Lexus LS 400/LS 430

1…100101103105106…165

Comments

  • zdudezdude Member Posts: 22
    You can marry the smart key to a button, if one wants to. This allows the settings for that button to be executed upon entering the vehicle (i.e., seat position, mirror, etc.). It is in the manual how to do this.
  • zdudezdude Member Posts: 22
    rgsw, I understand the XM radio module is installed in the truck of a LS430 but I was curious just exactly where is it installed? Is it on the drivers side, passenger side or somewhere else? Is is hidden behind a panel?
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    Are you taking an ultra? How good a deal did you get and what's your color choice? Also are you seeing a shortage of sport suspensions? They seem very hard to get in NJ. My dealer also has a shortage in ultras and a few too many premium editions. There is a muted demand for the latter and they are discounting them the most. Most people want the ML and Nav options as the minimum car its seems. Maybe Lexus should start making more ultras and less premiums in the future. Unfortunately he moves the cars very quickly, premiums and all, without discounting them too much.
  • milsuperdocmilsuperdoc Member Posts: 29
    What are the current going prices for Ultra vs. Premium in your part of the country? How about other locations in the country?
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    I was told that they will discount the premium around $2500 but the modern lux they are not willing to deal more than about $1500 on. There is a wait on the ultras so they are going full sticker. But I haven't pressed the issue yet on price as I'm still a few months from leasing. My dealer moves them fast and the last time I was in the only one he had around was a demo. Hot car around here. The only cause for the discount is to keep inventory low (particularly on premiums) with advance sales. I'm actually looking for a modern luxury sport suspension and may need to order soon though. If I get $2k off I'll be happy. But if I ease off the sport suspension and wait till April than I should do better. At the same time paying $20-30 or so more on a monthly lease to get exactly what I want will never bother me.
  • rgswrgsw Member Posts: 333
    I assume the receiver is on the left side of the trunk, under the floor. The antenna wires come up the left side to the left hinge area. The trunk was empty when I got the car back and no evidence of installation except for the Black Antenna on the left trunk lid. I have looked under the floor panels on previous models and I think their was pre-wired locations for approved add-ons. I tried it out some today and it works great, I may not play the CDs much anymore.
  • jaymkjaymk Member Posts: 86
    Hi
    I am new here.
    Got 2002 LS430 Nav/ML.
    So far so good. Gonna get new tires Mich. Pilot Sport AS in few weeks.
    I would like to thank everybody for their support and contribution.
    Thankyou
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    You'll be much happier with Bridgestone Turanzas summer tread. Pilots are fine on Porsche, way too noisy for LS.
  • tisliztisliz Member Posts: 13
    My LS 430 is one year old. When I purchased it, I specified chrome wheels. I got a real surprise yesterday when the service department explained that the reason I was having so much trouble with the wheel inserts having the gold electroplating chip off (replaced them for second time under warranty) is because the wheels are after market wheels. They send the wheels which came on the car originally to be "dipped" or chrome plated; the same for the logo inserts. On one wheel the chrome is bubbling up at the edge in two spots about the size of a quarter. If you get factory chrome, these problems do not occur. The factory wheels have to be shipped on the car. I was told that all Lexus dealers substitute these aftermarket wheels when the customer requests chrome wheels and the car arrives without them. I am currently negotiating to get the factory chrome wheels now.
  • animationguyanimationguy Member Posts: 12
    Thanks to rgsw for his comments about the
    audio - apparently 2001 LS430s have a documented
    flakey audio system (see Toyota Service Bulletin
    AU001-01 from October 2001 ) and I can only
    hope that this erratic on/off audio situation will be consistent enough so I can take it into the dealer and not look like I'm some kinda ditz.

