5 years in repair, NOT counting maintenance, brakes/tires, etc. No major system failures.
Basically, everything that is KNOWN to be a problem HAS been a problem. Cruise control computer, telescoping wheel motor, etc. With 2 feared exceptions: (1) General nav system failure (expensive) and (2) Air shocks (very expensive for each wheel!!). I always hoped that if they did die, the car would still be under warranty, but no such luck yet...
Oh yeah, hope the ML amp doesn't die, that seems a fairly common issue that I have not had..
I will have to decide next July whether to keep the car after the warranty. Probably yes, as I love how it rides, its smoothness, etc. And car has never let me down in a big way yet. And there is honestly no car I'd want to replace it with that is affordable today. The feeling of quality and sturdiness is simply unmatched by other cars I have driven, although mainstream cars have improved dramatically in the past few years. I would expect to average $1k - $2k average per year in repairs after the warranty is out (not counting maintenance, and figuring some bigger repairs as car gets older) which would go a fair way to a newer car lease, but I like to drive cars till they drop, and I do love this car.
But it does require time and attention, as the above issues indicate. Maintenance is not inexpensive (brakes are ludicrous). Parts are expensive. I feel happy that I got warranty, as it gave me peace of mind and covered itself (both the CPO portion and the extended part).
Hope this gives some insight.
10-11-14, 09:53 AM
#27
I have an 06 LS430 with 82K miles and have not had any problems... Knock on wood. LOL. This is one of the best riding, smoothest cars I have ever rode in. Fantastic car! Just make sure you have all the Lexus service records or just take a pass on the car. Find a nice one and you will be set for years... I'm not sure if anyone makes a car this nice/reliable anymore... I can afford just about any car but am sick of spending big dollars on cars that have too many things that can go wrong. This car is a no brainer if you can find a nice one that has been taken care of. Look for one without the air suspension... LOL.
Last edited by XJSFan; 10-11-14 at 09:59 AM.
10-11-14, 02:53 PM
#28
I think it cut off my post... here is end (sorry so long!)
Totalling up over the 5+ years so far, I see the car has cost nearly $5000 over 5 years in repair, NOT counting maintenance, brakes/tires, etc. No major system failures.
Basically, everything that is KNOWN to be a problem HAS been a problem. Cruise control computer, telescoping wheel motor, etc. With 2 feared exceptions: (1) General nav system failure (expensive) and (2) Air shocks (very expensive for each wheel!!). I always hoped that if they did die, the car would still be under warranty, but no such luck yet...
Oh yeah, hope the ML amp doesn't die, that seems a fairly common issue that I have not had..
I will have to decide next July whether to keep the car after the warranty. Probably yes, as I love how it rides, its smoothness, etc. And car has never let me down in a big way yet. And there is honestly no car I'd want to replace it with that is affordable today. The feeling of quality and sturdiness is simply unmatched by other cars I have driven, although mainstream cars have improved dramatically in the past few years. I would expect to average $1k - $2k average per year in repairs after the warranty is out (not counting maintenance, and figuring some bigger repairs as car gets older) which would go a fair way to a newer car lease, but I like to drive cars till they drop, and I do love this car.
But it does require time and attention, as the above issues indicate. Maintenance is not inexpensive (brakes are ludicrous). Parts are expensive. I feel happy that I got warranty, as it gave me peace of mind and covered itself (both the CPO portion and the extended part).
Hope this gives some insight.
Totalling up over the 5+ years so far, I see the car has cost nearly $5000 over 5 years in repair, NOT counting maintenance, brakes/tires, etc. No major system failures.
Basically, everything that is KNOWN to be a problem HAS been a problem. Cruise control computer, telescoping wheel motor, etc. With 2 feared exceptions: (1) General nav system failure (expensive) and (2) Air shocks (very expensive for each wheel!!). I always hoped that if they did die, the car would still be under warranty, but no such luck yet...
Oh yeah, hope the ML amp doesn't die, that seems a fairly common issue that I have not had..
