01 vs 03
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Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 101
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From: Missouri
01 vs 03
Looking at two 430's; one is out of state and has 78k on the clock. It is a black on black 01 with nav and that's about it.
The 2003 is local and has 126k and is silver on black with 04+ wheels as well as the custom luxury package. Timing belt and front struts are about a month old.
Prices are near the same with the 01 being a little higher as well as for sale by a dealer where the 03 is private party. 01 is single owner and 03 is second but had it since 7500.
I lean towards the 03 because of the CL package. It does have a bad woofer but everything else is in excellent shape. I am assuming the 01 does not have soft-close doors nor the dual-pane windows and what not?
Any thoughts? I love my 98 but I think starter #2 may be nearing the end plus I'm hitting timing belt miles at almost 180k.
TIA!
The 2003 is local and has 126k and is silver on black with 04+ wheels as well as the custom luxury package. Timing belt and front struts are about a month old.
Prices are near the same with the 01 being a little higher as well as for sale by a dealer where the 03 is private party. 01 is single owner and 03 is second but had it since 7500.
I lean towards the 03 because of the CL package. It does have a bad woofer but everything else is in excellent shape. I am assuming the 01 does not have soft-close doors nor the dual-pane windows and what not?
Any thoughts? I love my 98 but I think starter #2 may be nearing the end plus I'm hitting timing belt miles at almost 180k.
TIA!
I agree that the 04-06 looks better but the big benefit is getting the 6 speed automatic. 01-03 are 5 speed. With all things equal, and they never really are, I would lean towards the 2003 if that is your only two choices. Be picky and search. I drove about a 1000 mile round trip to get my 04 UL. I'm very happy I did not settle for something else just because it was local.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 505
Likes: 2
From: Ca
as an fyi to all those who always hammer that 01--3 are ugly, my car with 123000 still looks like new and is one of the most beautiful on road
also the 5 speed aisin tranny in the 01-03 is the most reliable ever put in a production car
happy thanksgiving to all
also the 5 speed aisin tranny in the 01-03 is the most reliable ever put in a production car
happy thanksgiving to all
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I would take the 03 since the Custom Luxury package is rare and it's already got the timing belt done. However the silver paint on the 01-03's is pretty ugly compared to the silver 04+ LS430's. It really comes down to color preference.
If you choose the 01 you can get all of the OEM parts needed to replace the timing belt, water pump, and spark plugs off of Amazon.com for under $300. The labor shouldn't be as bad since you're supplying your own parts.
If you choose the 01 you can get all of the OEM parts needed to replace the timing belt, water pump, and spark plugs off of Amazon.com for under $300. The labor shouldn't be as bad since you're supplying your own parts.
I wasn't aware of the differences between the 01-03's and the 04-06's until kira took the time to explain it to me.
but since then ive sort of been obsessed about it
but I still love my 03, I feel lucky and blessed to own it , and sure the newer models might look a bit better, but once u get a nice set of wheels on, and a few minor upgrades, No one really notices anyways .
if the 01 and 03 are the same price id probably go with the one with lower mileage, that's just me.
but since then ive sort of been obsessed about it
but I still love my 03, I feel lucky and blessed to own it , and sure the newer models might look a bit better, but once u get a nice set of wheels on, and a few minor upgrades, No one really notices anyways .
if the 01 and 03 are the same price id probably go with the one with lower mileage, that's just me.
It's funny how some users here are making the 01-03 a special car compared to the 04-06. It's really nothing compared to how sleek the second generation looks. The 6 gear transmission says at all without the looks. But I do understand you just say that because your car happens to be a 01-03.
Sorry OP, just had to say it.
Sorry OP, just had to say it.
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