You mean because on the original Tokicos, the ball studs do not separate, right?

Another tip....it would be nice to have some tiny washers for the ball studs ready when replacing the hood, I didn't and so I went without. In theory, that will gouge the original paint, but I was messing with a 2x4" and got fed up. My next go round I will use Stabilus, apparently they do not come with the ball studs, but if they are there....

 

It does stay up. So I think I'll be good for awhile. The sales guy was the one that said that trunk struts were bad but I don't think they really are. I saw a video on YouTube on how to replace them and it seemed pretty easy.
Good thing the dealer replaced the hood struts already :O

 

Congrats!!!

 

Thanks!
Did you find your LS460 yet?

 

As I recall, the Strong Arms come with replacement ball studs so it just took more time and tools to do the swap......

 

Does the LS430 have D2S bulbs or D4S like my 4GS? I'm thinking of swapping the stock bulbs for some Osram CBI bulbs.

 

Nice find and congrats on the new ride! I know that you've been looking for a little while but looks like your patience probably paid off as well as looking at all the other LS you probably knew a good find when you found it.

It's funny, you were looking for an LS and I ended up buying a GS, although the GS is for my 16 yr old son. I really like the looks of the GS and it's more sporty but it's no where near the room of the LS nor does it have some of the little extra features I've come accustomed to. It's great for what I was looking for including the deal I feel like I got on it.

I'm about to have my arm rest redone by my interior guy. Mine isn't worn as much as it's lost it's padding. Actually, I think the padding was lacking from Lexus in the first place. My son's GS arm rest is way more padded and comfortable and I can't believe that didn't put as nice of one in their flagship model.

 

Thanks man! Yeah I kept looking and looking. I actually settled and got a 2012 Acura TL with 67k from the same dealership but I got the LS430. They took the LS430 a few days after I got the TL and i did not like the TL at all. I traded the Acura back for the LS430 without a regret.
There's no comparison between the LS430 and a Acura TL.

I agree that the GS is more sporty looking.

How much would the repair be? I gotta take my to an interior shop also because that wear/tear bugs me. I'll post a pic in a bit.
The arm rest on my GS350 does seem to be more padded than the LS sadly.

 

I have an interior guy that I use semi regularly on other cars. He typically charges $60 hr and a week or so ago when I was over at his place he had just finished an arm rest recover for a Honda and it looked really good. He said he had 45 min in that arm rest so my guess is it will be in the $50 - $60 range.

 

Congrats on the Great Find! Beautiful color and well maintained! Enjoy it

 

I think that's a great price! Wish you lived near you haha. Here's a pic of how mine looks:

Thanks! I'm enjoying quite a bit! and it hasn't even been a week yet haha.

 

My '04 looked similar to that but my '05 doesn't have that at all. It's just missing it's padding. I think the biggest kicker you'll have with having it recovered is getting some matching material. Make sure to have them throw in some extra padding while it's there.

 

Yeah i think the matching would be the most difficult. There's a local upholstery shop near me that has good reviews so I'll see if they can do it and I'll for sure ask for more padding.

 

Any competent upholstery shop can cut and fit a new foam section for the armrest. They should have a variety of foam so that they can get one that it supportive but not too squishy. Then just cut/shave it down to the correct size and you're all set.

 

I replacded my console lid because of slight wear last year. OEM from parts.com for $280. My interior still looks nearly new and I won't accept anything else.