Notices
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

LS430 Top Speed? (merged threads)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 10, 2018 | 02:49 PM
  #61  
Kira X's Avatar
Kira X
桜犯罪シンジケート
CL Folding 10,000
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,698
Likes: 673
From: 東京都
Default

I’ve always wondered about this. I’ve hit 110 in my LS and it felt stable. I’m curious as to how it would feel if I went even faster.
Reply
Old Oct 11, 2018 | 12:40 PM
  #62  
05ls430518's Avatar
05ls430518
Pole Position
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 268
From: New York
Default

I have a decent amount of handling mods and I have taken my car to 120 something it was super sketchy the cars are not meant to go that fast end of story. They are 3990 pounds so your 4000 plus pounds with a driver that is a tremendous amount of weight the suspension is dealing with while going that fast.

The cars also reliant on the CD of .26 I think?
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2018 | 05:37 AM
  #63  
Ingo87's Avatar
Ingo87
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Germany
Default

Hallo,

I'm driving my LS 430 on german Autobahn. The topspeed of my euorpean spec LS with air suspension ist electronical limited to 250 kph (155 mph) as the most of the BMW and Mercedes cars here.
No problems at this speed!
Reply
Old Oct 12, 2018 | 09:22 AM
  #64  
jayclapp's Avatar
jayclapp
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 107
From: AZ
Default

Originally Posted by Ingo87
Hallo,

I'm driving my LS 430 on german Autobahn. The topspeed of my euorpean spec LS with air suspension ist electronical limited to 250 kph (155 mph) as the most of the BMW and Mercedes cars here.
No problems at this speed!
I think that says it all.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2018 | 11:30 PM
  #65  
Scootymad's Avatar
Scootymad
Pole Position
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 306
Likes: 13
From: Auckland
Default

I'm too chicken sheit to take my LS over 100 mph. I lose my licence if I get caught 25mph over the limit. I've done 110 before and it felt like I was only doing 65. Give me a long enough stretch of road and I'll wind the old girl right out
Reply
Old Oct 15, 2018 | 03:37 PM
  #66  
AJT123's Avatar
AJT123
Lexus Champion
10 Year Member
Community Influencer
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,271
Likes: 549
From: Knoxville, TN
Default

Originally Posted by Fixman
I guess 270 km/h is max. But noat that yes the LS have low CX (drag) but it is not stable at high speeds, at about 140-160 km/h it gets floaty as ther is not much in downforce. That is why the CX is low, down force carts drag. back then the aim in low CX was for quietness not speed. To generat more downforce you sacrifice top speed.
Hop this explains it.
With all due respect, are you telling me that at 85-95 MPH the car isn't stable? Really? The faster you go the more planted and stable it feels, the steering locks right on and knows where "center is". 110 feels better than 90.

I've driven mine 130 before, and I've said this before, the 430 is every bit the autobahn stormer any of the other flagship cars of its day.

I don't condone this, but you could drive it for hours at 120+ speeds (done it, thorough the desert), it doesn't even begin to break a sweat.
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2020 | 01:21 PM
  #67  
430SLOwner's Avatar
430SLOwner
Instructor
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 210
From: Florida
Default How fast will the LS430 go?

Recently there was a discussion of speed on another thread and how nicely the LS430 can achieve 150 MPH and above.
Of course it may be disaster to reach such a speed without the proper speed rated tires and all mechanical functions in tip top shape.
(Have made the expected 2 hour trip from Naples to Miami Beach across Alligator Alley and down I-95 in less than an hour myself in a 2 seat sports car with a 155 mph limiter....)
But, what may happen should one come upon some unexpected road hazard which damages a tire, or suspension part, or something which requires unexpectedly stopping or changing course.
After considering the physics, I began and continue making a practice of exerting less pressure on the accelerator....
Consider there are actually three collisions in a crash: the vehicle collision, the human collision and the internal (organ) collision.
(In order to understand the
three collisions in a crash it is important to have a basic understanding of kinetic energy.)
Consider that at 65 mph one's relative risk of casualty in a collision is double that of a collision at 60 mph.according to the NHMRC Road Accident Research Unit
Consider that at 70 mph one's relative risk of casualty in a collision is double that of a collision at 65 mph and 4x a collision at 60 mph.
At 75 mph one's relative risk of casualty in a collision is more than double that of a collision at 70 mph, 5x more than a collision at 65 mph and 10x more than a collision at 60 mph.
At 80 mph one's relative risk of casualty in a collision is more than triple that of a collision at 75 mph, over 7x than a collision at 70 mph and over 15x a collision at 65 mph and over 30x a collision at 60 mph
(The upper limit of the casualty risk may be actually as much as nearly 10x the relative risk.)
In a collision of over 88 mph one's relative risk of casualty is infinite and the degree of damage rises exponentially as mph goes up.
(On the track one knows there is a chance one may not get out of the car. Should it be the same on the street? And, what about other drivers one may come across (or overcome) on the street who may expect to arrive safely to their destinations?)
At 3 min and 25 seconds one may see the results of a high speed (120 mph) collision

