hi, I had last inquired about a 2000 ls400 with 113,000 miles that I paid $5,000 which after your input I decided to keep. I just
discovered a 2002 ls430 with 56,000 miles on it from Florida that the guy wants $9,300 for. All things being equal in that both were meticulously cared for, would it be worth my while to sell the 2000 and try to buy the ls430? I value your opinions here. Thank you. Albert

 

Honestly I wouldnt bother. Just because the price- performance increase isnt there. The 430 is a better car, no doubt. More power, good economy. But will it be a few thousand dollars better? Im not so sure. It really depends on what you are looking for and whether or not you get those wants from the 400

 

while I want a good car, I'm thinking longevity. In the end you are right.

 

You know what car you want more. Can't help you there. They are both great vehicles.

I am currently looking for a southern LS430 or a 400. What I am seeing with the 400's is that they are definitely more rare and most are stupid high mileage, have body damage, neglected with lack of maintenance, etc. Very difficult to find a clean one with a clean body, an interior that's not chewed up, and no rust. If you do find one like that, the price is usually so jacked up that it's right up there with 2004+ clean similar mile LS430. At that point it only makes sense to get the 430 unless you prefer the looks/feel of a 400 for personal reasons.

 

I would take the 98-00 over the 01-03, hands down. 04-06 is a different story the refresh in 04 is just so much better

 

Thank you for your help.

 

98-00 Ls400! I love Ls430's too, but the earlier ones not as much

 

we drove 01-03 430 and was not impressed over our 99 400... still driving ours at 214+, it is everything I want in a car.. and it still looks good the sticker shows 2 of 17, its current.

 

Curious why all the hate on the 01-03 models. They are the same exact car as the 04+ minus the 6spd auto and facelifted front and rear end. You guys make it sound like mechanically and structurally they are different cars which is completely false.

 

Its just styling. Its mostly the same car (5 speed vs 6 speed), but IMHO the 01-03 LS430 is a pretty ugly car, and they completely solved all of its ugliness with the 04 refresh.

I too would choose a nice 98-00 LS400 over the 01-03. We actually elected to keep the 98 LS and buy it out of the lease vs upgrading to an LS430 in 2001 because of the styling.

 

The 01-03 430 is too ugly, and the 04-06 has that sealed transmission which is a non-starter for me. I wouldn't want that kind of hassle to change the trans fluid, and because it's such a hassle it makes it that much more likely that it wasn't changed by the previous owner. 98-00 400 FTW.

 

I'm not worried about the sealed trans, these cars are old now, issues with the trans fluid would have had time to manifest itself.

The 04 is a better car than the LS400, bigger, more comfortable, much newer. As much as I love the LS400 I'd do an 04 430.

 

I also would go with the 98-00 for the reasons already stated. keep in mind you are in biased territory here!

 

If I'm being honest, once you start getting into the early 2000's, the LS looses it's appeal to me. I love the older body styles up to about 2000/01 (not sure when they did the refresh). It's a V8, RWD, full-sized sedan. In the mid-late 90's, it holds the most value (most bang for your buck in terms of...well...EVERYTHING). In the early 2000's, it's iffy and mid to late, there's things I like more. So, I'd stick with what what you got. And between the two years, there isn't 4+grand worth of umph to justify it...in my opinion.

 

Of course the LS430 is a better car, but if you know your car already, stick to it. That close to 10K for the LS430 is way too high anyway. Remember all our cars are ancient now and old means repairs around the corner for things you have not replaced and repairs for things you have replaced awhile ago again. I have my LS430 for 8 years and I'm starting to see myself repair things twice which is finally getting me to think about abandoning ship after all this time. I'm sure I'll miss my car if I sell, but we must move on and rethink about keeping our cars on life support! Good luck with whatever decision you make.