    To jaymk - re: tires
    wwest is absolutely correct, the Bridgestone Turanzas are the way to go for the legendary Lexus "quiet ride" experience. I bought an extra
    set of Lexus alloys and mounted Blizzaks for the winter months, so safety isn't compromised when summer tires just don't cut it.
  • rcf8000rcf8000 Member Posts: 619
    I just put a set of MPS A/Ss on my wife's SC430, and I think they are quite good with regard to noise level. When my LS430 needs tires next I plan to put MPS A/Ss on it, too.
  • jsb16jsb16 Member Posts: 64
    I was at a dealer yesterday who told me all the Sport packages he has seen are either black or silver. There is nothing in the brochure that specifies this limitation. Have any of you gotten a Sport package with other colors and did this require a special custom order from Lexus?
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    Haven't heard that but I will check into it this week. I like black but prefer the flint mica or cypress pearl.
  • wbwynnwbwynn Member Posts: 246
    On my second set of Turanzas...perfect for the LS.
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    Do you have the Turanza's with the euro suspension? If so what are your tires rated? Let me know because I want to go the sport suspension this go round and I also want the Turanza's.
  • rcf8000rcf8000 Member Posts: 619
    It is interesting that in the tirerack.com survey most Turanza (ER33) owners said that they would "definitely not" buy them again. They are also rated as noisier than MPS A/Ss. You do not want the MPS summer tires; they are lots noisier. (That's what you find on Porches.)
  • rcf8000rcf8000 Member Posts: 619
    My personal experience with Turanzas is that they are very quiet on smooth asphalt and very noisy on coarse asphalt. (Most local streets are asphalt.)
  • twinsdad99twinsdad99 Member Posts: 9
    Just to be clear, Turanza LS (H,V or Z) is different from the E33 (factory tire from Japan). The former is recommended by a tirerack staff in clublexus.com.
  • wrdwrd Member Posts: 40
    FYI, I put a set of Turanza LS-Zs on my 97. They are a lot quieter than the MXV4s that I replaced and they handle much better in corners, ride better and are just as good in snow. They do not squeek going around corners like the Michelins did. I have not noticed any hydroplaning. The tire dealer originally installed LS-Vs and there was a noticeable tread thump. I had them replaced with the LS-Zs I had originally requested and there is a very slight thump noticeable only on very smooth, new pavement.
  • rcf8000rcf8000 Member Posts: 619
    Sorry about the confusion. The LSs look very good in the tirerack survey results. Unfortunately, they aren't available for 17 inch wheels, which my LS430 has.
  • jaymkjaymk Member Posts: 86
    I was at a local Costco store looking for the tires. Mich. Pilot Sport AS $201 includes everything plus you can get additional $60 off till the 1st of Feb. They did,nt have any in stock in 17 inch. It has to be ordered.Thanks God I did'nt order any. After looking at all these posts it seems like that Turanza are the favourtes. And I think so they are cheaper too.
    Do you guys know the exact model # so I can check it out if Costco carries it.
    But one thing I dont get it. If you look at tirerack Mich.Pilot has got the highest ratings in all the departments.

    Krystal
  • jtuotijtuoti Member Posts: 12
    Hi everyone, I just bought a '98 LS400 one owner from a client and am incredibly excited. It's Antique Silver w/grey leather and has every option (Nav/Phone/Gold package, etc.) except for Nakamichi of course, because of the Nav. The best part is it only has 21,000 miles and is in mint shape...just beautiful and drives like a dream.

    I've read through most of the previous posts in my post-buy euphoria and appreciate the knowledge and helpfulness displayed here. I do have one question mixed in with my giddyness. Do you recommend purchasing a warranty through Lexus (where it's been maintained 100%) or aftermarket? I'm not even sure if Lexus offers a warranty since it's 6 years old.

    Appreciate your thoughts.
  • edspider1edspider1 Member Posts: 195
    I read that some people actually switch tires for the winter. Where do you get this done? I ask this because if I my dealer does it, somehow I have to cart off and store a set of tires. What's it cost? Do you change the wheels or just the rubber? Where do you store the other set?
  • aggie76aggie76 Member Posts: 266
    My local tire dealer does it for me and he didn't even sell me the snow tires. I got the tires through Tire Rack and had them delivered to the tire dealer directly. The dealer stores them without charge for me. I have since bought a new set of tires directly from him, at Tire Rack pricing, and he exchanges them without cost each time.
  • rcf8000rcf8000 Member Posts: 619
    Turanza is only the favorite if you have 16 inch wheels. Costco doesn't carry Turanza ER33s, for 17 inch wheels, I know that. According to what they told me, Bridgestone limits the models they can get. I was told that Costco's main brand is Michelin. I got my Michelin Pilot Sport A/Ss from Discount Tire. They seem to be competitive with Costco and not too different from Tire Rack, all factors considered. Discount Tire doesn't carry Bridgestone at all.
  • chicagoedchicagoed Member Posts: 69
    I was offered chrome wheels which were to be aftermarket chromed by someone other than Lexus. I declined. My dealer has now ordered a set from Lexus Parts, and I hope these are "factory" chromes.
  • wbwynnwbwynn Member Posts: 246
    I have the ER33 Turanzas and love them. The roads I travel in the Carolinas and Virginia are really good roads in general. I do not consider myself a "tire expert", but the handling, grip, and quiet of the ER33s suits me just fine...in fact, I insisted on them for my second set on my 01' LS430. I am sure that different tires suit other areas of the U.S. better.

