avn33sh

I'm, confused guys..need help...

I owned 1999ES300 until last month and loved it. Looking for another...have a choice between 2002LS430/UL/67K miles/no warranty AND 2005-ES-330 47Kmiles certified...
Price for LS is around 3K more but I don't know whether it's safe spend for a non warranty car...both cars are excellent condition from dealer...ES is base model but looks more new as it's dark shining color with no scretch :-)

What should I go for? Ride comfort and silence in the car is most important for me. Please help.

caddyowner

If these are your primary buying criteria, I think the LS is the way to go. Just realize that these may come at a higher cost if/when things break.

tromly

I'd go for the ES, you can't beat the peace of mind from a CPO !! Better gas economy from the ES also, good luck with your decision !

jay33

Cant beat the LS430 for comfort and quietness. Back in May of this year i bought a 2002 LS430(not UL) from the original Lexus dealer and couldnt be happier. Had 47,000 miles, all service records from the dealer and the dealer did about $2k of repairs/service(new brakes, tires,etc.) after it took the car in trade from the original owner. If you can verify a good accident and service history on the LS not having the warranty should not be a big deal. it hasn't been for me. Good luck either way you go.

avn33sh

Thanks for response. I am inclined towards LS but my wife's worry is about the brake down and the costs and her preference is ES for that reason.

This might be a wage question but could anybody guess what are the chances of an LS with good service history and in a mint condition breaking down in next 2-3 years? (Any way after 3 years, both cars would stand out of warranty)

V8_Fan

The most expensive thing that can break is the air suspension, but you can retrofit in the non-air standard LS suspension into the ultra (don't know if your dealer will do it, but at least one guy on this forum has done it himself). Other than that, there's nothing extraordinary in the ultra...rear power seats are just power seats like the front, rear cool box is not a fridge, but has the rear AC blower blow cold air into an insulated box. The rear AC is just like any SUV...a separate blow using the same compressor as the front AC. As far as the rear optical air purifier goes, I don't think you'd even notice if it worked or not (can't tell myself). The manual says to change the filter in the trunk when it doesn't purify the air anymore.

If you go with an ES, I'd go w/ a ES350.

AlexusAnja

Ugh... 2002LS vs. 2005ES. If it were 2004+ LS, I'd say no-brainer, go with the LS, but the 2005 ES was a very fine vehicle too, especially the interior. I think the ES330 was way better looking in and out than current ES350.

With the LS, you're only about 30K from the 100K maintenance, which will run you probably $3000 with everything recommended (oil change, trans drain, timing belt, etc.) whereas the ES has another 50K to go before 100K maintenance.

For me, I would go with a warrantied vehicle over a non-warrantied vehicle only for peace of mind. Plus, you said the LS was actually $3K more? If so, my bet would be on the ES.

F.Brown

I would go with the LS; however, that's me speaking from experience. In 2006 I purchased a 2001 LS430. It 40K miles on it. I totaled it in 2009 which is the only reason why I don't still own it. In the 3 years that I owned it, I put 60K miles on it and the only problem I had with it was my taillights blew a few times. So as you imagine, after I totaled it I upgraded to a 2004 LS430.

I would even say the problem with the taillights were self-inflicted due to the power of the two Rockford 12s/2000 watt amp that I had in the trunk. So really it was a problem free car. I'm really not a fan on the ES model and its body style. I would purchase a newer Toyota Camry before I drive one of those.

Go with the LS!!!

avn33sh

Thanks for your inputs guys. I seem to be inclined towards LS and most probably would buy the same tomorrow.

Any last minute advice? (I'm still open for changing my decision for ES for it's certified status)

I am little skeptical about air suspension fragility as posted by Jim. Should I really be concerned about failure of the same in near future? How does using features like "height" and "sports" button affects life of air suspension in a unmodified LS? Could I use those feature without worrying about suspension life?

Can somebody guide me to some comparison pictures how "height" button changes look of LS.

Appreciate everybody's time.

avn33sh

Also wanted to ask...is $23K OTD good price for 02 LS430 UL / 67K mileage?

caddyowner

I think that price is quite high for an 02. That should get you a 2004-2005 with the same mileage. If it was me, I would keep looking for a non-UL LS.

Jabberwock

Take your time find and buy an 04-06 LS version. They get good MPG if you drive easy. Possibly the highest quality factory built car ever made.

avn33sh

Finally bough ES 330 certified. LS was going way out of pocket...(next time)

Beautiful car. Love the drive..

Pics


Thanks everybody for inputs and helping me in making my decision.

________________________________
05 ES 330 Black Cherry (New addition)
99 ES 300 Black on Black

AlexusAnja

Congrats... now get outta here and go to your ES forum... ha ha. Just kidding.

Good pick up, nice color too. You'll enjoy the ES, just not as much as you would have the LS, but you can't go wrong either way.

Many years of enjoyment to you !!!!

avn33sh

Thanks AlexusAnja...

On the LS, I'm sure few years down the line I would own one (probably one of today's 460L or might be LFA ).........just kidding...but seriously...these forum are great knowledge source to boost my Lexus enthusiasm and I'd keep visiting to know more about my dream car :-)

Thanks again for everybody's help...