Welcome, Greg. Since you've been lurking here for a while, you know the unwritten rule. Post up some pics of the new ride.

 

My wife totaled her Acura MDX, and I wanted to replace it with something safe. She wanted a BMW. I was about to give in and get her one, when I read an article about the CEO of Ford who was driving an LS430, and said that he drove it because it was the best car ever made. I had to guess this guy knew what he was talking about.

I had never owned a Lexus, but at the time, with gas approaching $5 a gallon, I found a deal on Ebay, 2006 LS430 for 30K or make an offer. The guy accepted 26K, the car was only a year and a half old past production date, with 58K miles on it. An 80K car for that price with warranty to 100K was a deal. I later bought the convertable LS, and have found both cars to be flawless. We put less than 10K a year on these cars, so I am guessing we will have them for a long time.

Kind of funny though, we own Lexus because Ford told us to buy it.

 

That would be Alan Mullaly when he at Boeing and tapped to be CEO of Ford. I guess rumors persisted about whether he continued to own a LS430.

http://www.automobilesdeluxe.tv/is-f...iving-a-lexus/

 

Big sedan, cavernous back seat, V8, incredible gas mileage, loaded with comfort and toys, quiet at any and all speeds, cops leave you alone, a $56K new vehicle is a $25K bargain with plenty of life left, rock solid reliability, memory seats for the occasional wife (shorty) driven outing, HID lamps, cool LEDs to see your feet at night, it's a much longer list but time to eat dinner...

 

DARN YOU !!!!

We're taking the ride again this Oct. Look for a black, tint all around, with Disney family stickers on the rear glass.

 

Legendary build quality/reliability, smooth, quiet, roomy, nice creature comforts, rock solid at high speeds, V8 engine w/ good fuel economy. If the Toyota Crown were sold here, I may have bought it since it has a slightly shorter wheelbase...easier to park since I'm the primary drive (otherwise, a nearly identical car w/ the same optional massage rear seats, power door closers, 6spd tranny, aluminum suspension, but w/ a 3.5L V6).

The LS430, designed in the late 1990's, is from the golden era of Toyota before QC went downhill @ 2007. I just had a loaner 2006 GS300 (new body style) over the weekend. The dash and center console rattled like crazy despite only having 25K mi on it...fewer miles than my 2005 LS while is a lot quieter on the same bumpy road.

 

After many months of driving dozens of cars to replace a 2004 Chevy Malibu that was just a little too small, we had decided on a new Toyota Avalon. On the way to the Toyota dealer on a Saturday in Sept 2008 we passed Lexus of Maplewood. (We had already driven and subsequently eliminated Ford, Chevy, Cadillac, Lincoln, Nissan, Hyundai and Chrysler but didn't really know anything about Lexus beside that they were expensive cars.) We looked at a new GS and ES but they were too small. So the salesguy says "Have you ever thought about a CPO?" and points to a LS430 UL - 2005 with 45M. One drive and I was hooked. It was big enough but not too big, ultra-luxurious, etc. All the things we owners all love. I spent all day Sunday and Monday researching and realized what a special car this was. We went back Monday night and bought a $73,000 MSRP car for less than half that price with an outstanding warranty and great financing. Without a doubt the best decision we've ever made. This is the best car we will ever own! And we hope to have it for years to come!

 

I think it was around 1989 . . . I was watching the ole tv and this commerical comes on for some new awesome looking car. When I found out it was a Lexus, I told myself I'd have one of those one day. My father in law was the first person I knew with one. He got a 1990 LS. I'll never forget the night we came over to see it. He brings out a flashlight and shines it on the paint and says, see it looks black but it's really green. I tease him about that to this day (He now has an 02 LS430).

Around 94 I was able to find a 92 red ES300. I drove it for 4 years and really wanted a 94 LS. Put the ES in the paper and got exactly what I asked. Found the 94 LS and drove it 10 years. Now I have the 05 LS430. Love love love!

Why? It drives like a dream. It has an incredible sound system. Love the Keyless start. So far it is maintenance free (knock on simulated wood). Has plenty of room in the back for peeps to stretch out. Fits me like a glove and I'm no small guy. Great trunk space. Lots of inside storage. CD is inside instead of trunk (lol hated that in the LS). Nav is ok, but I do enjoy the touch screen for radio, climate, etc. Has about every creature comfort I could ask for and I was able to get it at a price I felt good about. Lastly, I think it's looks awesome! I don't drive it much since I work out of the house. But when I come out of a store, the gym, or a restaurant, etc, I get the biggest **** eating grin when it comes in to focus.

I hope to have this car for at least 10 years or more. Nothing else even catches my eye as I drive down the road. Wonder what might be out there about 2015!!

 

I liked the looks, is rock steady over 100 mph, reliability and it is a great used car value with amenities, features and safety. Never thought I could afford one but got a great deal. Drove others but none drove like this. 04

 

Always wanted an LS since 90 when i in 9th grade. IMO, i think Lexus made that car for me but since i couldnt afford it in 1990, they just decided to mass produce it until i was able to afford one. One of only a few cars that i ever fell in love with and it sits on top of that list along with the 1990 300zx and of course K.I.T.T from knightrider. I will test drive a LS460 one day to see if thats my next step but if not, my 430 will do until the next LS arrives. Even then i think ill still keep the 430 too because imo, it will be a classic at least in the ranks of Lexus

 

DON'T even get me started about K.I.T.T. from KnightRider.

I loved that car soo much..GOD I still am in love with that car.

I wish I had the funds to buy one.

I have the entire series of the show on my computer!

 

What simulated wood? In the LS? That's REAL WOOD baby !!!! Don't let the super shiny Yamaha piano polish look fool you, that ain't no Chrysler fake wood, it's the real deal.

It's not solid piece of wood, it's wood over plastic, but it's REAL WOOD !!!

 

Daily Driver... The LS430 has been all over the East Coast, but only as far West as Memphis.

 

thats not what I heard.
proof please ?

 

I don't know who you "heard" from that the wood in the LS is simulated, but here is video from Lexus site for the wood:

http://www.lexus.com/quality/in_the_factory.html

Just browse down and click the wood video.

It's for the current ES, but Lexus is not putting real wood on the ES and simulated on the LS. All Lexus wood trims are real, no simulated, always has been from time Lexus was started.

Hey, if you still doubt, take a hot metal pin and stick through a trim. If it's simulated (plastic) it will burn right through. If it's wood, you'll just burn the gloss off, then the wood will burn and you should smell a nice burning smell of wood.