I will have to decide next July whether to keep the car after the warranty. Probably yes, as I love how it rides, its smoothness, etc. And car has never let me down in a big way yet. And there is honestly no car I'd want to replace it with that is affordable today. The feeling of quality and sturdiness is simply unmatched by other cars I have driven, although mainstream cars have improved dramatically in the past few years. I would expect to average $1k - $2k average per year in repairs after the warranty is out (not counting maintenance, and figuring some bigger repairs as car gets older) which would go a fair way to a newer car lease, but I like to drive cars till they drop, and I do love this car.
But it does require time and attention, as the above issues indicate. Maintenance is not inexpensive (brakes are ludicrous). Parts are expensive. I feel happy that I got warranty, as it gave me peace of mind and covered itself (both the CPO portion and the extended part).
Hope this gives some insight.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; 10-11-14 at 02:57 PM.
10-11-14, 03:50 PM
#29
The best part about the LS430 is the ease of working on it.
I'm not anywhere near being a mechanic but I do plan to try and tackle any issue myself if and when they arise. The mechanic will be a last resort. This forum is so full of information that I don't see why I wouldn't be able to tackle MOST of the things that could go wrong.
For example I've already repaired the driver's side door lock actuator by replacing the $10 motor. Replaced clock spring myself with a brand new toyota part that I bought online at half the cost of the dealer, replaced my rear brakes, did oil change and some minor things here and there like upgrading to LED interior. Spark plugs, timing belt, water pump, tensioner and timing belt will be one of my next projects. I've never done it before but I'm willing to take a shot at it sometime in the near future. It seems relatively simple.
This would have cost an arm and a leg at the dealer but the trick is to find the right parts at the right price and do it yourself
Some of us are in positions where we can't work on our cars so I suppose cost of ownership is on a case by case basis.
IMO my used LS430 is more reliable than any other luxury car.
I'm not anywhere near being a mechanic but I do plan to try and tackle any issue myself if and when they arise. The mechanic will be a last resort. This forum is so full of information that I don't see why I wouldn't be able to tackle MOST of the things that could go wrong.
For example I've already repaired the driver's side door lock actuator by replacing the $10 motor. Replaced clock spring myself with a brand new toyota part that I bought online at half the cost of the dealer, replaced my rear brakes, did oil change and some minor things here and there like upgrading to LED interior. Spark plugs, timing belt, water pump, tensioner and timing belt will be one of my next projects. I've never done it before but I'm willing to take a shot at it sometime in the near future. It seems relatively simple.
This would have cost an arm and a leg at the dealer but the trick is to find the right parts at the right price and do it yourself
Some of us are in positions where we can't work on our cars so I suppose cost of ownership is on a case by case basis.
IMO my used LS430 is more reliable than any other luxury car.
Last edited by SaleenS7; 10-11-14 at 03:53 PM.
10-12-14, 02:21 PM
#30
I've been pretty fortunate with my LS's.
1997 LS400 - in two years of ownership: Replaced battery. Computer started to be intermittent(wouldn't start one morning. Had it flatbedded to dealer and traded it in for CPO LS430 when informed about cost of replacement computer.)
2002 LS430 CPO - Never had a single issue with it in 5 years of ownership.(Got totaled in 2010).
2002 LS430 - Currently has 175k miles. Two tail lights went out. Did spark plugs and throttle body myself. Dealer did timing belt. Always do my own brakes(easiest pads in the world to change.). Just need to replace manifold gasket for minor leak.
You just can't go wrong with a LS! Along the lines Lavrishevo said or SaleenS7 if you are able to do most of your own maintenance the cost of ownership is minimized.
1997 LS400 - in two years of ownership: Replaced battery. Computer started to be intermittent(wouldn't start one morning. Had it flatbedded to dealer and traded it in for CPO LS430 when informed about cost of replacement computer.)
2002 LS430 CPO - Never had a single issue with it in 5 years of ownership.(Got totaled in 2010).
2002 LS430 - Currently has 175k miles. Two tail lights went out. Did spark plugs and throttle body myself. Dealer did timing belt. Always do my own brakes(easiest pads in the world to change.). Just need to replace manifold gasket for minor leak.
You just can't go wrong with a LS! Along the lines Lavrishevo said or SaleenS7 if you are able to do most of your own maintenance the cost of ownership is minimized.