Hi guys!

Ive had my LS430 for 6 weeks now! Sheer luxury! Even better now that unleaded is £1 per litre!!!!

Not been driving it much as its my "weekend" car as I dont do that many miles (about 5000 per year as I work from home) and also Ive got a little run a round punto that I use to drop the kids off to school - cheap as chips to run! (By the way - why do you need a Q7 to drop off your 1 kid to school who lives 1 mile down the road - and blocks the whole of the narrow school lane - p***ing annoying that!)

Anyway, Im a very careful driver. I bought the ls430 for the experience rather than its speed capabilities! Yesterday I was at a roundabout on an A road alongside a Subaru Turbo...... Something funny came all over me! I wanted to beat this Subaru! Dont know why but I had to do it! I go round the roundabout quite quickly. As soon as I enter the A road with the Subaru alongside me, I put my foot down...... S**t in hell!!! I froze & had a mini heart attack! Ive never experienced anything like that before!! Subaru man was no way to be seen behind me! One doesnt realise what a immensely powerful car it is, even when most of the time it just glides on the roads!!

Try flooring a LS430 into a roundabout and record your facial expression.

sounds like a happy ls owner

Hi

It’s quite entertaining actually, if you floor it, a light comes on on the dash and a beeper goes off, to let you know you are an idiot, if you are understeering then the line will tighten and you will regain grip before you can say "oh s**t" If the tail has come out it will gently come back in and you will tear off like a mad thing when the grip returns..... If you have chickened out before the car and are braking then it’s just as undramatic.

When the EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and the TRC (Traction Control System) and the VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) do their stuff it is amasing how hard it is to crash....

Most of the time there is too much power for a full bore take off and the TRC cuts in and you pull of sedately, if however you are on a very grippy surface, shell grip etc, then the acceleration is very impressive for such a big lump of car..... Best time I've had so far is 6.09 sec to 60mph (hot day, two up, on LPG)

I find you can beat most people, even in faster cars, because they all have the impression of Lexus drivers being granddads and you get a jump on them.....

Pete

I tried to accelerate out of a wet roundabout, luckily the alarms went off and the traction control stopped the back end from fishtailing.

the trick is to switch into sport mode and PWR mode then really "kickdown" and hold on.

From the traffic lights always puts a smile on my face, they look at your big car with four people in it , and their in there little "big bore" sports car, floor it and watch them disappear in your rear view mirror.

another car I like to embarrass is the range rover sport, they look mean but there top speed is 140, and their 0-60 is 7.2 so you can beat it with out trying


The joy's of a 4.3 V8

Speed ,comfort ,safety,reliability, etc etc

Is the 4.3 V8 in the LS the same as the one in the GS430?

I think it is, the specs match up, and the GS is faster.


GS430
Weight 1745 kg
Fuel Delivery Injection
Transmission Automatic
Gears 5 Speed
Performance
Engine Size 4293 cc
Cylinders 8
0-60 mph 6.1 s
Power Output 279 bhp
Valves 32
Torque 417 Nm 308 lb-ft
Top Speed 155 mph
Costs
MPG 23
Insurance Group 17
Euro Emissions Standard IV
CO2 Emissions 296 g/km
Road Tax Band F
Practicality
Wheelbase 2800 mm
Luggage Capacity 515 L
Fuel Capacity 75 L
Unbraked Towing Weight 750 kg
Braked Towing Weight 2000 kg

LS430
Length 5005 mm
Width 1830 mm
Height 1470 mm
Weight 1830 kg
Fuel Delivery Injection
Transmission Automatic
Gears 5 Speed
Performance
Engine Size 4293 cc
Cylinders 8
0-60 mph 6.5 s
Power Output 278 bhp
Valves 32
Torque 417 Nm 308 lb-ft
Top Speed 155 mph
Costs
MPG 23
Insurance Group 17
Euro Emissions Standard IV
CO2 Emissions 289 g/km
Road Tax Band F
Wheelbase 2925 mm
Fuel Capacity 84 L

Ya.

Actually, I take that back. Try flooring a Series 1 LS400 when turning right into a roundabout, and record your facial expression as you realise there are NO driver aids to help you as 241bhp gets driven through the 205 width tyres.

Yeah, but why would do that in the first place? Its not like the LS is built to handle like an Evo or Scooby?

Got beaten off the lights by a lady in a Jag, not sure what model. Looked like an S-type. Felt sick. First time to be beaten.
I've even beaten unsuspecting motor-cycles.

I raced the Jag right up to 80MPH before I slowed down as I ran out of lane. She had her nose ahead the whole time but never got quite passed me till I lifted off. PUKE.

