Always wanted a Lexus LS 430.......so, what are the known-to-break option(s) to avoid on these 2004-2006 LS 430s?

Adjustable 'Height' ride, is one IIRC.

What else?

might want to check the folks over at ClubLexus.

Wife and I have a 2004. We got it with 4800 miles on it and it has been in the shop to have a new grill installed under warranty. The grill paint peeled. I replaced the hood and trunk lift struts. I can't think of any other mechanical/electrical issues we've had. Our car has 99,940 on it now. They are truly great cars!

Lexus Club: LS430 - Club Lexus Forums

On a ten-year-old car? What could break?

Your real question should be if Lexus still carries any type of parts inventory for models of that age.

I'm a big fan of the 90-2000. They really don't do anything for me after that.

Ride is better on the older one. Nakamichi stereo is far superior to the Mark Levinson. Seats more comfortable. More durable, better riding suspension.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

OK, so I'm down with the 90-92 LS400s - simply because they're just so cute, and they were the 1st LSes to break into the American high-end luxury sedan market. Bullet proof, smack reliable, etc.

Should have nabbed a one-owner 90/91 or so LS 400 a few years ago with super-low miles, but I'm back in the hunt now.

I was doing some digging on another automotive aftermarket forum, (not Lexus) and found there was a following of devotees for the 04-06 LS 430 as per reliability, expected value, etc. - so, I thought that was where I wanted my target years to be... .

Come on Joe - go big or go home! Don't kid, the LS600h is what we all know you are really after!

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

I don't even know what that 600h is. Just not interested in cars too new - they're not appealing to me.

Call an LS a bucket-list item, but the older LSes are one of the few cars/brands that I've always lusted for. Thought I'd see what their weak points are known to be before buying one.

They are a copy of the Mercedes-Benz w140 models. Look at them side by side and you'll see.

But, the LS430 looks refined and gorgeous next to them.

Back in 2003 in Marin County, CA I went and test drove a brand new one.

It looked truly lovely and spacious throughout.

The MSRP for it was, as I recall, about $54,000 new at the time.

What a smooth quiet and luxurious ride it was. And it had some kind of Birdseye maple trim with the sumptuous leather.


But the PROBLEM began whenever you came to a corner.

The car handled like a PIG!!! It was atrocious - going around any corner with anything at ALL approaching verve, was like a brick rolling sideways!

Horrid - to the point, in my mind, of actually being dangerous in an emergency maneuver.

VERY unlike a w140 Mercedes-Benz.

Though the LS430 indeed has held up in resale value pretty darn well - VERY unlike the w140 Mercedes Benz.


Unbelievably, the successor to the LS430, which was the LS460 -a very slick looking piece, nice ones now near $100,000 or so for a loaded new one, at the time as I recall, handled even WORSE !!!

I test drove one of those LS 460 sedans too - a brand new one in fact -- when they came out.

Think a Balloon Floating down a River...

Or a 1975 Ford Country Squire station wagon.

You would need LOTS of Dramamine.



I think the LS430 and LS460 - were engineered to FLOAT down America's highways - but NOT with any thought about cornering or in emergency maneuvers.


Though they cosseted you in luxury, and were beautiful to behold.

Perhaps they would be great in the Midwest, Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma, or states where the highways can be wide, long and undramatic ---

But my choice would lean toward the last of the Mercury Grand Marquis, like the one I had here - which - ONCE I ADDED a set of Mercury Marauder sway bars and a dual exhaust like the Police Interceptors had, was a dandy choice for relaxed long distance cruising on US interstates.

And just a guess, but I'd imagine a Grand Marquis or a Crown Victoria or a Lincoln Town Car would likely be perceived as more patriotic to own in the American heartland than a luxury Lexus -- if that mattered.

And for a lot less $$$$ to own new or used, than a Lexus LS430 or LS 460..

]

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

Mid 90s LS 400 is one I keep an eye out for. One of the quietest cars I've ever been in. Tomb-like. That V8 is a 400K mile jewel if well cared for.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

Then try *THIS*. It was taken a few years ago when my oldest friend, a retired lawyer, picked it up at the Rolls Royce/Ferrari diller in San Francisco.









It's an '93 Bentley Brooklands. Jim B. *LIKES* this. lol





You wouldn't - having stated elsewhere you disdain "shiny things".



Leaving town - seen going down Van Ness Avenue, past my former place of employment, there in the City Hall of SF...

[/URL]


"So quiet, the loudest thing you hear is the ticking of your pacemaker."

__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

JimB & elchivito:

Many thanks for the inputs from more aged guys like myself.

Jim, I was hoping you'd share candid thoughts/experiences with the LSes!

I was thinking (Jim) that you would mention the Mercury Marquis and or the BMW 5-Series sedan that you bought to steer me to.......

I want the perceived safety and unmatched quality, reliability, cachet and I just love the looks of the mid-'00s LSes - and I just can't get into the all-look-alike Optima/Ford Fusion, etc. look of the new and newish LSes.

This would be a first for me since '79 - owning two cars at once! So, it's a big step for me to have dual expense for cars.

The 06 E320 CDI - is a keeper to me.

A very nice LS 430 to me would be somewhat more-of-the-same - but that's what I like.

I just can't get interested in a second car from the; performance coupe/sports car/ or dinky econo-box categories for any reason.

Sumptuous, luxurious sedans are my thing. As long as they're low-miles, very well preserved (garaged previously) and have a traceable maintenance history - AND can be bought for somewhat reasonable dollars. That's my deal.

elchivito: Would love to find an immaculate garage-queen/estate 90-92 LS400 w/less than say 50K on it someday.

Joe, you should get something like a CTSV.... perfect old man rocket ship!

Sent from my XT890 using Tapatalk

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Is that a Cadillac? I drove Cadillacs in my early to late 20s. Bought a Lincoln Town Car when 28, and drove it 'til I was 42. -Believe it or not - one car. Then I bought that used 300SD. I want to try an Asian import. This would be my first Asian car.