LSA430: Did Lexus make any changes during course of 2001-2005
11-18-14, 09:38 PM
#17
This page is from the 2005 Owner's Manual. The change to the 6-speed tranny (which uses WS fluid) was made in MY '04, but I don't have its Owner's Manual handy.
This applies at least to US market caras.
This applies at least to US market caras.
Last edited by Gene01; 11-28-14 at 07:36 PM. Reason: clarify - for US market cars
11-21-14, 08:43 PM
#18
This may be somewhat true XJ but really 04 - 06 are the same car. The 04's have a few more issue with audio related problems. Front speakers cones and ML subs. If you find an 04 with low mileage vs an 05 or 06 that is not as nice then take the 04. You are not loosing out on anything.
Thanks
11-25-14, 12:29 PM
#19
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I'm the Original Poster. Here's what I am currently considering. I found a reasonably good deal on a 2004 LS430 with only $46K miles. Its from a dealership that has hundreds of 5-start reviews, so they seem quite trustworthy. I also looked at the carfax, and this LS was wonderfully taken care of, with every single recommended maintenance done, 5K miles, 10K, 20K etc., up to 45K.
On the other hand....for only a $3,000 more, I found a 2007 Lexus LS460 with only 48K miles, i.e. the new model. It looks beautiful. The catch is this 2007 Lexus LS460 will have a rebuilt title, but not from collision. Here's what the dealer wrote me:
"This was a low Fresh water flood. It was paid in a claim. Our dealership has been Specializing in buying and selling these type of vehicles For the last 18 years We buy the ones that need very little work. We call them floor floods Even though they have little wrong with them. The insurance company pays out to escape liability
And to avoid nuisance
If water has come into the car on the floor we take the carpets out and do everything necessary, There is very little on the floor of the car so it is easy For our technician to go through them So they never have problem."
What do you guys think - is this a total scam, or could I end up with a great deal on a newer model LS460?
Since I am expecting a bad winter, my one other option is to go AWD with either a certified Acura RL or else an Acura TL that I have found great deals on.
On the other hand....for only a $3,000 more, I found a 2007 Lexus LS460 with only 48K miles, i.e. the new model. It looks beautiful. The catch is this 2007 Lexus LS460 will have a rebuilt title, but not from collision. Here's what the dealer wrote me:
"This was a low Fresh water flood. It was paid in a claim. Our dealership has been Specializing in buying and selling these type of vehicles For the last 18 years We buy the ones that need very little work. We call them floor floods Even though they have little wrong with them. The insurance company pays out to escape liability
And to avoid nuisance
If water has come into the car on the floor we take the carpets out and do everything necessary, There is very little on the floor of the car so it is easy For our technician to go through them So they never have problem."
What do you guys think - is this a total scam, or could I end up with a great deal on a newer model LS460?
Since I am expecting a bad winter, my one other option is to go AWD with either a certified Acura RL or else an Acura TL that I have found great deals on.
11-25-14, 12:47 PM
#20
Pole Position
I'm the Original Poster. Here's what I am currently considering. I found a reasonably good deal on a 2004 LS430 with only $46K miles. Its from a dealership that has hundreds of 5-start reviews, so they seem quite trustworthy. I also looked at the carfax, and this LS was wonderfully taken care of, with every single recommended maintenance done, 5K miles, 10K, 20K etc., up to 45K.
On the other hand....for only a $3,000 more, I found a 2007 Lexus LS460 with only 48K miles, i.e. the new model. It looks beautiful. The catch is this 2007 Lexus LS460 will have a rebuilt title, but not from collision. Here's what the dealer wrote me:
"This was a low Fresh water flood. It was paid in a claim. Our dealership has been Specializing in buying and selling these type of vehicles For the last 18 years We buy the ones that need very little work. We call them floor floods Even though they have little wrong with them. The insurance company pays out to escape liability
And to avoid nuisance
If water has come into the car on the floor we take the carpets out and do everything necessary, There is very little on the floor of the car so it is easy For our technician to go through them So they never have problem."
