Lexus LS 400/LS 430

ljflx · February 2002

In the NYC area you don't have much choice in the parking garages. The better restaurants in NJ give also you no choice. But they tend to park the most expensive cars right up front with the most room. One of my favorite restaurants doesn't even give you a ticket - they just remember you. This was a little scary the last time I went as the valet returned with a GS430 instaed of the LS430. Having Lexus link makes me feel better but I also tend to park the car myself whenever I get the opportunity.

Acco20 - how solid and reliable was the 1990 LS400? I had a 95 and 98 that were flawless great cars. I enjoyed the 95 the most because it was far and away the best car I ever owned. The 98 was better still but the jump was only marginal vs. the jump in quality I experienced in 95. But it had the Nak which was a fabulous stereo. The new LS430 is in a class by itself.

acco20 · February 2002

I had one of the first LS400 cars delivered in my state. The car was the best I have ever owned. I have had most of the luxury brands, and honestly there is none that come very close either in quality or dealer experience. Routine maint. at specified intervals, or close to them. Granted, the cost of service after the warranty can be high, but it was worth it in my case. 140,000 miles and I feel the car ran as well the day I sold it as the day I picked it up. Maybe a slight exaggeration but very slight. On the down side... I did experience those radio LCD windows loose there brightness and could not read them sometimes. Great car...period.

ljflx · February 2002

I was able to convince Lexus to allow a friend of mine to buy my 95 at my residual value. It was worth a few thou more but they agreed. It didn't hurt that I was renewing with the 98 model. Anyway the guy does plenty of highway driving as he is in sales in a small company he has equity in. I haven't been in touch with him recently but the last time I talked to him he had pushed past 150k miles and the car was still riding great and had never required anything more than ordinary mainteanance. Great car also to say the least. Hopefully your son has our experience as well.

barb85 · February 2002

I've had my '01 Black Cherry/Bordeaux Ultra LS430 for one wonderful year with 10200 miles. The main problem I've had was silver metallic spraypaint that was carried through the wind and landed on the car. Luckily I found a good detailer (100 miles away) who was able to remove it (he didn't want to touch the delicate headlights, so the insurance man agreed to replace the headlight assemblies, which I haven't done yet because you can't see the overspray on the headlights--only feel it), then he cleaned the car with Zymol HD cleaner, then Zymol Japon wax. Wow! Looks better than when it was delivered (700 miles on a flatbed truck through Smoky Mountain snow and rain--yuk).

Does anyone think I should have the headlight assemblies replaced by insurance? I'm thinking it might result in a problem that's worse than having rough feeling headlights from paint overspray.

A few times early on I experienced the trunk lid not unlatching completely--I had to press the button again; but that problem went away on its own.

I had a call from Lexus to renew my Lexus Link. The safety/security (inexpensive one) is $212 a year which I think is kind of steep, but I renewed anyway thinking that IF the airbags deploy they'll check on me and send an ambulance.

Barb85

barb85 · February 2002

I live in an area where radio is not good, so I purchased a Sony XM satellite radio. In case you aren't aware XM satellite radio consists of 60 music channels and 40 news/sports/business/talk channels (including CNBC). It's about the size of a large radar detector. A small remote control comes with it, along with a magnetic antenna, which I've upgraded to a Terk glass mount antenna. Mark Levensen stereos do not have an aux. input, so the next best setup is to use the cassette. They tell me the music will sound as good using the cassette as if you're playing a high quality cassette. (Do not get the FM modulater because then it will only sound as good as FM radio.)

I'm thinking about installing it in the armrest since there is power there (I don't have a phone installed there.) I think it would actually look ok in the center on top of the dash, but would need to be covered with a white cloth to protect from heat in the summer. I'm trying to find someone who knows anything about placement of installation in an LS430. Help, please...

Barb85

nealm1 · February 2002

I wouldn't replace the lights unless there are functional/cosmetic problems with them. How often do you feel your headlamps? Also, I am interested to hear about your experience with XM. I wrote to ML about compatibility and surprisingly got an uninformed response. In fact, they directed me to LEXUS customer service. I can't imagine that they will know the answer to compatibility questions. How did you learn that there are no pre-amp outputs on the system? I am not surprise, though; they don't want you monkeying with their goods! Without the ability to tap into the pre-amp board, I am much less likely to take this particular plunge. Maybe in my next LS it will be standard!

