I have an 04 Mystic Gold ML 99k miles

If you had to suddenly replace your 430 due to an accident or other unexpected circumstances would you search for another low mile 04-06 LS OR would you "step up" and try your luck with an 09-11 460?

I'm posting this out of curiosity because I really think I'd just be patient and find another 430; preferably a grandmother's low mileage 2006.

I think us 430 owners drive one of the best cars ever made. They look better than the new ones; they ride better; they're easier to see out of! And they are arguably higher quality!
I hope to keep mine forever but if some waterhead crashes into me I don't think I'd spend the extra on a newer 460 unless I was under the ether of the updated bluetooth and convenience items.

 

If I found a great deal on a 2010 and up I may go for a 460. A big maybe. I like them but I know they will cost a lot more to maintain. Low mileage 2005 or 06 would be a smarter financial decision. I was sitting in a 13 460 f sport the other day and it was very lovely. 15k miles and they were asking 64 grand.

 

i would replace my 430 with another 430 in a heart beat.i dont like the looks of the 460,reminds me of the camry. also i heard from several people through the years say they wish they never traded there 430 on the 460 because the 430 never gave them any problems and that the 430 was more pleasant to ride in.just saying.i never been in one.

 

I agree 100%! There's something about the 460 that's doesn't seem right. Not a head turner when one passes you by on the road.
I've always thought the 430 looks timeless. Everytime I have a loaner which is not that often I can't wait to get back into my 430!

 

Having had both, I'd upgrade to the 460 no question.

 

What am I not seeing? What do you prefer on the 460? I'm also really nostalgic: took many years to switch away from MBZ to Lexus. Anything you miss on the 430?

 

This thread is just a re-title of the endless debate about 430 vs. 460 ...

 

The 430 looks like it wants to be an even boxy version of the S-class mercedes. It's boxy and isn't nearly as sleek as a LS460. The trim that wraps around the body, the headlights, the boxy mirrors, and the lower part of the front bumper all add significantly to the aged look. A better way to describe it is that looks outdated, with even the 2004 S-class looking more elegant with their flowing lines and less boxy looks. Even the GS 430 from that generation looks more timeless than the LS430. That's only speaking of the exterior. Once you get inside of the car, it's like time-traveling back to the early 2000s. The steering wheel is large, the window switches are unattractive, as are the HVAC and radio control, and the buttons used clash quite a bit with the wood of the center console. Excluding the switches, I do like the pattern of the leather on the seats and way the door trim looks.
Also, I'm not quite sure how any of you see a Camry in the LS. It looks somewhat like a ES350, but even then it's not close.

The advantage I give to the LS430 is price. You can also argue about ride, but that's just as subject as looks. Some people simply love that ride-on-a-cloud feel. You can have a nice LS430 for quite a bit less than the LS460, though the price of the 2007 LS460 is starting to get there. But that's to be expected for an 9-11 year old car.

 

Haha yes endless debate. I have to confess I have never actually driven a 460. I'm on my second LS430 and have surprised myself; I am not itching to upgrade anytime soon. Guess I'm getting old!

 

Why upgrade? Cars are the worst investment. Just terrible. So many better things to do with your money. I wish I would have actualized this knowledge 10 years ago.

 

Nothing against the 430, its just that nothing lasts forever and the 460 is just a much more modern car. The youngest 430 is now 10 years old, technology has come a LONG way in 10 years. The navigation interface is very old, the styling while handsome is quite dated, it lacks a lot of new safety features that I really like, such as blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert, the 430 was RWD only and the 460 has available AWD which makes my new LS an all season car where the 430 and 400 were underivable in the snow. I have bluetooth audio streaming which is great, Siri eyes free is incredible for interfacing with the music and messaging on my phone. Apps are great, access to audio apps, I have an iPhone app that lets me lock/unlock/start/check status on the car from anywhere. I have tire pressure monitoring and can check the PSI in all my tires on the fly, enform gives me a concierge to contact for navigation inputs, restaurant reservations on the move, etc. Nav traffic, highway exit info with rest stops, restaurants, fuel stations, built in satellite radio. A lot of technology in modern cars I would miss if I went back to a 430.

