beylerbeyi

I just wanted to say hi. Car forums provide very valuable resources for owners and first think I did was opening the account here after deciding to buy Lexus.
I particularly like LS430 series. I used to own Lexus about 15 years ago but since than I always owned Mercedes. After spending many thousands of dollars I decided to return back to Lexus.
Tomorrow I will drive 3 hours to give my S320 as a trade in and get my 2003 LS430 with 73k on it.

If anyone here knows decent Lexus mechanic in Orlando area please let me know. If not I am planning to use Toyota for service etc. is this a good idea?

2KHarrier

Welcome aboard Beyler. Car looks good. I understand your decision in returning to the Lexus brand. As long as the facility is familiar with the LS, I see no issue in using a specialist over the dealer. By the look of it I would assume it has good service records?

Jabberwock

Welcome to the forum and enjoy your new LS430. Not a bad looking LS430. Kinda reminds me a little of the one I have ; )

Johnhav430

the heck with the car, look at that beautiful home behind it!! Someday I say for us, but someday keeps staying someday! lol (I want a 3 car garage because I'll always have 3 cars....)

p.s. that Cherry pearl is sweet....

Legender

Dang... wish I had a red one. Both of those look sharp. Don't see too many of those in TX. We have plenty of silver ones though.
Nice looking car and welcome back to the fold. Now what are you going to do with all that new found money that you'll not be spending on repairs?

beylerbeyi

Thank you for the well wishes. I just drove the car back to the Orlando.
There are few things I might need to check with a mechanic. First, It seems there is some road and wind noise (comparing to my 97 S320 but S320 have vacuum assisted doors not sure if fair to compare).
Second, car seems to move side to side little bit maybe it needs alignment or front ends need to be checked.
Other than those issues it is extremely clean (some of my friend couldn't believe that this is 14 years old car) and run purrfectly . And color is beatiful as some of you mentioned.

Now I need to buy extra key and program it (time to search the forum)

Thanks

Johnhav430

Glad you got the car back safely.....again, I think the two big things that improved my car were getting new lower control arm bushings in the front (I got OEM), and an alignment....this is very subjective but it seems like those two actions really improved my car. For one, a 60-65 mph vibration was gone, and the alignment was in fact off on 3/4 wheels, as shown by the printout--not only did the wheel become perfectly centered as a result, but it seems like a 70-75 vibration was fixed as well. And just from a physical standpoint, those two services make sense, unless the bushings have already been replaced...good luck!

Bocatrip

Welcome to the Forum. With regards to the side by side movement......if you are referring to some correction with steering wheel, it might be more of your adjustment coming from a Benz with precise steering and a Lexus that does have some "slight" play if you could even call it that. Your car had European handling and the Lexus is a big barge that is known for comfort. I couldn't give you an exact read as I'm not driving your car, but be assured you have a great machine which is known for reliability. FYI....I have my original LCA bushings which happen to be cracked since the day I purchased my car 7 years ago and there is not a moan or groan or creak anywhere in the front end. Also, there is almost no play going 60-70mph on a highway run with any steering wheel play. Good luck and let us know how you enjoy your car!

beylerbeyi

Nice to know thanks. Instead of doing anything such as mechanic alignment etc. I will just drive for couple of weeks. Like you said maybe I need some adjustment.

beylerbeyi

I will follow Bocatrip's advise and drive for a while to see if mercedes to lexus feeling or something really wrong

Thanks