Excellent video on the Lexus LS430 from the Car Care Nut
07-19-23, 04:03 PM
#1
10th Gear
Thread Starter
Excellent video on the Lexus LS430 from the Car Care Nut
If you have been living under a rock, you should check out the latest video from the Car Care Nut on YouTube which gives an excellent overview on one of the best Lexus sedans ever made:
He also picked up a 600k mile LS430 and has sporadically been doing videos on it. Highly recommend his channel on YouTube!
He also picked up a 600k mile LS430 and has sporadically been doing videos on it. Highly recommend his channel on YouTube!
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07-19-23, 05:37 PM
#2
Care Care Nut is somewhat obsessed with the LS430 as he has numerous You Tubes on our cars. Not great for those who are looking to buy LS430s at great prices. Those days are far over as the "cat is out of the bag".
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07-19-23, 10:56 PM
#3
10th Gear
Thread Starter
Yeah. My guess is he purchased that 630k mile LS430 as a project car and wants to get it to a million miles on the same 3uz-fe engine. I don't doubt it'll reach that milestone. Yeah. It's a shame the cat is out of the bag so to speak but at least it is making our cars more valuable. Hopefully the LS430s become classics one day. Lol
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07-20-23, 03:08 PM
#4
I saw that entire video. He breaks down the differences between the pre-face lift models and the later ones quite well.
As a LS460 owner, I have to admit that the LS430
just feels like a better more solidly built car with better quality interior materials than the 460’s. This is why I test drove and almost bought one not long ago. It’s incredible how smooth and quiet these cars are. I mean for the price, you can’t find a better used luxury sedan on the market that rides as smooth and is as reliable as the LS430. The engine is dead quiet too and the car magically glides over the roughest bumps like a cloud better than a 460 as the 430’s are more isolated from the road.
Even compared to brand new Lexuses, older Lexus models specifically the ES300-330 and the LS400-430 ending in 2006 was the peak of Lexus build quality which dramatically dropped off starting in 2007 with the new model years. It wasn’t quite the same after that.
As a LS460 owner, I have to admit that the LS430
just feels like a better more solidly built car with better quality interior materials than the 460’s. This is why I test drove and almost bought one not long ago. It’s incredible how smooth and quiet these cars are. I mean for the price, you can’t find a better used luxury sedan on the market that rides as smooth and is as reliable as the LS430. The engine is dead quiet too and the car magically glides over the roughest bumps like a cloud better than a 460 as the 430’s are more isolated from the road.
Even compared to brand new Lexuses, older Lexus models specifically the ES300-330 and the LS400-430 ending in 2006 was the peak of Lexus build quality which dramatically dropped off starting in 2007 with the new model years. It wasn’t quite the same after that.
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07-21-23, 01:10 AM
#5
Also his review on cars makes other car journalist look like realtors. They just read off the brochureand drive it around a bit to give theirimpressions". He's are an absolute gem tothe car community.
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07-21-23, 08:04 AM
#6
Pole Position
His videos are very informative and his honest fact-based opinions are appreciated. He pulls no punches when Toyota/Lexus does something stupid.
I just recently had my ‘01 radiator give out after 265k and ended up investing in a whole list of maintenance items that included the timing belt full service, fluids, and even plugs. There was a noisy wheel bearing I had the shop replace. The results restored the ultra quiet ride and the smooth overall experience for these cars. I prefer this car over the wife’s ‘14 LS460 (which is a monster) except for maybe the seats.
I just recently had my ‘01 radiator give out after 265k and ended up investing in a whole list of maintenance items that included the timing belt full service, fluids, and even plugs. There was a noisy wheel bearing I had the shop replace. The results restored the ultra quiet ride and the smooth overall experience for these cars. I prefer this car over the wife’s ‘14 LS460 (which is a monster) except for maybe the seats.
07-22-23, 06:24 PM
#7
I loved this quote. Yes, pricing has changed.
Loving this thread. As I have said on a few other threads, if mine were totaled tomorrow, I would take my check and start shopping for another. Even at $20-25k, as the mechanic agrees, there is nothing currently near that price range that delivers the value for the money. These cars were built with high level parts and design, and if well kept, 'old' is not a problem.
I have an 04 and have addressed the wiring and transmission issues. I have provided details on various threads here. For about $1000, both issues are taken care of and now it is a full LS430 experience. I have had 3 different friends in the car lately who could not believe it was 19 years old; the smoothness, silence, and technology all ahead of the time.
I would not mind trying a 2010-2012 LS460, but the bigger engine and more limiting back seat keep me away. Only as a 2nd car though, the smart key to my LS430 will have to be pried from my cold dead hands! HAH!
