2013 Avalon vs 2005 LS 430 vs 2010 LS 460 AWD
11-13-18, 01:23 PM
#16
Having previously owned an LS400, I bought a 2004 LS430 with 147k miles. I knew it needed some work due to its age, but I made sure it had a recent/timely timing chain replacement.
What I've done:
suspension bushings
lower A arm bushing
Y pipe replacement
valve cover gaskets
oil sensors (part of emissions control and don't know full name)
rebuilt wood on steering wheel
reupholstered front seats
new brakes
I bought it for 9k, the above is about 5k, so I have 14k in a car that drives like a brand-new car at 90 MPH down I-75 from GA to FL- and it does it as quiet as a mouse.
Don't be afraid to "refresh" a 430.
What I've done:
suspension bushings
lower A arm bushing
Y pipe replacement
valve cover gaskets
oil sensors (part of emissions control and don't know full name)
rebuilt wood on steering wheel
reupholstered front seats
new brakes
I bought it for 9k, the above is about 5k, so I have 14k in a car that drives like a brand-new car at 90 MPH down I-75 from GA to FL- and it does it as quiet as a mouse.
Don't be afraid to "refresh" a 430.
11-13-18, 02:18 PM
#17
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Having previously owned an LS400, I bought a 2004 LS430 with 147k miles. I knew it needed some work due to its age, but I made sure it had a recent/timely timing chain replacement.
What I've done:
suspension bushings
lower A arm bushing
Y pipe replacement
valve cover gaskets
oil sensors (part of emissions control and don't know full name)
rebuilt wood on steering wheel
reupholstered front seats
new brakes
I bought it for 9k, the above is about 5k, so I have 14k in a car that drives like a brand-new car at 90 MPH down I-75 from GA to FL- and it does it as quiet as a mouse.
Don't be afraid to "refresh" a 430.
What I've done:
suspension bushings
lower A arm bushing
Y pipe replacement
valve cover gaskets
oil sensors (part of emissions control and don't know full name)
rebuilt wood on steering wheel
reupholstered front seats
new brakes
I bought it for 9k, the above is about 5k, so I have 14k in a car that drives like a brand-new car at 90 MPH down I-75 from GA to FL- and it does it as quiet as a mouse.
Don't be afraid to "refresh" a 430.
Awesome man. I hope to not have to spend $5k but I do plan on keeping the car at least 3-5 years until I can get into a newer LS. I'm huge on how a car rides and am very picky so I will probably end up replacing the cheaper parts just to refresh the car.
11-14-18, 07:32 AM
#19
Driver School Candidate
Originally Posted by Bob04
Here's a 2005 LS430 in Cleveland with a clean car fax with 91k for only $8990.
https://www.arjsauto.com/2005-Lexus-...0/Details.aspx
https://www.arjsauto.com/2005-Lexus-...0/Details.aspx
11-14-18, 08:02 AM
#20
Here's a 2005 LS430 in Cleveland with a clean car fax with 91k for only $8990.
https://www.arjsauto.com/2005-Lexus-...0/Details.aspx
https://www.arjsauto.com/2005-Lexus-...0/Details.aspx
11-14-18, 09:11 AM
#21
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Here's a 2005 LS430 in Cleveland with a clean car fax with 91k for only $8990.
https://www.arjsauto.com/2005-Lexus-...0/Details.aspx
https://www.arjsauto.com/2005-Lexus-...0/Details.aspx
I would totally jump on that but I'm really wanting black leather.
11-14-18, 12:36 PM
#24
That is pretty good deal assuming everything checks out. I would take the cover off the steering wheel before buying though. The leather and/wood is probably worn out?
11-14-18, 10:31 PM
#26
Racer
The Avalon is nice but not really comparable to the LS.
Based on your needs/expectations, I would suggest the 2004-2006 LS 430 for comfort and lower cost of ownership. I went from a 2006 LS 430 to a 2013 LS 460 within a year and consider the 460 the better-riding and overall better car (for me). Our 460 has the air suspension and it will be an expensive fix, but don't forget the LS 430 also has the air suspension option and is equally as expensive to fix. Just get an LS with non-air and you'll save yourself a lot of worry and avoid possible contention with the wife.
