DedBirdDog

It did go retail. At $13,500. Imagine that.

https://www.truecar.com/used-cars-fo...-lexus-ls-430/

roadfrog

OMG. THAT is unbelievable.

RayLS

Wow. I wish the dealer would offer me that amount for a trade. Lexus offered me a low $9850 to trade in my 08 with 102,xxx miles.

roadfrog

Yep, that's about what I got for my 08 with 140k ($8500 or so).

Doublebase

leisinjp

Thanks for all the advice and opinions guys! I purchased a 2005 LS430 Ultra Luxury with 70,000 miles for $10,500. My goal was to spend $10,000 but I made an exception for this one. Its silver with black interior. The car is in excellent condition with only one small scuff that I will buff and polish out.

Drove it 5 hours back from Peoria, IL to Cincinnati. It was overall pretty good. You guys have to realize Im extremely picky about how a car drives, especially the feedback in the steering wheel. I wont drive a car with an vibration or pull. With that being said, at lower speeds (under 35mph) it was smooth. Going 80, it had a little vibration and I really had to fight the steering wheel. It was also somewhat choppy. My wife said it felt so much better than my ISF, but I think I may have set myself up for disappointment with reading some reviews that it is coffin like quiet and smooth like butter. Its nice, but I have some getting familiar with the car to do.

Right now Im doing some research on if putting 17s on the car will make it noticeably smoother and absorb imperfections better. I love how the 18s look but I bought this car for comfort and want the best ride. It currently has the Michelin mxm4 which I have heard great things about. I will have them balanced and the car aligned.

Also, when braking it pulsates a little. The PPI said the brakes were at 70% so not sure what that is about.

caverman

When I bought my '05 I switched out the 18" 5 spoke for my '04 17" 6 spoke. I had very little drive time on the 18" and the tires were shot so not a good representation anyway. That being said, the 17" run great. I had Michelins but with with the cheaper Pirelli P7 and I really like them. I got all 4 mounted/balanced and out the door for around $600. You will have to add another $200 or so for 18" tires.

As for the pulsating of the brakes, do you feel a bit of vibration when you barely get on the brakes? I'm wondering if what you're feeling is warped rotors.

BTW, congrats on the ride. Sounds like you got a decent deal on a lower mileage one.

leisinjp

I would hate to put money into it right when i buy it. But I've been searching for some 17s. The car had a PPI done at lexus before I bought it and he said the brakes looked good.

My goal is to keep this car for 5 years and save up for a 2013+ F sport. The cushy ride is nice on the highway. But coming from an ISF, I think I would prefer the stiffer suspension of the f sport.

Kennyr44

Replace the brake rotors and balance the tires. The 17's shouldn't ride any better than the 18's.

leisinjp

Those will be the first things I do to enhance the ride.

caverman

It would be near impossible for them to visually see a warped rotor. Brakes and rotors are pretty easy on the LS and I've them myself on both LS that I've had. I just did the brakes and rotors on my current LS within the last couple of months all because my rotors were slightly warped and it was driving me nuts. I think I spent a little over $200 for parts and installed them myself. Getting rid of the warped rotors was well worth that money.

And for the 17" wheels, I'm betting you would able to pretty much swap someone who was looking for 18s. Most people prefer the looks of the 18" 5 spoke on the LS430. I like the looks of both the 17" 6 spoke and the 18" 5 spoke so I'm indifferent and went with the 17" because the ones I had were in much better shape than the 18" that came on my '05.

jrmckinley

I racked up 180k miles on my 2004 LS430 and never had that experience. I drove 80% highway and the car was as smooth as silk at any speed on the highway. Something is off- hope it's an easy remedy. Once it's fixed, you won't have any of these sensations.

caverman

Vibration at 80 without touching the brakes is probably not a warped rotor. Honestly that sounds like either an out of balanced wheel or tire. Both of my LS were/are super smooth on the highway.

leisinjp

What did you replace them with? OEM rotors and pads, or aftermarket? I agree, the 18's look the best. But the 17s aren't terrible. Much better than the 16s. I will have an alignment, wheel balance, and whatever else I need done before I get rid of the 18s. I specifically bought this car because I liked the 18s.

I hope its an easy and cheap remedy also! Most people have the same history with their LS"s as you do. Smooth as silk. I'll get mine there.

I'm searching for the best high end mechanics and shops in the Cincinnati area to look at the car. I'm sure Lexus does a fine job, but I want to talk someone who is picky as I am making sure the steering is straight and the wheels/tires are not bent or anything. If all that is done and I still have the issue, I'll probably find another LS430 to test drive and see how it compares. If it is a lot different, then I'll start replacing steering/suspension parts that may have gotten old. It isn't a young pup anymore! 13 years old! I know rubber pieces can harden up over time.

caverman

I went aftermarket. Centric rotors and Akebono pads from RockAuto. I saved about $60 going that route vs OEM so it will be up to you if you feel it's worth paying the extra money for OEM. So far, I'm happy with the route I went.