Opinions on potential purchase
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 224
Likes: 25
From: CA
Couldn't have gone better. Car is in my garage as I type!
Only issue that cake up was the telescoping steering wheel motor is dead, the up down is fine. Tech was really nice and let me check things out while it was up on the lift and pointed out everything to watch out for.
Timing belt and water are first up as there is no indication of them ever being done. The Lexus service manager printed out all the records they had, which was nice since I didn't think there were any according to Lexus.com. nothing really of note though, oil changes and typical maintenance.
It was a wonderful drive home, about 150 miles. First impression is wow, the power rolls on and just so effortlessly piles on. I think I made a great choice!
Only issue that cake up was the telescoping steering wheel motor is dead, the up down is fine. Tech was really nice and let me check things out while it was up on the lift and pointed out everything to watch out for.
Timing belt and water are first up as there is no indication of them ever being done. The Lexus service manager printed out all the records they had, which was nice since I didn't think there were any according to Lexus.com. nothing really of note though, oil changes and typical maintenance.
It was a wonderful drive home, about 150 miles. First impression is wow, the power rolls on and just so effortlessly piles on. I think I made a great choice!
Advanced
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 647
Likes: 258
From: Ct
Congrats!! Post some more pics for sure. And if you have some experience turning a wrench the timing belt is not too difficult of a task — of course if you’re unsure it’s better to pay someone else to do it
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 224
Likes: 25
From: CA
Didn't get any more info on the steering wheel, but I will say the wood matches a bit more in person, so possibly just faded over time, it's definitely not as noticable as I thought it might be.
I did have a question about the cruise control. I was under the impression all 04-06 430's had radar cruise control but apparently not all do? Or am I just missing something?
BTW, Putnam Lexus was great to work with. The service manager changed the batteries in both Smart keys for free, told me to call him or the tech at any time with questions, just a great experience overall.
I have changed my fair share of timing belts over the years and while this one doesn't seem too bad, if I can find an indie at a reasonable price, I'm getting to the age that sometimes paying to have it done is just easier, but I'll get some quotes first.
Also, I really appreciate all the help from you guys. What a great forum here. One of my previous commute cars was a Civic and dear God that forum was a cluster F!
I did have a question about the cruise control. I was under the impression all 04-06 430's had radar cruise control but apparently not all do? Or am I just missing something?
BTW, Putnam Lexus was great to work with. The service manager changed the batteries in both Smart keys for free, told me to call him or the tech at any time with questions, just a great experience overall.
I have changed my fair share of timing belts over the years and while this one doesn't seem too bad, if I can find an indie at a reasonable price, I'm getting to the age that sometimes paying to have it done is just easier, but I'll get some quotes first.
Also, I really appreciate all the help from you guys. What a great forum here. One of my previous commute cars was a Civic and dear God that forum was a cluster F!
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Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 224
Likes: 25
From: CA
You and me both on the price. I worked at dealerships all through college and learned a lot about how they work. I knew they probably gave the previous owner 6-7k so $9500-10k was possible but only being on the lot a week, I figured they would be more stingy with price reduction this early. I threw out the number and just stuck to it and figured they would pass but after a bit of back and forth emails, I was surprised they accepted. I was even more surprised they didn't try and tack on a bunch of BS fees.
I'm in the middle of a kitchen remodel so I don't have much time to play with the new purchase this weekend but I'll be diving in soon.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 302
Likes: 30
From: Washington
Fairly common
I find it's quite common that the steering wheel wood does not exactly match the rest of the wood. One my UL the color is pretty close, the grain does not match up at all.
The 04-06 had two types of adaptive cruise control. The more common option is laser based, and used on cars that do not have the PCS system. The PCS cars have radar based adaptive cruise.
I sold my 2010 Prius to move up to the 05 LS. The Prius had both radar cruise and lane keeping with the PCS system. My Prius was the advanced technology package, a very spendy Prius new. I put 327 K on that little car.
When I made the choice of an LS I decided that I could live without the lane keeping, but adaptive cruise was a requirement. I don't really miss the lane keeping, but sure would not mind having it. I am pleased I got radar based, the laser based has issues with bad weather. We get lots of bad weather here.
While the owners manual cautions against using the cruise control in bad weather, I use it. I 100% guarantee the radar can see better than I can, esp. in heavy fog. It will hold the speed down to 28 MPH.
My Prius was very close to what Toyota now offers across the product line standard. In my experience that's a very good thing. The technologies save lives.
The 04-06 had two types of adaptive cruise control. The more common option is laser based, and used on cars that do not have the PCS system. The PCS cars have radar based adaptive cruise.
I sold my 2010 Prius to move up to the 05 LS. The Prius had both radar cruise and lane keeping with the PCS system. My Prius was the advanced technology package, a very spendy Prius new. I put 327 K on that little car.
When I made the choice of an LS I decided that I could live without the lane keeping, but adaptive cruise was a requirement. I don't really miss the lane keeping, but sure would not mind having it. I am pleased I got radar based, the laser based has issues with bad weather. We get lots of bad weather here.
While the owners manual cautions against using the cruise control in bad weather, I use it. I 100% guarantee the radar can see better than I can, esp. in heavy fog. It will hold the speed down to 28 MPH.