What do you guys think - is this a total scam, or could I end up with a great deal on a newer model LS460?
Since I am expecting a bad winter, my one other option is to go AWD with either a certified Acura RL or else an Acura TL that I have found great deals on.
On the other hand....for only a $3,000 more, I found a 2007 Lexus LS460 with only 48K miles, i.e. the new model. It looks beautiful. The catch is this 2007 Lexus LS460 will have a rebuilt title, but not from collision. Here's what the dealer wrote me:
"This was a low Fresh water flood. It was paid in a claim. Our dealership has been Specializing in buying and selling these type of vehicles For the last 18 years We buy the ones that need very little work. We call them floor floods Even though they have little wrong with them. The insurance company pays out to escape liability
And to avoid nuisance
If water has come into the car on the floor we take the carpets out and do everything necessary, There is very little on the floor of the car so it is easy For our technician to go through them So they never have problem."
What do you guys think - is this a total scam, or could I end up with a great deal on a newer model LS460?
Since I am expecting a bad winter, my one other option is to go AWD with either a certified Acura RL or else an Acura TL that I have found great deals on.
Last edited by Tom57; 11-25-14 at 12:54 PM.
11-25-14, 07:09 PM
#22
This may be somewhat true XJ but really 04 - 06 are the same car. The 04's have a few more issue with audio related problems. Front speakers cones and ML subs. If you find an 04 with low mileage vs an 05 or 06 that is not as nice then take the 04. You are not loosing out on anything.
11-25-14, 09:07 PM
#23
That makes no sense, if there lyes a difference between the models, the advantage will go to the newer model. Not the other way around.
The '06 introduced the sealed transmission with the World Star fluid. Models before all used T4 oil for their trannys.
11-26-14, 01:53 AM
#24
consumer reports loves the LS lexus, but this forum does not. best not to bring that up... owners of '04 say they are best ..owners of 06 think they are best. I have an 05 and swear they are the best. but my 05 was made in august 04 so???
11-26-14, 02:24 AM
#25
Red full circles?
That makes no sense, if there lyes a difference between the models, the advantage will go to the newer model. Not the other way around.
The '06 introduced the sealed transmission with the World Star fluid. Models before all used T4 oil for their trannys.
That makes no sense, if there lyes a difference between the models, the advantage will go to the newer model. Not the other way around.
The '06 introduced the sealed transmission with the World Star fluid. Models before all used T4 oil for their trannys.
I believe some companies "work the system" and make it a point to try to make the last year of a particular model the most reliable, to fit the expectation those model years afford, while saving money with cheapening newer models allowing the hype to sell it and saving on the cost cutting. Some companies even cheapen their last hear to apply the savings towards the introduction of the next model.
Regarding the LS, all years are stellar, but the fact remains, that if you count the number of red circles the 04 has garnered throughout the years, the 04 has the most. (I have a theory on why this may be the case)
And just so u know, the sealed transmission was introduced in the US in the 2004 model year, not the 2006 as u stated.
Last edited by Pamperme; 11-26-14 at 02:40 AM.
11-26-14, 08:56 AM
#26
Pole Position
CR rates cars using a 5 point scale. A full red circle is the best, a full black circle is the worst. Generally speaking the advantage does go to the newer model, but not always. There are other factors that determine reliability besides the "extra time had to work the bugs out" that newer cars posses. Sometimes, as is the case with the 1999 Nissan Maxima, it's business decisions made that affect reliability and not always for the better. For example, the1999 maxima was the last year of the 4th generation maxima, yet it had ignition coil problems that the 95-98 years did not have. 1999 was the year Renault came into the picture and began their "le cost cutting" fiasco resulting in declining reliability. Subsequent generations fared even worse as Renault's inroads grew. The vq engine used by Nissan was a very remarkable engine, introduced in 1995. Yet despite the impeccable reliability of those engines since it's beginning in 1995, by 2002, Renault/Nissan went with cheaper parts. They chose to use a cheap timing chain tensioner resulting in these engines having an expensive $2000 problem that the older PRE-Renault vq's did not have.
