Does the LS430 really drive all that better than the 98-00 LS400?
08-01-10, 08:24 AM
#1
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Does the LS430 really drive all that better than the 98-00 LS400?
Hi All -
In another current thread started by RomanTPA "Finally, ... I gots one!", Lexuspro asked the question "Does the LS430 really drive all that better than the 98-00 LS400?" which got me to thinking just how much of an upgrade it really is.
This Spring we've purchased two (an 06 and an 02) LS430's after having two LS400's and yes, as expected, there are some major differences. That said, there's also a sense of 'sameness' to a certain degree as the original LS400 was truly a substantial, well engineered, and most important, groundbreaking vehicle in many ways, especially bang for your buck. Hell, they came out of the gate in '89 w/ a sticker under $40k !
After getting my first LS400 back in '93, I remember being awestruck by how well built the car was, especially after innumerable rentals of domestic vehicles (yeah, I was a road warrier at the time) which were absolute crap compared to my new LS400. When we purchased our current LS430's, I got the very same feeling only magnified several times over. I'm overwhelmed by how well built the 430's are. Aside from a strong sense of comfort/safety, there's a pride of ownership factor knowing there's very few cars on the road that can outperform this vehicle.
Then there's the electronics - a double edged sword to be sure in that along with the convenience of these features, there's an obvious price to pay when something goes awry. Hmmmm, I'll take my chances ;-) Other than the headlight washers on my CL, I can't think of any other accessories I'd want to do without.
The switch from LS400's to LS430's was far and away one of the most pleasant vehicle experiences I've had to date.
Good driving to all -
Will and the Fur Crew
In another current thread started by RomanTPA "Finally, ... I gots one!", Lexuspro asked the question "Does the LS430 really drive all that better than the 98-00 LS400?" which got me to thinking just how much of an upgrade it really is.
This Spring we've purchased two (an 06 and an 02) LS430's after having two LS400's and yes, as expected, there are some major differences. That said, there's also a sense of 'sameness' to a certain degree as the original LS400 was truly a substantial, well engineered, and most important, groundbreaking vehicle in many ways, especially bang for your buck. Hell, they came out of the gate in '89 w/ a sticker under $40k !
After getting my first LS400 back in '93, I remember being awestruck by how well built the car was, especially after innumerable rentals of domestic vehicles (yeah, I was a road warrier at the time) which were absolute crap compared to my new LS400. When we purchased our current LS430's, I got the very same feeling only magnified several times over. I'm overwhelmed by how well built the 430's are. Aside from a strong sense of comfort/safety, there's a pride of ownership factor knowing there's very few cars on the road that can outperform this vehicle.
Then there's the electronics - a double edged sword to be sure in that along with the convenience of these features, there's an obvious price to pay when something goes awry. Hmmmm, I'll take my chances ;-) Other than the headlight washers on my CL, I can't think of any other accessories I'd want to do without.
The switch from LS400's to LS430's was far and away one of the most pleasant vehicle experiences I've had to date.
Good driving to all -
Will and the Fur Crew
08-01-10, 09:14 AM
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I thought nothing would make me think my Acura RL's were the best car ever made.
I was wrong: the RL's are gone and I now drive a 430.
But do still own 2 Honda Ridgelines and a 2001 Accord.
I was wrong: the RL's are gone and I now drive a 430.
But do still own 2 Honda Ridgelines and a 2001 Accord.
08-01-10, 09:30 AM
#4
I love when you floor it and passing some one, noone in the car even notices that you just went from 60ish to 100 in just couple of seconds
EDIT: i have neer driven a car that could do that. and i have driven 100s of cars over the years when i was a mechanic and did valet
EDIT: i have neer driven a car that could do that. and i have driven 100s of cars over the years when i was a mechanic and did valet
Last edited by RomanTPA; 08-01-10 at 09:33 AM.
