1995 LS400 to 2002 LS430?
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 82
Likes: 7
From: NC
1995 LS400 to 2002 LS430?
Thinking about trading my 1995 LS400 for a 2002 LS430. The LS430 is a woman's auto with only 125,000 miles. Except for a few small chips it is in excellent condition and has had ALL scheduled maintenance.
My 1995 has 269,000 miles and is also in excellent condition, inside and out. I was not too sure about the LS430 until I drove it and it is truly twice the car my LS400 is.
I prefer the classic lines and look of my LS400 but I also like the LS430 refinements and simple interior -- I despise unnecessary clutter and gizmos.
Any opinions or thoughts are greatly appreciated...
My 1995 has 269,000 miles and is also in excellent condition, inside and out. I was not too sure about the LS430 until I drove it and it is truly twice the car my LS400 is.
I prefer the classic lines and look of my LS400 but I also like the LS430 refinements and simple interior -- I despise unnecessary clutter and gizmos.
Any opinions or thoughts are greatly appreciated...
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,574
Likes: 390
From: PA
I would think the LS400 isn't worth all that much, why not keep it, and get a 2002 as well? Otherwise, it completely boils down to what you like. If you like the 430, it too, is not that expensive anymore...I feel that the 2001-2006 LS430 is a 2001 car. So it does feel dated, but at the same time it's solid and very reliable. I'm positive some of us if not all here, don't care that much about apple play, android whatever, pandora, all that streaming stuff...
Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 25
I love the simplicity of the interior, but I also love tech. When I was in the market last year, I specifically looked for non-nav cars only. Not because of the dated map, clunky bluetooth and hidden climate control functions, but because the of the aesthetic of the console and, most importantly, the ability to easily add my own radio. CarPlay/Android Auto is fantastic, and it instantly updates any older car to the present. I don't regret my decision and the pic below is how the new head unit looks. The gap between trim kit and the dash is more pronounced in the pic than in real life.
Alpine ILX-107
Alpine ILX-107
Last edited by gmoney94; May 9, 2018 at 06:17 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 243
Likes: 24
From: North Dakota
If you take the LS 430 from 125k to 270k, that will be a fun journey. What is the asking price of the LS 430?
With any used cars, little things pop up. If you are a DIYer, you likely have experience with your LS 400 in those respects.
If you like how the 430 drives, it seems like a good upgrade.
With any used cars, little things pop up. If you are a DIYer, you likely have experience with your LS 400 in those respects.
If you like how the 430 drives, it seems like a good upgrade.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 82
Likes: 7
From: NC
If you take the LS 430 from 125k to 270k, that will be a fun journey. What is the asking price of the LS 430?
With any used cars, little things pop up. If you are a DIYer, you likely have experience with your LS 400 in those respects.
If you like how the 430 drives, it seems like a good upgrade.
With any used cars, little things pop up. If you are a DIYer, you likely have experience with your LS 400 in those respects.
If you like how the 430 drives, it seems like a good upgrade.
With respect to the old LS400... I am still a business partner with the second owner. He bought the car in 2000 for $20,000 with 50,000 miles on the clock. We drove the car up and down he East coast selling our services so it has been a part of my life for MANY years. I bought it from him with 202,000 miles on the clock and it has been GREAT to me. It is extremely difficult for me to part with it but the LS430 is just so much better. In fact, it is hard to believe it can be that much better...
Last edited by VortecCPI; May 9, 2018 at 02:06 PM.
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Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 82
Likes: 7
From: NC
Also... 25 MPG on the way from CLT to the beach and 26-28 MPG highway driving. I have had the cruise set at 100 MPH quite a few times
And... Aligned at 50,000 when it Lexus Certified and never since... Still wears tires dead even and tracks 100% straight...
AMAZING vehicles...
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,293
Likes: 64
From: Toronto, Canada
Thank you. It has has some very kind owners and I an truly grateful and fortunate to have had it. Both cars are wonderful. I would like the LS400 body with LS430 chassis and interior!
Also... 25 MPG on the way from CLT to the beach and 26-28 MPG highway driving. I have had the cruise set at 100 MPH quite a few times
And... Aligned at 50,000 when it Lexus Certified and never since... Still wears tires dead even and tracks 100% straight...
AMAZING vehicles...
Also... 25 MPG on the way from CLT to the beach and 26-28 MPG highway driving. I have had the cruise set at 100 MPH quite a few times
And... Aligned at 50,000 when it Lexus Certified and never since... Still wears tires dead even and tracks 100% straight...
AMAZING vehicles...
I am sure you'd love an LS430 if you buy it.
I also prefer the look of the LS400 over the LS430 ..... but I didn't want to buy any of the LS400s that were for sale when I finally decided to buy one ... they all had too many miles on them.
It would be a shame to sell that LS400 because you wont get nearly enough for it and it will be hard to sell with all those miles even though it looks brand new ! I will bet no mater what you think of your LS430 if you get one that you'll miss the old car.
Good luck with your decision
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 82
Likes: 7
From: NC
Well... This is now a done deal and I can say with not one shred of doubt nor exaggeration that this "new" 2002 LS 430 is WAY BETTER than my old 1995 LS 400. It does EVERYTHING better. It is SO QUIET it is just hard to believe. New 4.3L engine has even more TQ down low yet revs freely on top. Does not have the wicked engine sound of the old LS400 at the top but that may be due to noise reduction. An amazing example of engineering in almost every respect.
Both cars had the exact same tires of the exact same size and the old LS 400 had relatively-new shocks so the ride comparison had a good baseline. Ride quality, road noise, wind noise, etc... Just no comparison between the two cars. The "new" engine is quieter and though the drivetrain requires a bit more input it is superior in every way. My old tranny shifted like a hot knife through warm butter. When this one shifts it is imperceptible unless you are looking at the tach.
While I am still not much of a fan of the body style and some of the interior construction details it is an excellent car. While I am sad to see "The Couch" leave I am very happy with this decision.
Thank you all for your input!
Both cars had the exact same tires of the exact same size and the old LS 400 had relatively-new shocks so the ride comparison had a good baseline. Ride quality, road noise, wind noise, etc... Just no comparison between the two cars. The "new" engine is quieter and though the drivetrain requires a bit more input it is superior in every way. My old tranny shifted like a hot knife through warm butter. When this one shifts it is imperceptible unless you are looking at the tach.
While I am still not much of a fan of the body style and some of the interior construction details it is an excellent car. While I am sad to see "The Couch" leave I am very happy with this decision.
Thank you all for your input!
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 82
Likes: 7
From: NC
Also... I love how the Super ECT tranny downshifts during a long downhill when you tap the brake. Quite a nice little feature to prevent annoying braking...
And... Leather does not seem to be as thick/tough as the that in the old LS 400 BUT it IS much more supple to the touch and the seats are more comfy.
And... Leather does not seem to be as thick/tough as the that in the old LS 400 BUT it IS much more supple to the touch and the seats are more comfy.