stevestein · February 2002

Anyone know why they don't have the NOAA weather band in the Lexus? When I got my first MB I thought it was silly, but then I learned it was a convenient capability. It was nice to be able to get a forcast anytime, anywhere without searching. That and a better functionality for the cruise control are the only areas of the MB I wish Lexus would pick up.

flint350 · February 2002

Just curious, how would you change the cruise control?

ljflx · February 2002

Is XM radio basically the same stations you get on Direct TV or Dish network? If so those are great stations with virtually every music genre. Lexus has to get that to come through on the ML in upcoming years. On satellite tv - which I hook up to my home theater system the stations are indistinguishable from cd's.

stevestein · February 2002

This applies to the base car without laser CC. From earlier discussions on this topic months ago, I believe the laser equipped cars function differently.
The major "gripe" is that the resume function only works for a limited speed (25 mph?) under what it is set for. For example, leaving a tollbooth, in almost any foreign or domestic car once you've reached 25 you can hit resume and the car will accelerate back to whatever speed was set. With the Lexus, if it was set for 65, once you go below 40 the resume won't work. You have to manually accelerate and set the cruise again.
The other unusual operation is the on function. Most other CC's stay on (not engaged, just on) until you turn them off, even if the car is turned off and then restarted. This is done using either a mechanical switch for the function or remembering the setting. Lexus has to be turned on every time.
The S-class MB I was considering when I got the Lexus had a dedicated ring on the speedometer dial that showed the CC setting. Not really a critical function, just a little helpful.

wwest · February 2002

I think you have to accelerate back above 35 MPH, and then you can engage "resume" back to the originally "set" speed.

And can someone tell me the actual "logical" functionality of "ON" or "OFF" on any manufacturer's cruise control. I would call it "enable" and "disable" if it could not be done away with entirely!

Other than normal braking I most often "touch" the brake pedal to "disengage" cruise control.

ljflx · February 2002

I prefer it not be on when I re-start the car the next day. Much safer. I hope Lexus leaves as is. Having it on to you shut it off is a liability not a luxury in my mind.

xm radio - the upper glove box is a perfect spot for it when Lexus makes it standard or an option. That's where the cd player used to be.

sopranos - anyone know when it starts!

barb85 · February 2002

Nelm1:

I spoke with my local Lexus parts department to find out that the ML stereo does not have an auxiliary input. If it did, I think it would have an aux button on the front. I'm not sure what you mean by a "pre-amp output." The signal travels IN from the satellite receiver to the ML; in our current situation the signal will come in through a cassette adapter. By the way, I was told before the '02s came out that satellite radio will not be an option on the '02s or '03 LS430.

ljflx:

Here is the list of XM radio stations.

http://www.xmradio.com/programming/full_channel_listing.jsp?sort=number

If the upper glove box had a power plug for installation, it would be great. That's why I like the center console. I'm leary about installers and their drills.

stevestein · February 2002

Hi ljflx and wwest -
In almost 40 years of owning or renting almost every brand of automobile, Lexus is the only one I've encountered that works this way. I can see how having it "enabled" (agreed it's a better term) could be a safety issue if it resulted in accidental activation, but I've never had or heard of such a case. That's why they all have a minimum activation speed of at least 25. At that speed you won't be parking, in close quarters, etc. I guess I've been spoiled, having to take the extra step of pushing in the button on the stalk is no big deal. The only reason I can think of having the function would be to give people like ljflx who wanted that extra safety margin, or who were afraid of cruise control (and I'm sure there are many who find it intimidating)the ability to disable it. Me, turned it on and left it on until I got rid of the car. It all boils down to personal preference, and that's what makes America great. Lexus just sided with ljflx on this one and chose not to give me the option of doing it my way (unless it's an unpublicized C-best function).
On the other hand, I find the resume function more annoying. I've tried it about 100 times, and at various speeds, but I'll try it again. You never know, it could be operator headspace.

I guess this drops the LS down to 9.9999.

P.S. Ljflx - How was Nicholas?

ljflx · February 2002

CRUISE - I use it quite often and the only car I didn't have it on was a 74 Monte Carlo. But in all honestly I never remember it staying activated after you shut off a car and I don't ever remember it re-engaging automatically. You always had to press resume when you dropped under the speed minimum which I thought was traditionally 37 mph. The reason I wouldn't want it to be on auto pilot is that I'm at 40mph+ within seconds of turning off my cul-de-sac. You shouldn't be on cruise control when you will encounter stop signs and traffic lights. Also there are many school kids around in the morning and sometimes they don't pick the safest places to stand. Most particularly I wouldn't want the cruise taking over when I'm just starting out in the AM and the coffee or hot cocoa hasn't taken full effect yet.