08-01-10, 09:47 AM
#5
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I test drove a CPO 2000 LS400 and a new 2003 LS430 back to back on a late summer evening in 2003. Both of the 2000 CPO LS400's the dealer had in stock were priced at $39,995 but the salesman seemed desperate to sell me a base 03 LS430 at $49,000 and change. He wouldn't budge on the prices of the used 2000 LS400's. Maybe the salesman really was desperate as he was sacked the next day. And I suspect he thought he could sell me the new LS430 since I had already bought one new LS there.
I actually couldn't tell much difference in the way the 2000 LS400 and the 2003 LS430 drove or "felt" -- maybe because they had essentially the same engine power rating and 5-speed transmission. Both seemed completely different and infinitely nicer than the LS400 I bought at the same dealership in early 1990. The 2000 LS400 felt more familiar and comfortable to me probably because the controls and layout was more similar to the 90 LS I'd been driving for ... like forever.
I bought a non-CPO and even better equipped low mileage 2000 LS from an auto broker a few weeks later in the color I really wanted (white) for about $9,000 less than the Lexus dealer was asking for the two CPO 00 LS400's. My CPA wife probably would have "had a cow" if I had spent another $18-$19K on the LS430 ... it was OK with her when I bought a new LS when I was 39 years old in 1990 but quite a different matter at age 53 in 2003 -- something about "saving for retirement".
Maybe my decision would have been different if I had realized the advantages of the 03 LS430. I cursed the 00 LS400 each time I shoehorned the wife's wheelchair into its trunk after having to remove the chair's front wheels. The chair would have easily fit in the LS430's huge trunk without removing the wheels. And while I'm not much of an sat radio or iPod fan, maybe I would be I had a car like an LS430 that could accept a VAIS interface.
As a 2000 LS400 owner, I absolutely agree that the LS430 is a far superior car. It just took me a while to realize it.
I actually couldn't tell much difference in the way the 2000 LS400 and the 2003 LS430 drove or "felt" -- maybe because they had essentially the same engine power rating and 5-speed transmission. Both seemed completely different and infinitely nicer than the LS400 I bought at the same dealership in early 1990. The 2000 LS400 felt more familiar and comfortable to me probably because the controls and layout was more similar to the 90 LS I'd been driving for ... like forever.
I bought a non-CPO and even better equipped low mileage 2000 LS from an auto broker a few weeks later in the color I really wanted (white) for about $9,000 less than the Lexus dealer was asking for the two CPO 00 LS400's. My CPA wife probably would have "had a cow" if I had spent another $18-$19K on the LS430 ... it was OK with her when I bought a new LS when I was 39 years old in 1990 but quite a different matter at age 53 in 2003 -- something about "saving for retirement".
Maybe my decision would have been different if I had realized the advantages of the 03 LS430. I cursed the 00 LS400 each time I shoehorned the wife's wheelchair into its trunk after having to remove the chair's front wheels. The chair would have easily fit in the LS430's huge trunk without removing the wheels. And while I'm not much of an sat radio or iPod fan, maybe I would be I had a car like an LS430 that could accept a VAIS interface.
As a 2000 LS400 owner, I absolutely agree that the LS430 is a far superior car. It just took me a while to realize it.
08-01-10, 11:13 AM
#6
Nice comments. Though not a 430 owner, the trunk space of the 400 is sorely lacking due to the placement of the gas tank. That is where the 430 is a big win in terms of allowing use for long road trips or Costco shopping.
For many LS owners, the transition from one to another is pretty smooth since the layout has a familiar feel and placement. The engine refinement allows it to me more powerful yet still reasonable with gas consumption. More win.
For many LS owners, the transition from one to another is pretty smooth since the layout has a familiar feel and placement. The engine refinement allows it to me more powerful yet still reasonable with gas consumption. More win.