Loving this thread. As I have said on a few other threads, if mine were totaled tomorrow, I would take my check and start shopping for another. Even at $20-25k, as the mechanic agrees, there is nothing currently near that price range that delivers the value for the money. These cars were built with high level parts and design, and if well kept, 'old' is not a problem.
I have an 04 and have addressed the wiring and transmission issues. I have provided details on various threads here. For about $1000, both issues are taken care of and now it is a full LS430 experience. I have had 3 different friends in the car lately who could not believe it was 19 years old; the smoothness, silence, and technology all ahead of the time.
I would not mind trying a 2010-2012 LS460, but the bigger engine and more limiting back seat keep me away. Only as a 2nd car though, the smart key to my LS430 will have to be pried from my cold dead hands! HAH!
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07-22-23, 11:35 PM
#8
The only question I have after watching the video is what’s his screen name on club Lexus? He forgot to mention the Modern Luxury trim when he was going over them at the beginning. He was on point about the Ultras..I’ve always said they were a waste of money unless you’re making a serious vip build and don’t mind blowing the money
Last edited by funcrusher; 07-22-23 at 11:42 PM.
07-23-23, 04:32 AM
#9
You are quite right. When I was shopping around for mine three years ago he had not latched on to the LS 430. Now he has gone full blown fanatic and they are disappearing much faster and are more expensive for the better specimens. Much more than the LS 460 and rarer nowadays, especially since the makeover he did of his 600,000 mile 2001 model!
07-24-23, 04:42 AM
#10
I saw that entire video. He breaks down the differences between the pre-face lift models and the later ones quite well.
As a LS460 owner, I have to admit that the LS430
just feels like a better more solidly built car with better quality interior materials than the 460’s. This is why I test drove and almost bought one not long ago. It’s incredible how smooth and quiet these cars are. I mean for the price, you can’t find a better used luxury sedan on the market that rides as smooth and is as reliable as the LS430. The engine is dead quiet too and the car magically glides over the roughest bumps like a cloud better than a 460 as the 430’s are more isolated from the road.
Even compared to brand new Lexuses, older Lexus models specifically the ES300-330 and the LS400-430 ending in 2006 was the peak of Lexus build quality which dramatically dropped off starting in 2007 with the new model years. It wasn’t quite the same after that.
As a LS460 owner, I have to admit that the LS430
just feels like a better more solidly built car with better quality interior materials than the 460’s. This is why I test drove and almost bought one not long ago. It’s incredible how smooth and quiet these cars are. I mean for the price, you can’t find a better used luxury sedan on the market that rides as smooth and is as reliable as the LS430. The engine is dead quiet too and the car magically glides over the roughest bumps like a cloud better than a 460 as the 430’s are more isolated from the road.
Even compared to brand new Lexuses, older Lexus models specifically the ES300-330 and the LS400-430 ending in 2006 was the peak of Lexus build quality which dramatically dropped off starting in 2007 with the new model years. It wasn’t quite the same after that.
07-24-23, 06:24 AM
#11
Has anyone had to replace the wire harness and power steering reservoir & hoses that connect to it? I’ve never heard of them being known to go bad, but he said it’s a common issue
07-24-23, 06:59 AM
#12
Instructor
The hoses just need replacing when you replace the reservoir. As he says, silly not to replace them when you have it all apart anyways.
On the LS400 the reservoir would leak all over the alternator, which normally killed the alternator, but not an issue on the LS430.
I've not heard of any issues with the wiring harness but some of the connectors do go brittle with age and need to be replaced.
These issues affect most cars but very few other cars get to this age in this condition, so these kinds of things stand out.
My 2004 will be 20 years old in January and it looks better than my S320 looked at 12 years old and drives WAY better than anything I have ever owned or rented.
I forgive it the occasional brittle connector or other minor issue. Expecting a 17-23 year old car to be faultless is cloud-cuckoo land even if it is an LS430. :-)
07-24-23, 03:37 PM
#14
07-24-23, 04:11 PM
#15
I think the problem is with a staining of the PS fluid reservoir - you think the fluid is at the high mark of the stain but in fact it is not - you are leaking fluid and the level falls so far the PS pump starts to have issues. If you are on top of the fluid level you are ok. If the staining is bad and you neglectful in checking the level then just replace the reservoir.
I think regarding the wire harness he is referring to the plastic connectors everywhere - they get brittle with time and clumsy hands or tools can and will break them. Handle them with care if they are original. .
I think regarding the wire harness he is referring to the plastic connectors everywhere - they get brittle with time and clumsy hands or tools can and will break them. Handle them with care if they are original. .