The LS430 is a one owner and they apparently spent 4 years of the car's life in South Carolina (Beaufort). All the rest of the locations are in Kentucky. The only maintenance item I see missing is the timing belt, but it's possible it was done at one of the 70-80k services which generically list a "Recommended maintenance performed" and I'm not sure what Lexus dealer wouldn't recommend doing that timing belt at the time. Lexus Drivers is being junk and refuses to recognize the VIN when I put it in so I can see the history, it's JTHBN36F840173101 if anyone else wants to try. I know that's a 90k mile service item, so if not done it would need to be done immediately. What is the cost of the timing belt replacement?

I can't imagine there would be that many issues with a late model DTS, it's still on the old FWD platform. No idea on the RWD platforms, I have heard mixed reports of issues on those so I'd avoid them myself too. But no, I don't like most of the other newer Cadillacs besides the CTS-V. I wouldn't mind that other than '04-'06 had rear differential issues, so '07 is the only year you can safely buy a 1st gen CTS-V. Next gen started in '09 and huge price jump, they're always $35k+ and usually automatic not manual (my preference).

 

I currently own an 05 LS430 and it's been the best car I've ever owned. The only thing the car has needed replaced was the headlight ballasts due to water getting inside of them. I had air suspension but took it off to go with coilovers. I work at a Lexus dealership and it's the most desirable Lexus to own besides the LX470 and SC430. Quite a few of our employees drive LS430's. Our techs hate the LS460 as it's more complicated and had way more problems in the earlier years.

I had an 09 LS460 that I borrowed from work for a while and greatly enjoyed the car while I had it. It was quick for such a big car and had better technology, although it was still outdated like my LS430 is. It rode smooth and I put a good 300+ miles on it in just a few days. I was going to buy it since we were going to send it to auction but I found out there was something seriously wrong with the engine. I found out that the car needed $8,000 worth of repairs and that the engine should have blown up on me but I never had any problems with it. I can tell the previous owner didn't take care of the car as it was one of the nastiest cars I've been in. If it didn't need so much work I would have bought it in a heartbeat.

I see a lot of the newer 2013-2017 LS460's coming by and they sure do look nice. I plan to skip the 07-12 LS460 and go for a 2015+ LS460 in a few years. The technology still sucks in the newer Lexus' but the newer LS' are very well built cars. Many of my customers tell me they've never had a problem with the 2010+ LS460's. The techs and parts department guys say to stay away from 07-08 LS'. Supposedly the 09's are better but 2010+ is the way to go.

 

Again forget the details, but I remember the '13 or newer on the 460 that people were saying. I do remember someone ranting that his 4th gen (early) LS was more problematic than the 7 series he traded in, and the rant was just after shelling out almost $5k for a repair. Could it have been ABS? Don't really remember...the 430 is a set it and forget it yacht. Just look at how large the steering wheel is. But it's problem list really affects features, rather than the actual motor or powertrain...there are some weird surprisingly nice touches, and some misses. My top two would be the cheap window switches that seem to be from a Corolla (probably the mirror switches too), and that dang exposed wire running from the rain sensor into the mirror. Can you imagine Toyota engineers couldn't justify enclosing that, on a flagship car...and the pivot on the windshield wiper is quite odd, those are usually on buses and RVs and 1970's cars. But again, a set it and forget it car, bet it can't be killed, like a Toyota pickup or something...

 

Based on this, I would probably rule out an LS460 if it's not '13+ and those are $25-30k+ so too much $$ for the intended purpose. LS430 sounds like the only one that might work, but as someone with a Corvette if I buy that I will have all the makings of a 60+ year old man and I'm not even half that age yet...I'm more turned off by that idea, I certainly don't need a car that rides that nice though I do appreciate them. My mind is drifting towards Volvo now, since the goal is a $10-14k-ish car that is safe and fairly nice to drive during the time that I don't drive my Z06. Though I'm starting to wonder about just consolidating to a 2018 Golf R when they're available and modding it to re-acquire some of the lost performance.

