Oh yes, always, and even though it has been discussed extensively in other threads, I/we love to talk about our cars!

I am one of the people who has owned both. I loved my 03 for 5-1/2 years but couldn't resist any longer. I did want some of the new features of the 04-06, but like @TominPT said the minor design queues made the car for me, truly did give it a more modern and more timeless look. The 6th gear high end mpg's are noticeable on my road trip vacations where I am putting away 400 miles/day. Smart key rocks! (but thank you for the reminder to go work the key!) Interior is the same except for the guage needles, drop-down back mirrors, and that glove box...which is a funny thing, even though the single-door in the 04-06 is cleaner looking, I actually did find the double-door more accommodating.

@BigBoomer , don't you try to scare us with your radiator folklore! These cars are perfect, no problems ever.....

 

The 2001 and 2004 both have mpg rating 16 city 23 hwy. I get around 25 hwy and 18.5 city on my 2001 with regular fuel. The fifth gear is an overdrive gear and no transmission problems at 185k. Have replaced radiator for loosing coolant slowly as it is a plastic top and saw crusty pink coolant where it crimps. I would only proactively replace per Lexus maintenance guidelines. The old saying goes if it ain't broke don't fix it applies to everything. For my 2001 I updated the screen which basically turns it into an android tablet with an 4k backup camera (360 full view also available but did not get).

 

I personally think that the 01-03 LS 430’s are one of the ugliest LS’s ever, no offense guys. The 04-06 refresh gave the car the slightest styling upgrade that made an enough of a difference to where it took away some of that guppy eyed cartoon look up front.

IMHO the LS 400 is probably the best looking of them all, it’s more streamlined, sleek and less boxy with nicer thinner headlights ( this is what I miss about 90’s cars, the thinner headlights before they got bulbous). But the 400’s interior is just way too bland for my taste, this is where the 430’s takes the cake as far as interior styling and class goes.

What makes the LS 430 such an amazing car to own and drive is not necessarily its styling since it’s nothing special if we’re being honest with ourselves, but its overall build quality, its impeccable smoothness, reliability, and quietness for a car that is 20+ years old now compared to brand new cars that are half as good.

Sometimes it feels like I am driving an EV that’s how smooth my 05 is.

The ride quality is also extremely smooth and stable, these cars are mini tanks and can handle rough pavement pretty well as they can absorb lots of little vibrations which can easily enter the cabin of even a brand new ES350. Ask me how I know? Well I rode in one last week and although it was a really smooth car that to me looked like a space ship inside, it didn’t take some harsh bumps and impacts nearly as well as my 430.

Anyway, the pre-face lift models are unfortunately the red headed step child of the 430’s, some like them, but most don’t, and this reflects with the lower asking prices. And yes, having that extra gear does help with maintaining speed on the freeway and for slightly better MPG’s.

 

In my area face lift ones are extremely rare, maybe like 1 come up a year. I don't even recall when was the last time a saw a facelift one. There's always 3-4 pre facelift ones on the market but usually always higher milage and not in the best condition. The good ones go fast.

But for $15000+ that's easily ls460 money and I'm not sure if I will pay more than a 4ls for a 3ls even if it's facelift. I find 4 LS are starting to pop up more now, given the higher gas prices, people switching to EV.

 

Wow, they are an absolute steal at those prices. If they were that cheap here I'd probably have three.

Personally for me though, I just like the look of the 04-06 better. Otherwise I don't feel like there's a lot of difference.