Duck05

Owning both, I prefer the LS430..... If drives smoother, a bit smaller so easier to maneuver, and rock solid reliability. I like the interior better overall but concede the seats in the LS460 are superior.

As for the lack of "tech", I use the iPhone 7+ with an FM extender which provides more than adequate access to streaming and navigation applications with sound using the car's audio system.

You will not go wrong with either car but an LS460 should be a 09 or higher with a '13+ being ideal.... (budget challenges aside...)

LS430FL

I owned 2 430's and now a 460L. I like both cars and think they are both unique in their own right. An ideal world to me is having both. I like the 460 because its a much more modern up to date car, but there are times when I wish I had my 430. I certainly have had more little issues with my 460 compared to both of my 430's. Since my ownership of my 2011 LS460L, I've had control arms(was not supposed to happen on my model), every door panel and the dash board replaced, door lock actuator, and two brake issues fixed. Both of my 430's only required oil changes and one timing belt. However, eventually the reliability that the 430's are known for is going to diminish. They are not getting any younger (newest ones are still 12 years old) and eventually things just get worn out due to age. So if you do buy it for the long term I would imagine you'll have some time maintenance things pop up down the road beyond just a timing belt and water pump big service.

SW17LS

The key to this is how the LS460 is optioned. Your LS460 is just like my 15 LS460, a SWB coil suspension model. Its really amazing how much more I like my LWB 17 LS460L with the air suspension. It rides incredibly, so soft, smooth and quiet. The more I drive it the more I love it. When I had the 15 there were times when I noticed the ride was a little harsher than what I remembered from the LS430, but with the 17 those times no longer exist, and my 17 has the 19" wheels vs the 18" wheels on my 15. I drove several LWB cars without the air suspension and also thought they rode a little nicer, but the combination of LWB and the air suspension is really a winner.

If you want the best ride you need to get the LWB car and the air suspension.

jrmckinley

I wonder if Duck was referring to the engine when saying it "rides smoother"? I have a 460L (no air) with the 19" wheels and I think the actual ride (the feeling I have while in motion) is smoother than the 430, but I don't think the engine feels as smooth as the 430. Obviously no option package on the 460 is going to change that.

SW17LS

I would agree about the engine, the other interesting thing is that the engine in my 17 is much smoother and quieter than the engine in my 15. I would venture to say the engine in my 15 is very close to the LS430. No idea why, my 17 is RWD and my 15 was AWD? Who knows.

Duck's 14 is a SWB though, and I would agree that my SWB 15 had times when it definitely was harsher than my LS430 was. The way I describe it is in the LS400 and LS430 no bump ever made you go "yikes" when you hit it, and that is also true of my LS460L w/air, but that wasn't true of my SWB LS460 w/o air, while overall the ride was great there were times when it would surprise me with how sharp certain jolts felt.

Overall refinement has a huge impact in your perception of ride quality for sure. Its one of the ways I always describe the LS ride, its not a "boat" ride like say a Lincoln Town Car, its actually a pretty taut, controlled ride but its so refined and smooth that while you feel what the road surface is underneath you, it never disturbs you...

ldmf

Thanks everyone.

I bought a 2011 tonight. It has 64k on the clock. The Carfax and the Lexus Dealer website matched with the service. It is Starfire Pearl with Black (cut glass) Interior. It has the following packages: the CI Comfort Package and the DI Cold Weather Package. NV Navigation Value Edition and the Z1 Accessory Package. And AWD. $21k, what I thought was a fair price.

Just drove it home, seems very solid, quiet and what I was looking for. Yeah for me.

My Driod (S8) hooked right up for calls but doesn't seem to want to pair for BT. What am I doing wrong?

Pics to follow shortly.

Did I say thanks......

SW17LS

jrmckinley

Congrats! Hope it treats you well. Sounds like you got a very fair deal. Nothing is official unless we have pictures...

ldmf

Here are a couple of Pic's. I haven't had a chance to hand wash, buff, clay bar and seal the car yet. So be gentle.

Mbbarron

Congrats! Looks beautiful. Wishing you many years of trouble free blissful driving!