08-01-10, 11:36 AM
#7
I can honestly say that I liked the exterior styling on my 99 LS400 better, but what wins me over in the LS430 is the interior - It was a huge leap in refinement. I also love the abundant amount of passing power in the 98+ LS. I never had a problem overtaking a couple cars, if needed, on a stretch of country highway.
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08-01-10, 01:36 PM
#9
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I can honestly say that I liked the exterior styling on my 99 LS400 better, but what wins me over in the LS430 is the interior - It was a huge leap in refinement. I also love the abundant amount of passing power in the 98+ LS. I never had a problem overtaking a couple cars, if needed, on a stretch of country highway.
Also how about power in the LS430?
Faster more powerful?
Shifts better?
08-01-10, 06:03 PM
#10
Pit Crew
Just bought my 03 430 last week. Have had the 99 400 since January. Definitely like the ride better in the 430. I love them both, but have to give the nod to the 430. It doesn't hurt that I got my preferred color combo (blk/blk), or that I got the 03 with 56k vs the 99 with 177k. I put a Pioneer touch screen DVD/CD with Bluetooth in the 99 a few weeks ago. Pretty nice. Now I'll have to do that in the 03 as well.
Right now, planning to keep both. That may change, but could see myself using the 99 as a daily, and the 03 on the weekends/evenings.
Right now, planning to keep both. That may change, but could see myself using the 99 as a daily, and the 03 on the weekends/evenings.
08-02-10, 02:58 AM
#11
08-02-10, 03:15 AM
#12
The 99 I had was a hair faster to 60mph (by a fender), but once 60 is there, they ran side by side. I think they shift about as smooth too. It's almost like driving the same car, only more refined inside. If I had a 2004+ Model, then I'm pretty sure it would have been right next to the 99 if not a little faster.
08-02-10, 09:47 AM
#13
[quote=RomanTPA;5683064]I love when you floor it and passing some one, noone in the car even notices that you just went from 60ish to 100 in just couple of seconds
If I had a louder and less smoother vehicle, then my girlfriend would make me drive 60 on the highway! With this car its no problem going 80 before she notices anything lol
If I had a louder and less smoother vehicle, then my girlfriend would make me drive 60 on the highway! With this car its no problem going 80 before she notices anything lol
08-02-10, 10:29 AM
#14
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I've owned both (a 98 LS400 and my current 2005 LS430 Ultra).
Suspension wise the LS430 gets the nod for a more comfy car, but both of them have the 'buttery' ride that always has my passengers noting that there is something special about this car.
Straight line, both cars are reasonably powerful but not close to 'fast'... the LS430 is 'slightly' faster than the LS400 but not worlds different. They both have roughly the same motor with the LS400 1UZ-FE powered 300 hp and the LS430 3UZ-FE at 290 hp (due to ratings changes), but also U-LEV smog certified. The biggest performance difference comes in the 04+ LS430 6 speed transmission .
From a tech perspective the LS430 jumps way ahead of my 98 LS, but that's to be expected and you can retrofit much of that stuff into an older car (except for the safety items).
The LS430 is clearly an evolution of the earlier car (not a revolution from...); Lexus has done a great job on keeping the car familiar but making it better in each generation.
Suspension wise the LS430 gets the nod for a more comfy car, but both of them have the 'buttery' ride that always has my passengers noting that there is something special about this car.
Straight line, both cars are reasonably powerful but not close to 'fast'... the LS430 is 'slightly' faster than the LS400 but not worlds different. They both have roughly the same motor with the LS400 1UZ-FE powered 300 hp and the LS430 3UZ-FE at 290 hp (due to ratings changes), but also U-LEV smog certified. The biggest performance difference comes in the 04+ LS430 6 speed transmission .
From a tech perspective the LS430 jumps way ahead of my 98 LS, but that's to be expected and you can retrofit much of that stuff into an older car (except for the safety items).
The LS430 is clearly an evolution of the earlier car (not a revolution from...); Lexus has done a great job on keeping the car familiar but making it better in each generation.