Is the Lexus LS430 the Best Used Car You Can Buy Right Now?
For pennies on the dollar, the Lexus LS430 gives us more car for the money than pretty much anything else.
While it may play second fiddle to the original and iconic LS400, the Lexus LS430 is still a fantastically reliable and comfortable mode of transportation that’s also relatively affordable, if one can sift through the high-dollar, low-mile examples to find a diamond in the rough. These days, that’s easier said that done, thanks to a bloated used vehicle market, but the Lexus LS430 still offers a heck of a lot of car for the money. At least, that’s what the typically hilarious folks behind the Regular Car Reviews YouTube Channel believe after spending some time behind the wheel of a 2002 model recently.
Like its predecessor, the Lexus LS430 is rather subdued in terms of styling, and that’s even more true today than it was when it launched. This is a car that blends into traffic, one that won’t make anyone turn their head or even think that you’re driving something more than a gussied-up Toyota of some sort. But that may actually appeal to some folks, and ultimately, style isn’t what this car is about.
So what makes this the best used car one can buy in 2022, as our host boldly declares it? Well, we’re talking about a plush, luxurious sedan that once cost around $55k, or $89k in today’s inflated money. It isn’t fast by any measure, but its 4.3-liter 3UZ V8 generates a smooth 290 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, which is adequate even by today’s lofty standards. Most importantly, it’s incredibly reliable, to the point where it topped J.D. Power’s reliability ratings for luxury sedans every single year it was in production.
Hop inside, and you won’t be wowed with fancy electronic gizmos and technology – this was built 20 years ago, after all – but you’ll appreciate the butter soft leather seats that coddle you everywhere you go, as well as the pleasing wood trim that breaks up the sea of beige that’s otherwise present inside the cabin. However, it does offer some things that weren’t common in 2002, such as adaptive cruise control to pair with its cassette player.
Regardless, the 92k-mile nice but well-worn example in this video was acquired for a mere $8,000, which is a heck of a bargain by anyone’s standards. You’ll simply have a hard time finding more car for the money in this day and age, and that makes the LS430 a great choice for anyone who can appreciate boringly reliable and amazingly comfortable luxury sedans.
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