I don't like the idea that some cars almost have an unspoken dress code with them. Example: When is the last time someone wore a suit and drove a pickup truck? It can be done, it just looks weird. Or how about someone driving a 7-series wearing slippers, pajama pants, and a hoodie? The image just does not fit for the car. Some cars work better than others at "it doesn't matter what you look like" when driving them, but not all. I like that a car like the Golf can be dressed up or down just as equally well.

 

When you deal with the heat and humidity of a D.C. summer (it can sometimes be as bad or worse than in the Deep South), you should see what people wear (or don't wear) while driving LOL.

 

haha you made me think of our jeweler (interesting she went to GIA and has a MBA from where the President had his undergrad). She said her uncle just likes to dress comfortably (I believe he is an Islander). So he buys all his cars cash (likes Lexus), but dresses like he's attending a luau. I think salespeople are foolish to discount anybody nowadays, everybody's money is green. I did go to the Lexus dealer looking for parts, wearing gym shorts (not intentional, I was at the gym).

I was sold on a Golf R, then went M2, and said whoa where am I getting all this money from not only should I not, but perhaps I cannot, spend that on a car right now. So I just got the LS430. Hey, imho I not only avoided a car payment, but I avoided at least 25k of expenditures.

If you can do a Golf R, then I would consider a M2. If you are thinking used Golf R, I would consider that new Civic Type R. I like the looks of the Golf R better, but that Civic is no joke. For me? I would be willing to overlook the boy racer looks, and base my purchase on what I'm actually getting. Again, that Civic is no joke....the Honda R is not like a Nissan Altima with an R (the latter is a joke)

 

Appreciate the thoughts. The Z06 is a $20k+ car (I don't know precise value and haven't done much research lately on current values considering the maintenance I've done), and my truck is a $30k+ truck so a Golf R is less than I have tied up in these two vehicles. The Civic Type R doesn't appeal to me for a few reasons, one being the looks are ridiculous. I have enough problems with idiots trying to race me in a Z06 and I'm usually faster than anyone trying to get me to "race them", the Type R has way less ability to back it up and would invite even more of it since around these parts people love their domestic cars. It's also FWD, unlike many I don't think FWD is that "god awful" but for that kind of money I'm expecting AWD or RWD. Another factor, Hondas have a huge theft problem just in general. A Type R would be prime target for every person that wants to jack the wheels, the seats, whatever. I know it's true because I looked into an S2000 a long time ago and heard of how they have problems with people stealing the seats, shifters, etc. Hondas are too popular for their own good and have higher insurance rates because of it.

An M2 is expensive, much more so than a Golf R would be. Also I'd just get a M235i if I was going to do that since I care about the power and not the handling bits, but it's not a hatchback nor AWD so it loses practicality. Part of the appeal of the Golf R is the DSG transmission, I like the rapid shifts. I enjoy manual, but I'm not "save the manuals" devoted to having one. I was impressed with a Mk7 GTI I test drove, save for it wasn't as powerful. If I could get one of those for $15-16k I'd be ok with FWD and less power, but they're just not that cheap (not yet anyway). I think it's a lost opportunity on Honda's part they didn't make a nice boxy hatchback with the Type R, that segment is basically owned by the Focus ST/RS and VW GTI/Golf R. The practicality aspect is a big draw, and after driving a Z06 for awhile I can confirm - this kind of handling while nice is absolutely excessive on public roads.

There once was a time when I would've considered something like a Z/28 Camaro, where you sacrifice the creature comforts to get a big 7 liter V8 with fat tires and great handling. But I think the people who daily or even drive them much outside of a track are subjecting themselves to all that for no good reason. Who on earth needs 305's front and back on public roads? It's a proper track car, so much like driving an actual race car on the street while one could manage to legally do so with the proper lights and such - why would anyone want to? Young me would've been totally into that idea, but now...bah, it's all that noise and ruckus for nothing of appreciable benefit.

