FarhanZ

Hey all, looking to buy an ISF, figured I’d post in here before I start looking from Japan as I don’t really wanna wait 6 months 🙂 

Looking for a low mileage example, budget up to £25k for the right one. 
 

Thanks

7 hours ago, Greer said:

My personal preference is to have a nice car which reliably gets me from A to B, maybe with a detour to C, the LS 400 does that, based on others posts >on here< over time the LS430 will not reliably do that without very expensive probs & maybe major inconvenience occurring, good luck in your quest!

Yeah, the more toys on the car, the more likely it is for something to go wrong I suppose...

14 minutes ago, The-Acre said:

As has been suggested, try both.  There are plenty of LS430's out there for sale, less 400's but still a few.  You could even try a GS300, I had one for a while, took it on a 2.5k road trip, very comfortable and a pleasure to drive. 

Yeah I definitely will do! Haven't really looked the the GS range but will have a look

5 hours ago, The-Acre said:

A very good point, and one that we've discussed before. To buy what was an expensive limo and not expect to dig deep sometimes is just dreaming. I concede that a "good" LS400 comes as close as it gets but it's not a foregone conclusion.  

Yeah these are fair points, I always say the same thing when someone I know says "I might get a bentley Continental, they're looking like great value"... the upkeep is that of a £100,000 car, not £25,000 etc. 

I think going for an LS400 first may be a good idea and then after that, an LS430 or 460 etc if I like it? It seems that is the case for a fair few of the Lexus owners in here? It's not like it's a fully permanent decision, you can always sell and trade up or down

4 hours ago, Malc said:

yes .............. to put it simply

certain Ls400 s have air but very few in the UK

The Ls 430 always has air ( I presume, but then again I think I read somewhere that a very few don't !  ) and whilst  air struts have much longevity a replacement corner from Lexus / Toyota is about £1000 a corner plus fitting   and quite enough to upset one's budgeting maybe

whichever you choose, and for heaven's sake you MUST choose one, or maybe two   you should remember that these are now very old cars in car technology terms and resemble the ancient  " mores " of old with sublime comfort and grace when motoring .......... and the very best of old technology with resilient comfort, reliability and quality of presence

Malc

I thought as such as I have often snooped around for a modern air suspension kit for a show car but never got round to it. 

I will definitely get out there and test drive a few of each model to see what's what when the time comes. 

4 hours ago, Malc said:

it's the lack of air suspension that sways me all the time towards the Ls400  ( in the Uk coz some did have air elsewhere  )

 

Is this because the air suspension is known to fail and is expensive to replace?

Hmm, so I guess it is mostly just personal preference at the end of the say as both are generally great cars? I think i will definitely have to drive both then.

12 hours ago, Cotswold Pete said:

My experience is 430 is a lot more luxurious, the rear passenges have more room, but it feels more 'enclosed' compared to 400, more like sitting in an aircraft where you cannot see over the seat in front.

On pricng £5K to £6K will get you a sorted 430, that should be less trouble, though the air suspension will get you forking out at some point. My 400 for two new front shocks was £700(ish) fitted, a lot cheaper than 430. 

If looking at 400s, give the rear arches a good poke with screwdriver, this is a weak rust point. The 400 has stainless exhaust, and apart from Y-piece repairs should last forever.

Also best to drive one or two of each model to get a feel, and try not to jump at the first one and aim for a Mk4 with the 400 (not sure which is best 430 to go for, my mates early facelift model seems like a fair buy at £6K, with around 68K on clock).

 

Thanks for the reply Pete. 

If I were to be getting an Ls430, it would definitely be a facelift model so I'll budget for around there. Now to have a look around what to expect in terms of equipment with each model

15 hours ago, The-Acre said:

Horses for courses, both brilliant cars. I've had both and each has an advantage over the other.  I disagree that the 430 is less comfortable, I think it's more comfortable plus much more space for rear passengers.  Try them both and you'll be able to make your own mind up.

Ah right, I have just heard that the LS400 quality is unmatched, maybe not then I guess. I agree that I will have to try both and see which one is more for me. Split down the middle at the moment in early stages... 

15 hours ago, Malc said:

less toys and gimmicks on the Ls400 and therefor less to go wrong one perceives !

If you get a good Ls430 with all the known issues sorted, or better still, get one that needs the issues sorted coz then you will know they have been done by yourself,

then you will have a brilliant car that will cost you a fraction of your Audi S3 to maintain and will last you for very many incredibly comfortable and reliable motoring years

There's a mountain of useful info on this forum, just delve into it ........  all participants here would recommend your move to here

AND 

Welcome

Malc

Yes, this is what I am thinking however I cannot seem to get away from the novelty of the toys in the LS430 haha I guess it will be a case if trying both out to see which suits me better. I hope to learn a bit through the forum before purchasing! Still have a few months and I am sure I will manage to work my way through each page by then

18 hours ago, runsgrateasanut said:

Click on the "Lexus owner Reviews" seen under the Sub forum above. Should give you an indication of what you want to know.

Thanks, will do!

18 minutes ago, Razor61 said:

I originally started looking at the LS430 which was the model that fired my interest. But after researching and looking, I decided that the LS400 was the one for me for the same reason, classic looks etc. If you decide on the LS400 then buying a 'good' one could be a challenge, to reiterate the very sound advice from 'Cotswold Pete' - give the rear arches a good poke with screwdriver, this is a weak rust point. I can 100% testify to this with my car and didn't know this could be an issue when I was looking for one. I did a post about my buying experience, link below, which may help you in your search for a LS400 - if that's what you decide.

 

 

Thanks, I think the Ls400 will end up being the one but im still not 100% hahaha 

I'll be sure to check for rust!

Hello everyone!

I guess this is my first post here after snooping for the past couple weeks.

I'm looking to get myself into a Lexus later on this year (september most likely) and I am beginning the search for information. Now, from what I understand LS400s are up to £3k for a good one and LS430s are up to £5k? Is this about right? 

I'm coming from a 2017 Audi S3 (huge world apart, I know). I've seen that some of you guys have owned both the LS400 and LS430 and I'm curious to see your opinion on both? The LS430 seems to have more toys however is less comfortable? If so, how bad is it compared to the 400? This may just be more to go wrong but I do think it's cool to have the rear seat controls etc. I would say I prefer the simple, classic looks of the LS400.

As you can probably tell, I've never actually had an older car (my oldest being my first car, a 2010 Audi A3, then a BMW 320d, BMW M140i, BMW 320d and now this Audi S3). So I'm new to the market.

Any help is greatly appreciated, from what I've seen these cars are absolutely brilliant and I'm excited to potentially get one!

Thank you