    By the way...GO PANTHERS!!!
  • bluestar1bluestar1 Member Posts: 112
    Congrats on the purchase. The factory warranty on powertrain is 6yr/70K miles, so you may still have a bit on the year side, depending on when yours was first purchased.

    If it's my money, I'd rather save it than get an AM warranty for a car with only 21K miles. I don't care how many years it's been in use, that is a low-miler car. It should last you like, forever.... :) Just drive the car and enjoy it.

    I have a '99 loaded just like yours with phone/Nav/HID, the works. I have 76K miles and it still drives like it just came off the factory line. Of course, it has never missed its scheduled maintainance. That, imo, is the key to longevity.... Oh, there is a TSB on the '98 for the outside mirror when in Reverse. Make sure you take it to the dealership ASAP to have this changed regardless if they say otherwise. Better to be safe than sorry. If you don't fix it now, it will cost you close to $600 for each mirror if it malfunctions and doesn't tilt down in "R" as it should. That should be it.

    Enjoy yours, I am certainly enjoying mine.
  • jaymkjaymk Member Posts: 86
    So whats the verdict?
    Any recommendations on where to get the Turanza?

    I was in Dallas and checked couple of dealers but nobody has the Ultra Package in stock.
    Is it possible for us to see on the dealers website what vehicles they have it in stock. I know we can check the Preowned inventory but I was not able to see the new car list.
    Krystal
  • jtuotijtuoti Member Posts: 12
    Thanks for the kind words and advice...appreciate the tip on the TSB as well! Jon
  • eman5eman5 Member Posts: 110
    Does this still require that dark (ugly, IMHO) wood?
  • edspider1edspider1 Member Posts: 195
    They dropped those bizzare wood tints that came out with the original ultra in 2001. The new ultra has very nice rich warm wood colors. Black gets the new antique walnut which is looks great.
  • whathillwhathill Member Posts: 9
    Consumers Reports had a article rating performance all-season tires in its November issue. They picked the "Falken Ziex ZE 512" tire as the top rated followed by the "Turanza LS-H". I installed their 6th rated tires "Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus" tires on my 17" rims in December and like them a lot. Good handling, very quiet - as quiet or more as the original Dunlops. All three of the above tires were rated "very quiet".
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Edmunds has just posted it's Follow-Up test on the 2004 LS 430. You can access it via the Helpful Links box on the left side of the page.

    What do you think?
  • bluestar1bluestar1 Member Posts: 112
    This is kinda interesting news about the LS, a salesman and a car-jacker....

    http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20040129-9999_2m29carjac- k.html

    How many owners have a tracking device on theirs ? May be a useful thing to have afterall...
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    One brave and loyal salesman and one dumb thief. He should have read the board beforehand and known about all the complaints about the Lexus link message. He probably didn't have a clue about the famous "your Lexus link is active" message.
  • edspider1edspider1 Member Posts: 195
    Didn't they Lexus Link for the 2004 model year?
  • mfullmermfullmer Member Posts: 773
    on all 2004 Lexus models. Lexus link is just a rebranded version of OnStar. Unfortunately Lexus chose to program in that "Your Lexus link is Active/Unactive" message. When you didn't renew you'd get the offer to renew every time you'd start the car, which of course incited many complaints.

    Now, they figure if you want to pay for the option, you'll renew and not have to worry about it.