Nicholas restaurant is one of the finest restaurants I've ever been to. My all time favorite and still the best restaurant I've ever been to is The Old Swiss House in Lucerne, Switzerland. But Nicholas is right in step with it and on a par with restaurants like Le Cirque in Manhattan. You should try it and if you go easy on the wine (I didn't) the bill won't be so bad. You will also be surprised how young the owners are and they are usually there - at least on weekends.

wwest · February 2002

The cruise controls that are electronically "latched" "on" all turn off with the ignition, those that are latched mechanically (Porsche 996) stay on regardless.

Not to imply that any of them remain "active", they do not.

trentpa · February 2002

One feature that I like about the LS430 is that you don't have to tap the brakes to disengage the cruise: just pull the cruise control steering wheel stick toward you (like you're flashing high beams), and that will disengage the cruise without braking and startling the car behind you.

antiosama · February 2002

I believe the purpose of a "on" and "off" switch for the cruise control is there so that you don't inadvertently activate cruise control by banging your knee or your elbow into the cruise control switch. Just a safety feature.

wwest · February 2002

If I'm disabling cruise it might (???) be altogether a good idea for the person behind me to see a brief flash of my brake lights.

Yes?

On and off...

Once I get in the car and turn it on for what reason would I ever (remember) to turn it off?

The only reason the 996 ever gets turned off is by accident.

lateralg · February 2002

So you're the one!?

acco20 · February 2002

And they tried to blame it on the "left foot brakers". Glad that is cleared up...

wwest · February 2002

Flash, not constantly on!

cainep · February 2002

On my 99 LS, I've noticed that resume will sometimes work and sometimes not - sometimes I'll slow to a complete stop and resume will take my right back to my previous speed (60-65), and yet sometimes I'll only slow down 5-10mph and resume does nothing, so I have to manually accelerate and set the cruise again. I never know when it's going to work or not. I mentioned it to the dealer on my 5K service a couple of years ago and they said it was working as specified.

Kirstie_H · February 2002

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flint350 · February 2002

I always suspected, down deep, that wwest was a flasher!

anthonyp1 · February 2002

Just got an escort solo to go with ls 430. Last year about this time I got a ticket on i 26. Luckily a friend knew a lawyer (200 miles from home ) and he got it reduced to two points. After all that trouble I just got the above mentioned radar detector. I will let all know how well it works `first hand`, but was wondering if any of you by chance have one? and how do you like it? Tony ps it is the kind that works off of batteries.

flint350 · March 2002

Yesterday evening I saw a first (for me, anyway)- it was a gold LS430 Stretch Limo. Looked like the original gold paint and was a true stretch version. From what I saw, it was well done and gave no sense of cut-and-paste. Wish I could have seen the inside.

ljflx · March 2002

I didn't even know that they existed.

fxashun · March 2002

They have stretch bugs and PT cruisers and I saw a stretch Tahoe today.

3pointstar · March 2002

I saw one on MTV Crib. I think it was rapper Ludacris who has a nice beige metallic LX470 stretch limo. Very nice, wish I had one. :-)

bmms8 · March 2002

he has a lot of money, and i think that he actually saves a lot considering that he has a 3 bath, 2 bdroom house, i have seen the same episode. so i think, he has more money into his 3 cars then his house, but not a lot of people would do that, look at cas oney, vvery nice house, and vvery nice cars, u cant g wrong with that.

vcso2279 · March 2002

My 94 LS driver side seat belt does not retract. Per arroadrunner's article on 02-10-02, She advise that Lexus warrants the seat belts for life. Can anyone confirm this ? Thanks in advance for any info.

toddg12 · March 2002

Just purchased a 2002 LS430, gold, with Mark Levinson stereo, Nav system and Lexus Link. After just one week, I'm absolutely in love with the car. While shopping for it, I drove the Lincoln LS and the Acura RL. These cars arguably are not in the same class, but I couldn't bring myself to shell out the $$ for a BMW 745il or a Mercedes S430. The LS 430 is such a wonderful package of quality and value that I'm now a convert.

I called around the Los Angeles area to shop the numbers my local dealer (Lexus of Valencia) quoted. I could only find Base models (no ML/Nav, just moonroof and heated seats) or Ultra Luxury (MSRP=70K+, ouch). I even had one internet manager look around for a day, then call and tell me to take the deal at Valenca. I paid $56K (Invoice = 54.7K, MSRP = 63.2K).

