[QUOTE=BMW7_LS430;4497071]When I was upgrading I was just looking into 2003-2006 745Li/750Li/750i
These cars are awesome. I can tell you that BMW leather is several times better than lexus. I drove a 06 750i with 100K and the leather looked brand new. No kidding. 8 speed transmission is great too.

True. But I loooove the buttery soft lexus leather. My 99 GS had 145k miles when I sold it last year-still looks new. Helps when you take good care of it

I pulled back with the idea when I read reliability issues with all the gizmos in 7 series. Then I started looking into warranty and it would have been $5500 for four years. I compared it with LS430 warranty..$2500. I knew what I had to do to ensure kids college fund.

When my brother in law decided to BUY a BMW, I told him probably over 100x to buy whatever extended warranty on top of the warranty they have in store. I'm sure it's more than paid itself off over the times he brought it in


Sorry fellas but I found new 7 series better in every aspect expect it's desire to be at shop more often.

True. OMG, I can't believe how awesome it drives! I love their active suspension, handles unbelievably well. I felt it was a bit stiff esp. when certain part of the freeway was choppy, I got a little tired.......old age is finally showing up
If I lived in the mountains where twisties are an everyday thing, no way would I get the LS....then again, I'll be commuting in an NSX instead
But since my time and money is valuable and I have better things to take care of than to make service appt., Lexus all the way

Now if you compare LS460 then that is a different story.
I haven't driven one yet but I am looking forward to getting a 2007 in 2-3 years.
No offense to the LS460 owners, but I didn't think the 460 is that great over the 430 Well see in another 2-3 years

Yeah. Why? Mine (by the owners manual) says I have rear air but no nav. What does this mean?


Nav is cool but something I don't need.

When I said, "are you serious?" it was in reference to you being unsure if you had a Custom Lux or not. I think we had 5 separate threads in the past 5 weeks regarding identification of a Custom Luxury (CL) vs. Ultra Luxury (UL).

Those topics are also searchable...another great tool that sometimes gets overlooked.

Welcome to the forum and clean looking LS. IMO, you can't go wrong with either CL or UL. I was looking to buy either one, provided it was the right one for me (i.e. meeting my requirements of overall condition)

LOVE it looks great man, sometimes i wish i spent a bit more to find a CL but im still happy with the ML

You can't go by the manual, it is generic. you have to look at the car. I don't know about 02 but in 2005, there was a separate manual for nav so it wasn't in the main manual.
My manual also talks about a rear AC and AC controls in the rear center arm rest but my car doesn't have it because it is a CL not a UL.

Man, u said it! I love my Ultra Lux! The air ride is phenomenal! I have never owned such a smooth car. Also, the back seat controls are amazing, usually for everyone else but me. I try to make my friends drive, (which they don't usually mind doing) so I can hop in the back and enjoy a nice massage. It won't replace your masseuse, but it's still nice to have. If I could go back and make my decision again, I would pick the exact same car. You can't match the options you get in this thing vs. any other manufacturer. BMW, Benz or Audi don't have anything on the options. I could've used A/C seats in the rear as well as the front, but I guess I don't really care about that

I came in here to congratulate a New Member with Silver LS430 - Custom Luxury; only to find out that it is my own thread.

Thanks for a one year bump!

I am happy to report that I am very happy with my purchase and one year of trouble free ride.

LMAO!!! Congrats---again!?

Big deal one year... pssst.... you'll be fine for ten more years. Let's all come back in fifteen years and see who still have their 430 and what issues were encountered.

Great car!

time to get corolla then...
this logic is a bit annoying 2 me, when shopping for FLAGSHIP Luxury Car... We are not looking at Entry Level or Mid-Level Luxury... We are talking about FLAGSHIP.

More Goodies = More Luxury
Less Goodies = Less Luxury

end of story...

Agree wholeheartedly.