Addy49er

The transmission on my wife's Acura MDX is done. My independent mechanic that I have used for close to 10 years verified it and we agree that it is time to move on. I've gotten more than my money's worth out of the vehicle.

My wife is driving my 02 LS430, which is my favorite car and I will keep it until it dies, until we buy something for her. She loves the smooth ride and power but wants to, "sit up high" like she did in the Acura MDX. She said the ride is so much more comfortable in my car. You won't hurt my feelings so please be honest. I just want some ideas on where to look for her new vehicle. If it doesn't exist I may have to try and talk her into and LS so that I can have mine back.

I am open to used cars, I actually prefer used.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Johnhav430

One thing that people imho don't consciously think about when driving the LS430, is the torque. It's delivered the old fashioned way, and even by today's standards, it's suffiicent.

So the question is, if she were go to modern turbo like a CR-V, does this ride at all like a 430? Probably not? Can the indie put in a used tranny? Actually, a Japanese indie told my relatives they would want used and preferably about 60k miles, so that isn't easy to find on a 2005 CR-V, so they suggested keep driving it. A year has gone by and they are still driving it (whining more than normal).

What does a used MDX go for? Or Highlander or Pilot? I actually don't like any of this bunch but it would be similar to what she had...

p.s. how many miles did you get out of the MDX?

shortstop

There is nothing that can compare the ride, comfort, and reliability of a LS 430 it`s loved and was built for that. There is always a trade off from a sport suspension or a SUV ride, and height, that takes a while to get used to. There is no perfect vehicle for everyone it`s a personal choice of which is most important things to the driver,
Ride and comfort.
Ride height and visability
A.W.D.or 4x4
Fuel mileage
3rd row seating
Body style, and more the list is almost endless and we are sure to trade off something.
I don`t own a SUV never have but there are time when it snows I wish I had one, I am one of the comfort drivers like you . I did test drive a 2014 Lexus RX and thought it rode pretty good for a SUV. Good luck with your new purchase.

bloomwcjkl

Start with test driving a Lexus RX with miles/price that is in your range. It will not ride as nice as the LS, but it will ride nice. You can't have your cake and it it too.

I do not think a GX 460/470 will fit the bill. More truck like. The 470s are getting old (air ride suspension fails) and the 460s seem to be under powered. The third row is kind of a joke.

A CRV or Rav4 will not ride anywhere near the LS. If anyone follows car events, read up on the "gas in the oil" of the late model CRV turbo engines. Not fun if you are a 16, 17 or 18 CRV turbo owner.

MDX/RDX would probably be worth a test drive. I don't think they will ride as nice as the Lexus.

Neverdone

I have a 2015 X5. my I laws have a 2013 MDX. My X5 is a nice ride but nowhere near as nice as the LS. I drove the MDX and I really didn't like it, however, it was a pretty decent ride, not as good as the LS.

Romanova

3rd row on a GX460 is a joke, but I feel the power is fine.

Johnhav430

Isn't it based on a Toyota Prado? I thought the one I was in had seats that were strapped to the sides or something. The seem at least from the exterior, very narrow, and tall, whereas our cars tend to be wide, and lower...

irishbrahm

I'm hard-pressed to think of an SUV that fits the bill.

The GX drives and sounds like a truck.

The LX570 is somewhat softer but sounds like a truck and is cumbersome to drive.

The MDX is more sporty than luxurious.

The XC90 is unrefined.

Htony

Then LX4xx id size does not matter. MB new GLC SUV rides pretty good.

Addy49er

Thank you everyone!

We may end up owning two LS's. LOL

LS430Nole

I own an 05 LS430, a 10 GX 460 and a 10 LS460.
Nothing rides like the 430. Not even the LS460. The GX is underpowered and rides like a pickup truck but it's a nice SUV. The 3rd row is a joke but it has come in handy with children 10 and under. I hate it but my wife loves it.

if I could get the ride, torque, and smoothness of the LS 430 with the technology of the 460 it would be nice.

Good luck

LS430inDE.

Why are we looking for a big and stable and heavy ride on japanese "suv's"? The first suv I thought of was a Chevy Tahoe. It's rear wheel drive (like the LS), has good amount of power (like the LS), has an extremely smooth and stable and 'heavy' ride (like the LS), and it sits up high. They also depreciate much faster than a Lexus SUV or Toyota SUV, so they're likely to be a better 'bargain' picking up a used one. I know this is a Lexus forum, but that doesn't mean all suggestions have to be of the Toy/Lex variety! Test drive some Tahoe's!!!

bloomwcjkl

My brother-in-law spent $68k on a Yukon XL Denali edition. All the bells and whistles. It squeaked and rattled terribly. The back hatch would rattle and squeak at highway speeds. The dealer could not fix it.

It had plenty of power, but was noisy at highway speeds. A big square truck pushing a lot of wind. I expected more for that price. Bumps were harsh in town driving. They traded it and now drive a Platinum Explorer.

Are all cars disappointing in some way? Flat fronts, side mirrors. Wind and road noise. Maybe the new Lincoln Navigator? Have not ridden in a new one yet. They are all the rage I guess.

imdking

iTrader: (1)

If she wants the ride of the LS430, she will have to get an LS430. No way around it.

Duck05

I suggest you make a list of all of the possible contenders to consider. Take a long weekend and have your wife drive the LS430 to each dealership and then test drive the candidate. Keep repeating this until your list is exhausted. She may find a model where the ride and "view" fill her needs.... Or not.

Some other makes/models include BMW, Audi, and even the Porsche models (depending on your budget). We have friends with a recent RX350 and the ride is nice but not up to an LS430.