UL worth the extra money?
06-24-11, 06:39 PM
#16
Pole Position
When I started researching LS430s the first one I drove was an UL. I ended up driving many more, but the UL ruined me. Every time I sat in a simpler trim here's what I felt and said to myself:
...Wow, what's up with all this plastic on the doors, center console, and glove box? That first car had so much more leather, like it's supposed to be there and now someone ripped it out and put cheap plastic!
...There's more noise. Is it the tires? No, it's the lack of double-paned glass, or the air suspension.
...The headliner looks so much cheaper than the first one's...
...Oops, I didn't close the door all the way. Dammit I gotta open it and close it again. The UL did it for me....
...The A/C is weaker. Oh wait, the UL had that rear unit on...
...I feel like pushing the car a bit. Where's that sport button for the suspension...?
And so it went. Every time I tried to like a lower trim one of these things would pop into my head. And this is all without even mentioning the total WOW factor of the UL rear seat package when you have rear passengers.
Granted some of the above are addressed by the CL, and I can see settling on the CL if you don't live in a hot climate and/or don't want to mess with the air suspension. You also get a bit more trunk space. Each to his own and in the scheme of things the 430 is an awesome car in any form. But this is not an ordinary car, it's a flagship. On lesser cars options can feel tacked on, but in the 430s case it's obvious the UL is how the 430 is supposed to look and feel, and the lower trims feel deliberately decontented.
Just my 2c.
...Wow, what's up with all this plastic on the doors, center console, and glove box? That first car had so much more leather, like it's supposed to be there and now someone ripped it out and put cheap plastic!
...There's more noise. Is it the tires? No, it's the lack of double-paned glass, or the air suspension.
...The headliner looks so much cheaper than the first one's...
...Oops, I didn't close the door all the way. Dammit I gotta open it and close it again. The UL did it for me....
...The A/C is weaker. Oh wait, the UL had that rear unit on...
...I feel like pushing the car a bit. Where's that sport button for the suspension...?
And so it went. Every time I tried to like a lower trim one of these things would pop into my head. And this is all without even mentioning the total WOW factor of the UL rear seat package when you have rear passengers.
Granted some of the above are addressed by the CL, and I can see settling on the CL if you don't live in a hot climate and/or don't want to mess with the air suspension. You also get a bit more trunk space. Each to his own and in the scheme of things the 430 is an awesome car in any form. But this is not an ordinary car, it's a flagship. On lesser cars options can feel tacked on, but in the 430s case it's obvious the UL is how the 430 is supposed to look and feel, and the lower trims feel deliberately decontented.
Just my 2c.
06-24-11, 06:54 PM
#17
when i was looking for one 3 years ago. i wanted only pcs equipped ul only. nothing else, then it has to be less than 30k miles. then it has to be black interior, finally the order of exterior choice color order goes from white, silver then flint mica. $ was actually the last thing i look, i just want to find what i am looking for.
i was able to find a silver black pcs ul with the milage that is acceptable to me. lucky i find it in cali.
i was able to find a silver black pcs ul with the milage that is acceptable to me. lucky i find it in cali.
06-24-11, 07:05 PM
#18
For the DRIVER, the only difference the UL has over the CL is the air-suspension. All the other goodies are in the back. So, unless you are a back seat driver, those goodies are bumpkus. I chose the CL because with 3 kids, rear goodies just means not used, and I can see the sunshades breaking after about 2 years of constant playing with. Plus, the UL loses trunk space, which with 3 kids, I need. 
06-24-11, 07:12 PM
#19
Rookie
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Every time I sat in a simpler trim here's what I felt and said to myself:
...Wow, what's up with all this plastic on the doors, center console, and glove box? That first car had so much more leather, like it's supposed to be there and now someone ripped it out and put cheap plastic!
...There's more noise. Is it the tires? No, it's the lack of double-paned glass, or the air suspension.
...The headliner looks so much cheaper than the first one's...
...Oops, I didn't close the door all the way. Dammit I gotta open it and close it again. The UL did it for me....
...The A/C is weaker. Oh wait, the UL had that rear unit on...
...I feel like pushing the car a bit. Where's that sport button for the suspension...?
...Wow, what's up with all this plastic on the doors, center console, and glove box? That first car had so much more leather, like it's supposed to be there and now someone ripped it out and put cheap plastic!
...There's more noise. Is it the tires? No, it's the lack of double-paned glass, or the air suspension.
...The headliner looks so much cheaper than the first one's...
