View Poll Results: Which car?
04 LS 430
16
80.00%
04 S 500
4
20.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll
04 LS 430 vs 04 s class
12-14-07, 08:52 PM
#16
W220 S-Class was a piece of crap.
I like the ability to powerslide in the LS430. It's got a great engine with a very nuanced exhaust note.
To anyone who says that Lexus cars don't have "soul" or "passion" will never understand the beauty of technology.
I like the ability to powerslide in the LS430. It's got a great engine with a very nuanced exhaust note.
To anyone who says that Lexus cars don't have "soul" or "passion" will never understand the beauty of technology.
12-17-07, 10:36 PM
#17
Lexus Test Driver
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If it's excitement that the ls430 is lacking, then just throw on some staggered 19" jdm wheels, 245 40 19 tires up front, 275 35 19 at back, lower it with lowering springs and bam! a upgraded LS430! You'll get the stiffness and handling of a s class benz without the crazy maintenance costs!
But design wise, I like it more than the 221.
12-18-07, 09:24 PM
#19
Mercedes was ranked in the 2007 new car preview as the least reliable luxury automaker. Of the six least reliable cars, three were from Mercedes - LINK
What did Mercedes respond with? Griping, not results.
Also, I love this quote:
"Cars still develop more problems as they age. But, CR found that some 9-or 10-year old models can have fewer problems than some newer models. For example, the 1998 Lexus LS400 had slightly fewer problems than the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The Lexus LS has been the most reliable car in CR's survey, year in and year out."
(Consumer Reports Press Release, February 2007)
What did Mercedes respond with? Griping, not results.
Also, I love this quote:
"Cars still develop more problems as they age. But, CR found that some 9-or 10-year old models can have fewer problems than some newer models. For example, the 1998 Lexus LS400 had slightly fewer problems than the 2006 Mercedes-Benz ML500. The Lexus LS has been the most reliable car in CR's survey, year in and year out."
(Consumer Reports Press Release, February 2007)
10-28-09, 07:27 AM
#20
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Well, just take a look at the forum's newest member's name 
I have been a die-hard German fan for 20 years, which was before I had a license btw, but over the years, priorities and realities change.
I've had several MBs, one of which was CPO back in '04 - it was my best purchase ever, what I got vs price, and even being a creampuff C-class, I milked the CPO warranty (then Starmark) to the tune of over $7k in MBUSA-paid repairs from 60-100k miles. It was the best car I'd ever owned, but onlybecause ithad a warranty and was in better shape after 4 years and 100k than when I bought it.
You can imagine what the potential costs on an equivalent-year S-class could have been, which leads me to reaffirm what others have said here: do not, under any circumstances, buy a 2+ year old MB without some sort of post-warranty coverage. I would always buy a 4+ year old car that was CPO before I bought one with a dwindling factory warranty. CO has been through the shop and reconditioned, gremlins ironed out that weren't done at the factory or by the PO, etc. That said, it is very telling that MB CPO gives you ONE year or 100k, whereas Lexus gives you THREE/100. Think about it. I negotiated an extra calendar year on my CPO purchase for good reason.
So, anyway, if you want a Benz, get 2 or 3 years on the calendar period and sell it if you have a bad feeling after that, or if you've had a load of work done under CPO, maybe you will feel confident driving it another 50k out of warranty.
I still own an old Benz, a 93 400E, and even that car with original shocks (and 17" AMG wheels) has better road feel than my newest '04 LS430, but every 5k I spend $700 for some new issue that has popped up. The new Benzes (post 90s marketing vehicles) are designed to cater to an increasingly-younger crowd and an urban one at that. I have no desire to drive a C, ML, or E class because most of them are 72-month loan cars driven by people who want a star on their hood. IMO the only way to get a real Benz anymore is to buy an AMG, and my wallet can't support that. I wouldn't even buy a base S-class unless it's 07 or newer. Combine the desire to get away from the masses and also feel more "classy," and to have unfettered reliability and comfort, I went with a CPO LS. The older we get, the more life throws at us, the more I am driving with 10 things on my mind as opposed to driving for sheer pleasure without a care in the world. I want to feel like I'm in a massage session while I'm driving (and BTW, these are the most comfortable seats ever)
I found a rare Sport package vehicle, which is probably what put me over the egde. The std suspension was too floaty, but I saw this one and drove it, and while it's no BMW, it doesn't float and has nice body motion control. SOLD
PS - at nearly 60k, most casual observers who don't follow cars closely would presume by the condition both cosmetically and mechanically, the car was brand new with zero miles. I don't know many cars that are so well-built they can create that feeling
I have been a die-hard German fan for 20 years, which was before I had a license btw, but over the years, priorities and realities change.
