I'm starting to get the feeling that buying a $10k '04 LS430 is a risky move. I'm selling a BMW M5 to get away from 'risky', and $14k+ is out of my budget at this point.

So I'm curious, if you were to spend less than that, say $8k or less, and your desire was an '04 LS430 in terms of build quality, reliability, power, modern-ness, amenities, reliability, appearance, build quality, and reliability, what would be your pick?

The top two that come to mind for consideration are the 1998-2000 LS400, and the 2001-2005 GS430. My impression is that the LS is a higher build quality, while the GS is more modern, and a bit quicker. Since it's a car primarily for my wife at this point, I've been encouraged to look at the 2004 RX330 as well, which is closer to $9k.

Thoughts?

Edit: I also see a fair number of '01-'03 LS430's around $8k. If I'm honest, I have a really tough time getting over the appearance of it. That said, if it's 3x the car vs any other option, and you believe I can get a great example at $8k, I'd be open to looking at that option as well. Just curious what you would do with that budget?

 

Thoughts? Look at a different forum.

 

Save up.....

 

Just save up. Have you considered the other factors than just the price of the car? Maintenance cost, sudden repairs, etc. Seems like you are on a tight budget imo. No offense.

 

your all over the place.. I'm w jayclapp


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Suggest late 90's Lexus ES300. Bullet proof car - V6 - higher mpg, lower cost insurance.

 

I'm specifically curious the perspective of LS430 owners. Looking in another forum for that wouldn't work. I know I'm all over the place, and it's rather frustrating.

The LS430 has so many redeeming qualities, but it seems that for an '04 I would need to spend at least $12k for a good example, which is more than I feel makes sense to put into a liability at this point in my life. As much as the LS430 is worth that and more, I've been convinced that it wouldn't be the right move right now.

I'm going to do just that. The LS430 will be my next car in a year or two. Just need to decide what to get in the meantime.

No offense taken. It's the reality of my situation currently. As mentioned just above, I'll be saving up for one. Just looking to get a solid car in the meantime.

Thank you for the direct answer! That's definitely on my short list. Here's the reliable vehicles that fall roughly into the $5k budget:

2001-02 Lexus GS430
2001-03 Lexus GS300
1999-01 Lexus ES300
2003-04 Toyota Avalon XLS
2005-06 Toyota Camry SE

Edit: Removed IS300 - I think it'd be too small. Need to seat two adults in the rear seats for long trips comfortably.

 

5 grand, room in back seat 2 adults comfortably for long trips. Bonneville, Lesabre Limited, Park Avenue, Olds eighty or ninety eight.. 5 grand reliable is hardly possible but these can also be grandpa driven cars and these things are bulletproof and get good MPG's. I would not have looks as one of my chief criterias at 5k. Anything japanese at 5k will have huge miles. The Lesabre you could get 2 more adults in the trunk.

 

I think that it really depends on what you want to wind up with. If your objective is to save money initially to get your "dream" car later, you could consider a Camry or similar model. Not only are they less expensive than a Lexus brand (even the ES300), they will probably cost substantially less to maintain over time.
Weak humor alert! ->
However, the politically correct answer for this forum is, "If you cant afford an LS430, the only possible answer is an LS400." I have both, so I am not biased :-)

 

I have a friend with a 96 ES300 that last year rolled 400k miles on the odometer and he is still driving it. he bought it used about 10 years ago with 90k miles on it. It has never had any motor or transmission repair work done - just normal maintenance. This guy is a traveling salesman and drives cars pretty hard so the ES300 wasn't babied. So if you can find a mid 90's ES300 with 100-150 k miles I would bet it would be good for double that if it has been maintained (and a lot of folks do maintain them by the book). Another possibility is a 99-04 Acura RL - extremely reliable well built and very safe car that can be had for $5-7 K used.

 

Go for a 2000 LS400, an awesome car. I've had one in an earlier model (a 98)

Get one without nav and put in a modern aftermarket nav headunit that'll have a lot of the tech features you might want (streaming BT, hands free audio).

 

i would probably buy another STi.

 

Consider the 2nd gen GS. 1999-2004 GS300/400/430

 

no point in spending all your money on a car you don't love.

Just buy a beater for now, an old ES300 or SC400, or a Honda ?? Then buy the L:S after uve saved up a little more money.

 

Well, I'm not sure that I could find a good example of an STi for $8k or less, but I could be wrong.

My list has been widdled down to a 2nd Generation GS400/430, or a 4th generation ES300/330. That said, I keep experiencing this nagging sensation called the '98-00 LS400. I fell in love with what makes the LS great, and I've loved reading all the stories about their insane dependability and unparalleled ownership experiences, and it almost feels like I'd be missing out on something going with the newer GS, or the even newer yet ES...

Since it'll primarily be my wife's car, I'm honestly leaning a bit towards the ES for FWD practicality, though I am a bit concerned about head room for the times that I drive it - I'm 6' 6" and all torso. I'll see if I can find one of each to test drive.

I'm open to any additional comments people have! The short list:

2002-2005 ES300/ES330
1998-2005 GS400/GS430
and maybe possibly
1998-2000 LS400