My only "complaint" so far is that my local dealer said they have had so many problems with the integrated Lexus cell phone, that they are no longer installing it.

Does any one have any experience (positive or negative) with the cell phone? cost and performance experience would be great.

ljflx · March 2002

Got my auto issue of CR in the mail yesterday and the results of owner surveys shows clearly Lexus gaining momemtum and MB falling while BMW seems to be doing just fine. The only Benz cars that scored well were the E and C which had average reliability (that is the highest ranking MB buyers gave any of their cars) and above average satisfaction. The vaunted S and SLK models were below average in reliability and above average in satisfaction. The S seems to be depreciating faster than ever these days. The CLK and M class were much below average in reliability and above average and average respectively in satisfaction. Lexus models scored very high across the board. The LS430 and ES300 were both much above average in both reliability and satisfaction (the drivers apparently have a very different view than the auto mags). The GS series was barely below that scoring only above average in satisfaction but maintained the much above average score in reliability (also very low depreciation which surprised me on the GS) and the IS3000 was rated average in reliability (worst Lexus score) and much above average in satisfaction. The LX470 wasn't evaluated (or was mixed in with the Landcruiser) but as I lease one I can say my experience is right there with the LS430. The Landcruiser had Lexus type marks with much above average reliability and above average satisfaction.

BMW's pretty much had much above average satisfaction ratings with average to above average reliability (except the X5 whose reliability was much worse than average). The 7 wasn't scored because it's too new. Interestingly Audi's reliability was rated poor and seemed to be worse than I would have thought but then I thought of how often my boss's A-8 is in the shop. Infiniti models also scored well, all much above average in reliability and average to above average satisfaction levels(though the Q wasn't rated probably because of lack of sample, it certainly has been around long enough). But it's also clear that for whatever reason CR is no Infiniti fan based on its own brief write-ups.

ljflx · March 2002

Sorry - I left out the RX300 in that last post. Same scores as LS430 - much above average reliability and driver satisfaction. The SC430 probably lacked sufficient sample as data was unavailable. So the weakest Lexus links were the IS300 with average reliability and the GS300/430 with above average driver satisfaction. Every other mark for the brand was much above average. By the way the LS series rated a low depreciation figure as well. Pretty difficult job for anyone to slow the Lexus juggernaut down. How will consumers who rate cars that highly ever switch brands.

merc1 · March 2002

That was actually the Cash Money Millionares that had the stretched LX470. Ludacris has a X5, DTS, Acura Legend and a Escalade.

ljflx,

Just how many Lexi do you have?

M

ljflx · March 2002

I'll explain at another time. Right now the BMW7 board is in need of your expertise.

toyotas1 · March 2002

I thought it was pretty lame! They didn't bring any of the competitors on! They just drove it around a speedway at 90MPH.

wwest · March 2002

What LS430 competitors?.

The way I see it there aren't any.

To even come close to matching the MB S500 in price you have to use the UL version. The MB and the LS430 UL, get real!

In there a price and/or performance competitor to the base LS430, no?

What would YOU chose to test drive against the LS430?

wwest · March 2002

I'm waiting to buy an LS430, I have no doubt that it will be well worth the wait when I finally get it.

Lexus, are you listening?

Black Cherry/Ivory/maple accents and air suspension, no Nav.

Hell, I'd even accept an LS330.

bmms8 · March 2002

i was wondering what wasthe "cool knob" in the custom luxur option. i was also wondering if u had to buy the nappa leather to get the custom luxury, is that true, or no??

wwest · March 2002

ALL of the CL's have front seat cooling and I think that REQUIRES the perforated Nappa leather.

mpyles1 · March 2002

I've just ordered an LS 430 with sport suspension. I found the handling pretty good for a car of this size but feel one of the reasons it doesn't quite hold up to the German competition (i. e., BMW and Audi) is the relatively tall and narrow tires (225/55/17).

