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Ok, here are some photos of my LS430 (finally learnt how to do this!)

Thank you for all your support and feedback. I went to a family event in Surrey today. And one of the best compliments was from my very bright and streetwise nephew who is usually more enamoured by the modern trends and fashions in life . "This car is amazing - it's got everything...apart from ipod connectivity"!! he exclaimed. Then I put on the Levinson, quite loud - from Stairway to Heaven, Miles Davis, to Paul Weller (my nephew's a cool kid)....he did not want to leave the car.

This is my diary on the LS430 that I purchased on 25/10/13 On an autumnal day in late October 2013, I am carless. After writting off my SAAB 9-3 a couple of weeks prior, my wife has contacted me on my mobile that the insurance mafia have arrived to take my slightly damaged car to its grave. I am heading towards Derby by rail - over 100 miles away on a gamble that a car will be purchased. On arrival at the car trader, the first thing I see is the immaculate deep dark green (almost black) LS430 that has been advertised on the Autotrader. The test drive is convincing, and I buy the 13 year old car at £3490, with 160,000 miles on the clock, FLSH, mint exterior and interior.....thinking this is either the best or worst decision. My Drive Back I don't want it to end - what a car. So stress-free, that I am even ready to make peace with my enemies. The in-car music has clarity, and of course is unaffected due to the silent ride. My First Few Days I hate shopping trips....but if it means driving the LS430 then lets go! I hate getting up early for work..... but if it means driving the LS430, then no problem! Ok, early days yet, and it may become a money pit if something goes wrong.....but sometimes you have to let heart rule over head. It has been a good few days. (This diary will be updated)

ManicMark, It was £3490, so I increased my budget by a bit. Took it to my local pub in rural Oxfordshire, and my pub mates thought it was amazing - and some of them have high end modern cars. I just cannot believe there is anything out there which comes remotely close to the car at the cost. So many gadgets - I don't know where to start learning. See my other mini- thread, where I describe my complete ignorance with respect to thinking that there was a serious issue with the breaking system - don't drink a fine wine while reading it - you may choke and waste some!! The road to being a full member of this club is now open for me. Many thanks for all your support and will keep posting my admiration.

Ok - the title of this thread I started was "Seduced by the LS400"...but now it's "Fallen in love with my LS430!!" Got it yesterday, and well, the the drive back from the dealer in Derby - Reading (130 miles) was a joy, and was listening to Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Led Zepp, Spice Girls (joke) in the Mark Levinson - wow!! It is very dark green, almost black, and for its age immaculate in and out, plus FLSH, and at 160,000. The legend is true.....

Hello Steve, Thank you for your help. I am a scientist of many years of experience.....but that does not stop me from being really stupid. As I mentioned, I bought the LS430 yesterday, and found the above issue. And so I drove it to my local Lexus dealer (Reading), and their very nice, qualified techy guy said "you do know that there is a parking brake pedal, and it's slightly depressed, hence the warning light - just pull the brake release pedal"....I felt like the young Caine (Grasshopper) in the 70's series Kung Fu, in front of The Master. So, I can sleep again. And let me tell you that friends of mine in a good local pub, some of whom have high end cars absolutely loved my car. I am posting some pictures on a previous blog "Seduced by the LS400"...except now, mad about the LS430.

Hello, I bought a fantastic a very dark green LS430 yesterday in Derby and travelled back to Reading in the smoothest journey back ever. However, last night a triangle warning light went on (flashing) along with a bleep, and the information stated "parking brake". The car drives fine. When I stop by applying the brake, the warning light goes off. But as soon as I drive, it bleeps once, and the warning triangle flashes on with the parking brake comment. Can anyone please advice. Thank you.

ManicMark, Your mkIV looks great. I'm just waiting for my insurance company to tell me how they are going give back pending the expected write-off of my Saab (minus the excess, of course). That will then add something to my budget. I do have another option, and that is to wait until end of July 2014, when I get a good company bonus, and therefore will have a bigger budget. But, I am not usually good at the waiting game.

Many thanks for your time and will consider the links that you have provided. The more I look at the LS400/430reviews/you-tube videos, the better it gets. I'll let you know when I purchase one, and will 'crack' a bottle of real ale on the side of the car (not really).

Steve/Phil, Thanks for the advice. Did notice the dirty floor mat in the 1st link - not the care and attention you'd expect. I think you are quite right in taking a bit of time on this. Will keep you posted on my progress. Chan

Steve2006, Thank you for your reply - there are a couple of links below: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201308188372292/sort/default/usedcars/model/ls/make/lexus/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/postcode/rg45ld/radius/1500/page/2?logcode=p http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201309198869275/sort/default/usedcars/model/ls/make/lexus/onesearchad/used/radius/1500/page/2/postcode/rg45ld?logcode=p The first link states that the MOT runs out end of this month, but is only 5 miles away from me, and the second one has long MOT (Sept 2014), but is in East London. Many thanks.

Hello, Bad day today as I ran my saab 9-3 into the back of another car - suspicion is that mine will be written off. However, there may be a silver lining on this cloud! I have been for the last few months telling friends that my next car is going to be the Lexus LS400, and their reaction has been generally of surprise. But my extensive research has led all roads towards the Lexus, and comments on this forum and numerous other places suggest this car to be one of the best. And my car crash may have accelerated this decision. I have a limited budget for the car, but have seen promising ones for under £2000. I know that fuel economy is not that great, but to counter this - I am right in thinking that little goes wrong, and you get all that luxury. What I want to know is what to look for? My apologies to you if this topic has been done to death, but I would really appreciate your comments. Thank you for your time.