Ok this might not be real popular on the LS forum but lets all be rational here. I have owned my 04 LS430 for approx 5 years and have always loved the car and treated it like royalty. My 430 is not my daily so it only gets driven on weekends and such. I love cars and thus every couple of years I get the itch Even though I love my car I am considering making a move within the Lexus family. From what I understand the 04 to 06 LS430 is the most reliable car Lexus has ever made.....or close second to the LS400 not sure. If I can buy another Lexus with great reliability, great looks, but is a bit more fun to drive I might make the move. The 2 or 3 models that grab my eye are the LS460, GS300 or 350, ES350. I wouldnt mind a 6 cyl if it was more " bullet proof " that said an 8 banger works for me if its the way to go. Since this car will be a garage queen I have a budget for my cruiser of around 11k. I know many of you guys on the forum have made the move and some have come back to the 430. I would appreciate some of your opinions so I can narrow in on my next Lexus cruiser.
Thanks

 

Why not check with people who have them?

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-4th-gen-2007-2017-178/

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-models-4/

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-models-8/

 

Ya that makes more sense......your right.......but I am sure I am not the only one in this forum thinking about a possible move. Maybe I will check all avenues.

Whats the difference between a ES350 and a GS350??? havent figured that out yet

 

What's the difference in a Lexus IS and an ES? Or the GS vs the LS? This video will give you a 7 minute look at the Lexus line-up of Sedans, their features, costs and performance.

 

fwd vs rwd, for starters,and I believe the gs has more power as well.
basically sedan vs sports sedan

 

Ya I have been doing some hunting.......ES vs GS ......close to same size and such but GS is the sportier of the two with AWD option and more power and the ES is being sold as the smoother cruiser........I kind of like the old school 2006 GS300 grill........but like the bigger wheels that came around 2010ish in the ES and GS.........There are a ton of them on the market well within my 11k budget.

 

But, quite different production numbers between the two:

US ES Sales by calendar year (The much higher in demand FWD ES goes after the middle of the luxury market, for those wanting features, comfort, and performance.):
2018 48.482; 2017 51.398; 2016 58.299; 2015 64.969; 2014 72.508; 2013 72.581; 2012 56.158; 2011 40.873; 2010 48.652;
2009 48.485; 2008 64.135; 2007 82.867; 2006 75.987; 2005 67.577; 2004 75.916; 2003 65.762; 2002 71.450; 2001 44.847; 2000 41.320;
1999 45.860; 1998 48.644; 1997 58.430; 1996 44.773; 1995 41.766; 1994 39.108; 1993 35.655; 1992 39.652; 1991 22.476; 1990 20.718 1989 4.728

GS Sales by calendar year (The lower in demand RWD GS goes after the sporty end of same market, for those wanting handling and response over serenity. AWD is also available for GS.):
2018 6.604; 2017 7.773; 2016 14.878; 2015 23.117; 2014 22.198; 2013 19.742; 2012 22.159; 2011 3.746; 2010 7.059
2009 7.430; 2008 15.759; 2007 23.381; 2006 27.390; 2005 33.457; 2004 8.262; 2003 13.306; 2002 17.246; 2001 24.461; 2000 26.706
1999 31.884; 1998 30.622; 1997 7.718; 1996 2.044; 1995 6.263; 1994 13.939; 1993 19.164

 

If ya narrow it down the the ES350 ya might want to check
out a Avalon more band for buck used

 

The only car I'd let my LS430 go for would be an IS-F

 

Or the GS-F

 

I would say it's time to make the trip from Jacksonville to Muscle Shoals, S Class Mercedes! If that's not doable, this has been kicked around a gazillion times on this sub-forum. 2013+ LS460.

In my humble opinion it's just too narrow or tunnel vision to say, I will only drive a Lexus. What about a Nissan Altima? A Toyota Camry? A Porsche 997? Spin the roulette wheel, and make it an informed spin. my .02

 

True dat. . .

 

I own an LS (a 2010 LS600hL) and a 2006 SC430. Several others on this forum own the same basic vehicles. I think the SC430 is a great option for you, and there are quite a few around still, and prices seem to be holding fairly steady. Some think prices will actually start to rise for well-kept SC430s. I think the SC430 is considered roughly as bulletproof as a 2004-2006 LS430, with the same engine/transmission and typical (for the time) Lexus meticulous attention-to-details. Just a thought - a convertible might not be your thing, though...

 

Well, personally, I like the looks of the GS350. Big car but looks more sporty, and the 3.5L V6 is a great engine from what I can tell. I don't know the exact years, but something like '07-'10 or somewhere around there (and maybe newer).

 

I will keep driving the LS 430....