I've had several MBs, one of which was CPO back in '04 - it was my best purchase ever, what I got vs price, and even being a creampuff C-class, I milked the CPO warranty (then Starmark) to the tune of over $7k in MBUSA-paid repairs from 60-100k miles. It was the best car I'd ever owned, but onlybecause ithad a warranty and was in better shape after 4 years and 100k than when I bought it.
You can imagine what the potential costs on an equivalent-year S-class could have been, which leads me to reaffirm what others have said here: do not, under any circumstances, buy a 2+ year old MB without some sort of post-warranty coverage. I would always buy a 4+ year old car that was CPO before I bought one with a dwindling factory warranty. CO has been through the shop and reconditioned, gremlins ironed out that weren't done at the factory or by the PO, etc. That said, it is very telling that MB CPO gives you ONE year or 100k, whereas Lexus gives you THREE/100. Think about it. I negotiated an extra calendar year on my CPO purchase for good reason.
So, anyway, if you want a Benz, get 2 or 3 years on the calendar period and sell it if you have a bad feeling after that, or if you've had a load of work done under CPO, maybe you will feel confident driving it another 50k out of warranty.
I still own an old Benz, a 93 400E, and even that car with original shocks (and 17" AMG wheels) has better road feel than my newest '04 LS430, but every 5k I spend $700 for some new issue that has popped up. The new Benzes (post 90s marketing vehicles) are designed to cater to an increasingly-younger crowd and an urban one at that. I have no desire to drive a C, ML, or E class because most of them are 72-month loan cars driven by people who want a star on their hood. IMO the only way to get a real Benz anymore is to buy an AMG, and my wallet can't support that. I wouldn't even buy a base S-class unless it's 07 or newer. Combine the desire to get away from the masses and also feel more "classy," and to have unfettered reliability and comfort, I went with a CPO LS. The older we get, the more life throws at us, the more I am driving with 10 things on my mind as opposed to driving for sheer pleasure without a care in the world. I want to feel like I'm in a massage session while I'm driving (and BTW, these are the most comfortable seats ever)
I found a rare Sport package vehicle, which is probably what put me over the egde. The std suspension was too floaty, but I saw this one and drove it, and while it's no BMW, it doesn't float and has nice body motion control. SOLD
PS - at nearly 60k, most casual observers who don't follow cars closely would presume by the condition both cosmetically and mechanically, the car was brand new with zero miles. I don't know many cars that are so well-built they can create that feeling
10-28-09, 09:26 AM
#22
If you're an MB owner, most likely you're also on mbworld or benzowner
I've said the exact thing: If I'm going to get another benz, it's going to be an AMG b/c the regular model even the sport package aren't "all that".
The older we get, the more life throws at us, the more I am driving with 10 things on my mind as opposed to driving for sheer pleasure without a care in the world. I want to feel like I'm in a massage session while I'm driving (and BTW, these are the most comfortable seats ever)
The lexus seats are extremely comfortable. I hate the regular seats since the leathers are hard.
I have to give props to the AMG seat though. They're comfortable AND supportive, rightfully so to hold you in when those superchargers kick in
10-28-09, 11:32 AM
#23
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S500
Hello:
Currently we have in our garage a 2005 S500, an 2002 E55, and a 2005 LS430. I love both the S500 and E55, but those cars are only driven about 5k per year and still cost us plenty. I bought the LS430 since I drive roughly 30k miles per year and wanted a reliable car, smooth, and fast car to replace my old 2002 Mercedes E430. No, it doesn't handle or accelerate like our old E55 nor is it as quite or smooth as the S500. I have always been biased towards Mercedes since my family drove them since I was a kid and I followed that same path and drove one since college. For our formal/not driven much car I will stick with Mercedes, but for my everyday car I'll stick with my Lexus.