I'm considering increasing wheel size to 18" with 245/45/18 tires (almost identical rolling diameter, so gearing and speedo stays to spec). Has anyone had any experience with this kind of changeover on the LS 430? Thanks.

feverhart · March 2002

You may want to consider how it would impact the turning radius. The LS has a shorter turning radius than compable cars in this class. You wouldn't want any scrubbing.

wwest · March 2002

You should have bought the GS, the LS will never be sporty, and you're probably headed for TOO FIRM.

pai7 · March 2002

This week marks 10 years of my ownership of 92 Lexus SC400.It has slightly more than 102k miles but still drives like new.Apart from routine scheduled maintainence ,2sets of tires ,2 batteries and a window motor nothing else has been replaced.The paint,finish leather have held up well.Based on this ownership experience I bought an 01 Lexus 430 with Nav and ML after seriously considering Mercedes S 500.I am glad about my choice.During last 4 to 5 years Mercedes has had Quality issues and this has been validated in the recent Consumer Reports.My wife and daughter Drive MB ML ( 99 ML430 and 98 ML 320).They had to take their vehicles for more number of times in one year for repair than I had to take my 92 SC400 in 10 years.They are looking at Lexus for their next vehicle.

wwest · March 2002

You have a 92 SC400 and yet you still "seriously" considered an S500. I'm very dissapointed, I wouldn't have thought that would happen, EVER.

But..Girly vehicles...

The early ML's did have relaibility problems, no question, but to sorta compare apples to oranges, so did the early Ford Escapes. All indications are that ML has addressed its problems with the ML and it's pretty clear that Ford is also on that road.

We had a really heavy snowstorm here on the eastside of Seattle, pretty much localized to Bellevue though.

MY 01 AWD RX300 PERFORMED ADMIRABLY.

Because of my expressed concerns about the AWD setup I wasn't as brave with it as I might have been with either of my previous Jeeps, but it was clear that the ABS was up to the task at hand and seemingly the AWD was kicking in at some level when appropreate.

Two things did surprise me, I got it into a large vacant parking lot and was able to create s significant level of yaw yet the VSC, seemingly, never kicked in. This really surprised me because I'm quite sure that previously I have had it go to work as I turned left and "plowed" through a water puddle. Maybe the yaw I cranked in last night was so quick and extreme it "bailed"?

Same was true of the TRAC. I was able to get the wheels "spinning" in the deep snow but as far as I could tell the TRAC applied no braking, not even moderately so, and it certainly didn't dethrottle the engine.

Of course it could have been that all four wheels "spun" at the same rate, but that would mean the AWD is more up to snuff than I have ever though, so I won't go there.

But for a multiplicity of reasons I would still suggest that the ML and X5 represent better SUV implementations overall. As far as AWD setups are concerned I'm beginning to suspect the Ford Escape engineers have that one figured out best.

pai7 · March 2002

wwest--- The S 500 came out in Aug 99 and since that time every car magazine available was raving about it.One of my friend purchased it but I wanted to see what the redesigned Lexus LS had to offer in 2001.My experience previously with Mercedes has been good.My 1986 300 E was an excellent vehicle which I drove for 12 years and 125K miles.Intrestingly the 86 300 E outperformed 1986 560 SEL (the flagship) in both 0 to 60 and also the top speed.A year or so later they detuned 300 E to correct this anamoly.IMO 300 E was one of the best vehicle on road at that time.The deterioration of the quality has been a recent phenomenon and I hear the fix is on the way.I agree with you that a Lexus owner will probably look at Lexus again but as a car enthusiast one should critically look at the competition.The new Lexus LS430 is also way ahead in design,performance and comfort over the past LS400.

wwest · March 2002

IMMHO the MB "E" series is just a cut above the Lexus GS series, and just a cut below the LS series. If the E430 were just a tad more roomier then I might consider it a competitor to the base LS430.

Somehow, I cannot think of the LS and the MB "S" series as being competitors, the MB is undoubtedly roomier, but along with that comes a disproportionaty much higher purchase price.

Also, in the GS and MB E class I see absolutely no need for anything larger than the V6, except if you happen to be of the "boy racer" mindset.

Given the size and weight of these vehicles you simply don't need anything larger to "haul" them, at least in "normal" driving fashion.

My sincerest appologies to mooretorque.

ljflx · March 2002

I'm with pai7 on this one. Why limit your choices. I also looked at the S, coming out of two flawless LS400 leases. I'll do it again at the end of this lease. Most probably I'll stay Lexus because the experience all around is very satisfying and it's wonderful to almost know nothing will go wrong with the car. The E is far removed from the LS430. Not even close to the car in any way but price. Size-wise it's got the dimensions of the old Camry. The LS430 may only be 7 inches longer but it's laid out like a large luxury car and the rear is plenty spacious. Still I would hope they lengthen it to about 200 inches on the next go round. The E is narrow and confining with a small trunk and a totally different mid-size type of ride.

Lexus LS 400/LS 430

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