Rarest LS430 UL?
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 399
Likes: 12
From: AL
Don't buy it even if you find it
Don't buy an Ultra. The potential problems with air suspension are daunting. It's never a question of "will it fail," but rather "when." And when it does, the cost is beyond outrageous.
I love my UL as well. You will be hard pressed finding UL owners complaining about the car. Actually, only non UL owners seem to say don't buy the car based on the air suspension alone. Kind of ridiculous. It's also very easy to convert the suspension and enjoy all the goodies that you don't get in a CL edition or ML and base.
My 04 is a rare combo. Briarwood Pearl with a Saddle interior. Only offered in 04 from what I understand. Not many out there and it's a lovely combination.
My 04 is a rare combo. Briarwood Pearl with a Saddle interior. Only offered in 04 from what I understand. Not many out there and it's a lovely combination.
Last edited by Lavrishevo; Oct 31, 2014 at 01:51 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 727
Likes: 241
From: UT
I love how different it is, but probably would not buy it. I do wish they would a full saddle interior instead of saddle on black........or white on terracota...yes!!! But I love Ecru. Hard to keep clean here in the NW but worth it for the brightness.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 302
Likes: 17
From: CA
- I consider suspension of any kind to be a wear and tear item. When the air struts fail you notice it much more than when standard struts wear out.
Outrageous. depends on your definition of it and how hard you shop. For the average customer, it is pretty high, no doubt. But we as Lexus LS members are a bit spoiled since we venture into this car partly due to its high build quality and outstanding reliability. I don't consider air suspension to affect my impression of the 430.
I speak from personal knowledge since I bought an 05 UL and replaced the front 2 air struts right after purchase, with new original air struts. Pretty uncommon to replace air with air, huh?
In every LS pretty much the whole suspension will be replaced at least once during the lifetime of the car. From the control arms to the shocks or air-shocks. They will wear out. Not to mention wheel bearings, tie rod ends, etc... It's so easy to source a nice used air-shock or convert the suspension if you want. The upgrades with having a UL model vs dealing with a failing air-shock is nowhere close to deter the enjoyment of the vehicle. Of course $1200 per air-shock is a lot but the great part is that you have multiple choices and you are not stuck.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 15
Likes: 6
From: VA
UL briarwood
I love my UL as well. You will be hard pressed finding UL owners complaining about the car. Actually, only non UL owners seem to say don't buy the car based on the air suspension alone. Kind of ridiculous. It's also very easy to convert the suspension and enjoy all the goodies that you don't get in a CL edition or ML and base.
My 04 is a rare combo. Briarwood Pearl with a Saddle interior. Only offered in 04 from what I understand. Not many out there and it's a lovely combination.
My 04 is a rare combo. Briarwood Pearl with a Saddle interior. Only offered in 04 from what I understand. Not many out there and it's a lovely combination.
She was a beautiful car
https://www.clublexus.com/g/album/234814
Last edited by Lavrishevo; Jul 2, 2020 at 05:43 PM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 15
Likes: 6
From: VA
You're lucky I randomly checked this thread. I don't visit the LS forums too much and I drive GX460, SC430, and a Opima Optima PHEV now. Unfortunately, I did sell it. I got bored and, well, you know how those things go. Never seen another like it. I have some regrets selling it but honestly I really enjoy taking the GX off road and cruising with the top down in the SC.
https://www.clublexus.com/g/album/234814
https://www.clublexus.com/g/album/234814
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