    Personally, I've found the whole service obsolete these days which cell phones, auto clubs and now with the SmartKey technology. I've had it on three GM vehicles and elected not to renew after the first year.
  • rcf8000rcf8000 Member Posts: 619
    It's not listed as an available option for the LS430 on lexus.com.
  • edspider1edspider1 Member Posts: 195
    I know it's really OnStar, but my dealer could not find it listed and we didn't see any Lexus Link buttons on the head liner in an Ultra. The dealer said it wasn't available on 2004 models. His story is so few people renewed subscriptions that it wasn't worth continue to offer.

    I paid for it for 3 years and used it once for a flat tire. I won't miss it. I'll just use my bluetooth cell phone :)
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    It's supposedly only on the Ultras.
  • mfullmermfullmer Member Posts: 773
    They originally made it as an available option but dropped it later. My dealer has one as a demo ('04 Ultra with LL and dealer installed XM) but they can't even order them anymore with it.

    Having had 3 OnStar systems, I wasn't upset. Good riddence!
  • wbwynnwbwynn Member Posts: 246
    Agree wholeheartedly...kill this useless nonsense. Also, take the non-disclaimer voice & touch requirement off the NAV too. Enough is enough. You just don't need this...put the the expense toward better use. This is the one thing that keeps my LS from a perfect 10. But, the car is just so good I still would drive nothing else...maybe a GX just to sit a little higher until the LS500!
  • edspider1edspider1 Member Posts: 195
    My only issue with my LS is the climate controlled seats. On paper the feature looks great, but I'd much rather have traditional heating elements. I find they only warm the seat. I miss the heating pad comfort and rapid heat of my past cars. Am I alone?
  • rgswrgsw Member Posts: 333
    Yes, I have noticed a definite delay in the heating of the new Climate Control Seats in the 2004 LS430. I rode in a new ES300 recently and they heated up almost immediately; however they are not climate controlled. I do enjoy the cooling feature of the Climate Controlled seats and use that feature a lot. I did have my seats checked at the dealer and they are heating normal. There is a unit under the seat that blows either hot or cold air depending on the selection knob position. No wires in the seats, just holes in the leather.
  • tdo123tdo123 Member Posts: 102
    One last comment, I have tested both the Turanza's and the Pilot's. No comparison. The Pilots are much more quite and allow the car to corner 10x better. In fact, they have been tremendous in the snow as well. I am not kidding, when I say that with the Pilot's on the car, it is a whole new car. I would go with the Pilot A/S 17's.
  • chicagoedchicagoed Member Posts: 69
    Got my new LS430 on 1/28 and haven't driven it very much because of the weather. Reactions in comparison to the 2001 Cadillac DHS I had:
     
    The LS has a firmer, less floaty ride - glad I didn't opt for the Euro suspension. But the LS ride is superior in terms of quietness and a smooth shifting transmission. The Lexus has more power, and is much quieter in using it. The Cadillac had more body noises on bumps, the Lexus is QUIET.
     
    Two disappointments:
    1. I've had "retained accessory power" in Cadillacs for a decade - Lexus surprisingly doesn't have it. That's where you can operate accessories like audio for up to ten minutes after turning off the key (and removing it), provided a door is not opened. The Lexus is instant off.
     
    2. Re: CD playing - When playing randomized tracks in the Cadillac and you would go back one song you would replay the actual last one played: Convenient! In the Lexus it backs up one track number, which is usually NOT the one last played when doing randomized. Inconvenient!
     
    I think Cadillac has more advanced electronics. With Cadillac there were a bunch of user-programmable options that on Lexus have to be done by the dealer. And when I went to the dealer to have one reprogrammed (that the owner's manual says is reprogrammable) they had no information about it, but promised to find out. Also Cadillac's driver information displays were more extensive and their tire pressure monitor really monitored and displayed the tire pressure in PSI, whereas Lexus relies on the detection of a speed difference (smaller radius) in a low-pressure wheel, but even so still doesn't reveal which one is turning too fast.
  • bluestar1bluestar1 Member Posts: 112
    Caddy or Lexus ? Which would you rather be driving ???
  • cheapownercheapowner Member Posts: 47
    Any online store sells this?

    Since there's no factory door edge guards and mud flaps, I am thinking about using 1" tape for door edge and wider one for lower body, bumpers and hood (maybe headlights, too).
  • maxhonda99maxhonda99 Member Posts: 1,289
    www.xpel.com
Sign In or Register to comment.

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.