I am considering trading in my gs400 for a ls430 ultra luxury edition. I would like to know if this is a wise trade. I would also like to know what are the pros and cons of the ls430 ultra luxury edition

thank you in advance.

 

i made the same trade in December, i'm sure i was by no means the first, and i can count at least 5 others who have done this since then. i think the only complaint people have, like myself, is that it is not as fun to drive. However i just installed the datasystems controller last month and it gave me back much of that driving feeling i was missing. its a big step at first to get used to but i feel like i definitely made the right choice. go for it!!!

 

what's a datasystems controller?

 

I had a 98 GS400 with dubs and total lost it. Trust me this is a big transition PERFORMANCE & SIZE wise other than that i say go for it. I own a 2002 LS430 ultra with 22's it's a BIG BOY and the women love it due to all the LUXURY it has......

 

It's an aftermarket controller you can buy and install to lower the car with the push of a button. It can only be used on the ultra luxury.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...-with-pix.html

 

yeah exactly ^ ^ ^ what he said... i have heard a few people say that they wished they would have re'searched' a little more and found a UL for this and other reasons. i was only in the market for a UL when considering the trade in of the gs400, i was not interested in a non UL because for me I always wanted to be dropped on air, or to be able to raise and lower the ride height from the push of a button. the performance for me isn't that much of a difference but i do feel that the ls doesn't want to be driven hard like the gs did. i went from a gs400 with intake & ecu + exhaust and other than a little loss in torque from like 20-70 the only thing i notice is that the ls is much much quieter and smooth. the LS does get a little boring at times to drive, but then i just lower the car down with the controller if i want to get more of a feel for the road. the LS is definitely an old folks car stock + a world of luxury (especially in the UL) but there are so many things you can do to it, since it is the #1 vip car on the planet in my eyes.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ot-drop-2.html

 

I figured i would not be able to get the same performance feeling as the gs4. what are a couple of aftermarket parts that i can purchase other than the datasystems controller to enhance the performance and handling of this vehicle? Also, are the replacement air struts expensive for this car?

 

from what i have read an oem replacement strut is like a G, and as far as performance & handling although there are some i think you are thinking in the wrong direction. bbk kits, superchargers, exhaust systems, intake systems and your normal suspension upgrades are still available, but this is more the gs line of upgrades. from what i have noticed the ls folks gravitate more towards rims, body kits, chrome exhaust 'tips', a/v upgrades, custom interiors, custom paint jobs, and coilovers or air suspension setups as well as brake system upgrades.

the sc line seems to be more performance oriented to me.

 

Welcome aboard

This is about as much information that I could find and this is from our vendor:
Carson Toyota. A couple of lower front and rear bracings:

http://www.l-tunedparts.com/model/st...=7&model_id=94

 

I switched from 01 UL to a GS400, biggest mistake ever,
So I switched it back to 04 UL, now more than happy than ever,

 

I cannot speak to the GS only have driven in them a couple of times, I can say that you are probable better off with the UL. Having had a Base '99 LS4 and now a Base 02 LS430, I would have opted for a UL had a done more research. This forum is great and will really provide you great advice.

 

I would keep the GS if you want a more fun drive but, if its a luxury grown man/woman thing get the LS! GS is a fun car owned 3 of them. The LS is pure smooth luxury and not boring but, not as fun as the GS ride! Im sure the UL is great but, I opted for the model not UL because most that stuff in my MarkLevinson/Navigation LS I have now I never use! Its a matter of your needs and taste. All the best what ever you decide!!! L.G.N.M

 

I just notice the door panels are made pastic on non-UL models!

 

Just like everything in life.... there are pros and cons!! You have pick and choose what you want in life!!

GS...Aggressive look and good handling!! Not all that luxurious as a LS!!
LS...Luxurious and comfortable!! Not all that sporty as a GS!!

As far as choosing which LS to get.... I would say get the Custom Luxury!! Has almost all the options UL has but the air suspension and the back seat options (power seats in the back, AC, Radio etc etc). If you are planning on keeping the LS for a long time definitely don't opt for the UL simply because of the cost of the air shocks!! Get a nice coilover system for you CL and you will happier than ever!! People might have other opinions but do a quick search and see how many people complain about their air suspension acting wierd...like one side is higher than the other and various other issues!!

Well all said and done, do you investigation to which model LS you want and make your decision!

Good Luck shopping!!

 

UL and CL cars have the same door panels!! Only the ML and standard models have the less expensive panels!