 

Sorry I missed this thread while I was out of town. Having had both bought new, I can offer some thoughts even though my 460 is a 13+

Obviously, styling is subjective. I think the 04-06 LS430 is a good looking car (the 01-03 430 is hideous IMHO), but I feel the LS460 is a GREAT looking car, which I also felt about my 98 LS400. Inside, same thing I think the LS400 and LS460 were much more attractive designs than the LS430.

From the perspective of reliability, control arms are a weak point on the 460 pre 2011. This really isn't as big a deal as people put it out there to be, aftermarket arms are available for the RWD and the job is $1,500-$2,000. With all OEM arms at a Lexus dealer its a $4-6k job. So...don't do that LOL. The AWD 460 is a little tougher since there aren't as many aftermarket options, but my mechanic actually presses the bushings out and reuses the arms...which is an unusual approach. The bigger concern for you about that LS460 is it has the air suspension. Thats a costly feature to repair, the LS430 you post does not have the air suspension which is a big plus. FWIW, the air suspension is a huge issue on LS430s with it as well.

Obviously the LS460 is much newer, nav is way more modern (430's nav looks terrible today), it will feel more modern overall.

With that said the cars are different. The LS430 is a little softer, but the LS460 handles much better and is much more confident feeling to drive on anything but a straight road. The LS460 reminds me more of the LS400 than the LS430 and thats a good thing. You have to understand about the ride, its not a floaty Cadillac or Lincoln ride. Its a very smooth, well damped, very refined ride, but you do feel the road underneath you and the undulations and imperfections in the road, its just that they never bother you. If you've ever driven an S Class Mercedes, the ride is very similar. I would say the LS460 rides 95% as well as the LS430, but the LS430 only handles 50% as well as the LS460.

Some early LS460s also had issues with wind noise, but thats pretty much solved with a DIY fix that is outlined in the LS460 Forum.

The LS430 has a timing belt which is expensive to replace and has to be done every 90k miles, the 460 has a timing chain which doesn't.

LS430 Plusses:
1. Softer riding in general
2. Engine is smoother and quieter, especially at idle
3. Little bigger in the rear than the SWB 460

LS460 Plusses:
1. Much more confident handling despite having a very similar ride
2. Overall is quieter on the highway
3. Much more modern technology
4. LWB available
5. AWD available

Having had the LS400, the LS430 and the LS460, the LS430 is my least favorite.

 

Your mention of the control arms is interesting to me. Because I overlooked that on my LS430 purchase, and so wouldn't you know, I pull into a Lexus dealer for a brake flush (they charged me only $59.95), and I leave with a multipoint inspection recommending like $5k worth of work hahahahaha

Anyway they said the LCAs needed replacement. When I asked if this would fail me for an inspection, naive me thought the SA actually knew what he was talking about (he had his own office as did all of them), and he said maybe, maybe not. hahahahahaha He was clueless, the indie said you don't need them and you won't feel any difference (car had 81k).

Anyhow, instead of the $1,500 they said it would cost, I got OE bushings online for $62 ea, and paid an indie almost $300 to press the old out and new in, so I was good to go for well under $400. Aftermarket is Mevotech and I don't trust them, how does something that is you know $700+ for OE, cost under $70, and just as good? imho those are intended for shops to be able to charge list for the parts, and save the labor of pressing, big margin.

But it seems like so much more is available for German cars than Japanese, and you can afford to replace with OEM (such as Lemforder arms, why press out when you can get the original arm in its entirety and have an indie install them). Then there are the cases where on a German car, you can go one step below top of the line Bilstein coilovers, for around $1300 installed. No such thing for Lexus it seems...

On an older and used car, I actually prefer the PFI to DI, just one less thing to break imho. The timing belt imho "is" a disadvantage, this is the first car I've owned with one, and I'm resolved to DIY at some point. But one never should pay the Lexus $1800 price, indies do this all day long for $700-$900 depending if you want tensioner and idlers, and they do a much better job to boot imho.

Sounds like the Golf R might be a good fit for the OP...