e-man

Before everyone jumps all over me to conduct a search . . .

I have a very specific question and I need some advice because I am struggling with the decision. I've driven both cars. I like both cars, but really don't love the 460 more than the 430 like a lot of people do. In fact, I like the growl of the 430 better than the 460. As for the different nav screens, I didn't do a side by side comparison, so I didn't notice the difference.

Here is the choice I am facing:

06 GS430, 40k miles, CPO, the exact color I want, asking $27,000
08 GS460, 40k miles, non-CPO (although still under factory warranty for a few months), color not in my top 3, asking $30,000

I get the fact that the 430 is old technology, an old engine, an old nav screen, that the 350 is a tad quicker, etc., but assuming the 350 is not an option, between these 2 cars, what do you think? The part I'm struggling most with is the fact that the 08 460 is only $3,000 more than the 06 430. It would seem that the 460 is a better buy from a financial standpoint, but I feel that I like the 430 just as much if not more than the 460.

Am I nuts?

e

worker

the GS430 missing only a few things and yes it's a bit out dated. One of them is mp3. Over all I still love my gs430. Iimo I would choose the gs460 in the color I like. But than I've never driven Gs460 so I'm not sure of it's ride.

tbilisi79

GS430 should be a bit cheaper. 27 is too much.

Try to get 460 for 28 if you can. It will be.
I love my 430, I think its a perfectly balanced car.
But 460 has more power and that is always good. PLus the fact that it plays MP3s is an awesome feature. Having 4-5 albums on one disc is awesome. With my car I can only fit 15-20 songs per CD.
Also, 460 has 8 speed tranny, which I think is an overkill, constant hunt for the right gear, but it will yield better MPG compared to 430.
430 is a bit of a hog. city stop and go will yield you 13-16 mg. and hwy will be around 22-25. depends how you drive. But as soon as you open it up a bit here and there it will drop fast.

Neither of these cars will be easy to sell, with their v8s and all. So plan on trading it in when you are donw with them. Gas is not getting cheaper ever again.

Good luck.

worker

^ wow, you want more power than the GS430? LOL I find the GS430 has too much power for MD. Too many slow slow slowwww drivers doing way below the speed limit and to make it worse they drive all over. When I mean all over, I mean cutting 5 lanes going for a missed exit.

tbilisi79

Too much horsepower is never enough!!! GS430 is plenty fast I dont need more, but more would be welcome.

Cheesaleo

Gosh, its nothing like driving a GS460, and i was once a driver of a LS430 04' ML edition. The instant power of switching lanes when you need it is so awesome in the GS460. My previous LS430 has the power; although for whatever reason as the years go by it seems like more auto makers from Ford to Nissan are all increasing there horsepower and torque performance. This can make it difficult at times when driving on the freeways and expressways because of merging traffic and/or needing to switch lanes. Anyhow, personally already having came from a V8-430 engine and now currently in the V8-460 engine "E-Man" save yourself the hassle and move on to the GS460. Now I'll tell you this, I took the car to have the oil changed about 5days ago and the damn thing cost $128 because of the 9.1quarts of oil it requires. I only use Penzoil Ultra Synthetic, and it rides amazingly smooth and doesnt burn gas nearly as fast either. Dont let a $3000 difference sway your decision from getting what you desire. You know you want a GS460 and God given you opportunity. Bottomline, I wouldnt pay $27k for any car unless its a Mercedes CL600 with under 30K miles.... so even considering a 06' GS430 that car should only cost $23-$24k, and still if I'm getting an 06' I'd say get a LS430 with ML and not the Ultra edition in a heartbeat. The best 2 cars Lexus produced in 06' was the LS430 and the LX470, definately not the GS430. Now I know some would not agree, but I actually think GS460 looks better than a LS460 but something about an LS what makes this car the best is the bells and whistles Ohhh and the rear leg room for passengers lol.... GET THE GS460 if you have not made a purchase yet, and believe me you wont regret it at all....

worker

^ have you driven a GS430?

e-man

Was that question for me or the previous poster? Is that what the < (rotared 90 degrees clockwise) means? LOL, I can't even type the damn symbol. Where is that on the keyboard?

Anyway, I have driven both, and I really like the 430. I don't know what it is, and don't get me wrong, I liked the 460, but I liked the 430 just as much if not more.

I've had my 99 GS400 for 7 years. I bought it 7 years old in 2005 with 65k miles and it now has 183k miles. Before I bought the 99, I remember driving 01+ GS430s, and for whatever reason, I liked the 99 GS400 better. It had more growl, grunt, etc. It was not as nice/luxurious as the 01+ GS430, but there was something about it that really got me going. It was also due to the fact that I love alpine silver (98-99) and don't care for millenium silver (00-05). Anyway, I bought the 99 and never looked back.