Guessing for the same reason these guys do things like this

I would very much doubt that the scooby was attempting to beat you. Even a crap driver in a scooby turbo should leave your 430 way behind.
Sub 5 secs 0-62 on the scooby compared to over 6 secs in a 430.
Admittedly these 4.3 engines are fast, even pulling away gently seems to leave most cars behind, but realistically it ain't gonna beat the scooby/mitzi type of car.

You have to be committed, flat out from the start, if you wait to see if they are going to floor it that can make a big difference....


they wont handle better than the new breed of sports cars like the Evos and scoobys, but in a straight line you can make them sweat a bit, especially on the motorway the torque of the LS will keep up with most of the fast cars out there, and it will keep pulling up to the limited top speed.

these have the same 0-60, and a lower unlimited top end, the ls would be a close if not faster car, especially at motorway speeds?


Series McRae Turbo 4WD 4d 6.1 s 144 mph 214 bhp
2.0 Turbo Catalunya 4WD 4d 6.1 s 144 mph 214 bhp
Turbo 2000 Terzo 4WD 4d 6.1 s 144 mph 214 bhp
RB5 Prodrive Turbo 4WD 4d 6.1 s 144 mph 214 bhp
RB5 Turbo 4WD 4d 6.1 s 144 mph 214 bhp
Turbo 2000 4WD 4d 6.1 s 144 mph 214 bhp
Turbo 2000 4WD 4d (SR) 6.1 s 144 mph 214 bhp

Agreed. On the rare times when I want to leave a car at the lights etc., I find my GS430 is up to the job. However the fact remains that if a scooby turbo driver is equally committed then the Lexus is going to come 2nd. Around 4.8 secs,160 top end, against 6.3 secs 155 top end speaks for itself, assuming that both drivers know how to get the best out of their car.
Imprezza STI 2.5

The thing is the Subaru driver has to be really good, get every gear change spot on and change at exactly the right revs etc to get his 5 second 0-60 time. In the LS you only have to hold your right foot down. I read years ago that very , very few owners would achieve the times of a road tester, simply because he wouldn't risk wrecking his own car.

0n most roads(with bends), I would certainly not expect the LS to beat the Subaru.

It is fun against all these kids with Saxos, Fiestas etc with big exhausts at the lights, though being a grey haired, middle aged(old) fat bloke, I really should know better.

I would agree with your comments. I'd rather have the comfort at my age. I wanted the LS430 but wife thinks they are too "barge like"....her words not mine.....so settled for the comfort and power of the GS430.

Hi

I never hit the limiter when I tried mine, it got to an indicated 172mph and ran out of puff.... The speedo is about 6% under reading according to a sat nav so that puts the true speed at 161mph. Maybe mine doesn't work.... Did it cut dead when you got there or was it more like a rev limiter??

It was on an unlimited road in Germany and took less time than I thought to get there, then what happens, I get overtaken by a new S class with no badges but with very fat exhausts.... I gave up then and set the cruise for about 100mph....




Hi

Totally agree with the first bit above, you can always get a quick take off as opposed to trying to balance a fierce clutch with all that power, if you can get the jump on them and they bog down just a bit then you usually win....

Regarding the second comment that must be the market sector Lexus aimed at and are you my brother??

No need to short! None of us a blind either! Text faaaaaaar to big!

Is there much of a difference between the LS430 with the 5 speed box and the 6 speed box? I like using the grunt on slip roads to see how fast I can get to 70 but I've never maxed it.

[Hi

Totally agree with the first bit above, you can always get a quick take off as opposed to trying to balance a fierce clutch with all that power, if you can get the jump on them and they bog down just a bit then you usually win....

Regarding the second comment that must be the market sector Lexus aimed at and are you my brother??
[/quote]

Hi Pete,

No I'm sure we're not related though I have relations in Selby. Sad to say that my brother drives a Hyundai but I am working on him.

I can't give it the max at the moment as I am "running in" my new timing belt!

I always thought people on this forum were very friendly and helpful to newcomers,

I think you were trying to say “no need to shout” well as far as I'm aware you have to use capitols to shout....

Personally my sight is not what it used to be and I like the big text.

Just remember we are not all computer wizards like yourself and everyone has to start somewhere.

Lexusls4302001 was excited about something and wanted to share it with us.

So say something nice or don't say anything at all.......

Pete

I have never taken it to its top speed, I have on a few occasions gone up to 145mph and it was still pulling, with no sign of giving up. but only on deserted motorway! it is very easy to get to those speeds with out realizing, as the cabin is so quiet.

I am afraid I fall into the target market as well, middle aged, going Grey, and carrying a bit more weight than i should be. and should know better, but i have a safety device fitted in the passenger seat that advises me when I am doing something wrong (the wife).

