Would I be crazy to go from my 05 es 330 with almost every option to an 01-03 ls? I have the navigation but I don't use it because it's 10 years out of date so I don't need a nav. I am looking for one with around 100k because I am at 86 right now. I love my es but I miss my old ls, I use to have a 99 ls 400 before the es. I miss the v8 power and rear drive, the wife does too. The interior is more cramped than the ls, we have 3 car seats. I found a 2001 ul with 105k mi for 10900 and a 2001 base with 99k mi for 8999. What should I do???

 

Get a 98-00 LS400 again

 

And update it with 3rd gen LS 17" wheels

 

The 18s look awesome on the second generation.

 

Can't go wrong either way. But honestly, I'd rather get 98-00 over the 01-03. All day, any day.

 

Get the 05-06. I got one, just so I can fit 3 car seats (next year).

Otherwise I would get 98-00.

I wouldn't take a 01-03 for free. ugliest LS made to date.

 

I'm over my wanting an ls for the time being. I went and looked at a 2003 and test drove it. It had some really strange lag flooring it to get on the freeway, honestly my es was quicker getting up to speed. It really wasn't any more comfortable than my es either. It had 20k more miles than I have and the interior hasize way more wear. Then I looked at a 2006, I liked it better than the 03 but they both had a strange smell. Neither one had me wowed enough to give up my es. Thank you for your input, I think I do prefer the 99 i had over the 03.

 

Wow why do people hate the 01-03 so much here? A lot of nice looking 01-03s on this forum. I prefer the 04+ too, hence why I have one but don't absolutely hate the 01-03 models lol

 

We think alike. I'm anti 01-03

 

I really don't like the way Lexus geared the LS. You really have to lay into it in order to hit the torque. They were trying to give it that "autobahn" feel that all the car magazines say we want, the problem is, we don't drive at those speeds in North America.

My old ES had a much better power band. Good power right off the line. No question the LS is faster, but it "feels" slower because you have to get the RPMs up to feel the power.

 

Interesting that you didn't notice much of a difference between your ES and other LSes, Norbecke. I always thought my wife's 2006 ES330 was so smooth, quiet, and comfortable...until I drove (and bought) our 2006 LS430. The LS is in a completely different league. Now her ES feels ho-hum to me. I actually feel the ES's Lexus Premium Audio system sounds better than the Mark Levinson in the LS and the ES has stronger ventilated seat cooling, but everything else is better in the LS430. The LS is much quieter and rides much smoother despite 18" rims compared to wife's 17" rims. The V8 power in the LS is also very addicting. It is noticeably quicker than our ES and my favorite part is how effortlessly the LS gets underway. The V8 pulls so smoothly that the LS430 never feels like it's straining at all. Love the LS430!

 

Our '01 LS430 is a magnificent vehicle (acquired in '04 off of a lease from one previous owner) and the ride is as good as any car out there. Not sure that the looks changed much for the whole run so unclear why there are so many negative comments about the '01-03s versus other years.

I had planned to look into some mods/changes but the ride is so elegant that changing the wheels or messing with the suspension seems risky.

An ES is no match for an LS430 of any year but if the OP test drove one as described then it was not maintained. Most LS430s are monsters at accelerating.....

 

Front end and rear ended is different.
Tail lights
Head lights
Front bumper
Rear bumper

 

Have 01 LS430. Bought my wife an 04 ES330 to commute. The LS wins hands down in ride, acceleration and comfort. The LS is not a particularly exciting looking car. One thing that really helps is one of the distinctive colors (Flint Mica and Blue Onyx both nice). Also aftermarket wheels. The endless "grandpa car" comments make me laugh. Great acceleration, cruises quietly at 100, excellent braking, decent MPG (if driven a reasonable speeds) and bulletproof reliability. Yes MBZ's and other higher end cars look great. They also break.

 

So looking deeper into the 03 I drive, it was similar to another one I drove. The 03 even was maintained at the dealer it's whole life and has a better service record than my own. The dealer has had this car for awhile now so I might see if they would make me a deal I can't refuse. It was always dealer maintained until it was traded in in December. Am I completely crazy for wanting an older car with 40k more miles than I have? I have 86 the ls has 126, she is just barely broken in.