The 430 was an outstanding car when it was new, and they are still great cars but as someone who values up to date and modern technology, I wouldn't be interested in owning one currently.

Is there anything I miss about the 430? Not really. The 460 possesses all the traits I loved about the 430 and grows on them, just as the 430 did compared to my 400. Progress marches forward.

If those things have no value to you and you are happy with your 430, then keep it. This drum beat on the 460 as being inferior to the 430 though is silly. They are VERY similar cars. They are just as smooth, just as quiet. They idle a little louder by the nature of the direct injection and the timing chain, but the DI yields better power and efficiency and the timing chain removes that expensive maintenance that needs to be done every 90k miles. Reliability, the early ones have some things to be aware of such as control arms (thats the big one), air suspension is an issue when they get old as it is on the 430 and the 400. The 460 has been out for 8 years at this point, every reason to expect a 2010+ 460 will have any kinks worked out.

 

Very well written; thanks for the feedback! I have to admit the technology might sway me!

 

No problem, take a few on extended test drives, you will find they are very similar to the 430. Make sure you drive 460s with the 18s, not the 19s. Like the 430 with the 17s vs the 18s, the wheel size changes the ride a lot. The 18s ride on 50 series rubber, the 17s in the 430 were 55 series rubber so pretty similar in sidewall height. The 18s on the 430 were 45 series rubber, which is what my GS had as comparison. I specifically bought a low package 460 to get the 18s. And...because the thing was $80,000 already and I wanted to try and not spend $90,000 New they get really expensive fast!

Technology in the 460 took a huge leap in 2010 when the car got the new nav system, that brought bluetooth audio streaming and the enform system.

 

Purchased 2004 LS430 in 2007 with 12,000 miles on it. Today 7/13/15 have 45,128 miles. The LS430 was in direct competition with the Mercedes S430. I compared both cars. Lexus won Better wood, leather, Nav. screen, interior and reputation for quality. My friend a top Mercedes mechanic told me to get the Lexus. When I bought an extended warranty I paid $1,350.00 for 5 years. I asked the guy how much would it be for a 2004 Mercedes S430. He looked it up and said $4,500.00 for 5 years. When I asked why so much he said your car will be in the in the shop less often. I drove the LS460 very quiet and smooth. I found the wood and leather not comparable to the 430. I personally didn't warm up to visuals on the Nav. screen. I always thought that the 460 had some similarity to a previous BMW body style which I was never too fond of. The price of a brand new one is nuts but what really bothered me was the dealer told me it was just as long as my 430. Next car I get will be at least a few inches longer. My car is pristine in and out with 45,000 miles. All I need right now is an oil change, rear breaks and rotors. I am choosing to get 4 new tires and a 4 wheel alignment and I'm good to go. Somewhere down the road I will take the car to a Lexus dealer for a complete review. The only thing that is not perfect for me on the 430 is the sides are plane making it look boxy. The front view of grill and lights is excellent and rear view of trunk and lights also nicely designed although older. The car is just a little too short for me. Having said all that I think it is the best made and most continually reliable luxury car up to and including the Mercedes S550. The interior on this 430 is still superior to most luxury cars made today. This is going to be a real tough act to follow for my next car hopefully way, way, down the road....

 

If someone just handed me the keys to a 2010 or newer LS 460, sure, I would happily drive it. I'm sure all the nice new technology is nice; I'm not denying that. It's just the actual car is not as well built. I would never spend a year and change "seeking out" a 460 like I did my 430. Back in the day when the 430s were new, I lusted after them. They were class-leading. The current 460 is about at the bottom of the pack, which gives it ZERO desirability to me. It's modern, sure, but far from best in class like the 430s were. That's why I think the 430s are truly special.

I would never trade my LS 430 in and spend $ to upgrade to a newer LS, bc they aren't as good of cars IMO.