Lexus LS 400/LS 430

topspin628 · April 2004

I am considering a new LS 430 and would appreciate some advice. Can someone tell me the difference between the Sport Suspension and the standard set up when it comes to real world commuting. Is it markedly different? I am coming from a BMW so I am inclined to a bit more handling.

How does this car handle snow and ice? I live in the North East and for my bimmer I put on winter tires which made a huge difference. The car actually became good in the snow. Does anyone have experience switching to winter tires?

I loved the quality of the car, the interior is fantastic and the stereo is second to none. My only 2 concerns other than the bad weather driving are: 1) The seats- they felt a bit soft for me and I was concerned that in long drives that may not be as supportive as the firmer sport seats on my bimmer which are great. 2) The steering which is much lighter than I'm used to with the Euro cars.

Thank you for any and all opinions.

jfz · April 2004

I went from a 2000 E320 to the '04 LS430. After 6000 miles in 4 months, these are my impressions.
    Winter driving with Dunlap winter tires is good. At the time that I got my car, TireRack was out of Blizzaks. Both the LS and the previous E320 were stable enough that I would not consider AWD. The E had a slight advantage in lateral stability on icy surfaces. But this may be due to the Blizzaks vs. the Dunlaps.
    In warmer weather, I have increased the tire pressure to 36 psi all around. The handling is a bit sharper, wet traction is improved, and strong cross winds are less noticeable. Very few, if any, of the sport suspensions with 18" wheels are sold in the midwest. The tire wear is terrible, and our potholes eat rims for breakfast.
My purely subjective opinion is that the standard 17" wheel looks great. I think the higher tire pressure achieves most of the handling characterists that you would be looking for with the sport suspension.
    The seats have been the hardest feature of my LS. The heating/cooling option is great. The support seems much worse that that of the E320, even with the 2-level lumbar support. I have more recently observed that the support of the LS is better with the lower cushion retracted to the shorter length.

gteach26 · April 2004

If the autospies source is to be believed, the LS500 is not coming out until 2008.

http://www.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=2884&cat- egoryId=1

ljflx · April 2004

The euro suspension will handle better but jfz is right in that the 17" tires have already improved the handling. I put z rated Dunlops on my 2001 and noticed much better road grip than the tires that came with the car. If you are coming from BMW than you would want at a minimum the high performance tires (they don't compromise the great ride) and probably the euro sport suspension. I don't find any RWD cars to be all that good on snow unless you put snow tires on them. Even the AWD's from MB and Audi need the snows to be truly effecive. The LS430 is average but the snow setting does help a bit. I'm the opposite of you guys on seats. I'm used to Lexus seats and find them more comfortable then the German car seats.

gteach - Lexus/Clements has already stated publicly that all cars (not SUV's)will be re-designed by MY 2007. The LS is on a 6 year cycle - refresh after 3 years; re-design after 6. It fits perfectly with 3 year lease deals as well as they don't want to be selling and old model to the first and fourth year lease takers since these are typically the biggest volume sale years. The vehichle I'm in the dark about is the LX470.

syswei · April 2004

My memory of Clements' comment is that he said everything would be new by the spring of 2007, which leaves open the possibility of a MY2008 new LS.

ljflx · April 2004

Autospies should have waited till Motor Trend came out. PG 39 shows sketch of 2007 LS and IS coupe. Per the mag there will be a LWB version as well as the current wheelbase. No mention on engines and I'm sure Lexus will keep everyone in the dark on that. They also say the HPX will be built. What took Lexus so long? That thing has big winner written all over it. The next LS looks spectacular. IS - looks good but it's not my focus but supposedly it will get a v8 option. The LS may blow you away (its an enhanced and better looking LF-S to my eyes) and its the sketch you will remember from this page.

It does seem that the next GS is well liked. I will have to see this car. Too bad I missed the NY auto show.

gteach26 · April 2004

Just after I read the autospies link I opened the Motor Trend I just got in the mail and saw the pic ljflx just mentioned. Looks like a very nice car. I like the tag line at the top of the page: "Why other automakers are afraid"

ljflx · April 2004

How about "Lexus on the warpath" as the lead in? These statements about lack of passion are about to come to an abrupt end.

syswei · April 2004

MT is the one I don't get, I always felt the reviews were too gushy and insubstantial, as if written from the manufacturer's press releases and without even test-driving the cars.

eman5 · May 2004

Anyone heard anything about Lexus getting Sirius as OEM?

michael_mattox · May 2004

I have been thinking about having Mud Guards put on my LS 430 (01), anybody here have them? how do you like the look? do they stop that mud spray on the body? Do you recall how much they cost installed.

lexusguy · May 2004

I actually stopped reading Motortrend because it seemed to me like they were getting biased towards domestic manufacturers. Several issues were devoted to "American V8 Power!" And they did a huge like 6 page story on the Chevy SS concept that never went anywhere, plus there were reviews of generally boring GM cars that none of the other automags would touch. What really annoyed me though is a news story they ran about Ford and GM running M-B and BMW off the road on reliability. Ok maybe they have improved a bit past the European brands, but then the story said "domestic quality MIGHT be a teeny tiny bit behind Japan". Excuse me, might be? Are they blind? Its not even close.

