Hi All!

I currently own a 97 LS. The car served me 8 years w/o major issues. Now, it's time to move on. After owning a Lexus, I only have one choice - Another Lexus.
I am looking to buy 04 or 05 and my budget is about 25-30 K.
I want SPORT suspension, Grey interior and White, Charcoal or Black exterior.
I also want this car to be under 40K miles and in mint condition.
Yeah, I know... I want too much, but I can wait for such a car to come along. My 97 will go another 8 years easy - I take good care of her

Anyway, to my question.
What problems should I look for when looking at the candidates?
Does SPORT have air susspension? I really don't want that.

Thanks for your advise!

 

I believe only the UL has the sport suspension. as far as what to look for, my only thoughts are that if you look hard you can get an 04-05 w/ 30-40k for $25,000.00 - $35,000

http://aceimports.com/default2.asp?pID=1

Look at these, there is a UL as well as a few others. The UL has the air ride, that is adjustable to sport. and costs $75k new after tax.

I bought my car from them and had it delivered 2000 miles in an enclosed trailer for $1,226. I can't say enough about the sales team and on the site you are able to look at 35 hi res pics "double click on the pic and your computer should zoom in" A lot of the dealers take all the cars that come there way Ace Imports seems to be very selective and had a great e-bay feedback although I found them on a different site.

I look for horizontal scratches from a car wash as well as circular from a buffing wheel. Try looking on a sunny day. Wear on the drivers seat, scratches on the rims, under the nav screen, make sure all the Vin # match they are on almost every part.

I'm sure these guys will give you plenty more advice, as they helped me decide on the LS ultra "every option LS has to offer"

 

There exists a "euro sport" suspension package. They are kinda hard to find and I still haven't driven either, so I am not sure how much of a "sporty" feel this euro sport gives. They do come with nice 18inch rims though.

I have also read in these forums, that you can get a modern luxury, and just install a sport suspension, not sure how much that would cost though.

Hvae you driven the sport edition, and if so is there a real difference?

 

RICE, this might be your horse.
http://aceimports.com/vehicledetails.asp?ID=1707

notice the "sport suspension" sticker on the side.

 

OMG, so close! But no nav. Don't think it makes sense to shell out 25 K for no nav.
Thanks for the suggestion though. That one is a gem for sure.

 

Let me add a vote for Ace Imports. I just bought a late 04 LS430 from them and am very very happy. Took the extended Lexus platinum warranty from Toby at Shreveport Lexus.

 

Ugh, I didn't even notice it had no nav. Why they made these ls430s without nav is beyond me.

have you driven the sport?

 

Conbres i feel you, I Think its the biggest bull ****, a car like this with no navigation. But i remember reading that there are 5 packages for this car, and if it had the custom luxury it should ALWAYS have navigation. WTF is up with that>?

 

Sport Package was not available with Custom Lux or Ultra Lux Selections in 2004 model year LS430s.

 

Does SPORT have the air suspension? Someone told me that AIR is in UL and SPORT???
If so, I would rather go for regular springs with 18" wheels.

 

Only UL has air bags. There is a sport setting on the UL.

 

No - no air in Sport. In 2004 (per 2004 LS430 specs) Adaptive Variable Suspension is only available on UL.

Sport Package option package included only "Euro-Tuned Suspension" (whatever exactly that is) & "18-inch polished-finish alloy wheels with P245/45R18 tires".

Sport Package footnote 14 (the only disclaimer footnote for Sport Package) states: "Sport Package not available with Ultra Luxury or Custom Luxury Packages".

Ergo, no Adaptive Variable Suspension for Sport Package.

 

I want to raise a question about some of the LSs I have been seeing with these 18inch polished finish rims.

Can I assume that these cars that I am seeing with these rims have the euro sport suspension, or were these rims offered with packages other than the sport suspension?

I look on autotrader and some cars that have these rims I do not see the little sticker (which says sport suspension), but some I do see with the sticker. Are there any other ways to tell if a car has the sport package?

I really want a sport..., just want to make sure I am getting one.

 

While 18-inch polished was only available on Sport, they, indeed, could have been added later to a non-Sport

For 2004 at least, the book states that Sport Package (Euro-Tuned Sport Suspension) had these unique parts: Stiffer springs. A thicker rear stabilizer bar. Special suspension bushings for more dynamic, intense handling.

So, it looks like you'll have to measure the thickness of the rear stabilizer bar on both a known Sport, and known non-Sport.