Considering A Ls430

[ModMan]

Well, after a couple of years driving around in an old hatchback after losing my company car I've started considering a LS430 (2001 +-100,000miles) model as my budget is max up to £5k.

It'll mainly be used to take me up and down the M1 every day (80 mile round trip) to work and back. But never having driven (or even been in an LS, only an IS) I have a few questions if that's ok?

- Is the only optional extra the "Premium Pack" or are there more on top of this? I love my music so the Mark Levinson stereo would be required (Is this part of the premium pack)

- What's it like to park and drive around town, I've been driving my Polo and Merc C Class Coupe for the past 6 years so never anything this big.

- What fuel economy (Yes yes, i know it's a V8 :) ) can I expect to get sitting at 70mph on the motorway (Probably more like 50mph with the morning rush hour!)

- Are there any scary things I should look for when buying one, I've read all the reviews I can get my hands on and they all say that they're bullet proof, it's possibly just fuel and servicing costs

- Speaking of servicing costs - I live in the East Midlands (Near Rugby) are there any decent independant specialists around here?

- How do you find insurance costs, I think it's group 19, I live in a decent area and have 5 years NCB and no points (34 years old) (I'll be going on confused.com shortly)

Sorry for coming on and having nothing but questions. I've seen Jem's in the classifieds here and a few on eBay and Pistonheads but any more pointers to good ones would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Daniel

[janey]

Hi & welcome Daniel

There's a spec sheet here which will hopefully help a little

JEMS car is a very good example and a great price so maybe worth having a good look at it

but in the meantime I'm sure there will be some owners along shortly who can answer your questions :D

[jsj24uk]

Well, after a couple of years driving around in an old hatchback after losing my company car I've started considering a LS430 (2001 +-100,000miles) model as my budget is max up to £5k.

It'll mainly be used to take me up and down the M1 every day (80 mile round trip) to work and back. But never having driven (or even been in an LS, only an IS) I have a few questions if that's ok?

- Is the only optional extra the "Premium Pack" or are there more on top of this? I love my music so the Mark Levinson stereo would be required (Is this part of the premium pack)

- What's it like to park and drive around town, I've been driving my Polo and Merc C Class Coupe for the past 6 years so never anything this big.

- What fuel economy (Yes yes, i know it's a V8 :) ) can I expect to get sitting at 70mph on the motorway (Probably more like 50mph with the morning rush hour!)

- Are there any scary things I should look for when buying one, I've read all the reviews I can get my hands on and they all say that they're bullet proof, it's possibly just fuel and servicing costs

- Speaking of servicing costs - I live in the East Midlands (Near Rugby) are there any decent independant specialists around here?

- How do you find insurance costs, I think it's group 19, I live in a decent area and have 5 years NCB and no points (34 years old) (I'll be going on confused.com shortly)

Sorry for coming on and having nothing but questions. I've seen Jem's in the classifieds here and a few on eBay and Pistonheads but any more pointers to good ones would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Daniel

Hi there.

I'm glad your considering the LS430. It's an awsome car and one that I still enjoy driving jsut as much now as the day I got it.

I'm sure they all had the Mark Levinson stereo weather it had the premium pack or not but as far as I'm aware, they nearly all had the premium pack and it is worth having over the few cars that don't.

Parking can be quite tight in most parking bays but I've never had a problem using the Lion Yard multi story car park in Cambridge so don't worry too much about that.

Fuel economy and a 4.3 litre v8 don't really go hand in hand I'm afraid. Expect an average of 20-22mpg if driven like a district nurse. I have got mine down to 4mpg whilst doing demonstration drives for an advanced driving organisation.

In terms of what to look out for, a full service history is a !!!MUST!!! but the same could be said for any car. Make sure everything works so push every button etc. Alloy wheels seem to be a bit of a problem in terms of corrosion but appart from that, mine hasn't so much as burped since I've had it. Serviceing, I have only ever used Lexus Woodford (who do a superb job and I can highly recomend them) but talking to the garage up the road from me, they can be serviced by most garages. You will save on labour rates too.

Insurance isn't a problem for me as I'm a driving instructor and ROSPA qualified so mine is preety low, can't remember off the top of my head though.

This is one of few cars that you can actually buy with your heart as well as your head. Just don't get a black one as they are a nightmare to keep clean and everyone thinks your a gangster.

