LS400 or LS430?
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
LS400 or LS430?
hi, I had last inquired about a 2000 ls400 with 113,000 miles that I paid $5,000 which after your input I decided to keep. I just
discovered a 2002 ls430 with 56,000 miles on it from Florida that the guy wants $9,300 for. All things being equal in that both were meticulously cared for, would it be worth my while to sell the 2000 and try to buy the ls430? I value your opinions here. Thank you. Albert
discovered a 2002 ls430 with 56,000 miles on it from Florida that the guy wants $9,300 for. All things being equal in that both were meticulously cared for, would it be worth my while to sell the 2000 and try to buy the ls430? I value your opinions here. Thank you. Albert
#2
Honestly I wouldnt bother. Just because the price- performance increase isnt there. The 430 is a better car, no doubt. More power, good economy. But will it be a few thousand dollars better? Im not so sure. It really depends on what you are looking for and whether or not you get those wants from the 400
#4
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (17)
You know what car you want more. Can't help you there. They are both great vehicles.
I am currently looking for a southern LS430 or a 400. What I am seeing with the 400's is that they are definitely more rare and most are stupid high mileage, have body damage, neglected with lack of maintenance, etc. Very difficult to find a clean one with a clean body, an interior that's not chewed up, and no rust. If you do find one like that, the price is usually so jacked up that it's right up there with 2004+ clean similar mile LS430. At that point it only makes sense to get the 430 unless you prefer the looks/feel of a 400 for personal reasons.
I am currently looking for a southern LS430 or a 400. What I am seeing with the 400's is that they are definitely more rare and most are stupid high mileage, have body damage, neglected with lack of maintenance, etc. Very difficult to find a clean one with a clean body, an interior that's not chewed up, and no rust. If you do find one like that, the price is usually so jacked up that it's right up there with 2004+ clean similar mile LS430. At that point it only makes sense to get the 430 unless you prefer the looks/feel of a 400 for personal reasons.
#7
98-00 Ls400! I love Ls430's too, but the earlier ones not as much
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#10
Lexus Fanatic
I too would choose a nice 98-00 LS400 over the 01-03. We actually elected to keep the 98 LS and buy it out of the lease vs upgrading to an LS430 in 2001 because of the styling.
#11
Its just styling. Its mostly the same car (5 speed vs 6 speed), but IMHO the 01-03 LS430 is a pretty ugly car, and they completely solved all of its ugliness with the 04 refresh.
I too would choose a nice 98-00 LS400 over the 01-03. We actually elected to keep the 98 LS and buy it out of the lease vs upgrading to an LS430 in 2001 because of the styling.
I too would choose a nice 98-00 LS400 over the 01-03. We actually elected to keep the 98 LS and buy it out of the lease vs upgrading to an LS430 in 2001 because of the styling.
#12
Lexus Fanatic
I'm not worried about the sealed trans, these cars are old now, issues with the trans fluid would have had time to manifest itself.
The 04 is a better car than the LS400, bigger, more comfortable, much newer. As much as I love the LS400 I'd do an 04 430.
The 04 is a better car than the LS400, bigger, more comfortable, much newer. As much as I love the LS400 I'd do an 04 430.
#14
If I'm being honest, once you start getting into the early 2000's, the LS looses it's appeal to me. I love the older body styles up to about 2000/01 (not sure when they did the refresh). It's a V8, RWD, full-sized sedan. In the mid-late 90's, it holds the most value (most bang for your buck in terms of...well...EVERYTHING). In the early 2000's, it's iffy and mid to late, there's things I like more. So, I'd stick with what what you got. And between the two years, there isn't 4+grand worth of umph to justify it...in my opinion.
#15
Ls430 owner
Of course the LS430 is a better car, but if you know your car already, stick to it. That close to 10K for the LS430 is way too high anyway. Remember all our cars are ancient now and old means repairs around the corner for things you have not replaced and repairs for things you have replaced awhile ago again. I have my LS430 for 8 years and I'm starting to see myself repair things twice which is finally getting me to think about abandoning ship after all this time. I'm sure I'll miss my car if I sell, but we must move on and rethink about keeping our cars on life support! Good luck with whatever decision you make.
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kuykendc
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
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02-14-12 07:02 PM