turboomni

I own a 97 LS 400 and still love it although she is getting old with the NE winters and such. I drove a 430 with 75,000 miles and was impressed .I am at a cross roads with the 400 with 200,000 miles,,,either pay up or get another Lexus. I am asking anyone who has owned both a LS 400 and now a 430 which do you prefer overall?

peteyx

My first was a '92 LS400 and I loved that car. But the 430 is so much more car. Other than the (now outdated) technology, the seats are more comfortable, it is more powerful, less wind noise, more adjustable. Well worth it.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

i had also owned a 93, but loved the LS in general. Now i upgraded to a 06 LS430 and its the best car since.

XJSFan

2006 LS 430's rule! LOL...

Legender

Excellent question...
I've had a 93, 95, 99, 2002 and 2004...
Still have the 02 and 04...but gave my dad the 99.
And that is the one, the 99 that I wish I still had.
To me, that was the best car, ride, feel, drive than all the others. Not exactly sure just what it was about that car, but just loved the ride and quality of that car.

DriftGirl

iTrader: (6)

currently own an LS400 and LS430..have owned multiples of both.

I'll use the 400 for comfy winter driving

Jbthompson

I prefer the 430 over the 400. I currently have both (400 for sale!). The 430 is bigger and more substantial feeling, it feels like a more modern car. The 400 I'm sure during its time it was amazing, but compared to the 430 its just a different car.

KA8

iTrader: (1)

Driven 93, 99, and 03 LS. 99 LS400 was the best of the bunch

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

My 99 was a great car. Probably a little faster then my 04 430 but the 430 is quieter, more options, more modern, and more comfortable. I enjoy the low end toque of the 4.3 mated to a 6 speed. Great combination After I upgraded the suspension on the 400 it handled a lot better but it also lost comfort. Overall, a great car. I loved it but I don't miss her over my 430.

LS430Lexus

Life is good in America when you have such great choices. I had a '97 LS 400 until it was totaled at 225k and now have an '02 LS430 UL. The '97 was a great car but the '02 LS430 is better. The differences are a lot of "mores". Such as options, power, cabin room, trunk room and bigger, better seats all around. In addition, less problems such as starters, power steering rack, engine mount and strut boot issues.

My advice is move up.

turboomni

Thanks guys for all your thoughts. I was impressed with the 430 I drove.. When looking for my LS400 I was looking for a 1999 but ended up with my 97.. Like here I have read before the 1999's were the best of the 400 LS series. I guess the higher HP and 5 speed auto. I may look to see a 99 for sale too and see what happens. One thing for sure the 400's and 430's are great cars!!!.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

98-2000 are really the same car. The only thing to keep in mind is the issue with the failing caps in the ecu. The good news is that it's pretty cheap to have them rebuilt. As the ls400 ages it will pop up more. Denso swithed to a different capacitor in the ls430 and up.

MiserLS400

I had a 99 LS400. I bought it with 137000 miles and drove it until it was totaled with 230000 miles.

I looked for a replacement LS400 for several months. The only ones I found were in dire need of maintenance.

I replaced it with a 2005 LS430 with 49000 miles. I now have 25000 miles of LS430 driving experience.

LS400 - unbelievably comfortable, silent, smooth. Traction control has some slack which can be an issue.

LS430 - Traction Control is tight and controlled, suspension rolls over bumps the LS400 would hiccup on. It lacks the comfort and calm of the LS400. The features are nice, but I do not feel integrated with the car.

There was a strange bond that occurred with the LS400, there was something symbiotic about the experience, the LS430 is only driven.

LS400 - 7 years at the helm
LS430 - 21 months in the seat

~miser

SW17LS

My Dad had a 98 LS and then upgraded to an 04 LS. Both were bought new. I put a lot of miles on the 400, I loved that car...its what got me into Lexus. The 04 I spent less time with because I was an adult with a Lexus of my own to drive, but drove it many times and I've driven many 430s since looking at buying them used, etc.

The 430 is a better car. Its bigger, technology is better, interior is more spacious and comfortable, more luxurious feeling. If we're talking about an 01-03 LS I think the 98-00 LS was better looking, but the 04-06 LS is a great looking car IMHO.

Ride is VERY similar, both his 400 and his 430 had air suspension, the 400 had the 16s and the 430 had the 17s. People who feel the 430 doesnt ride like the 400 are driving one that:

1. Has 18" wheels. Makes a big difference. On 05s and 06s it can be hard to find one with 17s.
2. Has the sport suspension
3. Has something wrong with it.

These things are getting old...so if you drive one and you aren't happy with the ride, drive another one.

430 is even quieter, but the 400 is silent so its degrees of silence.

aashian

In terms of looks and new features, obviously the 430 is better. But in terms of driveablilty, the 400 is so much better. the 430 feels like a tank and sways on turns. the visibility is better on the 400. the 2 columns (dont know proper name) on either side of the 430's windshield are so wide you can't see if a car is passing very well. the windshield visibility seems smaller on the 430 for some reason. the steering is so much easier on the 400. the 430 feels like its hardly power steering and really have to put effort to turn it. the fronts lights are really nice on the 430 though. if i had a choice between a new 400 and new 430, i pick the 400 because to me having a car that handles better beats one that looks newer and better.