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Thanks for the excellent replies so far. This has been an interesting scenario. I drove the 08 GS350 today dark blue w / black interior. Pretty sharp looking. First thoughts as I sat in the drivers seat.....wow cool I like the silver dash dials.....cool it looks kinda sporty in here.....dang this seat is a little stiff. Took her for a spin...merged on to the big road and let her eat.........boy was I disappointed. That little six banger that is supposed to be so powerful wound up like a toy and was way too noisy....I found the first place to U turn after a mile of driving and took her back. My next test drive will be a GS460 as I understand from you guys it has my LS430 engine in it just tuned differently right? If so it should be a monster. I havent forgot about the LS460 because she was a fighter jet and I really had few complaints. My issue with the LS460 is what u guys have told me so far.....suspension issues and a mechanic said there was a huge drop off in quality from the 04 06 LS430 to the new at the time LS460.
I installed a new air filter in my LS today and talked nice to her. Then I took her for a spin and talked her up....told she is a beast and such. I dont want her to know what I have been up to.
True story, my good friend can afford almost any car he wants. Just bought a new Wrangler Unlimited, new Harley last month, etc. Tonight he asked to borrow my 430 to take his girlfriend on a date, and then asked me if I minded if he took his boss (who has a 911 Turbo, 5 series, and 3 series in his 4 bay garage) for a ride to show him the old Lexus. Waiting on his boss's opinion.
I will admit, I'm definitely a self proclaimed 400/430 fanboy but like I always say, I've owned so many cars and nothing even compares to my 400 and 430s. The ONLY thing that would be able to replace them is a luxury-performance sedan that can give the best of both worlds. Otherwise why bother?
Great replies.......ya I dont know if I already told the story or not but I recently have purchased several dailys to keep the miles off of my 430. One of the dailys was even a Porsche 986 just for the hell of it. My latest daily is an 06 Acura RL which was supposed to be Acura's Flagship back in 06. Keep in mind my 430 is a 2004. So far there hasn't been one car that I have hopped in and taken for a spin that has impressed me. This includes cars from friends and family with maybe an exception or 2. Every time I get back from cheating on my Lexus I walk up to her and open the drivers door which is so heavy and solid it just ooooozes quality then I just look inside, take a good whif of the leather. and close the door to a resounding heavy door air tight thud!!!!! I just shake my head and walk away thinking those Japanese folks really put a lot of effort into making this car great. You might be interested in the cars from some of my friends that did in fact feel pretty darn good but none of them have the reliability of a Lexus.
My wife owns a 2010 Audi Q5 with the 3.2 engine......I must say its a very nice car...Dont think I could own one its kind of a female car unless u go crazy and buy the testosterone blacked out super dooper version. I would like to drive an Audi Q7 to see how that feels....but again I might not be able to afford the maintenance on one of those.
My brother in law owns a VW Phaeton ...wowza very impressive. They sell for pennies on the dollar these days because nobody can afford to maintain them but.....wowza.......every feature u can possibly think of....very comfortable...very strong. I would buy one....if I knew a VW mechanic. And not just any VW mechanic can work on those. they were built in their own factory.
My boss owns a new Range Rover all black crazy expensive.....ya....its nice
My other boss owned one of the high end Audi sedans with the massaging drivers seat I forgot the number A8 A10? can remember...very fast nice car...this is the guy that owned a 430 then a 460 before the Audi.
Anyway this ramble is way too long. The only cars that compare to my 2004 Lexus LS430 so far are basically much newer super cars that all cost around 100k.
... as I understand from you guys it has my LS430 engine in it just tuned differently right? ...
Wrong ... 460 is a 1UR-FSE, 430 is a3UZ-FE.
The UZ engine family (1989 to mid 2013) was replaced by the UR engine family. UR was introduced in 2006 to replace UZ which then began phasing out....
The numbers 430 and 460 designate displacement. Displacement is the combined swept volume of the pistons inside the cylinders of an engine. It is calculated from the bore or the diameter of the cylinders, stroke or the distance the piston travels, and the number of cylinders. The number 460 designates a larger displacement than the number 430....
An engine difference often commented on by ClubLexus members is that the UZ engine in the LS 430 uses a riming belt to synchronize the rotation of the crankshaft and the camshaft so that the engine's valves open and close at the proper times during each cylinder's intake and exhaust strokes while the UR engine in the 460 utilizes a timing chain for that function....
(There is a phenomenon called the interweb where such information can be easily found or verified....)
430slowner u have a lot of info in your brain.........thanks for the info. So 430 timing belt 460 timing chain................is the 460 as strong mechanically as the 430? Prob not huh.
430slowner u have a lot of info in your brain.........thanks for the info. So 430 timing belt 460 timing chain................is the 460 as strong mechanically as the 430? Prob not huh.
You don't really think Toyota developed the UR family of engines to inferiorly replace the UZ engine family....
pretty funny though ... may you wish to consider stand-up? ... you could test out some of your original material at an open mike night and see how it goes...?
Previous poster stated his mechanic friend said there was a substantial drop off in quality or worded similar .....from the 04 to 06 430 to the 460 thats all I have to go off of.........in addition to your input.......here ya go.....copied it below.......