I do consider the 430 more reliable than the 460 but the 430 isn't without faults. I find our 2006 ES 330 has been more reliable over its 13 years (and going on strong) compared to the 2.5 years with the LS 430 (11 months with me, the rest now with my parents). The 430 does not have too many known issues other than side-mirrors going bad and a fragile radiator fan assembly/coolant reservoir tank. Just keep an eye on coolant levels on the 430. Our 460 just came back from a $585 coolant leak repair, an apparently rare case in the 460 forums -- lucky me. However, our 2006 430 also has a coolant leak from a small crack behind the coolant reservoir tank that you wouldn't see unless you know where to look. The difference is the leak in the LS 430 can be solved with a 1-2 hour DIY job and a $185 part (coolant reservoir is molded with the radiator fan assembly so that's why you have to replace it as a single unit). Also, as of this writing, there are two separate threads by shwartzyd and LexInFL about coolant leaks and overheating on their LS 430s. Again, just keep an eye on the coolant level in the 430.
The 430 is very quiet and I still love the sound of ripping silk that the engine produces. The 460 is not as quiet at idle as the 430, but once in motion the 460 is a quieter car. The 2013+ models addressed many of the common issues with the 2007-2012 cars (control arms, brake actuators, melting dash/armrests, wind noise). Considering that you're expecting a growing family and reliability is paramount, I would go with the LS 430 over the Avalon. The 430 will cost less to acquire than the Avalon and the 430 shouldn't cost much to maintain while also providing a higher degree of luxury, comfort, and refinement over the Avalon. That said, I moved on from the 430 because I was 37 at the time and felt 20 years older every time I slipped behind the wheel. The 430 was ahead of its time and you can still at least pair your phone to it over Bluetooth, but don't expect much more technology integration beyond that. While the 430 nav has turn-by-turn voice directions, it will not announce street names; this might not matter if you rely on Waze or Google Maps on your phone for navigation -- just pointing out the era of technology in the 430. If you need CarPlay or message/music/app integration with your smartphone then maybe you'll be happier in the newer Avalon. Otherwise, I would get the 430 and look into aftermarket devices from VaisTech that will allow greater connectivity options with your phone. Good luck and let us know what you and your wife ultimately decide on.
Based on your needs/expectations, I would suggest the 2004-2006 LS 430 for comfort and lower cost of ownership. I went from a 2006 LS 430 to a 2013 LS 460 within a year and consider the 460 the better-riding and overall better car (for me). Our 460 has the air suspension and it will be an expensive fix, but don't forget the LS 430 also has the air suspension option and is equally as expensive to fix. Just get an LS with non-air and you'll save yourself a lot of worry and avoid possible contention with the wife.
I do consider the 430 more reliable than the 460 but the 430 isn't without faults. I find our 2006 ES 330 has been more reliable over its 13 years (and going on strong) compared to the 2.5 years with the LS 430 (11 months with me, the rest now with my parents). The 430 does not have too many known issues other than side-mirrors going bad and a fragile radiator fan assembly/coolant reservoir tank. Just keep an eye on coolant levels on the 430. Our 460 just came back from a $585 coolant leak repair, an apparently rare case in the 460 forums -- lucky me. However, our 2006 430 also has a coolant leak from a small crack behind the coolant reservoir tank that you wouldn't see unless you know where to look. The difference is the leak in the LS 430 can be solved with a 1-2 hour DIY job and a $185 part (coolant reservoir is molded with the radiator fan assembly so that's why you have to replace it as a single unit). Also, as of this writing, there are two separate threads by shwartzyd and LexInFL about coolant leaks and overheating on their LS 430s. Again, just keep an eye on the coolant level in the 430.