Yes. And my LS is fitted with a passenger-side windbag.

hmmm,interesting debate going on.I too like the way the Lexus cars sprint of the line when combined with an auto box.We own a few lexii,an RX300,RX350,IS200's and they all use the auto box.when i floor any of them of the line,i find they fly of the line almost like an electronic pre-programmed launch in a performance car such as an M3 or RS4.I also own an E46 M3 supercharged which churns out about 404rwhp and if i tried to floor it off the line, like i do with the lexus cars,id be sat in the same position for a very long time,burning rubber.Its also very hard work to launch it perfectly in anything other than bone dry conditions,because as i hit the rev limit in each gear im obviously releasing maximum power and this causes wheel spin at each gear change,which kills power and time.In the Lexus cars 0-30 is stupidly quick-there is no drag or delay-its really punchy,especially in the RX cars.Ive had a race with the RX350 upto 70ish and the M3 was beat 0-35ish and after that the Lexus was gone,but for town driving-its certainly stronger of the line than a supercharged M3.

I used to have a Twin Turbo Mitsubishi GTO, everytime i put my foot down with the wife in the car they'd be a terrible whineing sound....but if i do it in the LS without kicking down don't hear a peep

you can tell when an impreza or EVO manages to achieve there book 0-60 time, it's the cloud of clutch smoke and snapped driveshafts left behind that does it.

I was joining the motorway the other day and some chap in a astra coupe 1.8 decided to give it a go, i was just accelerating normally when the waife said "i think he's trying you know" So i put my foot slightly further down into the deep pile carpet

Ya. Once you are over 90-100mph, the good aerodynamics of the LS really make a difference.

If you wait until revlimit kicks in you are actually losing power. If you know your engine you will be changing at Peak revs before the power starts to drop off. I do think though that the autobox on the 430's is probably better at changing at exactly the right time than the majority of us mere mortals.

When comparing with Subarus and Evos, remember that they are 4WD while we only have 2WD. So if there is the slightest bit of damp on the ground, they will have a lot more grip and will disappear out front while we have our power chopped off by the traction control.

yeah youre right,that isnt what i was trying to say.Obviously im not bouncing of the limiter.what i was trying to say was,once ive hit maximum revs per gear(peak) the wheels spin.its hard to avoid wheel spin in such a powerful car with no weight at the rear and so makes it very hard to get away from auto boxes that are designed to shoot through the gears.

Yes, I see where you are coming from. I thought maybe you were doing what so many of the "boy racers" do and changing at max revs instead of peak revs.........SORRY ...I should have realised you weren't that daft.

I get Scoobs thinking they will wipe the floor with me (and a standard IS they would) but they often get a surprise.

Beemer baiting can be fun too!

Not driven an LS, but my Dad's 4.2 V8 Jag can't half shift some if ya poke it! 300hp and lightweight allimimium body. Imagine it to be similar.

Racing cars on public roads is dangerous. I can't believe this thread is even staying up.

I dont belive you just said that

I think someone had hacked into Maneesh's account. I will let him know...................

Would this from be the chap who once "forgot" to put on his seatbelt ?

surly it is not illegal to accelerate up the the national speed limit?

I don't think there is a law saying you can't accelerate fast as long as your in control.

and if you want to accelerate and the guy next to you does the same, and it was not planned whats the harm?

Haha. Good one MATE. Thanks for the comment.

Thank YOU (and others) for making me realise how this forum is no longer what it used to be.

I'm gonna stay off LOC now (apparently accounts cannot be deleted). It's turned into a children's playground.

Fed up of personal comments, and from what I can see, I'm not the only one.

If you have a problem with ME, be man it enough to say it to my face.

We'll need your address, then.

What on earth do you expect Maneesh, when its a well known FACT that you do the very same thing, Race cars on public roads, said by yourself many many times to many many members of this forum

Think you need to sit down and just take the leg pulling, insted of throwing your toys out of the pram

As for saying to your face, im waiting until the next time we meet, to tell you about you insurance tactics

When driving to the standard set in the ROSPA advanced driving course, you are encouraged to use full throttle to obtain maximum acceleration in overtaking situations, not pulling away from traffic lights though. Would have loved to have seen the examiners face if I left a big fat number 11 whilst pulling away.

I don't think there is a law as such but Plod might find a reason to do you for driving without due care or somthing along those lines.

A good way I found to stop myself using loads of acceleration when pulling away is to spend £800 on Michelin Piolot Sport tyres. The game is to make them last as long as possible.

Jim.

Maneesh, why take it personally.I dont think anyone has a problem with you at all,i think it was purely your comment that sounded contradictory,especially to those that know you.Its just people enjoying their cars responsibly.