JLAWS

Sold my PERFECT 2001 LS430 a week ago and I am now sort of regretting it. I did get $13K for it which was a big plus. The replacement vehicle I was going for was a Jeep SRT8 which is a rare ultra performance SUV. I've been lurking around the SRT8 forum and I've read MANY maintenance horror stories. When faced with the fact that this Jeep will cost me $30K total (sales tax and "mandatory" warranty) used, I am now reluctant to be commited to a 5 year car note and the high maintenance. I did have over 1/2 to put down so my car note would be only around $275. But as a homeowner that money could be spent on better things or saved in the bank.

So the remedy for my dilemma is to get another Ls430 I've always loved the 2004+ facelift. I am in the market to get a 2005 since 04 seemed more problematic. I've seen several 2005 going for around $18K with under 80K miles. The Ls430 is so relaxing and therapeutic to drive. I've ALWAYS looked forward to driving it to far away locations. So once I get my tax refund I hope to pick one up immediately afterward. It would be my 3rd !! Ls430 within 8 years.

caddyowner

LOL At least I'm having my seller's regret before I sell the LS430. After seeing the lousy build quality of the $50K F150 and the lack of driver legroom in the $30K Ridgeline this weekend, I was very glad to have my back feeling OK after commuting in the LS430 this morning.

So, did you buy the Jeep or did you come to your senses? One of my co-workers was convinced he wanted to have the Jeep experience until he did the research. Now he's saving up to buy a Mini instead.

2004TOYO

Heeeeey, are you allowed to post on here is you dont own a Lexus?!? Just kidding. Come on "back home" man. Getting an 05 LS would be great

JLAWS

I did not pull the trigger. The Jeep SRT was $26,500+ $2500 for 4 yr warranty+ $1650 sales tax.
The only good this I guess is that the insurance was actually a few dollars lower than the 2001 LS430.
Nothing else really interests me. I was thinking about a 2006-2007 GS430 but found out that they are ultra rare and Still go for mid to low $20K. For the money the Ls430 is the best buy.

JLAWS

Yeah I am crawling back. The LS spoiled me.

caddyowner

I'm still toying with the idea of a GX, LX, or Land Cruiser replacement for the LS.

GLIDESUL

Its a shame that once u go Lex u never go back. Come back home Jlaws. 05-06 Yeahhhhh!!!

Ty419

It sucks getting away from the LS. I had an ES between my LSes and hated that car. Couldn't wait to get rid of it and get back in an LS. If you are in the market for an 05, I have a UL in the for-sale section.

jbraswell

I have a 99 Landcruiser and it's a solid vehicle.
It is the equivalent of a LS quality rolled into an SUV.

My 99 LC with 135k miles still drives like new.

LexusAMG

I too love LEXUS...i just picked up a 2003 GS430 with 168k miles for $7500... black on black ..nav every option possible...$63k MSRP....the car was 90% highway...just replaced the original serp belt....by choice .... and after inspection it was still perfect.....

I HAVE to say the only replacement for a LEXUS LS430 is a Mercedes......the S600

This will be my 5th Lexus.... i also have a 2003 SC430....

I am a huge FAN of depreciated cars...and best bang for your buck....
I own a CL65.... the most powerful car production car in the world...it is as quiet and comfortable as my Lexus's and reliable and i PAID $35K.....

My CL65 has 100k miles on it... by far the baddest car on the planet under $50k
only 194 were built in 2005-2006..... it has the feel and comfort of my GS430 but with 700HP
brakes bigger then a zoo and build quality superior then some Ferraris....

Someone here was talking about a SRT8 jeep.... I had one......... RUN!!!!
I also have a 500 AWD blacked out 2008 ESCALADE now too....

Do yourself a favor get a CL65 or a S600 of you want speed and comfort.... the JEEP is a JOKE ...IMO... really .... a CL65 costs around $30k-35k... and it was a $200k car.... it STILL looks like a $100k car... and it is EQUALLY AS dependable as any LEXUS i HAVE OWNED no bull****!!
Nobody will look at the jeep and it will kill you in gas.... not to mention it is a rattle box... i HAD A gtr... THE AWD is awesome...BUT not in a JEEP ....buy a AMG if you want power and comfort.....

CarGuy89

Glad you came to your senses . Don't shy away from an 04 if the right one comes along. Mine is a late model (built summer of 04). I've had no issues with it, I used to have a garage but it sleeps outside now as my new school does not have garaged parking. Still runs like a champ and I'm still in love.

LexusAMG: Got any pics of the CL65? That is a truly amazing car and quite a sleeper. I'm a huge fan!

thinkin

The only significant items to note with an early '04 are the transmission replacement (the parking gear pawl had a potential issue, though supposedly only a couple in China actually failed, and could break when parked on steep inclines without emergency brake engagement - Lexus recalled all of them and they got a full transmission swap at huge expense) and fuel pump. It's easy to see if both these TSBs were performed on lexusdrivers.com if it's in the VIN range.

There are a couple of minor ones, fuel filling slow and an ECU reflash that alters the shift pattern that you may or may not even need/want and which span more years/VINs, and are not hard at any rate.

I would advise focusing on finding a creampuff of any 04+ in a close package to what you want - condition and maintenance are by far the most important variables.

JLAWS

LexusAMG, those are some beastly vehicles. I'd be scared of just the regular maintenance cost of those vehicles. If I am going to spend over $30K on something it has to be near new with well under 100K miles. I figured the Jeep would be a DIY for most of the maintenance since it share parts with the regular Jeep and is not a tech advanced vehicle. Of course the Jeep is no where near as refined as the Lexus. I was looking at the Jeep SRT as a recreational vehicle. They appear to be holding value very well and stil looks badass. I know they will be a collectors vehicle like the GMC Typhoon that came out 20 yrs ago. I mays still entertain getting one in the future when it continues to dip in value

sojah

iTrader: (1)

the only replacement i can see suitable for the LS 430 is an LS600hL or an S600 i'm still not so patiently waiting for s65 prices to come down but it seems like they started to go back up again for some reason,, maybe someone will spike the gas prices again and the cost will fall soon.

i owned a 99 fully loaded jeep grand cherokee in 04, i ended up giving it to my wife and buying my first lex since i didn't like anything about the jeep cept for its awesome winter driving abilities (lived in colorado at the time and we got a lot of snow there/then ) but yeah the jeep broke a lot and needed a lot of $$ to fix. much more money to fix than either of the 2 lex's i've owned. actually i spent more on repairs of the jeep the 2 years i've owned it than any other of the 9 vehicles i've owned. but that was back in 04 and it was a 99, so probably irrelevant now.

sojah

iTrader: (1)

hey caddyowner, one of my dreams if i'm rich is to own a new land cruiser... why not an LX/LC instead of an F150? i know you own an 01 right now i believe but why a big Ford truck?? the LX should be more than enough i would thinkż