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My Lexus LS430 has 199k miles. Is it time to replace it, and if so, what's as good?
I bought a 2005 LS430 (Premium Luxury Package with interactive cruise) with 77k miles in 2010 for $22k. (It replaced my Jaguar XJ6 sedan which I also loved.) Looking back, the LS430 has been the best car I've ever owned for a smooth, quiet comfortable ride. Ten years later the car now has 199,350 miles, and has been relatively trouble free. Several questions:
(1) If I keep it, what can I expect to go wrong in these cars over the next chunk of miles? I just replaced the computer that regulates braking and speed for about $2k, and now live with a broken tilt wheel motor, but telescoping motor is fine and makes up for it.
(2) Has anyone found as quiet and as smooth a car as the 430, even with other badges? I drove a couple LS460's but haven't found them better. In fact the 2009 LS460 was better than the 2013 I tested, so even those seem to have gotten worse as far as cabin noise. Anyone else have this experience, or can recommend a luxury car that's as good a value and ride?
(3) My LS430 has one flaw I can't remedy: after an abrupt stop, the car wants to lurch forward on its own. The recent, new computer didn't fix it, nor did the transmission fluid check we did years ago. Several mechanics couldn't fix it anywhere.
(1) If I keep it, what can I expect to go wrong in these cars over the next chunk of miles? I just replaced the computer that regulates braking and speed for about $2k, and now live with a broken tilt wheel motor, but telescoping motor is fine and makes up for it.
(2) Has anyone found as quiet and as smooth a car as the 430, even with other badges? I drove a couple LS460's but haven't found them better. In fact the 2009 LS460 was better than the 2013 I tested, so even those seem to have gotten worse as far as cabin noise. Anyone else have this experience, or can recommend a luxury car that's as good a value and ride?
(3) My LS430 has one flaw I can't remedy: after an abrupt stop, the car wants to lurch forward on its own. The recent, new computer didn't fix it, nor did the transmission fluid check we did years ago. Several mechanics couldn't fix it anywhere.
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Best Answer
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corvette
Member Posts: 11,093
In my opinion, noise level, especially at highway speeds, is very highly dependent on tire selection. It could be the 2013 you tested had a worn set of tires, or just one or more that were cheap rather than good.
As for the lurching, is the idle speed normal, or is something causing it to be higher than normal? Do other LS430s of the same vintage behave similarly?
The LS has been renowned for quite some time as one of the highest quality cars ever made. Mechanical failures are rare, from what I've heard, but I would expect the normal sort of repairs from any car of that vintage in the coming years, namely, seals degrading leading to fluid leaks, weatherstripping dry rotting, etc... If you like it and it's served you well, might as well keep it unless you are just hankering for a new car.5
Answers
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I just finished a 3-year lease on a Mercedes S450 - best car I have ever owned. I am about to take delivery on a 2020 Mercedes E450. You might want to test drive one - but it won't be as smooth as your LS430.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I agree with @stickguy about the Avalon. You’ll get 99% of what that Lexus offers only with a V6 instead of a V8. Plus, you’ll probably be able to slide into a new one with a warranty vs a used Lexus.
@abacomike has had many MBs. So, his advice is solid, too.
@Corvette: great advice and probably will keep the 430, but was hoping to upgrade which may not be possible without buying a whole different car. I'll drive a few more LS460's to see if it was just tires or something else.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.