xcusemi

Hi All:

Just curious whether anyone here own a LS430. I am thinking about replacing my W126 Mercedes 420 SEL 1991 (low mileage (52K+/-miles) with 2004 LS430 Ultra Luxury package. The Lexus has 65K miles on the odometer.

I would like to know if anyone of the lister can chime in on their experience with the Lexus. Does the car has any problem that I should be aware of?

Also, do you think it is wise for me to trade in the last real Mercedes to Lexus?

Let me know your opinion.

Quadcammer

Depends what you want. The W126 is a great car, but there have been many safety and technology advancements in the 19 years its been around. If those advancements are important, make the switch.

The Lex will feel more disposable and more plasticky. But they are absolutely ROCK SOLID cars that will operate day in and day out without any errors. They ride nicely, but will feel slightly less substantial than your car.

the 126 is a great car...but time marches on.

scott watkins

xcusemi, i own an LS. It's my 3rd LS, my wife is on her second IS, and our daughter is on her first RX.

IMHO, the LS is the best luxury sedan money can buy. I've owned just about every make, and unless Lexus stops doing what they're doing, I'll always own one.

P-daddy

The LS may not be the most exciting thing to drive, but they are dead-reliable lux cars.

skywachr

Be sure to spend some driving time in one before you buy. For me it would be like driving a sedative after the MBZ. I think that's why so many on here drive BMWs which, by the way, I do not own so there is no bias there. For smoothness and dependability you can't beat the Lexus though.

prg

I owned a 2003 LS430 that my wife drove for several years. Very well built car, 0 issues in the 50k miles that we owned it. Excellent car for long interstate trips or boring commute. Very quiet. No rattles. Soft ride. It handles exactly like you'd expect a big lexus to handle. The car inspired no passion what so ever, but as a relaxing way to cover miles it rivals an S class. The levinson sound system is the best I've heard from a factory. Doubt you'll regret buying one, but might be worth seeking a lower milage example. I have no experience with reliability/cost of parts beyond the 50k miles we put on ours.

1pcarnut

Had a GS400 and drove a friends LS, both nice cars, reliable etc. but totally uninvolving and boring. Reliable yes but little more than an appliance.

Makmov

Toyota is as good at taking all the fun out of driving one of their cars as they are at making it reliable.

fullbooker

My wife is on her 2nd LS. It's always difficult to get her to drive with me in the 993 for any long trips.
The Lexus is the PERFECT car for her (and me on long trips). I tell my friends that it's like you're on the living room couch, it's so comfortable.
Nothing bad to say about the LS430!
Phil

vincer77

I had an original model LS400 and it was probably the best car I ever owned as far a DD. I later got a GS400 and enjoyed it, but it did not have the quality of the LS. Not sure how they fit and finsh quality is on the later cars, but everyone I know who has them loves them.

Makmov

I know the doors fell off the real early IS300s

Quadcammer

and that has what to do with the price of tea in china?

Makmov

I donno, what is the price of tea in China anyways?

All I know is the doors fell off the early cars ( they had some wierd hinge thing that failed and the door fell off ) and were all hand built and very expensive to upkeep.

What does it have to do with anything? Nothing really, nothing anymore to do with a Lexus discussion on a Porsche message board than the fact the doors fell off.

You can take it for what ever its worth.

Me, and not that I am big Merc fan, wouldn't do for any Lexus. Okay, maybe an LFA, but I would just turn around and sell it before it caught fire, which apparently they do with some regularity.

Quadcammer

what I was getting at is that the IS and the LS are two VERY different cars.

I'll get back to you with a tea quote from the bloomberg.

Makmov

I understand that but the are the same as they are different.