Last edited by 430SLOwner; Jun 22, 2020 at 04:54 PM. Reason: added the word "relative" before the word "risk" in 4 places
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2020 | 01:25 PM
  #68  
markwhit's Avatar
markwhit
Rookie
 
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 95
Likes: 5
From: Georgia
Default

i have had mine up to about 120 on the express lanes with no other traffic and it was still like give me more!
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

Toyota and Lexus Join Mille Miglia For The First Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)

 Brett Foote
story-4

2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 22, 2020 | 03:26 PM
  #69  
2KHarrier's Avatar
2KHarrier
Moderator
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 244
From: Milwaukee, Wi
Default

I believe it’s limited to 132? Something like that...
Reply
Old Jun 22, 2020 | 04:32 PM
  #70  
Striker223's Avatar
Striker223
Lexus Champion
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,556
Likes: 1,835
From: Ohio
Default

155+ for mine, if something goes wrong that that speed it's fairly simple. You probably die, so make sure the car and tires are 100% good to go before any trip really since having a front control arm snap at even 50 is "fun" when you are inspecting a known issue on a car. Having something go unexpectedly is much more "fun" and can be very interesting when it does happen.

Speedo ends at 160 so no point going much more plus it takes a long long time to drag back down to 80 anyway and the brakes will be used up quickly at those energy levels

Reply
Old Jun 23, 2020 | 07:28 PM
  #71  
warminwisc's Avatar
warminwisc
Pole Position
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 31
From: wi
Default

U have to know where to air it out. On 51 just south of Wausau there’s a long up hill I juice it up on. There is a decent stand of trees to block radar in the wide median. Over the top of long hill there is a crossover you can quickly see for cops. I pin it every time if traffic allows to 110 to 130. It holds its own drives smooth on v rated tires. I have a couple other hilly spots also. It’s an adrenaline rush. You hit one thirty the engine drops down gun it it cuts out again
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2020 | 07:31 PM
  #72  
warminwisc's Avatar
warminwisc
Pole Position
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 31
From: wi
Default

It’s in top shape new tires inflation is right brakes are perfect aligned I pull seat belts taught or I wouldn’t do it
Reply
Old Jun 23, 2020 | 07:34 PM
  #73  
Striker223's Avatar
Striker223
Lexus Champion
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,556
Likes: 1,835
From: Ohio
Default

Huh. Weird, I think my car is stock ECU wise and it for sure let's me above 130 and I've confirmed it via gps that my speedo reads 2mph below actual. Don't know why but I'm seeing it's not normal
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2020 | 03:46 AM
  #74  
Peacebay's Avatar
Peacebay
Advanced
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 647
Likes: 258
From: Ct
Default

Originally Posted by Striker223
Huh. Weird, I think my car is stock ECU wise and it for sure let's me above 130 and I've confirmed it via gps that my speedo reads 2mph below actual. Don't know why but I'm seeing it's not normal
Not at all lol, I’ve driven many of these cars and have never even heard of a 430 being unrestricted. I have a video of my previous 05 pegged at 132 mph as proof lol, which is why I love my ‘98. But that is definitely a cool feature to have on your 430!
Reply
Old Jun 24, 2020 | 04:20 AM
  #75  
430SLOwner's Avatar
430SLOwner
Instructor
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 210
From: Florida
Default

Originally Posted by warminwisc
It’s in top shape new tires inflation is right brakes are perfect aligned I pull seat belts taught or I wouldn’t do it
Don't think your taught seat belt may make much difference should something bad happen at 130 MPH.
Depends on the change in velocity over time. If a car hits something very solid and decelerates very quickly, one has not much chance, even with safety features. Safety features, any object(s) hit, and luck all factor, but casualty severity increases exponentially with increases in speed.
Three collisions in a crash
: the vehicle collision, the human collision, and the internal (organ) collision. In a 130 mile collision a taught seat belt will not prevent internal collision which, among others, may rupture the heart, disrupt vital connections to the brain, or collide the brain with the skull.
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:55 PM.

story-0
Toyota and Lexus Join Mille Miglia For The First Time

Slideshow: A five-car lineup spanning more than five decades of Toyota performance and engineering will tackle one of Italy's most celebrated automotive routes.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-15 16:53:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???

Slideshow: a quick review of the 2026 Lexus NX 350h F Sport Handling

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-15 15:25:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Lexus daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 11:14:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)

These five Lexus and Toyota models are the most sought-after on the market right now.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 10:47:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

Slideshow: the 2026 IS 350 isn't all that new, and that's why we love it!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-04 14:35:23


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

Slideshow: 10 most confusing things Lexus has ever done.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-04 09:40:55


VIEW MORE
story-6
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-8
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE