Here it is almost a ritual to post pics if you are a new owner/or if you have done any mods.... NO PICS>>>>no fun!!
New Lexus LS430 Owner
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: wi
New Lexus LS430 Owner
Hello guys. I'm a new proud LS430 owner. I bought an 02 non ultra LS. I really wanted an Ultra but I could not pass up this deal. It's silver on black.
To fill you in a little about me and my car taste, I have had 2 Q45's. One I went with a VIP EXE style with. I was very pleased with the look of the car. The last car I had (the one I sold to buy the LS with) was a 00 740IL. The caf was factory ride height with a set of staggered SSR 3 piece 19" wheels. The car looked great. When looking for a new car, I went and drove the LS. I fell in love. The car was quiet, smooth, and full of power. I was and still am very impressed with the car. I know Lexus quality is great. Problems are few and far between. Bottom line, I love the car.
So now, here are my questions.
1. I need wheels. This is the worst part about this car. I don't want to go the VIP route anymore. I do like the 18" Ultra wheels a lot. Do the newer LS460 wheels fit? Is the offset the same? How is the fitment? Where do you recomend I look for a set at a decent price?
2. I don't mint the front end of the car. I plan on adding HID's to the fog lights. But I can't stand the back end. The tail lights with the amber in them drive me nuts. It simply dates the car. Can the newer clear lights be retrofitted? Is there a company that makes these for an 02?
3. I don't like the grille. It needs help. Any suggestions there?
4. Are there any problems I can expect? I know this is a quality car. But is there anything to worry about? The car I bought JUST had the timing belt replaced by LEXUS.
I hope to become a contributing member of this forum. So far, I love the car. I am eager to learn and am a true ca enthousiast. More so for high end luxo barges such as the LS430. There is nothing like pushing a big V8 RWD car down the highway.
Thanks guys.
To fill you in a little about me and my car taste, I have had 2 Q45's. One I went with a VIP EXE style with. I was very pleased with the look of the car. The last car I had (the one I sold to buy the LS with) was a 00 740IL. The caf was factory ride height with a set of staggered SSR 3 piece 19" wheels. The car looked great. When looking for a new car, I went and drove the LS. I fell in love. The car was quiet, smooth, and full of power. I was and still am very impressed with the car. I know Lexus quality is great. Problems are few and far between. Bottom line, I love the car.
So now, here are my questions.
1. I need wheels. This is the worst part about this car. I don't want to go the VIP route anymore. I do like the 18" Ultra wheels a lot. Do the newer LS460 wheels fit? Is the offset the same? How is the fitment? Where do you recomend I look for a set at a decent price?
2. I don't mint the front end of the car. I plan on adding HID's to the fog lights. But I can't stand the back end. The tail lights with the amber in them drive me nuts. It simply dates the car. Can the newer clear lights be retrofitted? Is there a company that makes these for an 02?
3. I don't like the grille. It needs help. Any suggestions there?
4. Are there any problems I can expect? I know this is a quality car. But is there anything to worry about? The car I bought JUST had the timing belt replaced by LEXUS.
I hope to become a contributing member of this forum. So far, I love the car. I am eager to learn and am a true ca enthousiast. More so for high end luxo barges such as the LS430. There is nothing like pushing a big V8 RWD car down the highway.
Thanks guys.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 15
From: Washington
So now, here are my questions.
1. I need wheels. This is the worst part about this car. I don't want to go the VIP route anymore. I do like the 18" Ultra wheels a lot. Do the newer LS460 wheels fit? Is the offset the same? How is the fitment? Where do you recommend I look for a set at a decent price?
LS460 bolt patter is different. Look through the forum here for some examples of what different wheels on members car looks like. Sometimes a wheel looks good in a magazine but not or the car or vice versa
2. I don't mint the front end of the car. I plan on adding HID's to the fog lights. But I can't stand the back end. The tail lights with the amber in them drive me nuts. It simply dates the car. Can the newer clear lights be retrofitted? Is there a company that makes these for an 02?
You can change the trunk lid and side lamps of a 04+. Ebay for the side light for a decent price.
3. I don't like the grille. It needs help. Any suggestions there?
Again, several members here have painted, removed emblem, and installed aftermarket grills.
4. Are there any problems I can expect? I know this is a quality car. But is there anything to worry about? The car I bought JUST had the timing belt replaced by LEXUS.
As long as the major service bulletin items has been applied, your car should be trouble free.
1. I need wheels. This is the worst part about this car. I don't want to go the VIP route anymore. I do like the 18" Ultra wheels a lot. Do the newer LS460 wheels fit? Is the offset the same? How is the fitment? Where do you recommend I look for a set at a decent price?
LS460 bolt patter is different. Look through the forum here for some examples of what different wheels on members car looks like. Sometimes a wheel looks good in a magazine but not or the car or vice versa
2. I don't mint the front end of the car. I plan on adding HID's to the fog lights. But I can't stand the back end. The tail lights with the amber in them drive me nuts. It simply dates the car. Can the newer clear lights be retrofitted? Is there a company that makes these for an 02?
You can change the trunk lid and side lamps of a 04+. Ebay for the side light for a decent price.
3. I don't like the grille. It needs help. Any suggestions there?
Again, several members here have painted, removed emblem, and installed aftermarket grills.
4. Are there any problems I can expect? I know this is a quality car. But is there anything to worry about? The car I bought JUST had the timing belt replaced by LEXUS.
As long as the major service bulletin items has been applied, your car should be trouble free.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Like Airtime said, you can change the lid and outer lights to the '04+ lights, but that requires some major money. For $400 or less, you can get the aftermarket LEDs from EBay. You can also easily upgrade to LED 3rd brake light too, just look at the current thread running about it.
Mike:
I have like-new 18" aftermarket rims and tires if you're interested.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/whe...res-800-a.html
I have like-new 18" aftermarket rims and tires if you're interested.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/whe...res-800-a.html
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Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 264
Likes: 7
From: Poulsbo, WA
Welcome to CL and good luck with your new ride.
Lots of posts on the look of the older gen. tails and a few of us have changed them out to LED's as along with you, I didn't like the amber look on my '02. I got mine from Option Racing in Cali and love the look...no probs with any dash lights coming on either although I have heard of other members having them.
Here's a link to a rather lengthy conversation on them.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...r-01-03-a.html
Good luck.
Lots of posts on the look of the older gen. tails and a few of us have changed them out to LED's as along with you, I didn't like the amber look on my '02. I got mine from Option Racing in Cali and love the look...no probs with any dash lights coming on either although I have heard of other members having them.
Here's a link to a rather lengthy conversation on them.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...r-01-03-a.html
Good luck.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Plug and Play
This is definitely the faster, cheaper, and I think cleaner way to go.
Good luck and have fun hunting for your lights.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: wi
