Best year for this gen?
01-22-18, 07:07 AM
#16
All the Lexus models are very reliable compared to other makes.
Here's the first page of the Cadillac CTS forum for the '08-'13 model years (I traded my 2010 CTS Wagon). At first, the '08 and '09 cars were the worst, with a lot of issues fixed for 2010. Now that the 2010-2013 cars have some miles on them, there are lots of issues popping up. My father-in-law had a 2008 that he spent over $5k on after the warranty period, and it only has 50k miles on it now.
Here's the first page of the Cadillac CTS forum for the '08-'13 model years (I traded my 2010 CTS Wagon). At first, the '08 and '09 cars were the worst, with a lot of issues fixed for 2010. Now that the 2010-2013 cars have some miles on them, there are lots of issues popping up. My father-in-law had a 2008 that he spent over $5k on after the warranty period, and it only has 50k miles on it now.
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mckellyb (01-22-18)
01-22-18, 08:08 AM
#18
Driver School Candidate
I’m more of a SC400 guy my self. Me and my wife are flying from NC all the way to California to buy a 1998 SC400 VVTI 5 speed auto in pearl white in early February. The SC400 will be mine, and the LS460 were getting today will be my wife’s. It’s tough to find super clean examples of the LS400 and very tough to find clean SC400’s.. I’ve never owned an LS430 though. But ive owned two LS400’s and a SC400 that burned up unfortunately. And I can attest to there rock solid like build quality in the dash, and doors and things. It’s truly incredible!
01-22-18, 08:02 PM
#19
Having had both I don’t agree. My LS430 had big upgrades in interior materials inside vs my LS400, leather lower dash and console, suede headliner which the 400 didn’t have. Much better seats. Reliability also I can’t agree. The 430 rectified several of the common 400 issues. Leaky PS pumps, starter problems and epic replacement procedure, etc.
Having driven all three refresh cycles of the LS, IMHO the 13-17 is the best iteration. Best interior, best tech, everything sorted out, etc. All depends on your budget.
Is it as reliable as an LS400? I would expect so. The 400s had timing belts which were expensive to replace, alternator issues, starter issues all of which were expensive to solve. Issue on earlier 460s in control arms, but that can very easily be dealt with. Air suspension is a potential problematic spot but that was true for the 400 and 430 as well.
Is it as reliable as an LS400? I would expect so. The 400s had timing belts which were expensive to replace, alternator issues, starter issues all of which were expensive to solve. Issue on earlier 460s in control arms, but that can very easily be dealt with. Air suspension is a potential problematic spot but that was true for the 400 and 430 as well.
I think the 400 has proven itself more than the 430 and the 460 since there are so many still rolling around with high mileage even if they are not in the best condition but that's where it stops. EVERYTHING in my 430 was way better than in my 400. It was like a real tomb. The 460 is a nicer car than both in this day and age. I like the 13+ but in the end did not think it was so much better that I should spend 20k more. Maybe I'll pick one up in a couple of years though.
01-22-18, 08:38 PM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
I just remember when I had my 400 with an intermittent starter problem staring down a $1,200 repair bill I was told was very common all over town. One of the big reasons it got replaced. The timing belt I’m comparing the the 460 which has a chain. That “regular” repair cost replaces a lot of potential repair costs over time.
As as for the 430,lots of them real old rolling around problem free too. Remember the oldest 430 is now 19 years old, and the newest is 12 years old.
As as for the 430,lots of them real old rolling around problem free too. Remember the oldest 430 is now 19 years old, and the newest is 12 years old.
01-23-18, 07:10 PM
#21
I Like all 3 cars but the difference for me is I'll do all my own repairs within reason. I spent my whole day off back flushing my heater core after the dealer told me I needed a new one. I've had this issue since I bought the car. The tech spent the 8 hours flushing the core but could only get me luke warm heat before giving up and saying the core was too plugged up. I did lots of research on the web and bought a harbor freight 12V water pump, 10F of Vinyl tubing and a Gallon of ZEP CLR and my heat is blowing hotter than ever now. I potentially saved the $1700 that the dealer quoted me to replace the core, time will tell. Butif I do have to replace it which I don't believe I'll have to do I'm going to pull the dash myself.
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LVPUNK (02-07-23)
01-23-18, 08:09 PM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
I Like all 3 cars but the difference for me is I'll do all my own repairs within reason. I spent my whole day off back flushing my heater core after the dealer told me I needed a new one. I've had this issue since I bought the car. The tech spent the 8 hours flushing the core but could only get me luke warm heat before giving up and saying the core was too plugged up. I did lots of research on the web and bought a harbor freight 12V water pump, 10F of Vinyl tubing and a Gallon of ZEP CLR and my heat is blowing hotter than ever now. I potentially saved the $1700 that the dealer quoted me to replace the core, time will tell. Butif I do have to replace it which I don't believe I'll have to do I'm going to pull the dash myself.
01-23-18, 09:08 PM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
I'm an idiot. I thought that you were referring to the radiator. I didn't read the post properly.
02-02-20, 04:24 PM
#27
Pole Position
If you’re interested in the first gen which is 07-12, the 11 or 12 would be tops in the class. If you want more, head to the 13-17. In this group, the 16 and 17 have a few new features over the 13-15. But any 13-17 is great.
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SW17LS (02-03-20)
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