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Questions about LS430 before purchasing

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Old Dec 1, 2004 | 01:56 PM
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Default Questions about LS430 before purchasing

Hello,

I have some questions about a LS430 before I purchase it which will be happening in the near future .
1. Are parts off a 2004/2005 swappable with a 2001-2003 model. I notice a change in the back and front bumper and possible the side skirts. What about the front and tail lights?

2. Are there any recalls with the 2001-2003 models? Has anybody experiences problems with the engine or transmission? Anything to look out for when purchasing?

3. I plan on putting a body kit, specifically the wald. Will there be any difference in appearance between a 2001-2003, from a 2004-2005 (visually)? I am looking to make it look like a 05' model because I can't afford a new one.

4. Lastly, What are exact specifications on the 2001-2003 (5 speed transmission). Specifically the 0-60?

Thanks, and any help would be greatly appreciated because I am trying to find out what is the best LS430 to buy before hand so I don't encouter some mistakes that I have had with my previous purchase of a lexus.

-Jason
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Old Dec 1, 2004 | 05:12 PM
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I can answer the question about recalls of 2001 models. There have been no formal recalls, but I was notified that I should bring the car in to the dealer for something to be done to the "Lexus Link", which I did. I don't know what they did to it.
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Old Dec 1, 2004 | 05:26 PM
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I had thought about the same thing too!
By my speculation b/c I was trying to figure this out also and this is what I came up with:

The major differences in the 04:
Bigger grill
Headlights are rounder on the inside
Lower lip with fogs are different
Exhausts are exposed
White taillights instead of the amber color

1. The bumpers for the 03 are not swappable with 04 b/c of the headlights and grill.
Not sure about the lower lip? I saw an 03 and an 04 parked next to each other at the dealer and got to somewhat compare side by side.
Maybe you can have a body shop cut out the rear to expose the exhaust
Replace 03 taillights with 04.
3. If you're putting in a kit, then #1 won't matter b/c you're talking about stock vs. stock.
Wald kit will look different 03 vs. 04 again b/c of the fogs.

This was my research. Hope that helps somewhat.

If anyone has more input, then please fill in

Last edited by GS3Tek; Dec 1, 2004 at 05:40 PM.
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 08:13 AM
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A buddy of mine, made his 2001 look like a 2004 but he owns a body shop and his car got into an accident, front and back. It is a very expensive process, you need the complete high lights which are verry expensive, basically you need a whole nose, then rear bumper & trunck. In my opinion, if you are looking for a 2001-2003 but want it to look like a 2004 its not worth it, too expensive, on the other hand you can customize your 2001-2003 w/ a body kit that can turn a lot of heads. My bro. have a 2001 LS White w/ L-sportine full kit w/ exhaust and a blitz grill w/ some 20" LDR, you can't imagine the attention, very nice setup. But then again its your preference, 0 to 60 MPH time is better on the 04 because of the 6-speed tranny, buy its only about a 0.5 sec. or so... not major. hope this helps.....
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 11:24 AM
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Wait, are you saying that the 6 speed transmission makes it SLOWER?

With exhaust and intake, how fast do you think it would get to 60 in? I am aiming to make it approx as fast as a stock GS400. Is this possible? Thanks.
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Old Dec 3, 2004 | 12:31 PM
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The 6-speed trans delivers slightly faster 0-60 than the previous models. I think most car mags and the brochures show it at 5.9 seconds to 60. I wish it had more oomph from about 60-80 MPH. But I'm not complaining.

Bruce
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Old Dec 4, 2004 | 07:54 AM
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Originally posted by NYLEXGS
A buddy of mine, made his 2001 look like a 2004 but he owns a body shop and his car got into an accident, front and back. It is a very expensive process, you need the complete high lights which are verry expensive, basically you need a whole nose, then rear bumper & trunck. In my opinion, if you are looking for a 2001-2003 but want it to look like a 2004 its not worth it, too expensive, on the other hand you can customize your 2001-2003 w/ a body kit that can turn a lot of heads. My bro. have a 2001 LS White w/ L-sportine full kit w/ exhaust and a blitz grill w/ some 20" LDR, you can't imagine the attention, very nice setup. But then again its your preference, 0 to 60 MPH time is better on the 04 because of the 6-speed tranny, buy its only about a 0.5 sec. or so... not major. hope this helps.....

post some pics of it man.............your holding out on us
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Old Dec 4, 2004 | 08:46 AM
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Originally posted by BMcD430
The 6-speed trans delivers slightly faster 0-60 than the previous models. I think most car mags and the brochures show it at 5.9 seconds to 60. I wish it had more oomph from about 60-80 MPH. But I'm not complaining.

Bruce
yes the 6 speed is actually quite a bit faster, i drove both pre 04 and 04 quite a bit to learn about the difference

also, not only that, but the throttle response of the 04 is soooo much better than the pre 04. the throttle response is what keep me away from the car coz' it's so slow, but the 04 they fixed the problem and it's so much better
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Old Dec 4, 2004 | 09:46 AM
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Originally posted by NYLEXGS
A buddy of mine, made his 2001 look like a 2004 but he owns a body shop and his car got into an accident, front and back. It is a very expensive process, you need the complete high lights which are verry expensive, basically you need a whole nose, then rear bumper & trunck. In my opinion, if you are looking for a 2001-2003 but want it to look like a 2004 its not worth it, too expensive, on the other hand you can customize your 2001-2003 w/ a body kit that can turn a lot of heads. My bro. have a 2001 LS White w/ L-sportine full kit w/ exhaust and a blitz grill w/ some 20" LDR, you can't imagine the attention, very nice setup. But then again its your preference, 0 to 60 MPH time is better on the 04 because of the 6-speed tranny, buy its only about a 0.5 sec. or so... not major. hope this helps.....
Yes, please post pix of your buddy's LS and yours too I am verrrry interested to see both of them
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Old Dec 6, 2004 | 01:32 PM
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I never posted a picture here before. i will get the camera and take some pictures and figure out how to post pictures . For My 2004 Black LS, my parts will arrive soon, i am excited but can't put them on now because of the winter. I got the WALD executive LINE full kit, Tom's trunck spoiler and Evolution roof spoiler, and I allready have a set of 20"s LD1 from Lowenheart--that was from my pervious GS 400. I will hook it up for Spring.
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Old Dec 6, 2004 | 09:30 PM
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Originally posted by NYLEXGS
I never posted a picture here before. i will get the camera and take some pictures and figure out how to post pictures . For My 2004 Black LS, my parts will arrive soon, i am excited but can't put them on now because of the winter. I got the WALD executive LINE full kit, Tom's trunck spoiler and Evolution roof spoiler, and I allready have a set of 20"s LD1 from Lowenheart--that was from my pervious GS 400. I will hook it up for Spring.
that's very sweet! i love the wald!
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 01:43 PM
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What about 98-00 LS400's? I'm starting to think that it might be better to save the extra couple thousand and spend it on a 98-00' generation. Any tips on this thought?
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Old Dec 10, 2004 | 01:56 PM
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How much do you wish to spend?
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Old Dec 11, 2004 | 08:05 AM
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About 30k. I am just wondering whether or not I should save some and just buy a 98-00 LS400 since they seem just as nice as a 01-03 LS430 to me.
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Old Dec 11, 2004 | 08:55 AM
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Can't see much...the photos are way too dark.
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