ldmf

There I believe I got all the newbie stuff out of the way. I have been looking for my next commuter/highway car. Test drove a 2008 LS and was impressed. But My son works at a new car dealership and 430 just arrived. Hasn't even made it through tech yet.

Spec are as follows:
LS 460
65,000 miles
One Owner
Base Model, RWD (preferable by me) no ML, no heated Steering Wheel, No air suspension (again preferable), ugly *** seafoam green/blue (no offense meant to the owners of the ugly *** seafoam green/blue)
18k and comes with lifetime free inspections, oil changes and washes (not huge but 20 bucks is 20 bucks)

LS 430
83,000 miles
One Owner
Base Model - really unknown options, haven't looked at it
8K

I haven't driven a 430 but I am sure that I will be pleased. it will be smooth quiet and comfortable. I was told that it is "stupid clean". If it is as represnted I am at a crossroads.

is 10k worth gaining 6 years and 15k miles? Will the technology be that superior? Am I going to drive the 430 and shortly realize that I really wanted the 460? Oh who the hell knows.

What are your thoughts, condition being equal go for the 430 or go for the 460?

Thanks in advance.

LDMF

JLAWS

Go for an LS460 but wait for the right color and options i.e with Mark Levinson, Also no $1k+ timing belt service to deal with owning an LS460.

riknchar

Since you've posted on the LS460 forum, you'll mostly be getting advice to go for the LS460 over the LS430. However, I also "lurk" on the LS430 forum, and the consensus there (of course) is that the LS430 is the superior car in terms of overall build quality and reliability.

I would personally be very comfortable buying a well-maintained LS430 for $8k. You'd miss out on some tech upgrades and interior enhancements, but would save a lot of money and would be rewarded with an amazing luxury car for a low price. If the upgrades to be had on the LS460 are worth the extra money to you, you'd also be very happy with the 460, I think.

In general terms, many have commented that the LS430 engine is a bit quieter than the LS460 (no direct injection noise), and the ride is a bit smoother (but less sporty).

Good luck!

SW17LS

IMHO at this point the LS430 is really old. They look and feel like they're from another era, nav systems are terribly antiquated, etc. The LS460, even the older ones feel much more modern. For me, having had an LS430 and LS460 I would choose the LS460.

The LS430 is a little softer (less so if your LS460 has the air suspension), but they handle quite sloppily. I personally find the LS460 more enjoyable overall to drive for this reason.

Caflashbob

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

I have to agree with this totally. I do most work on my car so the reliability portion does not come in to play as much. There are no known catastrophic failures in either car. I'm glad that I don't have to do another timing belt which is a bonus.
The 460 pulls so much greater than the 400 or 430 which is to be expected but it puts a big smile on your face when you have to get up and go.

jrmckinley

100% agree with this assessment having been a 430 owner for 8 years and moved to a 2010 460 in early 2017. To me, it's a no brainer- get a 460... Maybe not this one since you don't like the color - and to me, $18k for a 2008 doesn't seem like a screaming deal. I paid $22k for a 2010 LWB with more features and just under 70k miles last February. I'd say $18k for a 2008 is a fair asking price and something that you'll easily find elsewhere with moderate hunting.

I'd inspect any 2008 closely for the following:
- Look at service history (sign up for the Lexus Drivers Site and enter VIN) - see if anything has been done with control arms and brake actuator. These are issues that can pop up on the 2007-2009 model years and seem more prevalent in those years vs. the 2010-2012's.
- Take a close look and feel of all interior panels - especially the areas around all 4 door arm rests and the glove box. There is a known "sticky" issue that ranges from 2007 even up to 2011 model years. Search this forum and you can see all kinds of pictures of what to look for. There is a cosmetic issue and a "feel" that would be noticeable.

Good luck.

Kennyr44

Any car without a heated steering wheel in a cold climate is dead to me. I don't care about the ML though. The green is a deal breaker. Also a LS430 never appealed to me enough to get me out of my LS400.

Nospinzone

Doublebase

ldmf

I like the idea of waiting for the right car, no $!K TB service is a bonus. I have been looking for a while now and the 08-12 models do not come up locally very often.

This is my main concern for the vehicle, quiet, comfortable, good road manners and reliable.

Great advice Thanks!!

I am going to take the 430 for a drive. I really like the idea of a cheap car that I like and I thought the price was good. But it will have to wow me at this point.

I will keep looking for the "right" car. So I want a:

• 2008-12 460
• White/Ruby/Dark Grey/Dark Blue, ML, 460L, Heated Steering Wheel, Good Maintenance Records and RWD would be nice
• No air suspension
• Check on the control arms
• Check on Arm Rests and Glove Box
• What else am I missing?

Great and quick advice here. Thanks alot!!

jrmckinley

I don't think there's much more to look for on the 460's outside of what I posted. What year is the 430? I don't recall too many problems with those cars - I had a 2004 (first year of minor cosmetic refresh) and kept it to 250k miles and the only problems I had with it were the door lock actuators and something strange happened with my window motor on the passenger side so I had to replace that. Both of those items happened between 180k and 200k but it was more about the aging of the car than the mileage. The 430 drives very comfortably but leans a bit in turns- I didn't really notice it until I moved to the 460. The 460 is by no means sporty, but it is sportier than the 430. I think the interior upgrade on the 460 compared to the 430 is substantial. To my eye, the best looking 430's are the 2004-2006 with the sport 5 star rims - my 430 didn't come with those but I bought them on eBay and it makes such a huge difference in the look of the car without really sacrificing ride quality.

The biggest thing the 430 has going for it is the quiet, incredibly "still" and smooth engine. When you drive the 430, come to a complete stop somewhere- turn the radio and AC off and listen to how quiet the engine is. You'll probably have to look at the RPM's to know the car is on. While I think the 460 drives better overall and wouldn't give up my 460, I definitely miss the feel of that 430 engine.

The good news is you really can't go wrong - you just have to decide if you like the 430 exterior & interior. My experience with all LS's (having owned 400, 430 and 460) is reliability is not a concern.

R Z

Go with the LS460. While the 430 was a good car in it's day, it's day has long passed. As a previous owner of an 05, I can tell you straight up, it was a good car, but I was never in love with anything about it. Now my 460 . . . . . !!!!!!

Thomasin

This is how I think of both as an owner.

2002 LS430: Invincible tranquility, highly reliable (other than replacing the oxygen sensor to turn off the check engine light), soft and smooth ride. Be prepared with the $1200 90K job (If that was not done by the previous owner).

2010 LS460: Tastefully re-designed cabin with a bit more wood-trim on the doors. More user-friendly navigation panel (Although it may not be too useful now). Very sporty, at least to me. You need some luck. The alternator was defective shortly I bought mine Personal opinion: I love the design of turning signals at the side mirrors.

If you tend to lean toward LS460, you may want to look for those made beyond 09 with less service recalls and problems (this is what I was told by dealer but again, my alternator...). If you favour LS430, be advised that there is no resale value considering the age issue (I am committed to keep my 430 until the date of death). So, it is hard to say depending on your values and what the critical factors are for consideration.

Oliver Enterprises

I say ... purchase the 430. And then you can wonder what it would have been like to have a 460 from that day until you buy one. In the mean time, you could surf into the 4LS forums from time to time and think about things. And, maybe you'll hear a 460 with Exhaust Vents drive by and begin shopping for one later that evening.

Or ... just purchase a 460 and skip all the above. Then a few days later you will be thinking, "430? What was I thinking?"

Up to you.