Help For A Novice

[zooman]

Hi ,

I’m presently in the process of buying a new car. I have an e320 and have been an mb fan for years but the quality isn’t there any more.

So next car prob an ls430

There’s my simply questions.

Firstly. Are there revised models of the ls430? and if yes what do these offers over mk1

And secondly. Is there anything I should be looking for on a second hand one (good or bad)

And lastly. Is the quality as good as people say?

Cheers for any help.

Regards Zooman

[dhs]

Sorry but can't help with the various upgrades, but I can say that the LS is the best luxury car for the money. The fit and finish is now legendary as is the reliability. They are fast, quiet, comfortable and reasonable to run (given the size and wieght) but they do depreciate like a heavy stone in water. Test drive various models and buy the best you can afford and you will be pleased as punch everytime you drive it. I am. :D :D

[lazyoaf]

The differences between a 2005 and a 2000 LS430 are minimal really. Buy the newest and lowest mileage you can afford really same as any car. There are people with intergalactic mileages, but try selling them on again, its not so much a reliability thing more a desirability thing, not many people want a car that has been to pluto and back so you have to give them away to sell them. They will go for hundreds of thousands of miles, but over 150k miles and they usually start to need suspension work and some geometry stuff. The wheels are painted by walt disney in the rain in Florida, so check they aint peeling. Front ends get stone chipped quite bad due to that "aerodynamic" shape.

Only buy with FULL history which on an 430 needs to from Lexus or take around £3k off the price. Dont buy a black one, any colour but that or again old Mr Resale will bite you. Gold or Silver sell best. If its done over that 150k miles then as long as its been looked after by a specialist thats OK, but again take chunks off the price A for its mileage and B for the missing stamps.

Mechanically they are pretty bullet proof if the history is perfect, search around and be prepared to travel, early ones with 70k miles can be had for £16k without much trouble upto £52k for a new one......... Add £6k for Lexus dealer prices.

So much depends on how many miles you will put on it really and how much you can afford to lose at resale, no different to any large luxury car.

Mines done 73,000 and Ive done 10,000 of those in the last 5 months and no problems, Ive got all the history and printouts from the Lexus dealers since it was new and its had more bits than some other cars Ive had thats for sure, but nothing major, window seals, 4 sets of brake pads !!, numerous belts, and a couple of electrical items, a broken wire in the satnav speaker and a few other bits and bobs.

[zooman]

Thanks for the replies.

Done more looking into the car now and had a drive. Going for 04 in black (I like black).