2010 Sport Model (or base) vs LS430
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 41
Likes: 9
From: Maryland
2010 Sport Model (or base) vs LS430
Recently found out that the LS460 was offered with an optional Sport package and cannot help but be intrigued.
I'm looking for a new daily driver to drive about 20K a year with. I see these cars pop up in the high 20s from time to time and think that if they are as reliable as the rest of the Lexus lineup, its a no brainer for me. Wondering if I wouldnt be better off getting an older later model LS430 though. I hear the build quality was better on the previous generation and i'm not very picky when it comes to gadgets and tech.
Sure would be cool to have paddle shiftable full size luxury sedan however lol
Any input?
I'm looking for a new daily driver to drive about 20K a year with. I see these cars pop up in the high 20s from time to time and think that if they are as reliable as the rest of the Lexus lineup, its a no brainer for me. Wondering if I wouldnt be better off getting an older later model LS430 though. I hear the build quality was better on the previous generation and i'm not very picky when it comes to gadgets and tech.
Sure would be cool to have paddle shiftable full size luxury sedan however lol
Any input?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 75
From: Tx
I think think there is a difference with the 08+ LS460 compared to a LS430 (I test drove a 02, 04 and 06). Not saying the LS430 was bad, but for a DD I liked the tech advancements a 2010 can bring to you.
Largely reliable with a few things to look out for (brake actuator, control arms), depends on your price range?
Largely reliable with a few things to look out for (brake actuator, control arms), depends on your price range?
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 32
From: Massachusetts
Don't know how many low mileage 430's are still out there. Not to mention you are talking about a car that is over ten years old vs one that is 6. If you plan on going 20K miles a year, I would look for the newest low mileage car you can find.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 785
Likes: 225
From: NJ
The sport package gives you paddle shifters and the Sport + option. My only concern is that it also gives you the air suspension, which, at some point is going to cost you a few bucks in repairs. No big deal if you can live with that.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 365
From: New Hampshire
Speaking of overall reliability of LS 460's...as long as the recalls have been done and the control arms are good...these are great cars. I would worry about an air ride car, no matter what it is, because when those shocks go you'll be spending big to replace them. You'll get a little better fuel economy out of the 460 compared to the 430 because of the 8 speed transmission.
The 430 is a great car too, lots of people have driven them to the moon and back with very little problems.
The 430 is a great car too, lots of people have driven them to the moon and back with very little problems.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 422
Likes: 4
From: MN
I upgraded from. 06' 430 to 11' 460. I think overall 460 is better driving car than 430. If you are a tall guy, you will find more headroom in 430
10' 460 will have less common Problems than 07' one. Even though my 06' 430 is reliable, but by the time I sell it this year, problems start to come up. Struts need to be changed, steering shakes when stepping on the brake, can't start the car after parked for a week. 10+ years old 430 will have more problem than 6 years old 460
10' 460 will have less common Problems than 07' one. Even though my 06' 430 is reliable, but by the time I sell it this year, problems start to come up. Struts need to be changed, steering shakes when stepping on the brake, can't start the car after parked for a week. 10+ years old 430 will have more problem than 6 years old 460
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 411
Likes: 10
From: SF Bay Area
I picked up a '12 LS460 Sport back in May...I had been daily driving a '97 LS400 for about a decade.
I don't really need the paddle shifters, but the rest of the package is great -- 3 way adjustable suspension, wheels, bodywork, and that nice two-tone interior. It's a great car and I still look forward to driving it whenever possible.
2010-2012 LS460 Sports are definitely underrated.
I don't really need the paddle shifters, but the rest of the package is great -- 3 way adjustable suspension, wheels, bodywork, and that nice two-tone interior. It's a great car and I still look forward to driving it whenever possible.
2010-2012 LS460 Sports are definitely underrated.
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Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 100
From: Florida
that's like comparing apples to oranges. the 430 vs the 460 are TOTALLY different cars, like, nothing like the other at all. some of the DNA of the 400 carried over to the 430 and it still had that rock solid "old school Toyota" feel. fit and finish wise, but the LS460 still ironclad reliable and its still better than pretty much anything else out there of the 2007+ models. 07-09s had bugs but by 2010 everything was right. 2gen F-sport Ls460s are hard to find. not too many out there. id go for it man. the 430 is stodgy looks/feels like a grandpa car. the 460 is sexy and sleeker, plus its got a better sounding engine, better driver feedback and way more power.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 348
From: Tennessee
Greetings. Having owned an 05 LS430 that I traded for my 08 LS460, for me it's the difference in night and day. Gadgets aren't a necessity in my book, but they sure are nice to have. The main difference is the age of the 430's. Like the 400 which was perhaps one of the best cars I've ever owned, they've served their time. If you can find a late in the year 2010 Sport where they've used the different control arms, then you should be fine. My 08 has 63K and so far not an issue with anything other than a crack in the driver door armrest. I still smile every single day I push the start button. Even if you don't get the sport, look at a 2011 or 2012 and you'll have a great car with pretty much all the features you'd want. That 20K miles a year just may become 30K. ;-)
Good luck.
Good luck.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,465
Likes: 3,990
From: Maryland
I shopped for 3 year old LS430s, in 2009 a 2006 LS430 with an original MSRP of ~ $70k was buyable for $35k or so...about 50% of its new value. Same has been true of the LS460.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 422
Likes: 4
From: MN
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 255
Likes: 21
From: Washington
I picked up a '12 LS460 Sport back in May...I had been daily driving a '97 LS400 for about a decade.
I don't really need the paddle shifters, but the rest of the package is great -- 3 way adjustable suspension, wheels, bodywork, and that nice two-tone interior. It's a great car and I still look forward to driving it whenever possible.
2010-2012 LS460 Sports are definitely underrated.
I don't really need the paddle shifters, but the rest of the package is great -- 3 way adjustable suspension, wheels, bodywork, and that nice two-tone interior. It's a great car and I still look forward to driving it whenever possible.
2010-2012 LS460 Sports are definitely underrated.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 411
Likes: 10
From: SF Bay Area
Good point. I swapped our the stock dusty @ss brembo pads a few months after I bought the car for some ceramic PowerStops and the dust is no longer an issue. the PowerStops are dead silent too.