if you've driven behind your LS430, what do you think?
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: PA
if you've driven behind your LS430, what do you think?
I have driven behind my car a few times. Usually, it's because we have taken my wife's SUV to the GMC dealership, and I'm the one who does the talking so I end up driving it home.
My opinion is that the car still looks good, not amazing nor mind blowing, but decent. The led tails are strange, but I remember sometime in that era, the Honda Civic copied it with incandescent bulbs, so maybe it was a trend? I just can't remember any other car looking like that. The led designs were less elaborate back then except for Caddy. For example, think of the Infiniti G35, about as creative as one on a tractor trailer!
I could be delusional, but do I dare say it....the shape is timeless? lol (toot your own horn comes to mind) Well, at least the aerodynamics speak for themselves....
My opinion is that the car still looks good, not amazing nor mind blowing, but decent. The led tails are strange, but I remember sometime in that era, the Honda Civic copied it with incandescent bulbs, so maybe it was a trend? I just can't remember any other car looking like that. The led designs were less elaborate back then except for Caddy. For example, think of the Infiniti G35, about as creative as one on a tractor trailer!
I could be delusional, but do I dare say it....the shape is timeless? lol (toot your own horn comes to mind) Well, at least the aerodynamics speak for themselves....
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From: Milwaukee, Wi
The car is unfortunately homely from most angles. The LS400 designers got it right.
Now there's a good looking car.
As much as I enjoy driving/owning the 430, it's not something I'd want a poster of in my bedroom. The rear end is better looking than the front end. It's too tall in relation to it's length. I like the head room, but it makes for an odd looking car. Also, there's something about those massive headlights that just doesn't work for me.
In My Honest Opinion....
Now there's a good looking car.
As much as I enjoy driving/owning the 430, it's not something I'd want a poster of in my bedroom. The rear end is better looking than the front end. It's too tall in relation to it's length. I like the head room, but it makes for an odd looking car. Also, there's something about those massive headlights that just doesn't work for me.
In My Honest Opinion....
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Kentucky
I think the styling is timeless. I think the LS430 design is simple and elegant compare to the latest cars nowaday, including Lexus line up. I prefer the big headlights for the big luxury car vs the narrow headlights with LEDs in the current Lexus. And do not get me started with their grill (I think it is called spindle ?). To make matter worse imo, how Lexus has the same theme for grill for all models. I prefer my top of the line model do not look similar to the cheaper models, like our LS does not look like the ES, GS or IS from the same years.
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It’s weird.. Harrier’s thoughts are almost verbatim what I’ve said about the styling of the 430. My take:
-the 2004-2006 430 is considerably more handsome than the 01-03 430
-Ideally, the 430 would sit maybe 1 1/2 inches lower overall
-The 430 needs 18-19 inch wheels. To add to this, it would look best with staggered-size wheels. Some 255-265 series fires would look best in the rear. 245 is fine for the front.
-The backspacing for the rear wheels is too much. Pushing the rear wheels out 1-1 1/4 inches out looks much better!
-The dual exhaust tips are too small for the openings in the rear bumper (talking about the 04-06 here). It needs 3.5-4” tips to look best
-The 98-01 Ls400 is better looking than any year 430. Now that’s a timeless design.
-the 2004-2006 430 is considerably more handsome than the 01-03 430
-Ideally, the 430 would sit maybe 1 1/2 inches lower overall
-The 430 needs 18-19 inch wheels. To add to this, it would look best with staggered-size wheels. Some 255-265 series fires would look best in the rear. 245 is fine for the front.
-The backspacing for the rear wheels is too much. Pushing the rear wheels out 1-1 1/4 inches out looks much better!
-The dual exhaust tips are too small for the openings in the rear bumper (talking about the 04-06 here). It needs 3.5-4” tips to look best
-The 98-01 Ls400 is better looking than any year 430. Now that’s a timeless design.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: PA
All good and true, there is something to the front that would be better, maybe the headlamps are too large? Remember the last of the Volvo 240's (this is 1993), the headlamps became flush but were way too big...I do like the shape of the tail lamps....
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: CA
Yes I think timeless is good description. Exciting? No but it was never meant to be. Looking at the long line of the front of cars parked on either side of my 430, noticed that they all look "sculpted" and "busy". The spindle is just %&***. Hey they're selling so that's all Lexus cares about. Sure I'm biased but the LS looks classy (from the front 3/4, back 3/4 and rear). The side is pretty bland. The 460 does better. LOL I've owned an LS for more than 5 years. Still look back and smile when walking away.
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For me it has classic lines and definitely does not stand out. It is for these reasons that I feel totally comfortable parking anywhere with no apprehension of anyone tampering or vandalizing my trust worthy transportation. Irreplaceable!
It’s weird.. Harrier’s thoughts are almost verbatim what I’ve said about the styling of the 430. My take:
-the 2004-2006 430 is considerably more handsome than the 01-03 430
-Ideally, the 430 would sit maybe 1 1/2 inches lower overall
-The 430 needs 18-19 inch wheels. To add to this, it would look best with staggered-size wheels. Some 255-265 series fires would look best in the rear. 245 is fine for the front.
-The backspacing for the rear wheels is too much. Pushing the rear wheels out 1-1 1/4 inches out looks much better!
-The dual exhaust tips are too small for the openings in the rear bumper (talking about the 04-06 here). It needs 3.5-4” tips to look best.
-the 2004-2006 430 is considerably more handsome than the 01-03 430
-Ideally, the 430 would sit maybe 1 1/2 inches lower overall
-The 430 needs 18-19 inch wheels. To add to this, it would look best with staggered-size wheels. Some 255-265 series fires would look best in the rear. 245 is fine for the front.
-The backspacing for the rear wheels is too much. Pushing the rear wheels out 1-1 1/4 inches out looks much better!
-The dual exhaust tips are too small for the openings in the rear bumper (talking about the 04-06 here). It needs 3.5-4” tips to look best.
wouldn't be fun if it came out of the factory like that 
But in all seriousness, the only other piece I can possibly make a little better would be the headlights. They can definitely wrap a little more into the fender and towards the side.
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