sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Lots of good and practical advice given already but based on your last post I would say get the LS and if something needs fixing just fix it. Don't even think about going to the dealer except for maybe diagnosing a potential issue. Find a trusted shop in your area and shop online for OEM or aftermarket parts which will save you tons of money.

leisinjp

Thanks for the advice. I see in your signature that you have owned an LS 430 and LS 460. Which one do you prefer or like better?

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Even though I only owned the LS 430 for a couple of months before it was totaled I really liked the car. If it was not totaled I would not have the 460. When I was shopping for the 430 I only looked for the UL since unlike most owners on here I wanted ALL the bells and whistles. Air suspension, back seat package, etc... I owned my 400 long enough that I watched and learned that the 430 was just as bullet proof as my 400 so I was not concerned about things breaking.

I also cross shopped the 460 because it's an LS of course and I thought it looked much better than the 430. Like you I was concerned about all the newer tech and something going wrong with all those electronics. Plus I did not feel as if it had a proven track record. So I bought the 430 and was really happy with my purchase. Then it was totaled and I could not find another UL anywhere close to me when I was looking for a replacement. This is what pushed me to get the 460. I'm glad that I made that decision. I've been around the forums long enough to know that each forum is going to be biased towards that particular car but I must say that the 400 and 430 forums seem to be a little more accepting than this one.

So in closing I would like and prefer the 460 over either the 400 or 430 in this day and age. All the cars are plush when the suspension components are in proper working order so it does not factor in for me though the air suspension is leaps above the coil spring IMO. Where the 460 shines above the 430 is the interior. There's no comparison even with the 430 UL. Even though my 460 is 11 years old the interior still seems modern to me where as the 430 is so dated IMO. I used to still drive my 400 when I had the 430 but I hardly ever drive it now. Hope that helps.

leisinjp

I appreciate the great advice and thoughts.

To be honest, you are the second out of probably 10 people who have said they would pick the 460, the other 8 chose the 430. I totally understand everyone has their reasons. I am finding it difficult to find a 430 that is within my standards. I have found a couple 460s. If I get a 430 I would love it to be an ultra luxury where the previous owner already replaced the suspension. But I have found a 2010 460 that looks to be in pretty good condition with 130k for $12.5K. I would honestly be ok with both the 430 or 460 as long as it is the right deal and has been taken care of. Now I just need to find the perfect one!

SW17LS

Let me guess, the other 8 people are LS430 owners right?

The LS430s are just really old now. Finding a good one is not easy, most of them are getting clapped out, and there just aren't even very many of them for sale. I just wouldn't have any desire to drive something that old.

DedBirdDog

I agree. 10-15 years is forever when it comes to automobiles. Those cars were amazing machines at the time, and I suppose to some degree they still are. But it's not for me. Not now. In 2006? Different story.

At some point, this 55k mile cherry 2004 is going to be offered for sale. If it goes to retail, and if you have the hots for an LS430, I'd remember this VIN. JTHBN36F840151597

SW17LS

Right, even if it was "the best built Lexus of all time", the oldest ones are old enough to join the army, and the youngest ones are teenagers....its an old car. Its a car that IMHO you look back on but not anything I would want to drive every day.

leisinjp

You have a very good point. That is why right now I'm open to both the 430 and 460. From what I have read, you want to get 2010 or newer of the 460 because of some issues with the earlier models. I'll be happy with either from what I have read. I'll be most happy with a well taken care of one where the owner is like me and does all preventative maintenance and doesn't cheap out on parts.

Would 130k miles on a 2010 460 scare any of you? I'm assuming once the air suspension goes out I can just change it over to coils.

rmawyer

FWIW, https://www.northparklexus.com/Vehic...-TX/3321753103

High price, but one owner San Antonio car. Control arms have been replaced by the dealer as part of the PDI process, which means they know how clean the car is, as most older ones go directly to auction. No scuff markets underneath on the plastic, so looks super clean with full Lexus service records.

The 460s are obviously a generation ahead of the 430. If you can budget for control arms and brake actuator failure, or find one with the arms already done, then the 460 is the way to go.

If you want to consider a clean LS 430, with a bit high miles....check this out. I passed on it, mostly because my wife didn't like the interior color:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?sourceContext=untrackedWithinSite_false_0&newSearchFromOverviewPage=true&inventorySearchWidgetType=AUTO&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity=c2496&entitySelectingHelper.selectedEntity2=c5655&zip=78255&distance=50&searchChanged=true&modelChanged=false&filtersModified=true&sortType=MILEAGE&sortDirection=ASC#listing=223492533

One owner, south Texas car, with regular service, timing belt @ 97K, via an independent mechanic, no accidents or issues. Getting right-rear door lock actuator fixed, so ask about that or use it to get the price down a bit (about $500 at retail from dealer). Mannheim MMR value is around $6500-$7000, so priced right. Doubt this will last long....I'm still procrastinating, but really want a 2006 with lower miles.

leisinjp

Thanks for the links! I really am going back and forth. I want the 460 but I've read about the brake actuator and it sounds like even the guys who have the dealer replace it, have the second one go bad too. And the suspension would need to be replaced before I buy a higher mileage one. I'll find the right one sooner or later.

SW17LS

It all depends. Do you have $3,000 to put towards a repair? If so, then no wouldn't bother me at all. BTW, I would ask the same question about buying a 430.

jrmckinley

I just walked in the door from putting 700 miles on a 2017 Toyota Avalon rental over a 2 day span- I currently own a 2010 460L and prior to that I owned a 2004 LS430, and prior to that I owned a 1996 LS400. The Avalon was surprisingly "meh" to me - nothing special about the interior, ride quality is just ok, it's not nearly as luxurious as I thought it would be. It just felt like a slightly larger Camry - and to me, it misses on some of the details I appreciate in the LS's I have owned (luxurious touches of surfaces, buttons, etc). I will say I was impressed with the acceleration at any speed - it felt similar in quickness to the 2018 Maxima I rented about 2 weeks ago which I thought was a blast to drive.

Personally I'd buy a 460 because there's just nothing that comes close to riding like an LS- if you're worried about air suspension, wait for one without it. In the SWB they are relatively plentiful - it's a bit harder to find the LWB without air but they can be found (I have one). I loved my 430 but the interior of those looks pretty dated at this point (exterior doesn't bother me as much). I'd do the 460 and not look back if I were you. You simply can't beat the ride quality. And 130k miles in any well-maintained LS doesn't scare me at all- I kept my 400 to 225k miles, my 430 to 250k miles, and plan on keeping my 460 into the 150k range.

leisinjp

I do, I just am hoping to not have to! haha.

I've gotten a ton of great advice from you all. Right now I'm searching searchtempest, craigslist, carguru, and facebook marketplace. I have a couple good candidates of both models. Whichever works out to be the best deal, I will most likely go with.

I've never been a fan of AWD cars just because to me, the steering feels much better on a RWD car. So if I can find a RWD LS 460 that has been well maintained and hopefully has had the brake actuator and suspension already fixed, I'll go for it.

But if I can find a 04-06 430 with under 150k on it and the timing belt has already been done, I might just on that also.

I would spend up to $14,000 on the right 460 and up to $8,000 on the right 430. Some of the 430 owners have 95k on their car but they want $10k, I'm not doing that when for a couple grand more I can move into a 460. We will see how it plays out!

DedBirdDog

Just make sure you sign up for a free account at https://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/ so you can check what service history may exist for your prospects. While mileage is certainly something you need to consider, it isn't the ultimate arbitrator of a good car or a bad car.

SW17LS

Good luck, keep us posted!