Currently we have in our garage a 2005 S500, an 2002 E55, and a 2005 LS430. I love both the S500 and E55, but those cars are only driven about 5k per year and still cost us plenty. I bought the LS430 since I drive roughly 30k miles per year and wanted a reliable car, smooth, and fast car to replace my old 2002 Mercedes E430. No, it doesn't handle or accelerate like our old E55 nor is it as quite or smooth as the S500. I have always been biased towards Mercedes since my family drove them since I was a kid and I followed that same path and drove one since college. For our formal/not driven much car I will stick with Mercedes, but for my everyday car I'll stick with my Lexus.
10-28-09, 12:26 PM
#24
I'm looking at your driveway:
03 Lexus RX300 Pearl Diamond White
95 Lexus SC300 Pearl Diamond White
94 Lexus LS400 Jade Green
95 BMW 740iL Orient Blue
97 Infiniti Q45 Just plain BLACK
The LS430 is by no means more boring than any of the above.
M3s, S2000s, 911s, Vettes, RS4, AMG's now that's fun.
The S might give you a bit more of kick while driving but it is so unreliable...
I'm from the fun world, and
I call my LS430 confortably numb
03 Lexus RX300 Pearl Diamond White
95 Lexus SC300 Pearl Diamond White
94 Lexus LS400 Jade Green
95 BMW 740iL Orient Blue
97 Infiniti Q45 Just plain BLACK
The LS430 is by no means more boring than any of the above.
M3s, S2000s, 911s, Vettes, RS4, AMG's now that's fun.
The S might give you a bit more of kick while driving but it is so unreliable...
I'm from the fun world, and
I call my LS430 confortably numb
10-28-09, 12:30 PM
#25
Yes S-class has more rear leg room, but other then that, if you compare the same generation and same level of models, I don't see the S-class got anymore toys then the LS:
LS430 vs. S500
LS460L vs. S550
The only toy the S550 got that is not offer by the LS460L is the front massage seats.
Those are different level of cars with much higher price point, so they can't be compare to Lexus. If a person is in the market for a $190k S65, they won't be cross shopping a Lexus, they would be comparing Bentley Continentals.
LS is vastly superior in everyway other then handling, and I actually prefer the numb, comfy handing of my LS430, that is what I want after a long day of work, I don't want sporty handling, that is what my weekend sports car is for
LS430 vs. S500
LS460L vs. S550
The only toy the S550 got that is not offer by the LS460L is the front massage seats.
LS is vastly superior in everyway other then handling, and I actually prefer the numb, comfy handing of my LS430, that is what I want after a long day of work, I don't want sporty handling, that is what my weekend sports car is for
10-28-09, 12:37 PM
#27
Boring = comfort, that is the purpose of the LS430, that is why we love it 
People always complain about it being boring, that means it is not the car you are looking for
Complaining about the LS being too boring is like complaining about a Ferrari being too exciting, too loud and too uncomfortable, you are missing the point
People always complain about it being boring, that means it is not the car you are looking for
Complaining about the LS being too boring is like complaining about a Ferrari being too exciting, too loud and too uncomfortable, you are missing the point
10-29-09, 09:18 PM
#29
Boring = comfort, that is the purpose of the LS430, that is why we love it
People always complain about it being boring, that means it is not the car you are looking for
Complaining about the LS being too boring is like complaining about a Ferrari being too exciting, too loud and too uncomfortable, you are missing the point
People always complain about it being boring, that means it is not the car you are looking for
Complaining about the LS being too boring is like complaining about a Ferrari being too exciting, too loud and too uncomfortable, you are missing the point
First of all, I’m not sure I agree with your equation. But you are right, the 430 is about peace and comfort and that is exactly what I was looking for.
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