warp10

Hi Everyone,

I'm hoping to join this forum with a LS430. I'm trying to decide whether to get a 2001 LS430 UL with 83k for about $15-$16k or a 2004 LS430 Base (no Nav or ML stereo with some minor door dings and scratches) with 73k for about 18K. Both one owner.

I'm really torn since I like the color of the 01 (white) and the UL is neat, but I don't really really need all the rear seat amenities. It's not like I am a realestate agent or need to entertain rear passengers (but its nice to show people). Then I'm worried about the air suspension and the touch screen HVAC (I still like having dials and buttons to control my HVAC).

As for the 2004, I like the idea that its newer, it has the 6sp transmission. But is it worth the extra 2-3k? It's also in Silver which is my 2nd choice.

I guess I just need someone people to push me one way or the other. I've asked some friends and they really don't see the difference between the 01 and 04 at a glance, so maybe I shouldn't really count on looks.

Thoughts?

Thanks =)

Swagga82

2001 silver on black LS 430 dropped 1 inch on TANABE SPRINGS all around. On 2005 LS 430 FIVE STAR 18 inch stocks/20k HIDz top and bottoms deep blue/DRLS/ LED tail lights/ kicker L7 subs with 3000WATT KICKER AMP...loving it ...22s soon to come

one thing i do want to say they are both Pretty! both look the same inside navi set up and everything ... so either way u are heading in the right direction. but i qoute "my opinon is "what is a LS 430 without NAVI"

link13

I would decide based on the following in order:

1) Condition
2) Mileage
3) Year

I like the 04 and up. The updated it that year.

mafpolo

Newer car. Ultra has too much stuff to go wrong,and you don't care about the "extras."

Those "extras" cost money to repair at some point.

Go with the 2004

Tee

^^^^^^^^^^^^

Kansas

I suggest you pass on both these cars, be patient and look for an LS430 with under 50,000 miles and within four years of its in-service date -- that means it will be under its basic warranty and you will be able to get any outstanding issues fixed at no cost and even buy an extended warranty if you think you need one.

If you are willing to spend $18K on the 04 LS you are looking for, I think you are going to find the kind of LS430 I'm talking about for that or a few bucks more.

I'm not a fan of eBay Motors due to all the fake bidding and dishonest games, but I'm seeing several no-bid fixed price/best offer (IMO, the only way to buy a car on eBay) 04 and 05 LS430s with 31K-44K miles for less than $23K. I suspect you could buy one of those or a similar low miles under-warranty LS430 for under $20K if you take your time.

This is definitely a buyers market.

Edit: Since the last 04 LS430 was probably sold new in about Sep. 2004, it's probably too late to buy an 04 that is still under basic warranty. I suggest that you look for an 05 LS that was sold new well into the 2005 calendar year.

Swagga82

TEE- goodlooks my fault new to posting

warp10

Thanks for all the advice everyone. If I were to go with the decision tree for condition,mileage,year. Then I would say the 2004 LS430 wins.

KANSAS: It is definitely a buyer's market, but I guess I'm just itching to get one soon. I've been looking for about a month now. Either people misrepresent what they have OR they aren't willing to budge. By the time they get back to me, I'm already interested in another LS.

18k is the max limit that I really want to spend. Originally I was going to shop for a 2001-2003 in the 15K range, but happen to find a 2004 for 18k. I agree that more things can break with UL; however for the most part it seems like 2001 owners have been Ok on this forum with around 100K.

The NAVI doesn't really make or break the deal for me, so I'm ok having a 2004 w/o it. So far, the consensus seems like I should probably lean towards the 2004.

Getting one with Warranty isn't a bad idea, so I'll check to see if there's one around my area; however I like to stay away from dealerships and auctions (e.g., ebay).

Thanks again everyone!

IMXCITD

iTrader: (1)

I agree w/Kansas...walk away from both of these. Wait and watch for the right LS to come along for you. Take a couple more months if you need to and get the right car. You don't want to rush in and buy the wrong thing and regret it later. I am thinking I will go regular LS versus UL....which I had been planning to buy. I don't want the air suspension, don't need all the stuff in the back and I will just keep it simpler w/a regular LS.

warp10

Sorry to disappoint some of ya, but I haste fully purchased the 2004. So far so good. The only thing that I would replace soon are the tires. More details later.

AlexusAnja

Oh well, you purchased already. For same or approximate price, I would always go with a newer vehicle, but you mentioned the 2004 had some dings so that would have been a no deal for me. I get fixated with dings and scratches and my previous Accord had plenty that over time, just annoyed the heck out of me.

Anyway, enjoy and hopefully it lives up to your expectations.

warp10

Actually the dings weren't bad at all. The sides looked fine, but the bumpers had the classic city scratches from parking. Car has been always garaged and looks it. The only thing I noticed that was a little bit off was that the transmission takes a little bit longer to go from reverse to drive and vice versa. I've only come across this in some Mercedes. Maybe its a buffering feature in the transmission?