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You know its a bit funny, I think I was an outlier in that regard because I adored E38's and S classes when i was in Junior-High. I SO wanted a V12 750il. But as time went on and realizing that reliability too is something that needs to be taken into account when you dont make boat loads of money, the LS 430 in the end was the perfect candidate.
When I was 22, at my first job, an old guy in the office (he was like 26) liked Lincoln Town Cars, and bought an off lease one. It was an "old man" car for sure, but he liked it. I did too.
I also liked 7 series that friends' parents had in HS. Point is, I think German "big" cars are coveted by young as well as old, but Japanese, don't think so. What would a teenager think about a Hyundai Equus? Versus a A8L or 750 or S550....
When I was 22, at my first job, an old guy in the office (he was like 26) liked Lincoln Town Cars, and bought an off lease one. It was an "old man" car for sure, but he liked it. I did too.
I also liked 7 series that friends' parents had in HS. Point is, I think German "big" cars are coveted by young as well as old, but Japanese, don't think so. What would a teenager think about a Hyundai Equus? Versus a A8L or 750 or S550....
I dont think I knew about LS's and other European Competitors from Japan that I was into back then so I definitely see your point.
Also wait, you're making me feel old about asking out someone 4 years my junior lol.
I dont think I knew about LS's and other European Competitors from Japan that I was into back then so I definitely see your point.
Also wait, you're making me feel old about asking out someone 4 years my junior lol.
My wife is 6 yrs younger lol
Anyway as we get older, we have to be practical, and that is some of the beauty of a LS....you can buy a sub $20k LS, and afford to maintain it and keep it for what I hope is a long time....if you do the same with a German car, it could be a disaster financially....
Seriously, what makes more sense, a 2006 LS430 with 80k miles, or a 2014 (not 2014.5) CPO Camry, with 36k? For me, it was the former because I wanted the flagship, even at 10 y.o. For most, likely the 2014 CPO, they cost about the same.
I'm 37. Blue collar guy. I haven't bought a Lexus yet but I am currently looking for a clean used LS400 or LS430.
My my wife had an IS300 that we drove before we had our kid. She liked it, it was a little small for me.
I'm more into my Harley's and muscle cars so im prob just gonna keep my LS stock/family hauler. At least I say that now. I just like the idea of a V8 rear drive sedan that has the possibility to last me awhile.
Have to share a laugh. There was a time when my Nissan was new, in 1998, that folks on the forum tended to be young and middle-aged professional, polite guys, loved cars, etc. I mean it's Nissan's flagship, maybe $23-$29k is not a lot today, but it was back then.
Look at what the forum there has become. I'll say the demographic has changed.
Have to share a laugh. There was a time when my Nissan was new, in 1998, that folks on the forum tended to be young and middle-aged professional, polite guys, loved cars, etc. I mean it's Nissan's flagship, maybe $23-$29k is not a lot today, but it was back then.
Look at what the forum there has become. I'll say the demographic has changed.
Holy mackerel, almost worth not getting a Maxima just from their community alone lol
haha this is by far the most level-headed forum I have joined....seems that folks are all reasonable and aren't so "you better only drive a Lexus or get outta here!"
Have to share a laugh. There was a time when my Nissan was new, in 1998, that folks on the forum tended to be young and middle-aged professional, polite guys, loved cars, etc. I mean it's Nissan's flagship, maybe $23-$29k is not a lot today, but it was back then.
Look at what the forum there has become. I'll say the demographic has changed.
Unbelievable.. I experienced the same thing over at the 300zx forum (300zxclub.com) I believe the kids call it "flaming"... When you bully someone for asking a question that may be considered rudimentary to others. Not very helpful, is it?
I hope we don't become like that here. I did see a little of that on the 1st Gen RX forum when I first got into the Lexus brand, but have not seen it here on the LS boards.
Unbelievable.. I experienced the same thing over at the 300zx forum (300zxclub.com) I believe the kids call it "flaming"... When you bully someone for asking a question that may be considered rudimentary to others. Not very helpful, is it?
I hope we don't become like that here. I did see a little of that on the 1st Gen RX forum when I first got into the Lexus brand, but have not seen it here on the LS boards.
I don't waste my time hanging out in forums that are simply poorly managed like that. A tip of my cap to all moderators who keep the BS out...
I am 31, Asian-Indian, married with a toddler and working in IT.
I just got my 2004 LS430 to replace a 2008 BMW 335i Sedan with Sport Package. After owning my BMW for last 5 years, and off warranty for last two years, I had enough with that car. It has just 106k on the odo but the list of things that keep failing never ends. I personally had good experience with Japanese cars, and decided on 2004-2006 LS430 after reading a lot of praise about LS400 and LS430 on the net. My experience was that LS400 and 2001-2003 LS430 pricing was no cheaper than 2004-2006 LS430 (for same miles).
My wife does not like my decision to buy a 13-year old car, but is slowly warming up to the car after seeing it and driving it.
I am amazed by the paint and interior quality on these LS430 cars. If you tell a non-car guy that these cars are only 6/8 years old, I am sure they would believe it. I hope to keep this Lexus for as long as possible, but don't expect it to be flawless. I am confident that the cost to own this car will be much less than the BMW. I am already liking the clublexus DIY articles for things like door actuators and center console latch. Also, my trusted neighborhood shop does not want to work on BMW but will work on Lexus, which will save me considerably on labor for any major jobs like TB or gasket leaks etc. BMW always needed euro-specialist shops, and their labor was not any cheaper than dealer.
I am 31, Asian-Indian, married with a toddler and working in IT.