The 430 is very quiet and I still love the sound of ripping silk that the engine produces. The 460 is not as quiet at idle as the 430, but once in motion the 460 is a quieter car. The 2013+ models addressed many of the common issues with the 2007-2012 cars (control arms, brake actuators, melting dash/armrests, wind noise). Considering that you're expecting a growing family and reliability is paramount, I would go with the LS 430 over the Avalon. The 430 will cost less to acquire than the Avalon and the 430 shouldn't cost much to maintain while also providing a higher degree of luxury, comfort, and refinement over the Avalon. That said, I moved on from the 430 because I was 37 at the time and felt 20 years older every time I slipped behind the wheel. The 430 was ahead of its time and you can still at least pair your phone to it over Bluetooth, but don't expect much more technology integration beyond that. While the 430 nav has turn-by-turn voice directions, it will not announce street names; this might not matter if you rely on Waze or Google Maps on your phone for navigation -- just pointing out the era of technology in the 430. If you need CarPlay or message/music/app integration with your smartphone then maybe you'll be happier in the newer Avalon. Otherwise, I would get the 430 and look into aftermarket devices from VaisTech that will allow greater connectivity options with your phone. Good luck and let us know what you and your wife ultimately decide on.
Last edited by FatherTo1; 11-14-18 at 10:55 PM.
11-15-18, 08:46 AM
#27
Pole Position
Thread Starter
The Avalon is nice but not really comparable to the LS.
Based on your needs/expectations, I would suggest the 2004-2006 LS 430 for comfort and lower cost of ownership. I went from a 2006 LS 430 to a 2013 LS 460 within a year and consider the 460 the better-riding and overall better car (for me). Our 460 has the air suspension and it will be an expensive fix, but don't forget the LS 430 also has the air suspension option and is equally as expensive to fix. Just get an LS with non-air and you'll save yourself a lot of worry and avoid possible contention with the wife.
I do consider the 430 more reliable than the 460 but the 430 isn't without faults. I find our 2006 ES 330 has been more reliable over its 13 years (and going on strong) compared to the 2.5 years with the LS 430 (11 months with me, the rest now with my parents). The 430 does not have too many known issues other than side-mirrors going bad and a fragile radiator fan assembly/coolant reservoir tank. Just keep an eye on coolant levels on the 430. Our 460 just came back from a $585 coolant leak repair, an apparently rare case in the 460 forums -- lucky me. However, our 2006 430 also has a coolant leak from a small crack behind the coolant reservoir tank that you wouldn't see unless you know where to look. The difference is the leak in the LS 430 can be solved with a 1-2 hour DIY job and a $185 part (coolant reservoir is molded with the radiator fan assembly so that's why you have to replace it as a single unit). Also, as of this writing, there are two separate threads by shwartzyd and LexInFL about coolant leaks and overheating on their LS 430s. Again, just keep an eye on the coolant level in the 430.
The 430 is very quiet and I still love the sound of ripping silk that the engine produces. The 460 is not as quiet at idle as the 430, but once in motion the 460 is a quieter car. The 2013+ models addressed many of the common issues with the 2007-2012 cars (control arms, brake actuators, melting dash/armrests, wind noise). Considering that you're expecting a growing family and reliability is paramount, I would go with the LS 430 over the Avalon. The 430 will cost less to acquire than the Avalon and the 430 shouldn't cost much to maintain while also providing a higher degree of luxury, comfort, and refinement over the Avalon. That said, I moved on from the 430 because I was 37 at the time and felt 20 years older every time I slipped behind the wheel. The 430 was ahead of its time and you can still at least pair your phone to it over Bluetooth, but don't expect much more technology integration beyond that. While the 430 nav has turn-by-turn voice directions, it will not announce street names; this might not matter if you rely on Waze or Google Maps on your phone for navigation -- just pointing out the era of technology in the 430. If you need CarPlay or message/music/app integration with your smartphone then maybe you'll be happier in the newer Avalon. Otherwise, I would get the 430 and look into aftermarket devices from VaisTech that will allow greater connectivity options with your phone. Good luck and let us know what you and your wife ultimately decide on.
Based on your needs/expectations, I would suggest the 2004-2006 LS 430 for comfort and lower cost of ownership. I went from a 2006 LS 430 to a 2013 LS 460 within a year and consider the 460 the better-riding and overall better car (for me). Our 460 has the air suspension and it will be an expensive fix, but don't forget the LS 430 also has the air suspension option and is equally as expensive to fix. Just get an LS with non-air and you'll save yourself a lot of worry and avoid possible contention with the wife.
