The 460 has some desirable features over the 430, it has some model only issues just like the 430. I have yet to see a 460 with over 100k who's interior didn't reflect it. They seem to be made cheap in areas over the 430. Also some wind noise issues I hear.

The 430 had it's own nightmares, the biggest is its front suspension. The timing belt is a non issue to me, it's straight forward, getting to the bottom of my steering wheel vibration in my 2004 has been a year long on going process that still isn't resolved. She's smooth at 70 now thank God but at 60 to 65 it's awful. Best highway cruise car out there and IT DRIVES ME NUTS ON THE HIGHWAY.

That being said I'd personally still take a 04 to 06 430 over a 460, unless the 460 was clean and priced the same. A 06 430 with 18s in white black or grey, I'd be all over it. I'd probably consider a Ultra too knowing either way both will probably need shocks. Coilovers are the same price for each. 430 model. But before buying either I'd really try to get it out on a smooth highway to test drive.

 

I've had 2 ls430s between 2003 and 2011 and none were superior to my current LS460 and i don't miss them. The ls460 has been well behaved for nearly 2 years. I've replaced the general wear and tear items myself. The Control arm problem is overblown. 4 quality upper control arms cost me $160 total. I changed them in my garage myself. The old ones were still functional after 90k miles. Very powerful on the highway with loads of top end passing power. My wind noise is solved. Easy fix. I have the trim with leather door armrests ,Comfort Plus , so they aren't failing. Lexus is covering most trim pieces for free now. Handles great with 19" wheels and still comfortable. KYB made upgraded shocks for the ls460 which are better than the old oem KYBs. Only $100 pop. Bigger and better high definition nav. I have the dvd bypass kit so i can watch movies in motion. Amazing with 19 speaker Mark levinson audio! Finally I think the early "L finesse" style is holding up very well. My ls460 is still a head turner and has alot of road presence. The only thing i wish i had was the L version which looks even more imposing.

 

Nice LS BTW....

Thanks for your input. I still plan on moving to a 2013+ when they drop down in to the low $20k range which will probably be another year or so. I'm still worried about leaving the LS430 for a LS460. I really like the two 430s that I have had and there has been very little things other than basic maintenance to deal with in almost 5 years of owning them. My friends give me hell for driving a "Gandpa" car but I take it and tell them gandpa or not this car fits me the best and it has the best payment.....paid for!

 

Yeah paid cash for mine 2 yrs ago for my 2008. Nice not having a car note, but I'd be tempted to get a 2013+ LS460 if the right price comes along and these color combos come along and was somewhat local. Several thing would need to be in line, i.e good trade or private sale for my 2008 and good price on a 2013+ LS460, I'd only want rear wheel drive for the full 285 hp and lower cost for suspension parts.
Until then I'll enjoy my 2008.

 

Wow, it`s a really beautiful car!

 

2013+ LS460. If you are a complete DIY'er and are ok with timing belt jobs and chasing leaks etc., then the LS430 is a long-lasting relatively cheap car (it's now 15-20 y.o.). A LS can even be driven as-is and likely last a long time. It's often cost-prohibitive to repair everything so it's 100%.

 

Costs about $2400 in parts if you want every single wear item and seal set to "like new" in the front and rear suspension and while driveline and 4 days of time

 

I'm even talking about stuff like door actuators, telescoping motors, mirror switches, seat cushions, etc. etc. Even DIY starts to add up with cost and time.

imho timing belt job is a good "signature" dish where if you are willing and capable to do that job at home, you're pretty capable and can tackle this car (I have yet to do that job myself but will someday).

I mean not trying to make myself look stupid, but I spent 4 mos. doing my BMW ABS. Part of the reason I could take that long was that it's an extra car in the garage, and BMW was providing a loaner the entire time. If it were my daily driver I still might have taken 2 weeks and now been without a car. If the LS is an extra car, perfect (it is my DD but since I have an extra car it can also be down).

edit I think that the majority of folks should buy a 2013+ LS460. The marginal additional cost, is well worth it.

edit 2 the point I'm trying to make is people like us buying used are trying to find a sweet spot, where you are getting something if you pay more, not going to pay more when you are not getting anything. 2013+ LS460. You only start getting 2004 LS when you simply don't have the 460 as a choice, price, etc. 2007 460 would be one of those "if I knew it cost this much to maintain, I would have kept my 7 series" deals.

 

I would highly recommend avoiding the early LS460’s as they had a lot of issues early on. LS460’s are starting to get cheaper now but they’re usually beat up or have 150,000+ miles. The LS430 would be a better choice if you want a great car under $10,000.

The LS460 is an awesome car though. I had a 2009 and loved it. Those early LS460’s can be very expensive to maintain compared to an LS430. I’d recommend the 2011+ LS460 as those had less issues.

 

I agree with everything said here with one exception.. If money is not an option I'd be more secure with 2013+ on the LS460. These had the least problems.

 

True but I just rebuilt those actuators and motors to save on cost, same deal with blend door actuators as they can be serviced.

A 2013 was my other option but I decided due to parts cost and my goal of having a cheap worry low daily that a 430 was more inline and quite simply I prefer the interior personally.

 

there is a site called dashboard lights-rates LS exceptional. 2006 rates only slightly better than a 2007, lots of 2007 and much fewer 2008 which have more problems. My car has issues and considering a 460 since last May. reason for not getting a 460 boil down to brake actuator which is $3000 and warranty for 10 years so 2010 are out now. control arms are an issue times 8 in a 460. Then issue with sticky panels came out and I have not yet sorted out how to avoid this and when that warranty expires. either would be okay, but both make me more likely to try and keep my old 430 alive.

 

I had a 2007 & 2008 LS460. I got rid of the 460's and I now have a 2006 LS430. I couldn't be happier. The 2004-2006 LS430 is in my opinion the best vehicle Lexus produced. From the quality of workmanship to the reliability, simply the best. My wife is happy as well (she no longer has to listen to me complaining).

 

The "era" where excellent products were made seems to go across multiple mfgs. Today it's not a big deal for things to be decontented, I dunno like floating calipers on $130k cars, or solid rear discs on 60k Lexus, etc. It seemed that somewhere around 2004-2008, mfg. peaked, where engineers seemed to be winning over bean counters, then that began to die out by 2010. There were cars with true dual exhausts in the mid 2000's. It's truly amazing engineers were able to get that into production. Then you saw an evolution where it was removed, production costs more than halved, list prices climbed, but designers kept the rear end of the system identical to maintain looks. As time progressed into the early 2010's, they didn't even do that anymore and simply had a totally fake dual--this is just one example there are many..

 

the ls460 is more stylish and better fuel economy and comfort and luxury , but is spare parts are more expensive than the LS430 .
the Ls430 is less maintenance than the 460
if you need the car for business ( traveling from town to town ) and the car working from morning till night go for the LS430
but if you need car for weekend or short driving use go for 460