My Prius was very close to what Toyota now offers across the product line standard. In my experience that's a very good thing. The technologies save lives.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 199
From: DFW, TX
Congrats on the purchase. You'll love it. I got my first LS from a friend when I was "in need" of a car for a year or two but ended up loving the LS so much I'm sold on them now!
Your tilt motor is a DIY if you've got any basic knowledge of working on cars. Cost is about $300 though and there are two motors, one for tilt and one for telesocpic. There are threads on the forum on how to do it.
Also, check over all of your door locks. There is a good chance some of your door lock actuators need to be replaced. With the faded steering wheel that means it's more than likely spent a bit of time outside. For that reason, check the sound of your subwoofer and if it's blown there is a thread on how to fix it for about $20.
Your tilt motor is a DIY if you've got any basic knowledge of working on cars. Cost is about $300 though and there are two motors, one for tilt and one for telesocpic. There are threads on the forum on how to do it.
Also, check over all of your door locks. There is a good chance some of your door lock actuators need to be replaced. With the faded steering wheel that means it's more than likely spent a bit of time outside. For that reason, check the sound of your subwoofer and if it's blown there is a thread on how to fix it for about $20.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,564
Likes: 389
From: PA
Didn't get any more info on the steering wheel, but I will say the wood matches a bit more in person, so possibly just faded over time, it's definitely not as noticable as I thought it might be.
I did have a question about the cruise control. I was under the impression all 04-06 430's had radar cruise control but apparently not all do? Or am I just missing something?
BTW, Putnam Lexus was great to work with. The service manager changed the batteries in both Smart keys for free, told me to call him or the tech at any time with questions, just a great experience overall.
I have changed my fair share of timing belts over the years and while this one doesn't seem too bad, if I can find an indie at a reasonable price, I'm getting to the age that sometimes paying to have it done is just easier, but I'll get some quotes first.
Also, I really appreciate all the help from you guys. What a great forum here. One of my previous commute cars was a Civic and dear God that forum was a cluster F!
I did have a question about the cruise control. I was under the impression all 04-06 430's had radar cruise control but apparently not all do? Or am I just missing something?
BTW, Putnam Lexus was great to work with. The service manager changed the batteries in both Smart keys for free, told me to call him or the tech at any time with questions, just a great experience overall.
I have changed my fair share of timing belts over the years and while this one doesn't seem too bad, if I can find an indie at a reasonable price, I'm getting to the age that sometimes paying to have it done is just easier, but I'll get some quotes first.
Also, I really appreciate all the help from you guys. What a great forum here. One of my previous commute cars was a Civic and dear God that forum was a cluster F!
Did you ask them to do the timing belt? The two Lexus dealers that I dealt with were willing to (they played that game we have to contact service and will let you know tomorrow, then the next morning said yes in both cases--it's nothing as far as parts and the labor is internal). My only concern was knowing what we all know about dealers, what if they didn't actually do the work, so if I could have I would take $900 off and take it somewhere myself...but I digress! Nice that they changed the batteries as I broke the door off of 1 of the fobs learning hahahahahahaha stupid, so easy but it helps to read the manual. Bought a new valet fob never used, for $15 online, and only took the door off of it. Put the broken door back on the new fob. That's $15 I'll never get back....live and learn.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 224
Likes: 25
From: CA
All of my door locks work as expected, I played with those a lot before purchase to make sure.
The Lexus dealership did not offer to change the timing belt but they probably knew it wouldn't happen since I was 150 miles from home. I'll look into Indies around Sacramento and decide when I get some prices. If anyone has a good shop in or around Sacramento, let me know.
Took the wife out to dinner last night for her first ride and sadly, she didn't really notice a difference from my old Camry hybrid 😒 not surprised, she couldnt really care less about cars which is fine.
I'll fix the telescoping motor then have auto move feature turned off. Ifs a fun little option but if it wears out motors prematurely, it's not worth it.
Back to more kitchen remodeling today, hopefully next weekend I'll get to play with the car more and give it a proper detail.
The Lexus dealership did not offer to change the timing belt but they probably knew it wouldn't happen since I was 150 miles from home. I'll look into Indies around Sacramento and decide when I get some prices. If anyone has a good shop in or around Sacramento, let me know.
Took the wife out to dinner last night for her first ride and sadly, she didn't really notice a difference from my old Camry hybrid 😒 not surprised, she couldnt really care less about cars which is fine.
I'll fix the telescoping motor then have auto move feature turned off. Ifs a fun little option but if it wears out motors prematurely, it's not worth it.
Back to more kitchen remodeling today, hopefully next weekend I'll get to play with the car more and give it a proper detail.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,564
Likes: 389
From: PA
I know that before I got the LS430, I pointed them out whenever we saw them on the road, and my wife said, oh, that's an older person's car....lol
In reality, how often are their drivers < 60 when we see them on the road? Even my buddy's teens said of the LS430, that's a grandparent's car, I really don't like it, they like my wife's SUV way better (soccer mom mobile city).
But everyone here knows the secret, the LS430 is a great car, and the more other people don't notice them or care, the better off we are motoring on our way to 300k and then some!
In reality, how often are their drivers < 60 when we see them on the road? Even my buddy's teens said of the LS430, that's a grandparent's car, I really don't like it, they like my wife's SUV way better (soccer mom mobile city).
But everyone here knows the secret, the LS430 is a great car, and the more other people don't notice them or care, the better off we are motoring on our way to 300k and then some!