Hi all am looking into getting an LS430 as a daily driver and found some really nice ones mint and not taxi driven . Although am disappointed in Lexus for not adding a navigation system in the 430 as oppose to the cassette player ? Lexus varies their options in all models I assume. I find it very strange and ridiculous that an 03 is300 has nav and a 05 ls430 doesn't how is that possible.? Any input is appreciated... i owned a 98 LS400 in the past and want to enjoy a LS430 now.

 

Not sure I understand your post... Most LS430's model years 2001 -2006 have navigation system. IN the US only the "premium" model which was base level trim was sold with no NAV. All model years 2001-2006 of LS430s also have cassette players in their audio systems along with 6 CD changers. I agree the cassette was basically obsolete by 2001 and should have been deleted by at least 2004 model refresh.

The very last cassette factory OEM cassette player on any car sold in the US I think was actually in the 2009 SC430.

 

I was not aware of this please excuse my lack of information and is more of a rant. And hopefully no one judges me. And I'd like to add the 2011 gs350 did come with the tape player as well.

 

^Only the 2009, stopped in 2010 for the GS minor detail really

 

Our '01 has nav and tape/CD but now a days a large screen smart phone using one of the various navigation apps is superior.

I went "cheap" and use a smart phone holder with an FM transmitter so that audio can be played over the car speakers. There are more extravagant options as well....

A 430 is a good value if you find one in good mechanical shape with a good maintenance history.....

 

Op are you stating it's not right for navigation to be optional? It was on most cars, even today I believe...and few factory systems are as good as google maps on a phone....my .02, my car is a ML and has nav

 

Honestly a moderd head unit with bluetooth/ nav / DVD is very reasonable to buy and install. Much more capable.

 

The NAV is useless now, anyway.

 

I use mine as a supplement to my phone/google maps. Oriented in a north position, I let it show me where I am. If I'm in a particular neighborhood and see a massive backup, I can tell if it's possible to take a side street and cut the corner, without touching my phone. But it is rather wonky to reach a destination, I once tried to enter our house and finally gave up and used my phone.

 

I get what he's saying, there were IS300s with navigation screens as options and yet the Lexus flagship during the same period didn't have it standard.

I'm sure part of it was the IS300 had a younger demographic that really loved hi tech features, and the LS had an older demographic and many of those customers would have preferred not to have a confusing computer screen in front of them.

My "senior citizen" mother almost didn't buy a Mercedes because it no longer had a cassette player. That's what you'e dealing with older customers.

I will say though, the navigation system in this generation LS is largely useless in the era of smartphones. The only thing I like about it is the screen for the back up camera.

 

Agree screen for back up is nice Screen handy for phone connect adjusts, contact number/info, etc. After an 01 Base, I wasn't thrilled about using a menu to adjust HVAC, audio, etc. but after a few months, seems like a good alternative. Had the screen rebuilt (resoldered, check components) and keep it dark unless needed. If I adjust audio, screen shows automatically. Same with AC/Heat. Grom (Bay Area) seems to have a replacement unit so am going to check on that. Anyone have any info/experience with one?

 

Yep, like Daspyda said my 2001 is running 2003 map data and is pretty much useless. My wife is a self described cavewoman, and has no idea what she is even looking at on the nav screen. I use my smart phone and google maps with its server based map data that updates constantly.

 

For sure the backup cam is not only nice, but seems to be a must nowadays...good point that it comes along with the NAV (my BMW does not have one)

haha you don't have to be a senior to remember cassettes. As young kids, my spoiled cousins (two of them, different parents) had Nakamichi Dragons. It's possible, but imho doubtful, than any kids today can have their parents spend that much on a stereo component, it would be the equivalent of $6,400 in 2017 dollars. I always loved how kids claimed, "I earned the money myself."

I have cassettes somewhere, maybe in the attic, because the carrying case has a Steal Your Face on it, and it has various shows. It is what it is, I hear vinyl has made a comeback.

Anyway, my 1998 Maxima which I bought new, has a tape deck, and I used it only once to verify it worked. I have never put a cassette into the LS430, again, I don't know where they are in our house...

I don't care that much about phones, as I'm 4 generations behind with a S4. But it kills me someone at work through the corp acct. got a brand new S7 for $29.99. I checked eBay and the best I can do is $329 NIB, which is down from $420 prior to the S8 release.

edit: That $329 is a good price, because 0 are available, all sold. Marketing is amazing, one channel let's it go for $30, another for $330, they're all coming from the same place/warehouse/distribution channel. Like an airline seat....

 

So I guess it being outdated is of no value and just like biacs said aftermarket is much better and useful option to go with for those 430s w/o nav thanks to all.

 

I am of th exact opposite opinion to OP
Looking at a few nice 2005-2006 LS430 the old ,grainy obsolete GPS is one of the
minus points they all had. Would be better without it.

Mikael