Jim.

[ModMan]

Thanks for the speedy replies and advice. A quick insurance check and I'm quite happy. Now to start looking at them. Oh, I do prefer darker colour over plain silver, nothing wrong with black as I could black out the windows too, get some spinners and pimp drugs and women from it :)

[ManicMark]

Hi 5k will get you a nice one, be fussy & chance your arm with a low bid, main dealer service history is an advantage cam belt is due at 100k so make sure its been done, I have the last of the 400 series & love it. on petrol I got 32mpg on the run & 23 around town ( with a very very light foot) I have now converted to lpg & get equiverlent of 55mpg on the run & 32 around town ( driving the car as it should be driven ) If you do 80 miles a day go for lpg multi point on it about £1200 for a conversion around by you at the moment. All I can say is they are superb cars reliable & far superior to an s class or a 7 series,check all the electrics & air con works, motors & gearboxes are bulletproof. listen for clonks or creaks from the suspension as it can be expensive to fix. When you drive one you will know why we all love them.

[peco84]

quality car ultra reliable

[Chris Skelton]

I agree about the '98 LS (Ser 4) Mine does about 28-29 mpg on long trips. (And is only £4K to you!)

[Rillo]

I had 2003 LS430 and on a long motorway trip at 70 it would do 30mpg or so quite easily.

very reliable but as everything is electric, check it all works and stick in a heavy duty Battery just in case. Set aside cash for brake pads as they are quite heavy cars.

[sparkyhx]

you might struggle finding a ls430 for 5k without stellar milage - I think your looking at 5-6k

try looking at late LS400's you may save some money and be able to LPG it.

[ModMan]

Cheers chaps.

For £5k I'm hoping to get one with around 100k on the clock and that seems reasonable as there are a couple on PH/AutoTrader and eBay ... not all with FSH though which is scaring me away. Jem, why aren't you closer to me! :)

[sparkyhx]

Cheers chaps.

For £5k I'm hoping to get one with around 100k on the clock and that seems reasonable as there are a couple on PH/AutoTrader and eBay ... not all with FSH though which is scaring me away. Jem, why aren't you closer to me! :)

I can only see one on Autotrader even close to 5k and thats a bit of a bargain at 5.3k - the rest of the 100k ers are the thick end of 6k. Not looked at eBay though

[ManicMark]

Cheers chaps.

For £5k I'm hoping to get one with around 100k on the clock and that seems reasonable as there are a couple on PH/AutoTrader and eBay ... not all with FSH though which is scaring me away. Jem, why aren't you closer to me! :)

You will find what you are looking for for £5K if you are looking for a 2001 try for a x plate as they are cheaper on the tax. Also dont rule out the high mileage ones, motorway miles are better than around town low miles, I looked and drove about 20 cars before I bought mine the low miles ones generally drove the worst, apart from 1 which was too dear & needed the cambelt doing. I hagled mine down from £4k to £2,250, so dont be afraid to look at £6k ones you will probably get it for £5k or near as. Try a mark 4 ls 400 aswell as some people prefer them I cant fault mine, but I havent driven a 430. Also be prepared to travel for the right car, Train or bus fares are cheap & you will love the drive back.

[ModMan]

Well after only looking at 3 cars (One of which belongs to a chap in the same officepark as us) I have decided on one and all going well I should have it the week after next. Can't wait really and I'm sure I'll have lots of questions when it arrives, but I'll be sure to use the search function as kindly suggested here ;)

The tips here have come in really useful and I appreciate it.

Also, how many people here have used http://soarer.tv/ (www.driveandview.com) for TV and iPod kits. I'm quite keen but I've read the iPod kits are circa £250 which is a little out of my budget, if this is right does anyone have any other suggestions or reccomendations.

[ManicMark]

Well after only looking at 3 cars (One of which belongs to a chap in the same officepark as us) I have decided on one and all going well I should have it the week after next. Can't wait really and I'm sure I'll have lots of questions when it arrives, but I'll be sure to use the search function as kindly suggested here ;)

The tips here have come in really useful and I appreciate it.