I feel the same way about the 430. Sure, it's not as fast as the 460, and the 350 can either keep up or even take it, but I'm not speed racer. I know the nav screen is lower resolution than the 460 and it doesn't play MP3s, but those things really don't matter to me. I like a car that's fairly big, luxurious, sub 6 seconds 0-60, and is reliable. The GS fits that bill to a tee. And if I found the right GS460 in the right color at the right price, I may go for it if I hadn't found a 430 first.

Anyway, just my rambling thoughts.

e

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

I prefer the 430 engine over the 460, but I would miss the updated navi/tech in the 460

worker

Hold down the shift key and press #6 on the keyboard. And it means instead of quoting the previous poster, a simple ^ saying respond to that previous poster. At least this is how I understand the forum hmmm... language.

I find the GS430 is a bit of an odd ball. It's not as efficient as 350 and not as fast as 460. But with all it's flaws, it still have something interesting about it. It's engine is surely more reliable than both 350 and 460. To me that's the most important part in a car. You may save a few pennies on the gas but one mechanical problem and you will need more than that saving to fix it.

I wonder how hard it is to install the newer nav into the GS430. I do want the best of both world.

I feel the GS430 have enough power. Any more and I'll be feeding those extra ponies power for nothing. Speed limit max only 65mph here. And it's getting worse and worse with all the speed cameras. It's a huge cash cow and soon every foot of the road will have a speed camera.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

E-man go with what you like, I really dont think our opinion made a a difference as I think you made your decison already. I agree with worker the GS430 engine is rock solid and since its the same engine from the 2nd Gen GS 430 I think its a good choice.

tbilisi79

I love the V8 growl of my 430. What a great little motor.

How I wish we had a Sport button that opens up the exhaust a bit like new Maseratis do.

Cheesaleo

At the end of the day it just a machine. If a 430 is your desire, pull the trigger. Whether a 430 or 460 its a V8 with over 300hp and they tend to get a little under 30mpg on the highway. They're both silky smooth. I really enjoy the "Sport Suspension" button the most under the armrest, its a difference in cornering and acceloration in my opinion. I even beat a guy driving a 745i on a short distance up deerfield road in the chicagoland area... But real talk though, there's a reason for Lexus to stop making the 430 and replacing it with GS450h/460... At any rate, the decision belongs to the buyer.... I feel with so many 300/430/350's on the market by having 460 or 450h these will fetch a higher resale value when its time to sale. However once again its totally up the buyer.

And for the member asking if I driven a 06' GS430? The answer is NO.... However I did own a '04 LS430, and what great car it is to drive... Probably the closest thing to a rolls-royce or bentley. No Kidding!!! Had it for 4yrs, but got bored with looking at it so I sold it. The GS460 is simply a 1,000pound lighter version of the LS460 minus the length, and few bells and whistles. Plus it looks better than the LS460; Same engine, with about 40-less horses... Big deal, no one hardly ever uses them anyway...

worker

^ GS430 and your LS430 looks very different from the outside. The spacing and feel of the inside might be different too. I mainly want your opinion comparing both, so forget I asked since you only driven one. Thanks for the reply though.

e-man... you should drive both and see how it fit you. All boil down to you and let us know how you like them.

Cheesaleo

Honestly between a GS460 and GS430 I could imagine it is the same suspenion and definately the same interior as far as size and definately the same small trunk, and poor gas mileage (16-25mpg). Now as for a LS430, it is totally a flagship car as you know. The LS430 gives you the feeling of "You Have Arrived" kind of enjoyment from every aspect being the driver and a passenger. Currently, I enjoy my GS, in fact its my 2nd GS I've owned. I once had a 99' GS300 which was a good comfortable reliable ride, and that experience transformed me to become a lifetime Lexus driver for over 7yrs. Anyhow as far as this topic goes "GS430 V. GS460" I can see they are many GS430 drivers who are going to support owning a GS430 cause they're simply pleased with their experiences with their vehicle. All I'm simply saying is If you want a V8 with "newer technology, more hp, more torque, updated navi, updated wheels, and updated exterior looks" then a GS460 would be the choice. Not to discredit anything from a GS430 because its a terrific car and the motor has been proven to be a bulletproof engine so long as the timing belt and fluids are maintained on time; then by all means then a GS430 would be a great selection. Remember we're comparing Lexus' not "Lexus V. BMW/Audi/Benz". This would be like comparing pizza from your favorite restaurant with a variety of toppings you like.... Now had this topic said "GS 460 V. IS-F" then hands down I'm sure a IS-F would be the likely choice.