Contemplating getting an 04' LS430
08-13-23, 10:58 PM
#1
9th Gear
Thread Starter
Contemplating getting an 04' LS430
Hey all!
As per the title, I'm seriously considering replacing my 2008 IS 250 with a 338k kms 2004 LS430 for roughly $19k AUD. As my IS has had some pretty big repairs this year (alternator and manifold catalytic converters) which some are still on going (fuel system/injector gremlins) and I wanted to get a bigger car. The LS I'm looking at has been very well loved and maintained, timing belt and water pump will be replaced this week by its current owner.
Have a few questions for the community:
As per the title, I'm seriously considering replacing my 2008 IS 250 with a 338k kms 2004 LS430 for roughly $19k AUD. As my IS has had some pretty big repairs this year (alternator and manifold catalytic converters) which some are still on going (fuel system/injector gremlins) and I wanted to get a bigger car. The LS I'm looking at has been very well loved and maintained, timing belt and water pump will be replaced this week by its current owner.
Have a few questions for the community:
- Is this a good idea?
- If you have one, how is yours holding up?
- What should I be expecting in terms of maintenance?
- What should I look out for? (Did some research that mentioned water ingress in the boot, mufflers rusting, control arms need replacing, timing belt and water pump intervals)
08-14-23, 01:25 AM
#2
Instructor
The LS is generally pretty reliable, but as with any 19 year old higher mileage car I would put money aside for maintenance and the occasional failure.
I bought my with 91k miles on it and 5 years later she has 138k. I have had to replace an O2 sensor, have a cracked exhaust Y-pipe replaced, had to replace a front wheel bearing (I had both done), and the air-con has stopped working.
Much depends on how it has been treated and maintained and how you treat and maintain it.
Common faults seem to be the O2 sensors, water in the boot, door lock motors, mirrors, radiator/transmission cooler, and suspension generally.
All cars need their suspension replacing periodically and the LS is no exception.
Timing belt/water pump replacement intervals are 90k miles (145k Kms) or every 10 years, whichever comes first. So, if the previous owner is doing that now, you can forget about it for quite some time.
If the radiator has not been replaced ever, I'd recommend it as they can rust through which causes the coolant to contaminate the transmission fluid and wreck the transmission.
I bought my with 91k miles on it and 5 years later she has 138k. I have had to replace an O2 sensor, have a cracked exhaust Y-pipe replaced, had to replace a front wheel bearing (I had both done), and the air-con has stopped working.
Much depends on how it has been treated and maintained and how you treat and maintain it.
Common faults seem to be the O2 sensors, water in the boot, door lock motors, mirrors, radiator/transmission cooler, and suspension generally.
All cars need their suspension replacing periodically and the LS is no exception.
Timing belt/water pump replacement intervals are 90k miles (145k Kms) or every 10 years, whichever comes first. So, if the previous owner is doing that now, you can forget about it for quite some time.
If the radiator has not been replaced ever, I'd recommend it as they can rust through which causes the coolant to contaminate the transmission fluid and wreck the transmission.
08-14-23, 04:29 AM
#3
9th Gear
Thread Starter
Thanks for the reply and for the insight! Did watch a few Car Care Nut videos on this car that mentioned quite a few of these maintenance items, gonna consider it more before pulling the trigger, but so far I'm very tempted!
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wmbinford
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
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