revlimitbo

Hi:

Soon to be in the market for a good second car at minimal cost-per-value and thinking about either a late 3rd gen LS430 or an early (pre-face lift) 4th gen LS460. Coming out of an old '02 Mercedes E55 AMG as my current back-up car, but I have a company car for everyday. I sometimes do long road trips in my backup car, so that's a primary focus.

Wondering what folks here have found regarding these two cars and the following:

-which is better to drive (not just comfort, but handling agility)
-which is more reliable; if one has more problem areas than the other
-which will better swallow more miles than the other

Thanks!

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Welcome! As you might imagine, this exact question has come up a few dozen times. Here are some starter links I searched up using keywords 'ls430 ls460' in the thread titles in the 3rd and 4th gen LS forums using the forum's advanced search feature

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ht=ls430+ls460
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ht=ls430+ls460
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ht=ls430+ls460
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ht=ls430+ls460
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ht=ls430+ls460
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ht=ls430+ls460
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ht=ls430+ls460
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ht=ls430+ls460
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ht=ls430+ls460

revlimitbo

Thanks! I searched but found too many results to sift through to get to my real question.

Duck05

From your brief description a 430 would fit your needs (if you can find one....).

Legender

Based on problems found with the early model 4th gens you'd be looking at, plus the issue of the 'harsher' ride from the tire change I also think you want an 04-06 LS430.

ltd76gold

'02 Mercedes E55 AMG ....
Might I ask what reason you have for the change?
Your car was one I was looking at before picking up my 06 ls.

thanks,
Doug k

Jabberwock

LS460s are slightly bigger and faster. Slightly worse mpg. Required maintenance and consumables costs on 460 may be more expensive. Reliability while still very good is not at LS430 level. Anecdotally have heard stories about expensive front end/suspension repairs on LS460s with relatively low miles (<100K). Handling and high speed road stability may better on the LS460 although both versions are big somewhat ponderous sedans so its never going to feel like an M5.

revlimitbo

Sure. While it's very fast and still of an era simple enough so that I can fix just about anything that might go wrong (I just did some major servicing on it), the parts are still extremely expensive. This back-up car is one that I put away for a month or more at a time, and then come back to it and when I do, I need it to operate without headache. Not that the E55 has been a headache; it hasn't. I do like to change things up from time to time. I wouldn't dissuade someone keen on an E55, but I have other sportier cars and old stuff to keep my heart aflutter.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

What do you consider minimal cost? If you go with the 430 I would suggest an 04-06 but a clean one would still cost at least 10k i believe. I would consider an 01-03 but I think 04-06 front end looks much better.I would not rule out the 460 unless it's out of your price range.

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

You are not going to get handling agility out of an lexus LS series platform unless you spend over $3000 like I did on aftermarket performance suspension parts. It sounds like since your familiar with mercedes maybe they have something that they offer that would be better suited to your needs or maybe a bmw?

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

I would take the LS430 over an 07-09 LS460. I've had both cars before and the early LS460's had a few issues. 2010 and up seems to be the best years to get on the LS460.

CaneLaw07

Having driven both 430 and 460, and owning the 03, I'd only be down for the hybrid LS460, but (a) I'm green and (b) I set a ton of dinosaurs on fire between the LS, a 00 Land Cruiser, and a 2 stroke 200 HP Mercury... so a massive beast hybrid sounds amazing. The 03 LS430 surprises me with how nice the ride is. I did just replace the tie-rods and lower control arm bushings recently as well. sooo 430!

Johnhav430

If the E55 was a daily driver, I think imho the LS430 would be disappointing. imho the reason to buy a LS430 is likely the reliability and seemingly low cost to maintain (DIY and indies). Otherwise, if an A8L were just as reliable, would there be a single person on this forum who wouldn't choose that instead? That's a huge if. Obviously there's a reason why an Audi which was $13k more new, was $2k less used, with 25k less miles last year....(last Oct. I was seeing 2006 A8's for $12k, with mileage in the 60's...)

AJT123

430 was designed in the late 90s when Toyota quality was at its absolute pinnacle. 400 and 430 were the basic, old, very successful "the best Cadillac America could never build." It won comparison tests left and right. 430s weren't sporty at all, if you want a little more fun better handling, go with 460. But then open the door to both and compare material quality. The seats alone are night and day difference. I had a chance to buy a beautiful 2011 and the sales guy (of course) was bending over backwards trying to get me to pull the trigger. I frankly told him, "this is simply not an upgrade, actually a downgrade" I guess from what *I* want out of a luxury car.

Technology matters, though, and yes a 460 definitely has more of that.

As for the highway ride/comfort I'm sure the 460 is fantastic. But I'll tell you I routinely drive from Knoxville to Rochester 750 miles, we always literally stop once for 5 mins and gas. Get out feeling as refreshed as the second we sat in the car 11 hours prior.

By no means am I saying a 460 isn't a great car, but IMHO the LS430 is the W126 of Lexus cars. Clearly a superior vehicle. More reliable too.

05ls430518

iTrader: (1)

You could always get a 2006 mercedes s65 amg if you want sporty just get ready to cross your fingers and have a panic attack everytime you start it up lmao.