Comments Request On 430 2003 Vs 400 1995

[Dave76]

Hi all, can anyone give their comments on this 430, based on it being a true fsh as he states.

I am sort of contemplating a more recent car & convert that to LPG instead of converting my 1995 140k 400 which is really running to perfection & problem free, this 430 has only 160k so low mileage. I need more info on 430 than I already know (not much), someone said they are more noisy than a 400, much more?

It just seems a bit silly spending on an LPG conversion on a car that old when maybe I should be spending on a more recent car with fsh, mine has a good service history but not as good as fsh which probably means new parts here & there, my current is car is due a cambelt change in appx another 9k.

Anyone any idea if the 430’s had as good an engine as the 400’s? – I suppose my preference for looks though goes to the LS 400, I think its probably the best looking car Lexus made.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-ls430-premium-pack-98k-fsh-no-reserve-/111058327051?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19db97960b#ht_335wt_1170

[Spandex Sidney]

Hi Dave,

The 400 v 430 debate is a long and tricky one and boils down to YOUR personal preference. However, on balance I would say that the 400 probably edges the debate based on people moving to 430's and then moving back to 400's again.

I believe the 400 was the best Lexus ever made. The accountants moved in with the 430. For example, compare the leather on a 430 v the leather on your 400. The 400 leather is much better quality.

The 430 is marginally quicker but noisier and has lots more toys (and lots more to therefore go wrong if you only see ventilated seats as nothing more than a novelty).

I wouldn't worry about the LPG thing, the cost benefit of that will be based on your using the car. I am personally against LPG on such a magnificent engineered machine but again that personal choice. Having said that it would take me at least 5 years to get my money back on it and what if I totalled the car, the insurance wouldn't pay me that money back.

I have a GS430 and with the 4.3 engine cambelt is everything. A snapped cambelt on a 4.0 is about 400 quid to fix, a snapped cambelt on 4.3 is a new engine. And yes I do know someone this happened to, on a SC430, 15000 miles after the belt was 'replaced' and documented by a 'specialist'.

Bottom line, your choice, but make sure you test the 430 first, it has a hard act to follow and remember that Toyota pumped endless development money into the 400 but the 430 was a stopgap to appease the yanks.

[Dave76]

That about the accountants stepping in after the 400 went out is a big, big point, I know about no budget on the 400's but I thought that carried on with the 430 - Could be thats a deal breaker, maybe better spending on a wax underbody deal

[cruisermark]

As has been already said - it boils down to the individual - yes the 430 is noisier and not as smooth - this may sound so bad - but its not that bad (were talking facelift) - I was on the verge of going back and even bought an ls400 but I have decided to keep the 430 and am getting used to it albeit its taken 5 months or so

[Bluesman]

Hi all, can anyone give their comments on this 430, based on it being a true fsh as he states.

I am sort of contemplating a more recent car & convert that to LPG instead of converting my 1995 140k 400 which is really running to perfection & problem free, this 430 has only 160k so low mileage. I need more info on 430 than I already know (not much), someone said they are more noisy than a 400, much more?

It just seems a bit silly spending on an LPG conversion on a car that old when maybe I should be spending on a more recent car with fsh, mine has a good service history but not as good as fsh which probably means new parts here & there, my current is car is due a cambelt change in appx another 9k.

Anyone any idea if the 430’s had as good an engine as the 400’s? – I suppose my preference for looks though goes to the LS 400, I think its probably the best looking car Lexus made.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-ls430-premium-pack-98k-fsh-no-reserve-/111058327051?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19db97960b#ht_335wt_1170

I,m with you on looks. Mike

[brendangeorge]

I'm for a 430 on LPG - I had 3 400s and they were great. I have an 11 year old 430 running on LPG and it is spot on. I would agree with the comment about the leather - my driver's seat is knackered and I need a new one asap. It may be something to do with the 17 stone hulk who has been sitting in it for 11 years. So check the drivers seat for any rocking. BTW the air con blowing up your chuff is magnificent - but don't get pork pie crumbs in the holes :)

The car is quieter than the 400 - it has a lower CD BUT because it has lower profile tyres and is quieter you will hear a lot more road noise and the ride is a little firmer which may make it feel less comfortable than the 400 - this is very subjective and important with today's crap roads. You can always get rid of the air ride system.

Somebody made a comment about a broken CAM belt being more serious on a 430 - I am not sure about that - a broken CAM belt is really bad no matter what and the engine on the 430 is basically the same as the late 400. In fact the 430 is a really a re-skin of the 430 with extra gadgets (I like gagets).

Both are awesome on LPG and as was pointed out in a previous post, you need to keep the car for long enough or do enough miles to pay the circa £1500 bill. The car will be better on LPG (check the oil out at change time) because it burns cleaner. LPG has none of the nasty stuff they put in petrol or the imputites that are inherant. Don't confuse cleaner with greener (less CO2 being most people's definition) because it is not - LPG only has 73% of the energy of petrol but is a lot cheaper. I will always go with LPG.

Best of luck

Bren

[Bluesman]

I wouldn't worry about the LPG thing, the cost benefit of that will be based on your using the car. I am personally against LPG on such a magnificent engineered machine but again that personal choice. Having said that it would take me at least 5 years to get my money back on it and what if I totalled the car, the insurance wouldn't pay me that money back.

