LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006) Discussion topics related to the flagship Lexus LS430

UL worth the extra money?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-23-11, 04:07 PM
  #1  
ultm8mind
Instructor
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
ultm8mind's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Augusta, Ga
Posts: 809
Received 13 Likes on 10 Posts
Default UL worth the extra money?

I am in the market for an 04-06 LS430, and I was wondering if the Ultra Luxury package is worth the extra money. I am curious to find if the extras that are in the UL are worth an extra $5,000. I know it has the rear set-up, air ride and all that and it appears to me to be worth it, but what do you all think? Please help me make my decision easier.....thanks in advance.
Old 06-23-11, 04:19 PM
  #2  
BNR34
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
BNR34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: So Cal
Posts: 6,858
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

This question is asked every 2 weeks.

It is like everything in life, it is worth it if you like it, want it, uses it and appreciate it.

It is as simple as that

Amish people think no car is worth a dime, rapper spend $100k on shoes.........so it all depends on what you want.

Last edited by BNR34; 06-23-11 at 04:31 PM.
Old 06-23-11, 04:24 PM
  #3  
caddyowner
Lead Lap
 
caddyowner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: MI
Posts: 4,810
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 9 Posts
Default

Welcome! I needed the fullsize LS trunk, 90%+ of the driving is done with an empty back seat, and we don't live in the south where the added A/C would benefit us. I also didn't care about or for the air suspension. I DID want the extra leather trim, semi aniline black leather, and adaptive cruise control. I eliminated the UL from consideration and focused on finding a CL.

You will likely find more UL cars than CL cars and some sellers won't know what they have. I believe the ML trim level was most popular followed by Premium. Read posts here about how to spot the different trim levels from pics in ads.

Good luck in your search.
Old 06-23-11, 04:30 PM
  #4  
TJW98LS
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
 
TJW98LS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 3,596
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Let me put it to you like this.

The UL really doesn't differ from the ML, aside from that it has adjustable Air suspension and rear climate / radio controls. I don't like Air Suspension which is why I don't have an Ultra. Rear climate is the only thing I wish my LS430 had.
Old 06-23-11, 04:45 PM
  #5  
HiloDB1
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (3)
 
HiloDB1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Main reason I bought an LS430 was because of the UL package.
Old 06-23-11, 04:47 PM
  #6  
jayclapp
Lexus Champion
 
jayclapp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: AZ
Posts: 2,489
Received 106 Likes on 85 Posts
Default

One good thing about owning the UL is that you never have to worry about finding that you wished you had gotten some option that you don't have.
Old 06-23-11, 05:42 PM
  #7  
BNR34
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
BNR34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: So Cal
Posts: 6,858
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 23 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by jayclapp
One good thing about owning the UL is that you never have to worry about finding that you wished you had gotten some option that you don't have.
+1

Every car I ever own is fully loaded........so I don't feel like it is missing something.

Is all about personal preferences, some people want everything, some just want the basic. Some prefer a nice car without any options and some rather have a fully loaded cheaper car. All just personal.
Old 06-23-11, 05:49 PM
  #8  
CarGuy89
Lexus Test Driver
 
CarGuy89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: MI
Posts: 1,512
Received 4 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

Are you going to be using everything in UL? I never sit in the back (usually just me in the car anyways) and didn't want to deal with air suspension failure. The only option that really appealed to me was nav and all its features, so I went with the ML. CL is another great option if you want most of the UL stuff w/o air suspension and backseat controls.
Old 06-23-11, 07:40 PM
  #9  
thinkin
Pole Position
 
thinkin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Land of Oz
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

The UL is a huge step up from ML. UL vs. CL is a much more interesting comparison IMO.
Old 06-23-11, 07:56 PM
  #10  
BT3100
Pit Crew
 
BT3100's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 200
Received 33 Likes on 25 Posts
Default

LOVE my 02' UL...
She is amazing!!!
I would say it's price vs. needs. I think it's worth the extra but it's always your call. Keep in mind that resale value may impact your decesion.
Old 06-23-11, 09:15 PM
  #11  
MrXerox
Rookie
 
MrXerox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by thinkin
The UL is a huge step up from ML.
"Huge" is an overstatement
Old 06-24-11, 09:26 AM
  #12  
focsle
Rookie
 
focsle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Alaska
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by MrXerox
"Huge" is an overstatement
And that's an "understatement".
Old 06-24-11, 09:46 AM
  #13  
Jabberwock
Moderator
 
Jabberwock's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 3,902
Received 205 Likes on 168 Posts
Default

Previous poster said it best, a UL is definitely worth it if you actually want the extra stuff.

I specifically did not want all the extra complexity and added stuff to break - I was looking for a car I could drive for next 10+ years minimum.

As an example I never listen to radio or CD only use the custom Ipod interface I installed - therefore radio and CD are useless to me. I prefer to use latest portable Nav device - I travel frequently and need one anyway. I have no use for the obsolete low res NAV on the UL.

I have no use for 18 inch wheels and tires - very happy with the 17s.

But other very smart folks on this board love the extras on the LS - so its all in the eye of the beholder - figure out what you really want and get that..can't go wrong either way. From pure financial perspective a used UL is likely a better value in terms of upfront cost as all those gizmos cost a huge premium when new. Resale might be easier and higher if all the stuff is still working. Maintenance cost might be higher on UL is some of the extra stuff stops working.

Last edited by Jabberwock; 06-24-11 at 09:51 AM.
Old 06-24-11, 10:30 AM
  #14  
parkerjs
Pit Crew
 
parkerjs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I think the best value for the cost is the CL. It has all the luxury features that you would expect from a top of the line car, but doesn't cost you more for the little used things like a rear cooler, rear radio controls and the like. I considered the air ride a risk more than an asset in a 5 or 6 year old car, but I bought it anyway.
Old 06-24-11, 12:09 PM
  #15  
HiloDB1
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (3)
 
HiloDB1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Hilo, Hawaii
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 13 Posts
Default

Refer to this thread

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...y-package.html

I like post #26


Quick Reply: UL worth the extra money?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:53 AM.