I believe some companies "work the system" and make it a point to try to make the last year of a particular model the most reliable, to fit the expectation those model years afford, while saving money with cheapening newer models allowing the hype to sell it and saving on the cost cutting. Some companies even cheapen their last hear to apply the savings towards the introduction of the next model.
Regarding the LS, all years are stellar, but the fact remains, that if you count the number of red circles the 04 has garnered throughout the years, the 04 has the most. (I have a theory on why this may be the case)
And just so u know, the sealed transmission was introduced in the US in the 2004 model year, not the 2006 as u stated.
I believe some companies "work the system" and make it a point to try to make the last year of a particular model the most reliable, to fit the expectation those model years afford, while saving money with cheapening newer models allowing the hype to sell it and saving on the cost cutting. Some companies even cheapen their last hear to apply the savings towards the introduction of the next model.
Regarding the LS, all years are stellar, but the fact remains, that if you count the number of red circles the 04 has garnered throughout the years, the 04 has the most. (I have a theory on why this may be the case)
And just so u know, the sealed transmission was introduced in the US in the 2004 model year, not the 2006 as u stated.
11-26-14, 09:46 AM
#27
Again. That is not true. Go out there and look at an 04 or 05. You will find a dipstick for the tranny. But not the 06, its transmission is sealed closed. I speak by experience from owning 5 of these cars.
Also, if the first consumer reports were spot on, second or third won't be the same. People have different expectations every next year. So if they were really excited and stunned by the 04 introduction, the wow factor will decrease year by year. Therefore they will make and see new problems they haven't seen before.
Giving the example of the Maxima is just hilarious. You expect a flagship luxury car to short do it self to gain money for the next project?! I tell you my friend, I wasn't with the CEO's on that day but I assure you that's not how the "Luxury Sedan 430@ was treated. I stand by me idea of it being the best model of all LS's, the 2006.
Also, if the first consumer reports were spot on, second or third won't be the same. People have different expectations every next year. So if they were really excited and stunned by the 04 introduction, the wow factor will decrease year by year. Therefore they will make and see new problems they haven't seen before.
Giving the example of the Maxima is just hilarious. You expect a flagship luxury car to short do it self to gain money for the next project?! I tell you my friend, I wasn't with the CEO's on that day but I assure you that's not how the "Luxury Sedan 430@ was treated. I stand by me idea of it being the best model of all LS's, the 2006.
11-26-14, 10:01 AM
#28
Pole Position
Also, if the first consumer reports were spot on, second or third won't be the same. People have different expectations every next year. So if they were really excited and stunned by the 04 introduction, the wow factor will decrease year by year. Therefore they will make and see new problems they haven't seen before.
And if Consumer Reports knew of the transmission problems that the '04 would later reveal, the '04 would not have received "the most full red circles." CR didn't go back and amend their ratings for this problem. Point being, you can't rely on CR's ratings at the time to decide now, 10 years later, which model year was the best. If CR went back and compared all 3 model years together with the benefit of hindsight and ownership experience, history and reliability, only then might you have a more reliable evaluation.
Last edited by Tom57; 11-26-14 at 12:23 PM.
11-26-14, 12:39 PM
#29
What I stated in post # 26 above. And if Consumer Reports knew of the transmission problems that the '04 would later reveal, the '04 would not have received "the most full red circles." CR didn't go back and amend their ratings for this problem. Point being, you can't rely on CR's ratings at the time to decide now, 10 years later, which model year was the best. If CR went back and compared all 3 model years together with the benefit of hindsight and ownership experience, history and reliability, only then might you have a more reliable evaluation.
+1
Agreed.
You can see that happen in all of the BMW 7 series cars. Every next year changes were done to better the car, from complaints of previous years. That is the example you give when comparing a luxury car. And not a Nissan Maxima.
11-26-14, 12:47 PM
#30
2003 LS430 transmission parts diagram - notice the dipstick:
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...S430-2003.html
2004 LS430 transmission parts diagram - notice the lack of a dipstick:
http://lexus.sewellparts.com/oem-cat...S430-2004.html