05-07 GS430 or ‘13-17 LS460; my Independant Lexus mechanic was adamant that Lexus build quality on early LS460’s was a huge step down from his personal favorite the ‘04-06 LS430. Another option is converting your 430 to a Sports suspension and using factory spec tires(not All-Season). It will ride better than the aforementioned GS while being very close to a LS460 in handling.
Just watched a vid on the LS600HL wowza......I might need one of those
Was scanning ads for cars and saw this interior of a newer GS I believe it was.......now this is what was in my mind when I thought about selling my 430............a modern clean sporty look.
‘05-07 GS430 or ‘13-17 LS460; my Independant Lexus mechanic was adamant that Lexus build quality on early LS460’s was a huge step down from his personal favorite the ‘04-06 LS430. Another option is converting your 430 to a Sports suspension and using factory spec tires(not All-Season). It will ride better than the aforementioned GS while being very close to a LS460 in handling.
Agreed with regards to a 2013+ LS460. All the techs at Lexus have suggested the issues with the LS460 were finally ironed out with the 2013+ models....but you might still be let down on the overall quality compared to the LS430. The GS460 (V8) is still a very old car. The very early GS models 2006 etc had it's own issues. There were a number of rattles coming from the A pillar due to weld issues from the factory. I think you may have a difficult decision moving up from the LS430. Personally, I don't like any of the newer Lexus cars especially the ones with the Spindle grill. I'd probably go the route of a newer GS with a V8 but that will be big bucks and fairly hard to find. 2019 is the end of the run for the GS. Good luck.
... My next test drive will be a GS460 as I understand from you guys it has my LS430 engine in it just tuned differently right? ,,,
Originally Posted by 430SLOwner
... 460 is a 1UR-FSE, 430 is a3UZ-FE.
Originally Posted by jpv7774
... ..........is the 460 as strong mechanically as the 430? Prob not huh.
Originally Posted by 430SLOwner
You don't really think Toyota developed the UR family of engines to inferiorly replace the UZ engine family....
Originally Posted by jpv7774
Previous poster stated his mechanic friend said there was a substantial drop off in quality or worded similar .....from the 04 to 06 430 to the 460 thats all I have to go off of.........in addition to your input.......here ya go.....copied it below.......
05-07 GS430 or ‘13-17 LS460; my Independant Lexus mechanic was adamant that Lexus build quality on early LS460’s was a huge step down from his personal favorite the ‘04-06 LS430. ...
What does any of what the mechanic said or what you have posted have anything to do with how the engines are?
Great topic JPV! I drive a newer LX570 at home and have purchased two LS430's (a 2004 and a 2006) for two of my daughters although I'm using the 2006 for work. I currently work out-of-state during the week from where I live and have brought the 2006 LS430 with me to use as a daily driver while here. I have to say that I am in love with the LS430. In some ways, I actually enjoy driving it more than my LX570. I was surprised to see much of the technology in the LS430 existed that long ago. Lexus must have been on the leading edge of technology with the LS430. These vehicles are bullet proof if properly maintained as well as comfortable and safe. After I turn over this 2006 LS430 to my daughter I'm actually considering buying a third one for myself. It's like a very comfortable pair of slippers. I thoroughly enjoy driving it and that smooth-as-silk ride with all of the quiet power that I need. Look no further my friend - you already own the best of the best!
430SLOWNER..........I dont know if its just me or not....but you are extremely knowledgeable and have a ton to bring to the table. But u seem to have a little edge to ya. Along with all of the knowledge passed along in the forum ...lets keep it chill at the same time.
Got my car back from the shop today. They pressure tested the radiator and said it didnt loose any psi all night. I have seen on this forum several threads about radiators and strange leaks.....The shop just said if your made of money and want a new radiator we will do it,,,,otherwise come pick it up.
Now for the story.........so while my car was at the shop for 2 days i have been zippin around in my 06 Acura RL. The RL is a big car but feels smaller then the LS....I dont know how to explain it but the RL is just sportier....it makes the driving experience more interactive vs just sitting on a comfortable couch driving around. To be very clear the 430 is twice the car the RL is but I am saying the driving experience is a bit more fun. Well when the shuttle driver dropped me off...I got my keys from the shop and walked to my Cyprus Pearl beauty I said oh ya...thats it. I opened that massive heavy door and sat in the massive un bolstered captains seat and said ohhhh I seeee.....I see ya baby.......she was just a level above. Even as an 04 she is clearly a level above so many more modern cars. I drove her home as usual with the stereo off so could listed to her butter shifts and kicked her into gear a few times to enjoy the V8 power. Yes a true classic! All that said....when I pulled the big boat....sorry thats what she felt like....when I pulled the big boat into the garage I was already thinking about a more sporty experience. And lastly to be clear again....I am 54 yrs old and I actually drive very conservative but I think after owning the LS for so many years I just have an itch for a quality, classy, sporty, fun to drive car. I guess it exists but cost way over my budget. My guess is that a 2015 ish GS is probably a real nice car that ticks all the boxes.
I will continue to wrestle with this...it will be interesting to see where this mental struggle comes to an end.
11-23-19, 01:50 PM
