jslionheart1

I am considering both models as a daily driver. What should I consider besides the appearance differences?

Will my decision come down to preference, or are there any specific advantages to one model year over the other?

I have visited the lexls.com website.

Either model will have between 60K and 100K miles. Navigation is not a priority. Price is somewhat of a concern (isn't it always).

How will the arrival of the LS 460 affect my decision? Should I be concerned with the 2000 being two generations behind the current model?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

price is vastly different between the two models.

both cars will last pretty much forever given that they'v been maintained and will be continued to be maintined.

personally id take the 2000 (already have one) because that to me is the cleanest bodystyle aside from the current (2006) and upcoming (2007) models.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

I personally like the body style on the UCF2X.
Given the slightly newer integration of technology, the UCF3 makes it a consideration. If I were in this position, I'd probably choose the '01.

jslionheart1

Thank you for your comments. I know that prices differ between models. I am familiar with the 2000 body style (I owned a 1999 LS 400).

Maybe it would be more helpful if I could post more specific questions. I will see what I can come up with.

RA40, you posted my thinking exactly. What makes the 2001 more advanced technologically? In other words, what am I giving up by choosing the 2000?

Kansas

My recommendation is to take a really thorough 30-60 minute drive in both the 00 LS400 and 01 LS430 and decide for yourself if the 01 LS430 is worth the extra money.

The only time I have driven an LS430 was in 2003 when I drove a 2004 LS430 and a low mileage (35K miles) 00 LS400 back-to-back at a Lexus dealership.

I suspect that the salesman thought I would go for the 04 LS430 since I had bought a new LS400 there 13 1/2 years earlier -- he offered a very significant discount on the new LS430 but he would not budge off the $39K+ price of the used 00 LS400. I didn't like the game he was playing.

The 04 LS430 was very nice but I felt more at home in the LS400 -- probably because I had spent 13 1/2 years driving the 90 LS every day and the layout of the interior was more similar. And I am an average sized guy so the extra room in the LS430 was not a factor. Besides, the interior of the 00 LS400 is far roomier than in the early LS400 -- like night and day. But if you a big guy, the LS430 might be better -- a 6'4" coworker of mine is really cramped in his 99 LS400.

Looking back, it would have been nice to have had the LS430 CD player in the central dash where the CDs are inserted directly instead of the less convenient 6-CD cartridges in the 00 LS400. And the temperature adjustment on the seat heaters in the LS430 would sure beat the on/off seat heaters on my 00 LS400. And I have since started to appreciate nav systems and would not avoid a car with nav if I was buying one today.

There are probably lots of other improvements I would have grown to appreciate on the LS430. Oh, I forgot to mention that the trunk on the non-Ultra LS430 is absolutely huge compared to the 00 LS400 -- I learned this the hard way when I had to carry a wheel chair for two years -- it just barely fit in the LS400 after removing the foot rests and there wasn't much room left for luggage.

My C.P.A. wife really appreciated that I spent much less on the 00 LS400 (38K miles) I bought from an indie dealer for $9K less that what the Lexus dealer wanted for the one with 35K miles -- and far less than what I would have spent on that 04 LS430.

So the choice is a "give and take" one -- there is no right answer for everyone. Decide what is important and buy the car that works best for you.

PVSLS400

If it was me I would choose the UCF 2.5 Not that the 430 is not great. The way i look at it is the 400 has been around longer and the 2.5 gen has all bugs worked out, and are known, Vs the 430 was in its 1st year. Just my 2cents

NewLSlover

^I would have to agree with PVS.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

PVSLS, juss an FYI but the 98-00 LS was the UCF21 chassis, just like the 93-94 LS was the UCF11.

and if money was no object in both purchase and modifying id hit the UCF30.

jslionheart1

Kansas, PVS and Pure, Thank you for your posts. They were helpful to me.

I agree that it is a personal preference, but I don't want to make a "clear" error. I have driven both and noticed some differences, but I was really torn.
I have always preferred the LS 400 appearance over the LS 430, but recently the LS 430 has grown on me. Both are fantastic and beautiful cars.

Adjusting my seat temperture is cool, but I don't really put that much importance into it. Trunk space is nice and the CD changer is a pain, but I can deal with these issues. I will most likely hard wire an iPod into the center console anyway.

I had the same thoughts as PVS with the 2000 being the last of that body type with the bugs worked out. Your suggestions, combined with my previous (excellent) experience with my 1999, and I am leaning toward the LS 400.

I didn't want to resist change, but it looks like I will shop for a 1999 or 2000 LS 400 without navigation and with the Nak stereo.

Thank you all for your help.

P.S. Does anyone have any leads for dealers/buyers that attend the Manheim or other auctions? I have one contact that buys cars for a finder's fee, but I am searching for a more reliable source. Feel free to PM if you wish.

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

The 98-2000 LS400 is the best Toyota product ever built.
Says who you may ask? Every quality analyst ,warranty inspector ,service advisor and tech. It has the lowest failure or repair rate of any Lexus and Toyota to boot. When i go to Toyota head office i get a crowd of people around it as they love the things and are not that common up here.
The 2000 LS is they way to go as it has less electrical gremlins..

ToyLexmods

It seems the overall trend here is 98-00. Here is my feedback. We own a 98 w/75k, loaded with HIDs and a 00 Platinum w/45k, loaded with HID, Nav. After driving these for a few years....I have grown to like the looks of the 04LS Sport model. That said, I poked around a few dealers and drove a couple of 04s. Feedback? The 04 is very nice but quite different from the 98-00. 04 is stiffer and you hear more road noise and much more $$. Granted the 04 is nice but there are more service issues even to the point of complete transmission recalls in the 04. In the end, we kept both our 98-00s and left the money in the bank. If I need a sports car...I will drive my STI or Supra turbo. ;-)

Our 98 and 00 have never been back to the dealer for work except for a center driveshaft carrier vibration at 35k for the 00. I do everything else.

Horta

I asked this question many time trying to convince myself to upgrade. Well you see what I drive.

steveski

Of course it is your decision but your body style of your LS is flat out the most beautiful (especially over the first few years of the 430). Not to mention it is the most reliable year as mentioned earlier

blange400

I've owned a 90 ls. 95 sc400, and wife has 99 LS 400.
I am so sold on the 2000 LS I bought a 55k mi platinum.

Its sanctuary.

skytrain4

I have been researching and trying to decide on a 2000 LS400 or 2001 LS430. After reading all of your posts, I've decided to go with a 2000 LS400. The problem I'm finding now is that the 2000 LS400 is $4000-$10000 higher than KBB's Private Party Value. However, most of the LS430's, regardless of year, are around KBB's PPV.

I won't pay more than KBB PPV as that is pretty close to Bank Loan Value as you can find. Paying anything above bank loan value is giving money away. The difference between bank loan and retail is 100% dealer profit. Now, why would I pay more than the car is worth to a bank? I won't!

Anyway... Does anybody have connections in the Atlanta GA area to buy at a reasonable price, i.e., Kelly Blue Book's Private Party Value or Bank Loan Value? I want a maxed out 2000 Lexus LS400 with reasonable mileage.