JLAWS

I thought about replacing the Ls430 with a GS350 rwd. Seen a few for mid to low 20K. Don't really mind that it is a smaller car.
I still feel that the LS430 is an AMAZING vehicle. So relaxing to drive and very reilable. I'm sure nice set of 20's and a drop would really freshen up the look but would ruin the overall ride comfort.

With the GS350 I'd be getting current technology, updated looks and possibly better gas mileage and I believe it has a timing chain vs a belt so I would have to worry the extra maintenance cost. So I might make the move if I see the right one

sojah

iTrader: (1)

hmmmm... might as well get an LS 460 if your interested in the 3gs. in my mind they are almost the same car just one is bigger and better.

froboy272

i still appreciate the look of the 04-06 LS430. 1st off it looks very very classy with just a tint. Im not big on modding but i changed the exhaust tips, put some tint, added a lockpick for myself and im happy with the look of it (no chrome rims). One of the biggest things for me is that around here anyway there are not that many LS's on the road. The new C300's, E350's, M35's, G37's, ES350's, etc etc seem to make up 10 out of every 12 cars. Its rare that i see other LS's and I kind of like it that way.

caddyowner

I made the jump to the LS430 with the hope that owning the best would negate the bite of the different car bug every year. It has worked to some extent. The other antidote for me is to focus on how much I'd spend for sales tax when buying a different $30K car. "Would that car be worth the LS, additional $$, AND $1800 in sales tax?"

Sentinel

I may be biased but I dont find it dated. For the price / quality theres nothing id rather drive. I was looking at the ls460 but im not sold on its looks. If i didnt have the ls430 id be in something small and fast or a convertible.

Milan

iTrader: (5)

01-03, perhaps yes. 04-06 look, and probably always will look, classy

sojah

iTrader: (1)

i get what your saying about how it is starting to look dated, but i feel that its a good date nonetheless the newer breed of cars out there look to sporty to me and not luxurious. even caddi is looking all sharp like a new age acura. only jaguar's new lineup and some big audi's are still flowing with luxury lines to me.

thinkin

The LS430 ages like Raquel Welch; most cars age like Nick Nolte.

JasonRN87

For sure Sojah. If money were no object I would definitely pick up one of the new top of the line XJL's in a heartbeat. Ridiculously luxurious and cool car, and insanely quick to boot. More on point, however, is the discussion of the LS430s styling.

IMHO, the LS (primarily the 04-06 models, as this is what I have ) features a more subdued, understated design that has a higher likelihood of aging well in 10, 15, or more years down the road compared to a substantial portion of mainstream sedans. Perhaps even somewhat akin to what some might call a "classic"...

JasonRN87

Well damn, thinkin perfectly summed up my idea while I was busy writing....

JLAWS

I disagree,
I have an 01 with sport 18" wheels and JDM clear tail light. When I parked next to the 04 that I was going to test drive last year I realized it's not that much different in the look category and not worth and extra $8K. And I can pretty much guarantee that If i bought the same color 04-06 LS and showed it to my Girlfriend, friend or family members they wouldn't even know the difference. A True Lexus enthusiast can tell the difference

Bocatrip

It's true the difference's between early LS430s and 04+ are negligible. I know what to look for and every now and then I still can't tell the difference until I get closer.

JasonRN87

^^^ Yep, same here. Can be especially hard to tell if the car in question is traveling in the opposite direction.

sojah

iTrader: (1)

headlights is the easiest way to tell for me ^ ^ ^, cuz even the fog lights are hard to see from far away. from the back its extremely easy to tell for me, but then again i'm sure my wife and family, and most of my friends outside of the car club world prolly couldn't tell the difference either.

caddyowner

That about sums it up.