I have been looking at getting an 04 since they seem to be closer to my price range of around 25k.

But I just happened to do a search of 05s on autotrader, and there seem to be a ton for sale, almost double the amount in my area of 500 miles around my zip code, basically so cal.

I am wondering if I should consider paying up for an 05? Maybe a better deal could be had?

 

ya just get the 05..im thinking many peoples leases are up, so many of them are getting rid of them to get the newer LS460

 

imho 05 is better anyway

and yeah, a lot of 05 off lease now that's why there are quite a few of them out there

 

what are the changes 04 vs 05.

Also I would like a sport, and I don't think they put the "sport sticker" on the side of the 05s, I could be wrong.

How do I tell if an 05 has sport?

 

ALL LS430 sport has the sport sticker on the side, from 01-06.

 

BNR34, I cannot seem to find a "sport" sticker on any 05 LS for sale. I tried searching for keyword "sport" and I am thinking that the cars with 17inch rims have the sport package, but no sticker.

IS this a sport?

http://www.cars.com/go/search/emailT...paId=268424162

 

The car in that ad have the 18s, not 17s.

A few rule of thumbs that can help you, all 04'+ sport have that 18" wheels, they all got the sport sticker, and they all have Nav and mark levinson.

But having 18s don't mean it is a sport, non sport car come with 18s also.

 

What is the sport model? Never heard of it! Having a hard time believing a big luxury cruiser like the LS could be considered "sport" by any stretch of the imagination!

 

05' sport.

you see the sticker?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ce=&cardist=99

 

another one:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...ce=&cardist=97

 

they are rare to begine with, and if you just search for keyword "sport", you will never find any, almost all of them don't have the word sport mention in their ad. Most dealer don't know/don't care if the car is a sport, or simply don't know it exist.

All Lexus salesman I talked to don't know the option package "sport" and "ultra luxury", they told me they are all the same, just pick the color

Just look for the sticker.

 

my buddy has an 01 thats a "sport" edition with 17's that came with it...so im thinking since from 01-03 sport had the 17's and 04-06 sports came with 18's

you dont have to really buy a "sport" package...it has a bigger rear sway, and different struts (im guessing more performance oriented kind), when looking to replace the struts the OEM made 2 different variants for the LS, non-air that is...so if you want a so-called sportier ride you can buy a non-sport and buy the other OEM struts, and sway bar.

L3000-298824
KYB (OEM)
Strut Assembly GR2; Front; Mark: 48510-50140; Excluding sports package
w/o Air Suspension For models with production year from 7/2003 to 7/2006. $143.60

Note: Marked as 48510-50140
L3000-298824
KYB (OEM)
Strut Assembly GR2; Front; Mark: 48510-50200; Excluding sports package
w/o Air Suspension For models with production year from 7/2003 to 7/200$143.60

Note: Mark: 48510-50200
L3000-298824
KYB (OEM)
Strut Assembly GR2; Front; Sports package only; Mark: 48510-50130/1
w/o Air Suspension For models with production year from 8/2000 to 6/2003.$143.60

Note: Sports Package

 

On top of the rear sway and struts, the sport suspension also got stiffer springs and harder bushings on the upper A-arms.

Sure you can always buy a non sport and put the OEM sport suspension on it, but buying a sport is cheaper then do it yourself since the sport model don't worth any more then a regular car.

 

06' sport.

Just to show you they all got the sticker.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...00&cardist=410

 

BNR34, thanks for pointing those out. I was looking on cars.com, and I couldn't seem to find any. I agree it is definetly tedious to look for since dealers don't know what they are talking about, but that will present a deal.

Thx