usedname

I know this topic has been done to death, and I apologize, but I have a specific decision to make. I have an LX470 and I love the ML sound system because I mainly listen to classical and traditional music.

I've been trawling craigslist, autotrader, etc. for LS430s. I've been pretty convinced that I want an LS430, mainly for the quieter ride, bigger windows/better visibility, and classic looks.

However I've also been looking at LS460s because I've heard that the Mark Levinson system is far better, and of course it's less likely to have imploded in a 10 year old car vs a 15 year old car. Also, more zoom!

So now I've found a pretty great looking 2012 LS460 with 200k(!) miles for $13k, and I'm wondering if it's worth making a 4 hour drive to take a look at. It's a two owner vehicle, but the first owner only drove it 4k miles for 2 years, then sold it. Which means the second owner drove 190,000 miles in 6 years! Obviously with that much driving, it HAD to be mostly highway, and it's definitely a personal vehicle. They report that they have not had to replace anything except consumables.

Just wondering if I should pull the trigger on a high mileage 2012 vs waiting out for a good 2005-2006 430. In this case, the age seems like it might be more of a deciding factor than mileage, even though I realize that ultimately these are different cars.

Bocatrip

Stay away from the LS460 unless you are reaching deep for a 2013. Trouble ahead....Search for threads on all the issues....ABS and Control Arms to say to the least...

kos

iTrader: (1)

^^^Couldn't have said it better myself.

Plenty of documentation on the 2007-2012 woes.

demark1

I want to to add in this: I have driven the LS460 and did like it very much but cannot comment on sound system. I will say that my LS430 Mark Levinson is simply awesome. I listen to classical primarily. Put on something with some good bass to test the subwoofer, with a good quality CD (not XM or some cheap adapter for MP3s). Check for yourself. I have had decent home stereos but the imaging and depth on my LS430 is spectacular. I cannot speak for the LS460 but do not sell the LS430 short in that regard! (Not able to comment on reliability.... mine still works fine). Just my 2 cents. 2005 Ultra Luxury.

430SLOwner

Not necessarily all highway as LS460s are used for livery/ride share (Uber/Lyft/etc.) Car with 200,000 miles at that price would have to be still in near showroom condition (i.e. top 3% in condition of all 2012s) with good tires and brakes, everything working, never in an accident, no body work, original paint still almost like new, leather in excellent shape showing little wear, no tears, rips, etc anywhere on interior, meticulously maintained, and etc. And NOT a livery/ride share vehicle. Good luck in your search....

usedname

I know about the control arm issues, though my impression was most of the kinks had been worked out by the 2012 year and prior to the major redesign of 2013. If I decide I want to go check this car out I will get a prepurchase inspection and make sure they look at the suspension.

Here's the ad, it looks pretty clean to me, tell me what you think:
https://monterey.craigslist.org/cto/...274264941.html

I've been finding 2010-2012 LS460s running about $15-20k, and 2013-2014 running $25k+.
I've been finding 2004-2006 LS430s running about $8-10k.
So this seemed like a good compromise, private party $13k for a 2012, even if the mileage is high.


Also @demark1 thanks I don't think I'm underestimating the ML system in the LS430, I'm certain it's probably better than the one in my '02 LX470.

The main LS430 I have my hopes pinned on is this one:
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd...269926908.html

I want to go get either the one or the other this weekend, potentially. I'm somewhat limited in my choices because it has to have ML, has to NOT have air suspension, and has to have both a non-black exterior and interior, because of the NorCal heat.

Debonair

I was facing the same decision this time last year. Went with the 430 based on ease of repair, proven reliabilty, and a lower milage engine.

If youre in the SF Bay Area look as far as Sacramento. I drove up there from SJ to get my 2005 with 120K for just 8k'ish OTD.

usedname

I'm actually closer to Sac than SF, but haven't found anything up here either...

I did find a guy selling an '04 for 8800, but he was already owner #4, and someone had replaced the ML amp + speakers. So that was a no go.

TriC

I sold my very nice '06 LS 430 with less than 65,000 miles last summer after buying my LS 600h L. Although hardly an audiophile, the ML system in each was/is plenty good enough for me.

Any LS 460 with 200,000 miles has the real potential to be a money pit. 10 grand for a 160k 430 is about 3 or so grand too high.

Suggest your search continue, usedname. Upping your budget just a bit should yield far better prospects.

430SLOwner

Not very close to you, but did you see this SoCal 45,000 mile 06 LS430 on the marketplace asking 11,500 https://www.clublexus.com/forums/market/955999

usedname

I did see that! But then he said his deal fell through and so then he was no longer offering it for sale. I actually messaged him to see if maybe he had changed his mind, but he has not responded.

Stu

You have had excellent advise, and one thing to add ...

If you're buying a 10 year-old car or a 15 year old car, the condition and the milage are the most important factors. Either vehicle could be a fantastic car or an absolute nightmare.

Get a thorough pre-purchase inspection of any LS before you buy it. It may be cheap to buy as a used car, but take it in to be fixed and it can get expensive quickly.

Make sure you set aside a budget for repairs. The cars are super durable but things do break based on age and milage.

Good luck

PCW

I have a 2001 LS430 with 90K miles and a ML sound system. I just had to get the subwoofer and the front door speakers replaced due to age wearing out the foam surrounds. I didn't realize how much better it now sounds since the speaker deterioration was slow over time.

usedname

Yep I had to do that in my LX for a blown sub. Sound is excellent.

nvwls

very true - things to budget for outside of the usual timing belt service which is granted: 1) brakes - original rotors were at minimum thickness spec on mine at 130K, 2) spark plugs, 3) trunk & hood struts, 4) headlights, 5) thermostat, 6) some suspension parts - LCA rear bushings, potentially LCAs themselves, my front struts were replaced at 130K - service records indicate they were advised for replacement since 115K, 7) all fluids (brake, power steering, coolant, AC refrigerant, transmission fluid, rear diff), 8) wheel bearings on many other cars I looked at with similar mileage while shopping, 9) rear subwoofer will likely need to be refoamed, 10) trunk release button (tends to melt - will work after a few tries), 11) brake lights (usually only one or two go out, so not the whole thing, but you need to replace the entire LED or open it and repair it), 12) door lock actuator (mine works but common), 13) steering wheel telescopic motor (again mine works, but common problem)

obviously nothing major, but lots of small items...nothing unexpected, but all will tend to pop up around 125-150K +/- based on age, storage conditions, driving conditions, etc.