jsb1990

Hi there everyone,

I will be posting this on the LS400 page as well then I can get both sides of the story!

I have been considering buying an LS for some time, however I have just not been in a financial position to do so. It appears I will be now! =)

I am deliberating between an LS400 or an LS430. I have two options - I can buy a very low mileage LS400 or a higher mileage LS430. I have seen an immaculate black 2000 LS400 with 175,000km and also a very nice white 2002 LS430 with 225,000km and the navigation screen - so 50,000km more. They are both impeccable - it is hard to know which way to go. I know Lexuses are fantastic cars and rock solid reliable, so 225,000km is not much for a Lexus.

I want a supremely comfortable, smooth and reliable ride. Which of the cars is the better option? Obviously the LS430 will be newer and more technologically advanced, and I particularly like the heated and cooled seats. Which will offer the better ride? Which has the better sound system? Which car will have the more comfortable seats and softer leather? All these questions!

Out of curiosity also, what is the differentiation in fuel consumption between the two? I am in Australia so we measure it in litres per 100km. I guess some of you will need to do your conversions to miles per gallon. The official statistics quote the LS400 at 12 litres per 100km in the city and the LS430 at 11.2 litres per 100km. As most of my driving will be stop-start, city driving in peak hour - I would appreciate some real life statistics between the two cars.

Anyone who can provide me with insight into the two cars, I would be most appreciative.

J =)

AlexusAnja

I guess at this point, low is relative. 100k miles in most people's minds would be high. For a 13 year old car, that's pretty good.

If the price is comparable, I'd go with the 430 as "newer" and you get more modern features and i believe the 430 to be better than 400 in finish and material quality. I think if you asked on 400 forum who would move up to a 430, most would. I would not worry about either breaking though.

Jabberwock

LS400 is starting to get close to vintage car age territory. As such the plastic and rubber on the car inside , outside, and underneath are starting to significantly age. Bushings, rubber hose, boots, vacuum lines, and then all the plastics parts require careful inspection and potential replacement once a car is 15-20 years old to be a reliable daily driver. Certainly not that hard to do but likely required at some point soon. A newer LS430 would give you a few more years before it needs same treatment.

Natey2

With these highly reliable cars, age takes more of a toll on them than mileage.
Can anyone here tell the difference between a LS with 40K and 80K miles, just by driving it?
Or 100K and 150K miles?

toddmorr

i would lean towards the 430, for reasons others have pointed out. However, even though both are apparently immaculate I would really dig deep on the maintenance histories of both. There are possibly significant differences in what has been repaired or maintained on them over time. For example, i know of a mint ls400 at work that has had all its hoses, belts, suspension bushings etc done in the last 2 yrs. That's huge, and worth something compared to a 430 that hasn't had problems, but also has not had that work done.

BradTank

The LS400 will be the more comfortable cruiser, Lexus has now tilted it's vehicle line up to be more "European" with sportier (and firmer) handling. The LS400 is more akin to a Cadillac in the ride department, and LS430 more like a Mercedes. Both though are comfortable cars.

Reliability wise, it's probably a push between the two, the LS400 might win out slightly just because it's a simpler design and has less miles.

I personally prefer the LS430, I like the updates and the LS400 looks dated in my opinion.

I will say I would have preferred had Lexus not tried to make their cars please car magazine writers and continued making their cars smooth and comfortable.

I had a ES300 before this, and in many ways it was a more comfortable car than my current LS430. I drove a new ES350 as a loaner, and it was downright harsh.

jsb1990

Thanks for all the info guys. I did have a feeling that the LS400 might be the better go in the end - more technological gadgets ultimately mean more money should something break. The lower miles are better too.

I was seriously looking at an early W140 500SEL (the early S500) from 1993 but I just think it's playing with fire. It's just immaculate, full service history, all major work done etc - and in theory I would love to own it and I'm sure compared with an LS400 it runs rings around it - but I don't have $10,000 spare should it break down.