Howdy,

Anyway after doing some research I'm looking for a specific LS430 with a few criteria:

1. No sunroof (rare I know)...
2. No keyless entry (gimmick for me and way to complicated electronics on this car)
3. interesting paint color
4. Heated Seats
5. Obvious other stuff like mechanically sound and good interior and exterior.

Q: It appears the lack of sunroof was only available on base models from 2001- 2003? .... how expensive do you think it would be to add OEM heating to the seats (if that is even possible) if I can't find a car with no sunroof with heated seats?

 

You could always add aftermarket seat heaters, but they have a tendency to either stop working, or they set the upholstery on fire, resulting in what is scientifically know in the international auto enthusiast community as a "Car-be-que"

 

No sunroof was only offered in Ireland and that area, have never seen a 430 with no sunroof. Also don't do after market heated seats they are crap find a pair of oem seats from the junkyard/ebay/another member.

 

yeah thats right I believe, an option on pre facelift cars but standard on later ones.

 

Just out of curiosity, why are you anti-sunroof? Is it an appearance thing? My first 7 years I owned 430's I parked outside in the Seattle area, and they never leaked. You don't have to have the daylight come through; you can pull the shade closed. If you don't like electrics, don't use it.
It just seems like you are making your search unnecessarily difficult.

 

Having a 2001 (first year) LS430, just keep the interior shade closed and use only the key to open the doors. You might still need to maintain the battery, though, in the key fob for the security system.

The search will go much better…..😀

 

Speaking of Sunroofs, I was browsing CL a few days ago and found a RX330 with no Sunroof but leather interior. I don't think I've ever seen a LS without a sunroof.

 

No Sunroof is rare as rocking horse poop.
I looked for that here in the UK and only found one 2003 and that was an utter heap of neglected doody!

As for why anyone would want one without sunroof, if you are over 6'6" then not having the sunroof gives you nearly 2" extra headroom.
For me (6'4") it would have meant I could have the seat in a more comfortable position rather than all the way down and all the way back.

 

Good point. I'm 6'6" and I can sit up straight with room, but if I was more than that or had a longer torso, I could see wanting the extra head space.

 

Slide the shade open and voila, more headroom than even a non sunroof version! Get black opaque vinyl Put on the inside and you're sorted!

 

I think sunroofs were standard equipment for the US market. I believe you can get an LS in Japan without a sunroof and looking at my US sales brochure for 2006, the picture of the LS430 being crash tested does not have a sunroof.

Keyless entry works flawlessly on these cars. It's a very handy feature to have.