EDITED:
Update on some of the above... I went back to my local Lexus dealer today and compared literally side-by-side two '05 models, one with some sort of upgraded leather (the looser, softer leather -- is this called Napa???) and the other with what I assume is the standard leather. There is a very noticable difference in the "hand" or feel. The softer leather is significantly softer. One strange thing is that the '05 soft leather is not as soft as the leather in my '03 and not nearly as much excess material, and it's not from use or stretching in my '03 because you can see that there's simply more gathering and almost pleating in mine. And the softness of the '05 soft leather is in between my '03 (which is VERY soft) and the standard '05 leather. Also, my '03 is more "cushy" than either of the '05 models. It's simply a softer seat (I'm talking about the cushions now) whereas both of the '05's feel a touch more "German" in the firmness of the cushions. ALSO, contrary to my first impression in my original post above, I believe there is no difference in the underlying cushions in the standard '05 and soft '05 seats. The harder/stiffer standard leather gives a very slight impression that the seat itself is firmer but after careful comparison I think it's only the leather surface. I was being confused earlier by my '03 and assuming that the '05 soft the same as my '03 soft.

My dilemma now is that I've found a car that is equipped like I want EXCEPT that it does not have the soft leather. I can't decide whether that's a deal breaker for me or not.... I wonder how the standard leather holds up as it ages? My '03 is still almost like new -- no sign of surface cracking -- just soft as can be, but the car has a pretty easy life staying in the garage most of the time....

 

Are you sure about the warranty?? I have 40K for bumper to bumper.

At lease his seats aren't squeaking and driving him nuts like mine does. I'll take numb butt over constant squeaks. Oh, that's right, I have both!!

 

Yes, Lexus has teh 50K/4 year bumper to bumper.

 

Regarding the hard spot that some of you guys report in the driver's seat, you should give it the same treatment that I gave mine: put your knee on it and smash the hell out of it bouncing up and down for a minute or so. I did that to mine over a year ago and the hard spot was gone. After reading this thread last week I paid careful attention when I drove the car over the weekend and there simply isn't a hard spot anymore. Back before the "treatment" I noticed it almost everytime I drove the car, and at times it was downright uncomfortable.

 

My heels touch the floor on the gas, but I don't really put pressure on the heels. Maybe I'm the one that's driving wrong.

The intergra is a lot smoother and softer than the MR2 turbo's clutch, especially with an upgraded clutch on the MR2. Even the 300zx tt clutch is like butter, I was shocked when I first drove it.

 

Here's what I don't understand... there are a lot of cars out there with the SOFT wavy leather that do not have CL or UL packages. Yet there doesn't appear to be any option on the list for a leather upgrade. I wonder if the Modern Luxury package gets the soft leather upgrade, but it isn't mentioned in the option details on the list?

 

But it's 2009, and the warranty for a 2004 is 4 years.

 

I got my '05 LS430 just over a month ago. I still have my '96 LS400
After reading this thread I was starting to think that the driver's seat in my '96 was slightly more comfortable then my '05. I was getting a little of the right cheek issue.
I have the wavy leather of the upgrade leather in saddle.
I saw hulla's post about lowering seat height and I tried that. It made it much better. I then noticed that the previous driver had the seat extended about as far out as it would go. I had pulled it back some. I checked this against the '96 and found the '05 was extended WAY beyond the '96. I retracted the seat extension and it is much better.
phillies' post said he thought the passenger seat was more comfortable. It doesn't have a seat extension.
seat height plus extension may have been causing my right side to scream for circulation.
oh well, works for me.

I've put 2,300 miles on my '05 in 5 weeks as I took a trip. I normally put about 15k on a car in a year.
love that laser cruise control.

 

Same thing here. Just purchased an 06 with 30,000 miles and think the seats aren't very comfortable. I do think the seat extension has a big effect, tho. With it all the way out, there's not much padding left. But pull it back in as far as possible and it's not bad -- and feels a lot like the passenger side.

 

Dealer would not do any repairs. i asked for the Lexus Rep to review and he agreed to make the modification. I did not speak to the Lexus Rep, the dealer passed my information on to him.
The seat was repaired in one day and now I'm satisfied. No cost to me which was even better.

 

What "modification" was made? Did they replace the seat? Add more padding? Also did you get the name of the rep from the dealer? I ask these questions, because I have been very disappointed with the driver's seat — even to the point I may be getting rid of the car. I've had the dealer look at the seat and they said there was nothing wrong.

Any detailed information about your resolution would be helpful. Thanks.

 

I've noticed also that the drivers seat seems harder than the passenger seat. I have been thinking it may need the foam rubber replaced. Has anyone had an upholstery shop repair the seat cushion? How much did they charge? How did it work out?

 

I, too have the same problem with the seat ( very hard by the right thight area), I believe , it has to do with the driver's height and weight. I first bougt this attenion to the dealer in DC area, they claim, ther is nothing wrong with it. i ask the advisor to find another person with my height and build. Sure enough, that person felt my pain. The dealer then agree on having the seat cushion replace ( work for a while ) . One year later, problem return, back to the dealer( different), this time, they replace the same seat cushion, but offer to put addional padding at the bottom rear portion of the cushion. So far the seat is holding well, perfect? no, but, at least I can drive for hours w/o the need of a after market seat cushion. the car is a 2004 ls430 w/ custom option.
wil

 

If it isn't a problem on other cars and is on the LS, then it's a problem with the LS, but I'm just curious how much you guys that have the "seat problem" weigh? Possible that Lexus/Toyota did not estimate for the "average" sized American bulk...