How does the LS430's performance stack up today?
How does the LS430's performance stack up today?
During the LS430's years of production it was considered pretty formidable in terms of what the drive train produced. Nowadays, i see a number of mainstream cars with just as much HP as our beloved chariots. That said, we still have a nice lead in the torque department. So my question is does having more torque than said vehicles even though they have more HP still make our cars relatively competitive? Where could the 430 rank if compared to similar HP cars of today?
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
Torque is always more important than raw hp. I believe the 5.9s 60mph number is acceptable, but not that good anymore. The 27mpg real world highway efficiency is very goos for a car of this size. As for comfort and such, it's still better than most.
CL Community Team
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
Combo of power and mpg on the LS430 is unmatched in a normal gas engine car. We had a great time road tripping 400 miles in our 2010 Miata this weekend. Our tiny 140hp Miata got 28 mpg mostly 50-60 mph driving - thats only about 1-2 mpg better than the LS430 would have done.
The LS can still keep up with new cars at the moment. I've had a new V6 Camaro and Genesis coupe try to race me and I kept up with ease. However cars are getting more and more powerful these days.
It's not that fast if you compare it to newer S-Classes and 7 Series BMW's though. The Germans always seem to have the power advantage over the LS.
It's not that fast if you compare it to newer S-Classes and 7 Series BMW's though. The Germans always seem to have the power advantage over the LS.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
The LS can still keep up with new cars at the moment. I've had a new V6 Camaro and Genesis coupe try to race me and I kept up with ease. However cars are getting more and more powerful these days.
It's not that fast if you compare it to newer S-Classes and 7 Series BMW's though. The Germans always seem to have the power advantage over the LS.
It's not that fast if you compare it to newer S-Classes and 7 Series BMW's though. The Germans always seem to have the power advantage over the LS.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 64
From: Toronto, Canada
If I am not mistaken, the sub six second 0 -60 mph time of the LS has now is the same as the Porsche 911 turbo did about 30 years ago.
It's true, there are lots of newer, faster cars out there, but unless you're actually racing your LS, what's the point. In urban areas, with all the cars on the road, you have to be lucky to actually travel the speed limit most of the time. And when on the highway, the police are everywhere, so high speed driving is asking for trouble.
It costs quite a pile more cash to buy another luxury car that's much faster than the LS. For me, it's not worth it.
It's true, there are lots of newer, faster cars out there, but unless you're actually racing your LS, what's the point. In urban areas, with all the cars on the road, you have to be lucky to actually travel the speed limit most of the time. And when on the highway, the police are everywhere, so high speed driving is asking for trouble.
It costs quite a pile more cash to buy another luxury car that's much faster than the LS. For me, it's not worth it.
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Yeah, that sounds about right. 
I love German cars. I'm not a fan of the high repair costs though.
That MR2 is so clean! It looks brand new.
I love German cars. I'm not a fan of the high repair costs though.
That MR2 is so clean! It looks brand new.
Driver
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 67
Likes: 2
From: NC
As someone who grew up with muscle cars I can tell you torque is what it's all about (well, OK.. the whine of a exotic running at 10K is kinda cool too). The strongest car I've ever driven was a 79 Z28 with a blueprinted 427 tri-power. Damn thing could stand on it's tail from 10 mph in 4th (final gear back then). Today, when I need an adrenaline rush I take my 78 Z28 with a 500HP 383 Stroker out for a spin. Not nearly the torque of the 427, but strong just the same. With that said, my LS isn't intended to compete with these cars. When I drive my LS I appreciate being bathed in luxury, pampered with convenience and comforted in the knowledge that it's just going to keep working flawlessly. That's what an LS is about. But oh, btw.. there aren't too many cars that can watch me in their rear view mirrors when I don't want them to.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Ca
I think the LS430 still stacks up with other full size sedans.
For being an older V8 that's been around for a while, it stillll moves the LS430 with 4 grown adults in the car.
As opposed to the power, I'm thinking the transmission is not up to par.
The delay in shifts when trying to maneuver in a hairy situation is not as responsive as current cars.
Even dropping the gear shift in the manual gate to down shift has a delay.
*no complaints, the transmission is very smooth and strong,
I'm just comparing with the other full size luxury cars I've driven.
For being an older V8 that's been around for a while, it stillll moves the LS430 with 4 grown adults in the car.
As opposed to the power, I'm thinking the transmission is not up to par.
The delay in shifts when trying to maneuver in a hairy situation is not as responsive as current cars.
Even dropping the gear shift in the manual gate to down shift has a delay.
*no complaints, the transmission is very smooth and strong,
I'm just comparing with the other full size luxury cars I've driven.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: DC
I wonder about this too. I was ready to buy a more recent 460 than my 430, but couldn't pass up what I got. Sure, mine is 9 years old, but it drives way better than anything else on the road right now (at least what I can afford!). I took mine into the shop this morning and the repair place gave me a brand new Camry with 1500 miles on it as a loaner, but I just can't stand this new car! Give me my old used car any day over this. So, when considering how a used 430 stacks up against a new car of the same price, it's not even a contest! Call me crazy, but I just don't see why anyone would buy something else for the same money.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 64
From: Toronto, Canada
When you talk about performance, there are faster cars out there. Even though I am not a fast driver, I NEVER see a higher performance Benz, Jaguar, Audi or Porsche, Cadi CTS-V driving any faster than I can in my LS.
But, every once in a while on the highway one of these cars goes by at 100+ mph, passes me, and then quickly slows down to the speed limit, which is something I do in my LS too ...
So for 99.9 % of the time, these faster cars are driven on the same roads and at the same speeds as I do in my LS. I don't see the point of a super fast car unless you take it to a race track.
But, every once in a while on the highway one of these cars goes by at 100+ mph, passes me, and then quickly slows down to the speed limit, which is something I do in my LS too ...
So for 99.9 % of the time, these faster cars are driven on the same roads and at the same speeds as I do in my LS. I don't see the point of a super fast car unless you take it to a race track.