Ls400 or Ls430?
09-29-08, 11:24 PM
#1
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Ls400 or Ls430?
Hello All,
Im coming over from the gs300 family and looking into getting either a 98-00 Ls400 or a 01 Ls430
Can anyone post some info or pros and cons?
im totally confused as to which one i should go with?
Any input would be great!!
Im coming over from the gs300 family and looking into getting either a 98-00 Ls400 or a 01 Ls430
Can anyone post some info or pros and cons?
im totally confused as to which one i should go with?
Any input would be great!!
09-29-08, 11:47 PM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
I'd say go for the 98-00.
Personally I only like the second series of the third gen.
Get the 98-00 and you'll have more money for some VIP mods!
Welcome to the LS side of life brother
lol
Personally I only like the second series of the third gen.
Get the 98-00 and you'll have more money for some VIP mods!
Welcome to the LS side of life brother
lol
09-30-08, 03:30 AM
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im also from the GS family and was asking the same question.but in the end i picked the LS430.mainly because its newer and it looks new compared to the other generations of LS's "no offense".i never been in an LS400,but the 430's has alot of room in the back seat.as well as the front.overall,i love my 430!
09-30-08, 09:35 AM
#7
As far as interior treatment and updates, no doubt the 430.
1. The headlights are excellent more so on the '04+ so no need to do any mods there.
2. Good amount of exterior parts but then, anything can be imported.
3. Space...I dunno the exact dimensions, it does feel roomier all a round.
4. The trunk actually is useful up to 20 cuft from 14 cuft in the LS400.
5. Quieter interior.
6. ML sound system.
7. Updated safety/airbags.
As nice as a LS400 still is, it is showing age so it drops a rung on the ladder as far as those who see ACV of a car. If you have the budget, I'd get the updated 430. As a project ride...either to taste.
....
I really like the 430 after minor change but the body shape is so-so to me, I wouldn't turn one away if I were in a position to need one. The 460's are still out of my range.
1. The headlights are excellent more so on the '04+ so no need to do any mods there.
2. Good amount of exterior parts but then, anything can be imported.
3. Space...I dunno the exact dimensions, it does feel roomier all a round.
4. The trunk actually is useful up to 20 cuft from 14 cuft in the LS400.
5. Quieter interior.
6. ML sound system.
7. Updated safety/airbags.
As nice as a LS400 still is, it is showing age so it drops a rung on the ladder as far as those who see ACV of a car. If you have the budget, I'd get the updated 430. As a project ride...either to taste.
....
I really like the 430 after minor change but the body shape is so-so to me, I wouldn't turn one away if I were in a position to need one. The 460's are still out of my range.
Last edited by RA40; 09-30-08 at 09:38 AM.
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09-30-08, 12:37 PM
#9
Lead Lap
One reason I bought a 2000 LS400 in 2003 was that a similar mileage 2001 LS430, manufactured only two months later, was priced at about $10,000 more than I paid for my 2000 LS400. That's sure not the case anymore!
Back in 2003, I didn't care much for the LS430. Over the years, however, the LS430 has really grown on me - especially after driving an LS460.
Some things I've noticed:
The in-dash CD changer of the LS430 is much easier to load than the cartridge CD changer above the glove compartment in my LS400. I think the LS430 radio has RDS which for some reason I like.
Rear heating and ventilation is a bit better in the LS430 due to the additional vents in the door pillars. You may not care in California, but the LS430 was available with rear seat heaters which were not an option in the 98-00 LS400. Of course, rear ventilation is even better in the Ultra-Lux LS430 but you may not want to deal with the common and expensive air suspension issues.
The extra two inches of rear legroom in the LS430 is pretty nice but the rear space is more than adequate in the 98-00 LS400 which is far better than in the 1990 LS I drove for so many years.
It's already been noted but the trunk in the LS430 (non Ultra) is absolutely huge compared to the 98-00 LS400. I have to take the front wheels off my wife's wheelchair to get it in my 00 LS400 trunk but it would easily fit in the trunk of an LS430.
Another thing I like on the LS430 is the fixed rear quarter windows that allow the rear windows to roll down completely into the doors.
And, the outside door handles of the LS430 can be grabbed -- more Mercedes-like and more comfortable to grasp. My understanding is that the design was changed on the LS430 due to a European safety requirement that it had to be possible to attach a steel cable/hook to a door handle so that a door could be pulled open by emergency equipment.
There are many other minor improvements -- far too many to document.
Back in 2003, I didn't care much for the LS430. Over the years, however, the LS430 has really grown on me - especially after driving an LS460.
Some things I've noticed:
The in-dash CD changer of the LS430 is much easier to load than the cartridge CD changer above the glove compartment in my LS400. I think the LS430 radio has RDS which for some reason I like.
Rear heating and ventilation is a bit better in the LS430 due to the additional vents in the door pillars. You may not care in California, but the LS430 was available with rear seat heaters which were not an option in the 98-00 LS400. Of course, rear ventilation is even better in the Ultra-Lux LS430 but you may not want to deal with the common and expensive air suspension issues.
The extra two inches of rear legroom in the LS430 is pretty nice but the rear space is more than adequate in the 98-00 LS400 which is far better than in the 1990 LS I drove for so many years.
It's already been noted but the trunk in the LS430 (non Ultra) is absolutely huge compared to the 98-00 LS400. I have to take the front wheels off my wife's wheelchair to get it in my 00 LS400 trunk but it would easily fit in the trunk of an LS430.
Another thing I like on the LS430 is the fixed rear quarter windows that allow the rear windows to roll down completely into the doors.
And, the outside door handles of the LS430 can be grabbed -- more Mercedes-like and more comfortable to grasp. My understanding is that the design was changed on the LS430 due to a European safety requirement that it had to be possible to attach a steel cable/hook to a door handle so that a door could be pulled open by emergency equipment.
There are many other minor improvements -- far too many to document.
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