I just got my 2004 LS430 to replace a 2008 BMW 335i Sedan with Sport Package. After owning my BMW for last 5 years, and off warranty for last two years, I had enough with that car. It has just 106k on the odo but the list of things that keep failing never ends. I personally had good experience with Japanese cars, and decided on 2004-2006 LS430 after reading a lot of praise about LS400 and LS430 on the net. My experience was that LS400 and 2001-2003 LS430 pricing was no cheaper than 2004-2006 LS430 (for same miles).
My wife does not like my decision to buy a 13-year old car, but is slowly warming up to the car after seeing it and driving it.
I am amazed by the paint and interior quality on these LS430 cars. If you tell a non-car guy that these cars are only 6/8 years old, I am sure they would believe it. I hope to keep this Lexus for as long as possible, but don't expect it to be flawless. I am confident that the cost to own this car will be much less than the BMW. I am already liking the clublexus DIY articles for things like door actuators and center console latch. Also, my trusted neighborhood shop does not want to work on BMW but will work on Lexus, which will save me considerably on labor for any major jobs like TB or gasket leaks etc. BMW always needed euro-specialist shops, and their labor was not any cheaper than dealer.
Welcome to the club. You'll find a lot of good information and there are some very knowledgeable people in here. My wife had the same reaction to my purchase of a 2004. Now that she's driven it, she's starting to understand Good luck w/ the car!
I am 31, Asian-Indian, married with a toddler and working in IT.
I just got my 2004 LS430 to replace a 2008 BMW 335i Sedan with Sport Package. After owning my BMW for last 5 years, and off warranty for last two years, I had enough with that car. It has just 106k on the odo but the list of things that keep failing never ends. I personally had good experience with Japanese cars, and decided on 2004-2006 LS430 after reading a lot of praise about LS400 and LS430 on the net. My experience was that LS400 and 2001-2003 LS430 pricing was no cheaper than 2004-2006 LS430 (for same miles).
My wife does not like my decision to buy a 13-year old car, but is slowly warming up to the car after seeing it and driving it.
I am amazed by the paint and interior quality on these LS430 cars. If you tell a non-car guy that these cars are only 6/8 years old, I am sure they would believe it. I hope to keep this Lexus for as long as possible, but don't expect it to be flawless. I am confident that the cost to own this car will be much less than the BMW. I am already liking the clublexus DIY articles for things like door actuators and center console latch. Also, my trusted neighborhood shop does not want to work on BMW but will work on Lexus, which will save me considerably on labor for any major jobs like TB or gasket leaks etc. BMW always needed euro-specialist shops, and their labor was not any cheaper than dealer.
Welcome to the club, NC. You'll find owning the LS to be refreshing when compared to other marks. It's always good to have a trusted mechanic you can call on.
I am 31, Asian-Indian, married with a toddler and working in IT.
I just got my 2004 LS430 to replace a 2008 BMW 335i Sedan with Sport Package. After owning my BMW for last 5 years, and off warranty for last two years, I had enough with that car. It has just 106k on the odo but the list of things that keep failing never ends. I personally had good experience with Japanese cars, and decided on 2004-2006 LS430 after reading a lot of praise about LS400 and LS430 on the net. My experience was that LS400 and 2001-2003 LS430 pricing was no cheaper than 2004-2006 LS430 (for same miles).
My wife does not like my decision to buy a 13-year old car, but is slowly warming up to the car after seeing it and driving it.
I am amazed by the paint and interior quality on these LS430 cars. If you tell a non-car guy that these cars are only 6/8 years old, I am sure they would believe it. I hope to keep this Lexus for as long as possible, but don't expect it to be flawless. I am confident that the cost to own this car will be much less than the BMW. I am already liking the clublexus DIY articles for things like door actuators and center console latch. Also, my trusted neighborhood shop does not want to work on BMW but will work on Lexus, which will save me considerably on labor for any major jobs like TB or gasket leaks etc. BMW always needed euro-specialist shops, and their labor was not any cheaper than dealer.
Welcome and am happy for you and your new LS430, NC. My wife was the same way at first. She wasn't too impressed by the LS because she thought the world of her 2006 ES 330. That all changed the first time she drove our 2006 LS430. She said it was like a bus compared to her little car, but the power difference was substantial to her. She said it just "zoomed past everybody", effortlessly I might add.
We had a Sienna before the 430 and even our 5-year-old daughter noticed how much quieter the LS is because we were preparing the Sienna for sale and took one last ride in it together and, on her own, she asked "Dada, why is this van so loud?". I didn't have any music on at the time, it was simply drivetrain noise and the Sienna even had Michelin Primacies (known to be very quiet tires). Hope the LS430 brings you many years of driving enjoyment, NC.
and the Sienna even had Michelin Primacies (known to be very quiet tires). Hope the LS430 brings you many years of driving enjoyment, NC.
I think I murdered a pair of Primacies a few weeks ago. They smoke up exceptionally well :P
I like enjoying the finer things in life, but I can be a meat axe at the same time :P
I came from owning cheap Toyotas and Ford Mondeos (you guys know them as Ford Contours) and was looking for a Subaru STi track car when I found my '00 LS. My last Mondeo (3L V6) was certainly a lot more driver focused and all round more fun, but it was a bit fragile, especially in the flywheel department (DMF yo! No skids or harsh shifting allowed with those). It was also a bit hard to drive on long journeys, as I have a lingering back injury, so in the wrong car it gets damn painful after a couple of hours. But in the Lexus, I can keep on going as long as I want to, take my time, but I can really put the hammer down when I need it.
12-16-16, 10:39 AM
Good luck w/ the car!
