What's the best year LS430?
#3
I'm biased towards '04 because I have one, but factoring in price (lower than '05 or '06 with same mileage), features (LED taillights, 6 speed trans.), and mnor "refresh" of the exterior design, it makes the '04 the best choice. If price is no option, then I would say get '06 only because newer, but other than that, no advantage to getting something newer. Only two "recalls" I can think of for the '04 and they were the fuel relay I believe, and the transmission flash issue, but those were with earlier production '04, so just check the service record and VIN.
#4
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I'm biased towards '04 because I have one, but factoring in price (lower than '05 or '06 with same mileage), features (LED taillights, 6 speed trans.), and mnor "refresh" of the exterior design, it makes the '04 the best choice. If price is no option, then I would say get '06 only because newer, but other than that, no advantage to getting something newer. Only two "recalls" I can think of for the '04 and they were the fuel relay I believe, and the transmission flash issue, but those were with earlier production '04, so just check the service record and VIN.
#5
I own an '04 as well and the reason I purchased the '04 was because of the subtle exterior changes. Not that I don't like the 01-03 but the 04-06 was my preference. I think all LS430's would be a good choice
#6
Lexus Test Driver
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Least problematic was probably the '03. IIRC it scored the lowest incidence of problems of any vehicle ever in the JD Power 3-Year survey. Less than one problem reported per vehicle in 3 full years of ownership (actual number was .97). But it's not like the other years are problem prone.
FWIW, my '03 has 62K miles and the ONLY thing that's ever gone wrong was that the remote mirror control switch got a little bit balky on the driver side mirror. Replaced under warranty at 48K miles. My '03 GX470 with 89K miles has had ZERO things go wrong.
FWIW, my '03 has 62K miles and the ONLY thing that's ever gone wrong was that the remote mirror control switch got a little bit balky on the driver side mirror. Replaced under warranty at 48K miles. My '03 GX470 with 89K miles has had ZERO things go wrong.
Last edited by I6turbo; 11-10-08 at 07:08 AM.
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#8
Lead Lap
Bang for the buck right now, I would go with the '04. I decided not to buy a newer car, so I threw a little money at my old, faithful 1GS, but the '04 LS has been very, very tempting on a number of occasions.
#9
Hacked CL to become a Mod
I like the 04 ones better too...the angular headlights make it look very aggressive without looking arrogant. But I like the tails off the older gen
#11
I own an '04, but while test driving a few LS's, I did test drive an '03 for about ten miles or so and I really couldn't feel any significant difference. Atleast it wasn't different enough that either one stuck to my mind. I feel the .4 second gain on the 6-speed is completely lost in real world feel.
#12
Lexus Test Driver
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I'm biased towards '04 because I have one, but factoring in price (lower than '05 or '06 with same mileage), features (LED taillights, 6 speed trans.), and mnor "refresh" of the exterior design, it makes the '04 the best choice. If price is no option, then I would say get '06 only because newer, but other than that, no advantage to getting something newer. Only two "recalls" I can think of for the '04 and they were the fuel relay I believe, and the transmission flash issue, but those were with earlier production '04, so just check the service record and VIN.
#14
Soft is for wimps
both the same trim? Are you comparing an '03 Ultra to an '04 Modern perhaps? I have the '04 with the semi-analine and I don't find the seats hard at all. If nothing, they're a little bit too soft for me, but if you say '03 even softer, then it might feel like sitting on air...
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