Reboot

I have a 2002 LS430 w/ not a ton of miles. I've been tempted to trade up to a LS460, but can't make up my mind.

I guess the biggest thing holding me back in the extra amount of money it would require and I'm not sure if the prices on used ones will drop significantly in the next year or so.

Help me make up my mind guys and let me know how you like the LS460 vs. the LS430 if you made the jump.

Nospinzone

Well, if you have the flexibility to do this, why don't you try to sell the LS430. If you get a great price, then you put the money into the new car.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

for sure the price of used ls460 will drop a lot, especially after another 2 yrs when a lot of ls460 leases come to an end

jlawr

The 430 and the 460 are completely different cars. Spend at least half an hour to drive to your dealer and test drive a 460 short wheel base on the same roads. If you like the extra power (and engine noise), the larger NAV screen, the different seats, the new exterior style, etc -- go for the 460 now or later. If you find you like the quietness, proven reliability and style of your 430 stick with it -- it'll last forever with lower maintenance costs IMO.

rjm

Not if your LS430 is quiet, shifts smoothly, the interior is not falling apart, and it doesn't have any outstanding mechanical problems. Unless you just want a new car in the driveway.

Patric

The wipers were quieter on my old LS than on the 460.

The old engine also made less noise which I attribute to the new direct injection technology otherwise its a great car.

Pat

encore888

Good summary of the differences...although I think they are quite a few similarities too, they both retain the essential LS character. The 460 is definitely more modern and a technological tour de force, but the 430 is proven and an excellent flagship vehicle as well.

SoCal460

I just switched from a 02 LS430 last month, and it is a pretty big difference. the fit and finish on the 460 is amazing, not that the trim on the 430 is bad, and maybe jI ust got used to it, but I just find reasons to drive this car!!!


DO IT!!!

Maurice

I traded an 04 LS430 for the LS460. The Wind Noise problem on the SWB is beyond annoying. The LS430 was quiter. The LS460 has been back to the dealer a few times - not the case with the LS430.

The "improvements" on the LS460 do not merit the additional expense if you have a good working LS430 in my opinion

vollandt

I traded my 02LS for an 08. The 08 is has louder engine than the 02 noise only when accelerating hard. In every other way, the 08 is quieter IMO. I never had a wind noise problem with my 08. I suspect that was a manufacturing flaw with the 07 model that has since been corrected.
Besides the styling, the biggest difference in the 08 vs 02 are in the transmission, and suspension. Both are much improved with 08.

rjm

Apparently not. Several owners of '08 models have reported the excessive wind noise.


Interesting comment. I have test driven the LS460 twice and the constant shifting of the transmission driving around town was very noticeable. I thought the LS430 transmission shifts were much less noticeable.

RXSF

no matter how you look at it, the LS430 is outdated. the interior, the exterior, the tech both inside and out.

if you have the means, i would totally switch over. in my book, newer is better, and there is always that intangible feeling of "yippee" of having a new car in the driveway.

personally, without looking at the facts about which is quieter etc etc, i dont like driving models that have been redesigned. you only live once so shoot the moon on this

vollandt

I agree with the 430 and 460 being completely different cars. Engine noise is higher in the 460 when accelerating hard. IMO the 460 is quieter in every other way. The drumming when going over small road bumps was probably the most annoying noise with the 430. This noise has been cut in half with the 460. Besides the styling, the other big changes with the 460 over the 430 are the trans and suspension. Both are very much improved. Though reliability of the 460 may not be known yet, regular maintenance costs should be less than the 430. The 460 went to a timing chain, so no more expensive timing belt change.

Barrynsh

I upgraded from a 2005 LS430 to a 2007 LS460L with a Cadillac 2005 STS inbetween. My reason for leaving the 430 and going to the Caddy was because of the soft suspension and poor steering control in the Lexus When the 460L came out the hype indicated that much of the steering problems were corrected and I was enticed by the styling and the xtra features. I've been driving the 460L for a little over a year now. Although there have been improvements in the suspension and steering over the 430 the problems have not been resolved. For instance, when you drive on the 8 lane highways in California going to Los Angeles on route 10, as with the 430, you actually have to drive this 460 every second. The steering is electronic and the car seems to drift very slowly (within Lexus parameters, they say) from side to side. The Caddy generally held true and straight without much effort and I was much more rested after a long trip. I recently had the steering checked by the dealer and went out on a road test with the tech. He assures me the car is within specs. To exagerate a little, driving the 430 and the 460 at 70 mph on a narrow road is somewhat like driving a bumper car at the fair in my opinion.
The 460 Radar cruise is much improved over the 430. The Navigator is about the same if not exactly the same but still generally shuts partially down when going over 5 mph. The auto-parking is a joke. Although it does work sometimes, ANYBODY could and should be able to park the car faster and with less trouble than you have with the auto-park. (SEE the UTube video). The 460 has has its share of tech service bulletins including a reprogramming of the transmission and attempted correction of wind noise.
Bottom line. I like the car but don't love it. More importantly, I would know what to get in its place at this time. I think a Lexus person who is used to the Lexus amenities would enjoy the advantages of the upgrade from a 430 to a 460 but if you are daring enough to break away from the brand, there are other cars out there that handle better and some even have most of the electronic gizmos.
When my car runs out of steam, I don't think I would replace it with another Lexus at this time.

daryll40

I traded my '04 LS430 for an '07 "leftover" this past October. The 430 was fabulous...the 460 is MORE fabulous! No wind noise here. Just be sure to take a LONG test drive on the ACTUAL UNIT that you plan to buy...the wind noise thing seems to affect some cars but not others. Make sure your's is OK before writing the check. You will not have buyer's remorse I promise you.