...Oops, I didn't close the door all the way. Dammit I gotta open it and close it again. The UL did it for me....
...The A/C is weaker. Oh wait, the UL had that rear unit on...
...I feel like pushing the car a bit. Where's that sport button for the suspension...?
06-24-11, 08:33 PM
#21
Moderator
When I started researching LS430s the first one I drove was an UL. I ended up driving many more, but the UL ruined me. Every time I sat in a simpler trim here's what I felt and said to myself:
...Wow, what's up with all this plastic on the doors, center console, and glove box? That first car had so much more leather, like it's supposed to be there and now someone ripped it out and put cheap plastic!
...There's more noise. Is it the tires? No, it's the lack of double-paned glass, or the air suspension.
...The headliner looks so much cheaper than the first one's...
...Oops, I didn't close the door all the way. Dammit I gotta open it and close it again. The UL did it for me....
...The A/C is weaker. Oh wait, the UL had that rear unit on...
...I feel like pushing the car a bit. Where's that sport button for the suspension...?
And so it went. Every time I tried to like a lower trim one of these things would pop into my head. And this is all without even mentioning the total WOW factor of the UL rear seat package when you have rear passengers.
Granted some of the above are addressed by the CL, and I can see settling on the CL if you don't live in a hot climate and/or don't want to mess with the air suspension. You also get a bit more trunk space. Each to his own and in the scheme of things the 430 is an awesome car in any form. But this is not an ordinary car, it's a flagship. On lesser cars options can feel tacked on, but in the 430s case it's obvious the UL is how the 430 is supposed to look and feel, and the lower trims feel deliberately decontented.
Just my 2c.
...Wow, what's up with all this plastic on the doors, center console, and glove box? That first car had so much more leather, like it's supposed to be there and now someone ripped it out and put cheap plastic!
...There's more noise. Is it the tires? No, it's the lack of double-paned glass, or the air suspension.
...The headliner looks so much cheaper than the first one's...
...Oops, I didn't close the door all the way. Dammit I gotta open it and close it again. The UL did it for me....
...The A/C is weaker. Oh wait, the UL had that rear unit on...
...I feel like pushing the car a bit. Where's that sport button for the suspension...?
And so it went. Every time I tried to like a lower trim one of these things would pop into my head. And this is all without even mentioning the total WOW factor of the UL rear seat package when you have rear passengers.
Granted some of the above are addressed by the CL, and I can see settling on the CL if you don't live in a hot climate and/or don't want to mess with the air suspension. You also get a bit more trunk space. Each to his own and in the scheme of things the 430 is an awesome car in any form. But this is not an ordinary car, it's a flagship. On lesser cars options can feel tacked on, but in the 430s case it's obvious the UL is how the 430 is supposed to look and feel, and the lower trims feel deliberately decontented.
Just my 2c.
06-25-11, 06:21 AM
#22
The original post asked if the UL was worth the money. Whether it was worth the money when new is a mute point. On the used market the price differential is minor.
Remember, the number of ULs decreased as the model run reached its end. Find the best combination of mileage, condition and cosmetics at a price you are comfortable with. You will love it.
Remember, the number of ULs decreased as the model run reached its end. Find the best combination of mileage, condition and cosmetics at a price you are comfortable with. You will love it.
06-25-11, 07:42 AM
#23
You hit it right on the nose. When new, its a 15k or 16k option, in the used market, its 1k to 3k more so its much easier to justify if really want that package.
06-25-11, 08:43 AM
#25
Lead Lap
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Ohio
Posts: 470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Remember that you are nearing the end of CPO LS430's. At this time, only an 06 can be certified. You may come across 05's that were certified before, but they would have to have sat on the lot for a while. An 06 UL CPO in excellent condition from a Lexus dealer with low miles should be priced upwards of 30k.
06-25-11, 09:10 AM
#26
06-25-11, 08:34 PM
#29
Moderator
An $85k+ hybrid with a 5.o liter V8 engine is an absurd joke....plain and simple...ranks right up there with the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - designed and marketed specifically for the eco minded d-bag. JMHO : )
Last edited by Jabberwock; 06-25-11 at 08:42 PM.
06-26-11, 12:54 AM
#30
If the weight can be justified, I wouldn't mind a hot rod with 400ft/lb available right off the line!
But again, if you're gonna drive an ocean liner, don't try telling me you care about the environment! At least have the decency to throw a big V-8 or V-10 (thanks Audi) in it and get the baby seal seating surfaces (soooo soft).