I currently own a LS400 1991 (133K) and a LS430 2002 (129K) and have been debating to buy another LS430 with less than 30K miles (~ $20,000) or an ES 350 2013- 2015 (FWD does not appeal to me). I am not trying to save money, I just like the LS430 and I need a car to last 10 more years as I am 81 and probably do not have more than 10 driving years left. So the question is, even tho at this low mileage the running gear would last 10 years will the rubber bushings, seals, catalytic converters, etc. last? And would I be missing out on an useful latest bells and whistles or an improved ride?

There are LS430 for sale with less then 20K miles. I have seen 4 in the last year, occasionally looking on cars.com. Right now there are 2, one 2003 with 10K miles for $20K (it is 2600 miles from me).

 

I was in a similar situation as you - trying to decide between a LS and an ES350 - the ES may seem more practical, but the drive is much different. The ES is just lacking in power, I thought it would at least feel quick, but it's doesn't which surprised me a bit. The interior on the new ES is nice, but the only phone charger is in the center console...kind of strange in a modern automobile...you'd figure there'd be something up on the center stack or dash. The back seat room is better than I expected, as is the overall size of the inside...and I like the outside styling, but it just drives so bland.

I'd go for the low mileage LS430, yes the bushings may be worn but you can replace those...you can't replace the overall driving experience that the ES doesn't provide. That has to account for something, to me it means a lot more than bushings that can be replaced or seals that probably are going to be fine on a lower mileage vehicle.

 

Awesome!!! I hope to have such a good taste in cars when I'm buying my last one.

Would you consider a GS? It's RWD and the size of an ES.

The newest LS430s are 10 years old. Perhaps a garage stored car in Arizona would be nice for the next ten years. But it'll be tough to find an LS430 that will still be a great car in 10 years without parts replacement.

Would you consider an SUV? The Toyota Land Cruiser / Lexus LX are impeccable. They're made to last for at least 20 years. You can get a 10 year old one and get another great 10 years out of it. And the RX might be easy to get into and out of.

 

i have had my 06 430 for 6 years and i expect to have it for many,many more years.i have a 86 mr2 that is 30 years old and it is still babied and well taken care of so ten years on a well kept 430 is no problem at all.

 

My 06 runs, drives and looks inside and out like a 2-3 year old car at most. I plan to keep it 10 more years. If you can find a babied low mile LS I suggest you grab it.

 

I am leery of extremely low mileage vehicles. Low mileage usually means the car sits for a long period of time between startups and/or driven for short distances between each startups both of which are recipes of accelerated wears. At atmospheric conditions, metals and rubbers do get oxidized and aged with time. A 10K mileage doesn't necessarily equate to 1/10th the wear and tear of a 100K vehicle.

Looks like the vehicle you mentioned was driven 7K for the first two years of its life, and driven 1K for the last ten years. Something is not right with that picture. If you want to place the vehicle in a showroom, that car might be a good choice, but if you want something reliable as a daily driver, that car might not be a good choice given its price and age.

 

I'd go for the ls...smoother ride. Just make sure the maintenance is up to date. As the age of the car. Timing belt, joints ect.

 

I think the LS is a better car and I don't see it giving you any more issues than a newer ES, but my opinion is $20k for a 2003 LS is just way over priced, even with those low miles. If you just really want an LS and money is no object, at least go for a 2004-2006 model.

In general though, if low mileage is a priority, I think you'd be better off simply buying a newer car as the resale is just destroyed when you have a really old car with low miles and its driven regularly. There's also some issues with a car that's obviously been put away and forgotten about.

Since you already an LS430, my advice is keep the one you have as I actually could see the lower mileage LS needing more service and maintenance than yours as I'm sure things like the timing belt have probably never been done.

 

Cars don't age well in terms of being reliable drivers unless they are regularly driven. I'd buy a low mile car if it had been driven regularly. I only drive my LS about 5k miles a year but it is typically driven 1-2 times a week. The cars to possibly avoid have low miles because they may not have been driven for months or even years at a time.

 

I drove an ES for a few years, and the thing was painfully gutless. Even at WOT.