If your insurance company knew that your car had been modified and insure your car on that bassis then your LPG system is insured as well.

I am not saying that you wont have a fight on your hands but eventauly they will pay out.

I know this beacuase the only car I have had that was involved on a write off accident (Grand Cherokee) was converted which the insurance company knew about eventually paid out the cost of LPG installation. It took weeks of letter writing and phone calls, you just have to be like a dog with a bone. Mike

[willskoda]

I have just said goodbye to my MkIII, a very sad moment as I loved going back to it and taking her out for a leisurely cruise around, but in the end owning two LS's was a needless luxury that I couldn't really afford. So now I am left with my facelift 430 which I just love. Yes the ride isn't as soft or as quiet (althoug I'msplitting hairs really) but the car itself is just brilliant with the right toys and good performance. The facelift would be my personal choice (the first 430 I'd give a miss) over a MkIV. LPG is a no brainer in my eyes for whatever choice you make, as long as you plan on owning it for over a year.

[jpjsavage]

Sorry to hear that your LS400 has gone Will. Hope you found a good buyer? It looked lovely and I nearly bought it!

[Dave76]

My minds ticking to & fro like a flaming pendlum, such as my mind is, thanks for the great feed so far its really helpfull, does anyone know which model this 430 is, I think the first came out in 2000 but I font know when it was upgraded, someone said the first was not so good as those that follwed, so whats this one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221219623769?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648

[messi]

Thats one of the first ls430's.

I used to have a 2001 ls430 after having 4 ls400's. Hated the drive on the ls430, sold it and bought a late ls400.

[cruisermark]

that is the pre-facelift - facelift starts from 53 onwards - the headlights and the foglights are the tell tale signs - on the pre they are rounded more frog like - on the post they are more squarer,sleeker and for me more desireable HTH

[cruisermark]

and my opinion go for the 430 - handling alone is so much better

[Dave76]

Just to add som,e personal factros involved in an eventual decision - my own now, is coming up to MOT £50, I expect an MOT pass but its £50, I need some body work done to some damage when a lorry caught me, not much but needs doing, appx £300, cambelt in around 8.5k so for me maybe before end of year or early next, so probably £400 with parts.

That would be close to £900 this year, the 430 is not taxed but mine ends at end of may so that breaks even on tax, taking all that into account, I guess the 430 would cost appx £1500 more than this, both excluding an LPG conversion.

[Dave76]

This shall I shant I stage is a bloody nuisance, it must be like this have a godamn baby!

[ManicMark]

What frightened me off the 430 I had, was the potential repair costs suspension height sensors at £1400 which have been known to fail. The whole car didn't feel as well nailed together as the mark 4 400. Still superb quality & I did like some of the toys The handling was better than the mark 4.

In terms of how it made me feel the 430 worried me even though it was a fantastic car, The mark 4 400 puts an inner smile in me every time I get behind the wheel ( a smugness that I am driving the best built car in the world & its a bit of a secret) not flash but utterly brilliant & I would take it round the world tomorrow.

If I had a couple of thousand to spend on repairs a year budget I might go for a 430, I am setting aside £500 a year for the 400

I am sure I wont need it.

Both great cars but very different especially interior wise understated luxury in the 400 & bit too opulent in the 430 for my liking.

( my mr's is German & the tu tonic side is catching).

[Martin Hughes]

I had my heart set on a LS400. Big, boxy and beautiful, just how I like 'em. But, I grew impatient waiting for the right one to come along. Then my boss said he knew of a early LS430 for sale in my price range but he couldn't arrange a viewing until the following Monday. I must have spent the entire weekend trying to get my head around the 'different' looks of the LS430 and I eventually managed it. Monday arrived and we went to take a look. Wasn't an LS430. Was a GS430! At the time I couldn't work out whether I was disappointed or relieved, but having since taken in a lovely LS400, I'm very glad I kept the faith.

[Dave76]

I doubt I will bother with a 430, I guess its thise historical memories of other than the Lexus when you dare not even contemplate buying an 18 year old car let alone spend money on one if you did.

[Malc]

I would have no hesitation spending a thousand or two in maintenance over a couple of years to keep my LS400 on the road.

What else can u get similar that's going to be so goddam good and economical maintenance wise for so many years ahead

Malc

[willskoda]

Sorry to hear that your LS400 has gone Will. Hope you found a good buyer? It looked lovely and I nearly bought it!

Don't be sorry, it's been sold to a work colleague so I can still see her from time to time. He loves it.

"Accidentally" bought a white, original, uk spec MkI MX5! Great fun, but shhhh, it's a secret!!

[ManicMark]

I like the mx5 like a go kart to drive. with a superb gearbox.

[willskoda]

Yeah it's great! Pop up headlights and a guaranteed smile every time! Great on the country roads round here - especially on a day like today! Got to take the 430 in for an air con re-gas today then it's off for a good old fashioned burn!

[bigjap]

good little cars,i'd like something like that,for little trips along the coast,in my retirement

[Spandex Sidney]

That would be a Lexus SC430 then.

Ignore the rubbish, they are GREAT to drive, the power delivery is just awesome

[bigjap]

yeah even better,i like em,they look a bit ungainly with roof up. lovely with it down,but got proper engine