Getting Ls430

[love4lexus]

Hi Everyone!

I am glad to join this place, I have my heart set on getting an LS430 next year and just wondered if anyone has a little advise? I will be looking for something under £10k, which seems to limit me to the pre-facelift model (2003+).

I have heard that the pre-facelift gearbox is a little unsubtle with its changes and that the six speed is much smoother, the manager at Lexus Park Lane told me I would not notice a difference, but I am rather a perfectionist.

is there anything I should be aware of?

I would ideally like the car to last me about 5 years, so should I be looking for Low miles or highway-only miles?

I am seriously excited about this, so much so that I have booked a Test drive in the LS600hL to see what the future of second hand cars has in store for me!

Thanks in advance!

[steve2006]

Hello,

Welcome to the LOC.

I've not heard of any problems with the shift on the early LS430's but have heard that the LS600 has an 8 speed gearbox and sometimes has trouble deciding which gear to go for.

I have a 1994 LS400 with the 3 speed plus O/D so basically a 4 speed and even at 15 years old and 60,000 miles you cannot feel the upshifts.

The only way you will know is to try both and see what you think.

Whatever you do decide on I am sure you will be happy afterall it will be a LEXUS :D

When it comes to buying a full service history is the important factor, with the LS engines reported running to 500,000 miles without major mechanical problems mileage is of little concern.

Good luck in your search for the "perfect" LS430

[love4lexus]

Thanks Steve,

I think the LS600hl uses a CVT gearbox, which are a little strange, I used one in the RX400h I tested and it was most likely just the car itself but I was not very keen. The main reason I was not a huge fan is that it was too small! - no really I am not kidding, the seat did not go back far enough inside to fit my legs comfortably! this I found quite amusing as the LS series can fit me much more comfortably (all the more reason to get one :winky:)

The car I currently drive (Mazda Xedos 6) is an absolute dream at low speed - silent engine, smooth ride - but when you pass about 55MPH things get very noisy, not from the engine but from the wind and road. I live in central london so I am not worried about fuel economy (that sounds weird, but the only driving I do is up and down the Motorway twice a week!) so I am looking forward to something that will be as quiet and reliable as the Mazda (which we bought for just under £1k and so far, 12,000 miles later and 1 service, has had no problems, none!) which I think will be a good challenge!

if anyone else has any tips I would be very pleased to read them, a wise man once told me "If I am ill, become an expert in your illness", well my illness is that I don't drive a Lexus!! So I am spending as much time as I can learning about them and what to look for when I get one (I did the same with the Mazda and it has served me very well!)

thanks again!