I do consider the 430 more reliable than the 460 but the 430 isn't without faults. I find our 2006 ES 330 has been more reliable over its 13 years (and going on strong) compared to the 2.5 years with the LS 430 (11 months with me, the rest now with my parents). The 430 does not have too many known issues other than side-mirrors going bad and a fragile radiator fan assembly/coolant reservoir tank. Just keep an eye on coolant levels on the 430. Our 460 just came back from a $585 coolant leak repair, an apparently rare case in the 460 forums -- lucky me. However, our 2006 430 also has a coolant leak from a small crack behind the coolant reservoir tank that you wouldn't see unless you know where to look. The difference is the leak in the LS 430 can be solved with a 1-2 hour DIY job and a $185 part (coolant reservoir is molded with the radiator fan assembly so that's why you have to replace it as a single unit). Also, as of this writing, there are two separate threads by shwartzyd and LexInFL about coolant leaks and overheating on their LS 430s. Again, just keep an eye on the coolant level in the 430.
The 430 is very quiet and I still love the sound of ripping silk that the engine produces. The 460 is not as quiet at idle as the 430, but once in motion the 460 is a quieter car. The 2013+ models addressed many of the common issues with the 2007-2012 cars (control arms, brake actuators, melting dash/armrests, wind noise). Considering that you're expecting a growing family and reliability is paramount, I would go with the LS 430 over the Avalon. The 430 will cost less to acquire than the Avalon and the 430 shouldn't cost much to maintain while also providing a higher degree of luxury, comfort, and refinement over the Avalon. That said, I moved on from the 430 because I was 37 at the time and felt 20 years older every time I slipped behind the wheel. The 430 was ahead of its time and you can still at least pair your phone to it over Bluetooth, but don't expect much more technology integration beyond that. While the 430 nav has turn-by-turn voice directions, it will not announce street names; this might not matter if you rely on Waze or Google Maps on your phone for navigation -- just pointing out the era of technology in the 430. If you need CarPlay or message/music/app integration with your smartphone then maybe you'll be happier in the newer Avalon. Otherwise, I would get the 430 and look into aftermarket devices from VaisTech that will allow greater connectivity options with your phone. Good luck and let us know what you and your wife ultimately decide on.
I am an old soul in a young body. I'm 26 but my favorite car to get behind and drive an hour or two was my old 2004 GS300 RWD. The older Lexus engineering just seemed to really get it right. My 2008 ISF is a blast to drive, but I value the smooth, quiet, comfortable ride more than the blow your socks off and hit your head on the roof when I go over a speed bump type ride. Honestly, my 5 year old daughter Adriana is more sad than I am about selling the ISF. She started crying the other day and said, "Daddy, dont sell alexus (yes she named it Alexus), she is the fastest car in town". I have an ISS DES exhaust and she loves the rumble and to go fast! Her mother doesn't like it, but Adriana keeps it a secret
I'm ready to cruise on the highway though as most of my commute is I-75 going 70mph. I already plan on replacing the radiator, cap, and whatever else is needed as soon as I find an LS430. I'm huge on preventative maintenance. I really do appreciate all of you guys and the great advice. I wish more members were in Cincinnati to meet up sometime!
11-15-18, 11:02 AM
#29
Instructor
Having previously owned an LS400, I bought a 2004 LS430 with 147k miles. I knew it needed some work due to its age, but I made sure it had a recent/timely timing chain replacement.
What I've done:
suspension bushings
lower A arm bushing
Y pipe replacement
valve cover gaskets
oil sensors (part of emissions control and don't know full name)
rebuilt wood on steering wheel
reupholstered front seats
new brakes
I bought it for 9k, the above is about 5k, so I have 14k in a car that drives like a brand-new car at 90 MPH down I-75 from GA to FL- and it does it as quiet as a mouse.
Don't be afraid to "refresh" a 430.
What I've done:
suspension bushings
lower A arm bushing
Y pipe replacement
valve cover gaskets
oil sensors (part of emissions control and don't know full name)
rebuilt wood on steering wheel
reupholstered front seats
new brakes
I bought it for 9k, the above is about 5k, so I have 14k in a car that drives like a brand-new car at 90 MPH down I-75 from GA to FL- and it does it as quiet as a mouse.
Don't be afraid to "refresh" a 430.
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caverman (11-16-18)