Already back in a LS430 after just 2 months!
#16
#17
I drove a '10 on a short test ride. Didn't hear the valve noise. Agree about the problems w/ the early years. It looks a lot nicer than a 430 but didn't seem to be the same interior build quality. At some point, maybe a 460 but am still going to keep at least one 430.
#18
Congrats on your new ride. This car came with a stack of maintenance records so I wont be doing to much to it anytime soon. It had the t-belt and water pump done at 70k miles. For you, you should do your t-belt and water pump in the 90-100k range. But see if your local Toyota dealership can do it at a cheaper rate than Lexus. Other then that, the cabin air filter and rotating the tires are all that you need to do with your mileage. Good luck with it!
#19
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
I also agree about the interior quality. Although I must say I drove a 2014 and it was top notch. I think the consensus is the quality of the leather is not quite the same as what it used to be. I really love the 430 but I just don't want to buy a minimum 10 year old vehicle anymore.
#20
Honestly, if I had to get rid of my LS430 (collision, major repair) I am clueless as to what I would get other than another LS430. Unfortunately, the good ones are getting harder to find as the old timers (original owners) are trading them in. Once our cars change hands to 2,3 and 4 owners, they can be ready for the junk heap. Although great machines, they are now old and repairs are expensive unless done by the owner, but even parts can be expensive (example: actuator and shocks on UL). Yes, high mileage examples can be had now for very reasonable numbers, but as more miles pile on major repairs will be more prevalent and super expensive. I am the first to say that my last 6 years of ownership has not been a free ride with repairs, but the quality of what I have as well as the style is lasting. The LS430 has the reputation as being the best car Lexus ever produced! I still love driving my old ride.
#21
Racer
Thanks! I put in a Denso cabin air filter also last Sun....ok, I just bit the bullet--I called a Japanese indie to quote the timing belt and water pump--they are going to call back. (since I do see comments on the website, I'm going to ask if they install customer parts)
The weirdest thing is I went to the Toyota dealer to get some of those push pins under the hood, and the Toyota dealer said they don't have them? lol Went to Lexus and he charged me 95 cents ea., which I think is list....I broke them myself, they were all in place when I got the car...
edit: survey (indie) says....$775. Not bad, right? I wonder how much more for the 3 seals, I didn't ask about that....
The weirdest thing is I went to the Toyota dealer to get some of those push pins under the hood, and the Toyota dealer said they don't have them? lol Went to Lexus and he charged me 95 cents ea., which I think is list....I broke them myself, they were all in place when I got the car...
edit: survey (indie) says....$775. Not bad, right? I wonder how much more for the 3 seals, I didn't ask about that....
#22
Racer
LOL is a Corvette one of the standard "alternatives" to an LS? We also see the "regret I sold my LS" story. Have a very nice 04 Cypress Pearl ML Sports. It is a slightly firmer "luxury sports" but not quite the same "plush" experience as my recently sold 01 Base. That was simple reliable ultra smooth. Lexus really nailed it when you can relax and drive an ultra quiet big sedan w one finger on the steering wheel. It's been a whole week but am checking Craigs/CarGurus/Autotrader. LOL anyone have an 01-03 Base (light interior) that they want to sell? Somewhere in Nor CA. Less than 100k.
tallca, thought you were going to check out this one too:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5801924444.html
Did you go see it yet?
#23
Racer
Well I couldn't stay away from an LS430 very long. I sold my 04 LS430 CL a few months ago and have missed ever since. Went out and bought a C5 corvette and was disgusted with it a week later. Not a good idea to go from a high end luxury car to a crappy GM product with plastic interior! lol
#24
tallca, thought you were going to check out this one too:
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5801924444.html
Did you go see it yet?
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5801924444.html
Did you go see it yet?
#25
lexusdog, I've never driven nor ridden in a Corvette of any year. Can you help me understand something, please? When I see Corvettes/Porsches/Ferraris on the road, they're typically the slow ones in traffic despite the potential speed and power beneath their hoods. Is the Corvette difficult to drive? Why do other sports cars tend to drive so slowly? Is it the driver? I notice the Corvette is very low and wide. From a driver's position, does the Corvette make it difficult to gauge the lane markings, thus why owners drive it more cautiously?
#26
I didn't read the whole thread but I hope no one compared the LS and Corvette. The only similarities between the two are they have wheels and can go from point A to point B.
The Corvette is a very good sports car for the price. I've had many higher end sports cars and the Corvette is still the best bang for the performance. Please stop making fun of the interior and fit and finish. It's not what it was made for. It was made to go fast for cheap.
The LS is a very good luxury sedan. The best bang for the luxury and comfort.
The Corvette is a very good sports car for the price. I've had many higher end sports cars and the Corvette is still the best bang for the performance. Please stop making fun of the interior and fit and finish. It's not what it was made for. It was made to go fast for cheap.
The LS is a very good luxury sedan. The best bang for the luxury and comfort.
#27
Lexus Fanatic
John, did you see my comment to you in the other post? Here, I'll repeat the quote I got for TB and WP from my independent mechanic, $695. Includes parts, tax, and labor, and one seal. Don't quote me on this, but I think others have reported Lexus charges $1400 for TB (with WP included??).
They stated they are ok with installing customer supplied parts, labor is $105/hr. When doing so, no warranty.
I am glad to have found a potential place so I don't get robbed locally lol
What is the seal here, crank? Seems like the cams are very expensive and not necessary at 90k?
#29
Lexus Fanatic
I had been thinking if only my beater (1998 Nissan) can go 2 more years, I'll get a 2 y.o. M3. Well, it didn't, so I decided to get the LS430 to replace the Nissan. I like the serious queues I feel my 335i has, like oil cooler, two turbos, true dual exhaust, forged internals. It too was overbuilt, that stopped after 2010 (why did they put a true dual on the car, piece by piece $6,300 list--this c
an all be achieved by using software, and an exhaust costing 1/4 the amount--that's how it is done 2014+).
When I got to drive all the new Porsches last summer, including the 991 GTS, I said out loud, if a person can't own something like this, there's no reason to be alive. I told a colleague this in Atlanta, who has a M5. He laughed, and said I might as well just kill myself hahahahaha
We do love our cars. But in a matter of only 2 weeks, I have a real sense of appreciation of the LS brotherhood!! Cheers!
#30
lexusdog, I've never driven nor ridden in a Corvette of any year. Can you help me understand something, please? When I see Corvettes/Porsches/Ferraris on the road, they're typically the slow ones in traffic despite the potential speed and power beneath their hoods. Is the Corvette difficult to drive? Why do other sports cars tend to drive so slowly? Is it the driver? I notice the Corvette is very low and wide. From a driver's position, does the Corvette make it difficult to gauge the lane markings, thus why owners drive it more cautiously?
I think it has to do with the fact that most of the Corvette owners in my area (Florida) are older and just like the car for the look and for Sunday drives. I drive my Corvette fairly hard and it holds up just fine. It handles great and the acceleration can't be beat. On long trips I can get close to 28mpg with it which is an added bonus. It is very wide and the hood sometimes feels like you're driving a boat, but its not too difficult to gauge the lanes. I used my Corvette as a daily driver for a few months and it was fairly brutal getting in and out of all the time. The Corvette is a great car for the money but it is a weekend and pleasure car only. For an everyday driver, the LS430 is the best bang for the buck.