4 days into LS430 ownership; my thoughts
08-08-16, 05:20 AM
#16
This is not my first Lexus or my first V8 full size RWD car. It is my first LS though. Over the years I came close to buying an LS twice. Once it was a first gen about 15 years ago but the car failed my pre purchase inspection. Next time it was a second gen LS I wanted to buy but the seller did not want to allow a pre purchase inspection.
This time I had my heart set on an 04-06. I looked for months online but got serious about 3 weeks ago. I test drove 5 of them and a GS430 just to see the difference. I went for a black on black 2005 without the NAVI screen, ML Audio, etc. This one is your more base LS but it does have the park assist and 18 inch wheels with the 245 series tires.
The seating position is so high on this car. It is similar to a compact pickup truck. That took some getting used too. I'm also a kind of slender man so the seat seems oversized and I have to extend my arms away from my body to rest them on the door and console arm rests. I am kind of used to these things now. What I just love about the car is the ride quality. It just absorbs downtown roads and there are ZERO noises or rattles from anything in the car. That is just amazing for a 10+ year old car. My SC300 makes noise from the moonroof area on similar roads plus you feel the bumps in the road a lot more. The low end torque is also impressive on this car. It pulls from zero to 30 so effortlessly. The 60-80 mph is actually a bit disappointing for a V8. I've driven about 200 miles getting about 22 mpg in mixed road/highway driving so that's pretty good.
What I absolutely hate about it are the DRLs, the elimination of the button to turn off the motorized steering column, and how the locks all lock when you put it into drive. I know these things are programmable and can be customized by the dealer for a few hundred dollars but come on; just put simple switches in the car to let the customer set how he wants things.
My pre purchase inspection revealed a failing alternator and battery so I'll do those in the coming week. Then it will be off to a Lexus shop for the T-belt/water pump major service. I have odds and ends to fix on it. The telescope function is dead on the steering column, the rear sunshade is broken, a door handle is missing the body color cap, the rear cig lighter is missing, the cup holder has a broken tension tab, the wipers are some cheap non-OEM type so they will go, etc.
Overall I'm happy with the purchase and look forward to a long road trip in the winter.
There are no "Lexus people" at my office. The younger people are Accord/Civic types and the officers like BMW/Mercedes. The ones that looked at the car were stunned you can buy so much car for what a used LS430 costs.
This time I had my heart set on an 04-06. I looked for months online but got serious about 3 weeks ago. I test drove 5 of them and a GS430 just to see the difference. I went for a black on black 2005 without the NAVI screen, ML Audio, etc. This one is your more base LS but it does have the park assist and 18 inch wheels with the 245 series tires.
The seating position is so high on this car. It is similar to a compact pickup truck. That took some getting used too. I'm also a kind of slender man so the seat seems oversized and I have to extend my arms away from my body to rest them on the door and console arm rests. I am kind of used to these things now. What I just love about the car is the ride quality. It just absorbs downtown roads and there are ZERO noises or rattles from anything in the car. That is just amazing for a 10+ year old car. My SC300 makes noise from the moonroof area on similar roads plus you feel the bumps in the road a lot more. The low end torque is also impressive on this car. It pulls from zero to 30 so effortlessly. The 60-80 mph is actually a bit disappointing for a V8. I've driven about 200 miles getting about 22 mpg in mixed road/highway driving so that's pretty good.
What I absolutely hate about it are the DRLs, the elimination of the button to turn off the motorized steering column, and how the locks all lock when you put it into drive. I know these things are programmable and can be customized by the dealer for a few hundred dollars but come on; just put simple switches in the car to let the customer set how he wants things.
My pre purchase inspection revealed a failing alternator and battery so I'll do those in the coming week. Then it will be off to a Lexus shop for the T-belt/water pump major service. I have odds and ends to fix on it. The telescope function is dead on the steering column, the rear sunshade is broken, a door handle is missing the body color cap, the rear cig lighter is missing, the cup holder has a broken tension tab, the wipers are some cheap non-OEM type so they will go, etc.
Overall I'm happy with the purchase and look forward to a long road trip in the winter.
There are no "Lexus people" at my office. The younger people are Accord/Civic types and the officers like BMW/Mercedes. The ones that looked at the car were stunned you can buy so much car for what a used LS430 costs.
08-08-16, 03:32 PM
#17
Completely different car. Both are relatively reliable. GS430 is quite rare so value is there for a good clean example of one. LS430 is more classic and timeless in design, but much more mass produced and easier to find a good used example. GS430/sportier and quick but dated as far as looks. LS430/Luxury cruiser with classic lines.
08-08-16, 07:28 PM
#18
Really rare is a GS460!
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