jmathew8130

Hello Everyone,

I just joined this forum to speak to you guys in this specific section. Throughout the years I have learned and heard all the accolades from everyone about the amazing LS430. Being a gearhead myself I figured why not look into buying one now. However, I want to ask the experienced owners here if this makes sense to do this in 2023. I am looking into 2005-2006 LS430 base but I am flexible if the older models are clean. So it's already close to being 20 years old and I wonder if it is at the stage where we won't be able to find good parts in the event things go wrong. I am sure I have to do things even if I get a great used one so let me know what everyone thinks. A lot of these cars are in the 5-13k range so it's not a giant gamble for me.

AVSRacing

There isn't much to go wrong, if it's the base, no air, no ml? No reclining seats? But you are also missing on the LS experience as only more expensive models gets certain things, alcantera headliner, rear recline, side shades, I think the leather is different too.

jmathew8130

Thank you for your opinion. I was avoiding the ultra package since everyone says it can be more expensive to maintain with all the gizmos. But I guess if I find a great model then I don't mind getting them either.

Striker223

As your main car or an extra one? Can you work on it yourself or not?

jmathew8130

It will be my daily car. I work like 7 miles away back and forth. I can do basic work like oil changes, tire rotations etc but I'm no mechanic with a lift. I currently have a beater 2007 Corolla at 197k miles. Wife got a 2017 Toyota Avalon as well. We can live on one car if need be at the moment as well. Thank you for your help.

TominPT

Parts availability seems to be pretty good still. Suggestion - use OEM parts, not cheap aftermarket ones for just about everything. Regarding purchase, spend more to get one with proven maintenance history and a caring owner who did not defer important stuff. '05 and '06 are good years to be looking at, You might have to pay more than 13K to get a really nice one though. Get a pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic who knows Lexus/Toyota products or use LemonSquad if you are buying long distance away, which I did with good results in my hunt for a mint LS400..

JffGRY706

cars of this age, the extras no longer make the used car more expensive
might as well look for a better one, it wont cost any more than a base
the car is really nice with the bells and whistles
had a base (premium) for 8 years and almost 100,000 miles but now enjoy a custom luxury.
no air shocks, but better stereo, windows and headliner
no extra cost to me but $20,000 to 1st owner

Yamae

Aged Celsiors UCF30/31 Kouki (latter models) commonly have LED tail lights failures and the harsh down shifting problem. These were two major problems among Japanese owners, I have experienced. It's probably the same with LS430.

To replace to used tail lights causes the problem again and the best way is to replace to a new one. There are some skilled people who fix units. The AT shifting problem can be mostly fixed just re-soldering cracked points. This also needs some skills and good eyes.

Striker223

If that's the case get the newest/lowest mile one you can afford and have EVERYTHING maintenance wise done to confirm it's all current. Keep the Corolla around as well as you alternate car since the correct way to own older cars (really any car) is to always have 1 extra car vs number of drivers so if you have 3 drivers in a household you need 4 etc.....