Also, how many people here have used http://soarer.tv/ (www.driveandview.com) for TV and iPod kits. I'm quite keen but I've read the iPod kits are circa £250 which is a little out of my budget, if this is right does anyone have any other suggestions or reccomendations.

you can get an ipod adaptor with a tape on the end of it,( i presume the 430 has a tape player as well as cd)

[sparkyhx]

Well after only looking at 3 cars (One of which belongs to a chap in the same officepark as us) I have decided on one and all going well I should have it the week after next. Can't wait really and I'm sure I'll have lots of questions when it arrives, but I'll be sure to use the search function as kindly suggested here ;)

The tips here have come in really useful and I appreciate it.

Also, how many people here have used http://soarer.tv/ (www.driveandview.com) for TV and iPod kits. I'm quite keen but I've read the iPod kits are circa £250 which is a little out of my budget, if this is right does anyone have any other suggestions or reccomendations.

you can get an ipod adaptor with a tape on the end of it,( i presume the 430 has a tape player as well as cd)

mine does - thats what I use, but it does have a tendency to 'buzz' on high volume. - don't try those radio transmitter ones they are 'sh*te'. (well the three that I have tried have been)

[ModMan]

Cheers for that. WIll look into it.

Sparky - I see you have LPG on your 430 - How do you find it?

[sparkyhx]

Cheers for that. WIll look into it.

Sparky - I see you have LPG on your 430 - How do you find it?

absolutely fine - I get about 28mpg equivalent on town driving (factoring in petrol costs as well) and about 55 ish on motorway. I had 65mpg on a recent trip to and from Birmingham in traffic so was doing 60ish most of the way.

£1800 for the conversion and it runs fine. It should pay for itself within about 16 months.

[ModMan]

Well, thanks to Jem off here I am the owner of her old LS430.

I can't praise her enough for the effort she went through with all my questions what an absolute lovely person. Thank you so much Jem.

Can't wait to go home tonight in it, CD stack loaded up, seat adjusted and all waiting for me. I'm sure I'll have some questions in due course. Right now though I am over the moon. If anyone sees a 51reg 430 with a stupid grinning fool at the wheel, that'll be me :)

[JellyBean]

Well, thanks to Jem off here I am the owner of her old LS430.

Right now though I am over the moon. If anyone sees a 51reg 430 with a stupid grinning fool at the wheel, that'll be me :)

It gives me a lot of pleasure to see, yet again, that in these straitened times people are taking advantage of the low purchases price of these wonderful cars. With all costs taken into account, they cost less to run than some brand new 4-cylinder tin box (probably diseasal). What would we rather drive - a luxury car or a motorised bedpan ?

I wonder if anyone has done a loyalty calculation on Lexus owners. SAAB used to have one of the best ratings but alas, I think they have had it.

Modman, you are now hooked !

[simontaylor]

ModMan,

I was warned before I bought my car, "Once a lexus driver..... always a Lexus driver".

On my 2nd LS400 now and dont regret it at all.

Budget motoring, Luxury motoring and Fun motoring, all rolled up together.

Enjoy :-)

[M.IQBAL]

hi

couldnt agree more with simon - ive had my mark 3 coming upto 2 years and enjoyed every moment - hoping to upgrade to the ls430 next year preferably post 53 plate becuase of the sleeker front end looks!

simon i managed to find a cd changer frm a breaker so all sorted now thanks

[ModMan]

Well I got it home last night and played with all the buttons on it etc. I noticed the electric steering wheel tilt wasn't working, (but the telescopic in/out was) so a quick read on here and that's sorted now :)

Also, the satnav seems to be the most un-intuitive ever (I have a tomtom that I'm used to) so i shall be looking at learning that and possibly purchasing the new disc recommended by the map update site although at €150 it seems robbery and I could buy another tomtom for that price.

I'm away this weekend (Not in the Lexus unfortunately) but I work from home on Fridays so I am hoping to give it a good scrub up. Any tips on what shampoo is best for the interior carpets/mats as although it's been kept clean I just want to make it as close to immaculate as possible? Then after payday I might get the wheels refurbed. They're a disgrace (Normal from what i have read) and let the car down. The only other issue are rear parking sensors that are broken but individual sensors seem to be around £100-£200 which is a little rich for me too so I'll be seeing what i can do for a fix.

Really enjoyed the 40 mile drive to work this morning, it's so relaxing even with all the idiots and rush hour.