alir1983

I was looking to buy the LS430 '04 model as I heard some great reviews from this forum or is it better to get the newer AWD 07/08 model? I want the best car for my buck. Can you please recommend?

Jbthompson

Welcome. The LS is as amazing car. The 04-06 LS430 is probably the best of the best. For an AWD 07-08 you are looking at a LS460. Two very different car IMO. I would shoot for a 05-06 430 with low mileage and great maintenance

LuxuryGS3

iTrader: (12)

I recommend the 04-06 model. The 07/08 models had about 3 recalls if I'm not mistaken, so if you do buy one make sure the recalls have been done, otherwise i'd look for an 09+ LS460.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

04's have a few little growing pains. With all thing being equal, which they never are, I would look for 05-06 but don't rule out 04. Just a few more issues with the audio system like the sub and front door speakers wearing out. Personally, I would stay away from the 460 for the most part. At least 07-09. They are a lot lot more expensive to maintain and have proven less reliable then the 430 overall. If it means anything 430's are the favorite car of many mechanics and even the master tech at my dealership told me the same thing. He said the SC and LS 430 are the best Lexus has produced.

Iflylo

Can't go wrong with any LS. From decades of experience with the LS and other vehicle ventures I have found each of my LS models to be very reliable and classy. I have had both the 430 and 460, each unique in character, but the 430 is the true essence of the LS class. The choice is truly up to your lifestyle of driving and other long term ownership decisions.

Sporty feel - 460
Supple luxury - 430 or 400

StanVanDam

2001-2003 advantages:
* The Disable VSC button in completely disables traction control (wheelspin upon acceleration) AND vehicle skid control (braking wheels individually upon sliding). This comes useful if you want to have some fun in snow/mud. If I recall correctly, this button in 2004 is labelled Disable TRAC, and doesn't disable VSC.
* Rear taillight bulbs cost under $2 each from the dealer
* Grey bird's eye maple wood interior is an option that was removed in 2004-2006

2004-2006 advantages:
* 6 speed transmission for better fuel economy
* LED taillamps (faster on/off response, brighter, but need to replace entire $200+ assembly if LEDs fail)
* Milliwave radar pre-collision system (earlier years only had laser cruise control, no pre-collision)
* Headlights that are motorized to turn left/right to following your steering angle

For maximum reliability, long life, and low maintenance costs, I would go for a 2001-2003 with very low mileage, not driven on salted roads, not located near the ocean, garage-stored, and well-maintained (either dealer records or detailed self-service records).

Jabberwock

All years of the LS430 represent an outstanding value in a luxury sedan. The 2001-2003 are beautiful classic looking scars, very reliable cars - but they are 13-15 years old at this point and are starting to age a little in terms of plastics and rubber parts. Be sure to get a garage kept low mile version if possible.

2004-2006 version is looks a little different, slightly modified cosmetically, primary benefit is the 6 speed transmission. If I had to buy another LS I'd try to get an 06 simply because its is the newest year.

Becuse of its age, NAV and NAV screen in any version of the LS430 is an obsolete DVD based system. Screen is grainy low res unit.

JffGRY706

look at Long Term Quality Index and draw your own conclusion. LS just droped from exceptional to well above average. use search to get the year to year results. only 2 years in the red. I think red is bad and green is good.

StanVanDam

I test-drove a fully-loaded 2012 LS600hL the other year. The LS600 nav screen is equivalent in color range, resolution, and style as my 2002, at least on the default map screen.

I play videos off my iPod (HD music videos I've encoded into the highest quality supported by my iPod Touch 3G, YouTube videos, Family Guy episodes, etc) and the resolution on my 2002's screen is perfectly fine. iPod Touch 3G highest quality capabilities are X264 3.0 Base Profile, 720x480 @ 30fps, 24-bit color, and 10000kbps bitrate.

Getting accurate colors just requires a few minutes of tweaking using the built-in adjustments - easy to do with Family Guy as a source if you are familiar with what the colors should be.

Also, the 2007 and higher nav screens require much more finger-pressing force on the touchscreen to register a button press than the 2001-2006 screens. I prefer the 2001-2006 touchscreens, as they only require a very light touch, and you can easily type with thick winter gloves on in the winter. I really don't think you can quickly type with thick gloves on any 2007+ touchscreen.

It is also very easy to make legitimate backups of newer Nav DVDs and use those backups in the 2001-2006 LS430s. Note that version 13.1 is when they split North America East and West POIs into 2 DVDs, and DVDs cannot be downgraded. If you are near the split, you might want to stay at 10.1.

Sometime after 2006, the LS requires an active dealer subscription to TechStream in order to update the maps which requires pairing with your nav system's serial #, so you have to pay a dealership to do the upgrade.

Bocatrip

Any year would be a good choice as these are truly remarkably reliable cars and probably the most overly engineered car Lexus ever produced. The most expensive repair and the weakest link if I had choose could potentially be with an early 2004 with Transmission issues. It would be easy enough to check the history to see if any transmission issues were addressed and check that particular model out carefully. Also expect the most possible expenses with the UL model with air suspension. The LS460 has been known to be a step down in the reliability dept. Do your research and see some issues on the earlier models. Good luck.

Gene01

Just one thought to add: The Pre-collision system was an option, and was only available on Custom Luxury (CL) and Ultra Luxury (UL) cars. It was added a few months into the MY '04 production, I think in January 04.

KING

iTrader: (1)

Best car ever made by Lexus, LS430.

XJSFan

In my mind the last year of a model is always the best because hopefully the manufacturer has all the bugs out... Go with a clean 2006 LS 430 with a good maintenance history. .

Bob04

I agree. I might be purchasing a second 430, and that's what I'm looking for.

toddmorr

yeah all else being equal, go for the later model years, but things are never totally equal. I would jump on an 04 that was well maintained and in good condition in a heartbeat, and not worry a bit. The transmission issue would have already been addressed by now with a completely new tranny in most cases. Bonus is that the 04 will be cheaper than an 06 and functionally and cosmetically it is identical to the 06.