ljflx · May 2004

NEW LS as early as 2006?? Check link below - news section. This jives with info I was getting earlier that Lexus didn't want MB to have much of a headstart with the next gen S-class. But the slant I was getting was spring 2006 as a 2007 model. A redesigned 2006 LS would be a real smart move by Lexus as there are a lot of MB S lease renewals for 2006 and a hybrid LS with bolder styling will tempt many an S-class buyer. The scariest word in that news section is "exclusive". Exclusive translates to big demand and big demand means higher prices and wait lists. Personally - I think Lexus is going to blow the cover off the ball with these hybrids and redesigned cars.

First Motor Trend and now Consumers - so much for the garbage out of autospies.

http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/new/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/- - - - - - - - 37672

oac · May 2004

I had to sit upright to read your post. Then went to the link and read through it, actually let it soak in. Then I exhaled.....

OK. Now feel better already. This talk of an '06 LS is the first anyone has ever speculated. How can that be ? All I've seen (cannot find the June MT yet on newstands around here, so I am still waiting to see their report on the new LS redo) is the 2006 GS redesign, and now wham, a 2006 LS redesign ??? I noticed that CG used a lot of *should*, *maybe*, *perhaps*, and other unsure verbage that leaves me wondering how much to trust this information. If there is a redesigned 2006 LS, you betcha I will be waiting for one. It will please me no end for an early release of the LS, but I don't want to get my hopes up on uncertifiable information such as in this article.

ljflx · May 2004

CR is deadly accurate. The speculation wasn't about the year - only the engine features and I'd expect Lexus to be real quiet about that stuff. I still think its a 2007 but boy did this lend crecedence to the early spring 2006 debut that the dealer told me about several months ago. But then he backed off of it and was unsure. My opinion is that if its a 2007 it will be here long before September. But again CR didn't put any questions marks on it being a 2006 and 2006 is a real smart business move to fight the S-class. My gut feeling has been that Lexus wants to lead the world event with the LS. Its the car that made them in the US in 1989/90. It's the car they owe everything to. Where's our buddy lenscap? He's usually on top of this stuff. By the way note that the CR update is 4/15 - so this data may be very fresh.

Let's see what happens. I'll ask when I bring the GX in next month. Reading board materials keeps me up too late.

syswei · May 2004

Thanks for that link, that article is a nice find. I hope it prove accurate!

lexusguy · May 2004

There is a ton of Lexus rumors around now. First the GS\LS "GT" cars, and now this '06 redesign. It certainly does appear that Lexus is getting tired of being bashed as "cushy and boring" and is taking off the gloves. I cant wait.

ljflx · May 2004

It makes sense that a new V8 or a more powerful V8 hybrid should debut in the LS not the GS. It always works top down. Thus as I think about it I think there is a likelihood that the LS debuts before the GS V8. Could mean that the 2006 LS is a September or December entrant and the GS V8 comes out at the same time. Maybe until then we get just the V6 GS and an old engine V8 for the GS. But it does seem to add up that the next LS is a 2006. So do we get the IS in 2005, the LS, GS and HPX in 2006 and a super LS plus the $150K super car as well as a new ES and SC 2+2in 2007? If I'm Lexus I do it that way and let the tuning arm show up in 2007 for every car. These are going to be fun times at the lux end. Lexus became #1 in sales with the gloves on. Now the gloves are coming off and the "easy" days of competing with them are about to end.

milsuperdoc · May 2004

I posed the same question some time ago, and I was not successful in getting any reply from other members in this forum. I applied 5 coats of Zaino polish instead. The road debris and mud splash on the body panels seem to wipe off extremely easy after Zaino. I'm still searching for some mudguards for my 2004 LS430 that is tastefully designed.

Good luck,

JP

ljflx · May 2004

The only mud guards I've ever seen on an LS were on an LS400 as part of an after market AMG type of sports package which included heavily tinted windows all around. The car looked great but since the mud guards were part of the whole package I'm not sure how well they would have looked by themselves.

Have you asked the Lexus dealer? I know my dealer will hook you up with or recommend after market product and service businesses.

oac · May 2004

Saw the June MT article. Those sketches of the new IS and LS are stunningly beautiful. I sure hope Lexus builds them "as is". But here is the conflict: MT says 2007 LS, CG says 2006 LS. Who is right ? Me, I speculate new LS available by spring 2006, badged as an MY 2007 release. That would be in line with its 6-yr redesign cycle. As the market warms up to the 2006 GS and 2006 IS, anticipation will build to a crescendo for what the LS will be. That will be a market coup for Lexus, just to see how much interest the new redos for the IS and GS perform, will give them a sign of what to come with the new LS. That is why I think the new LS will be after the IS and GS releases... Just a hunch tho'

michael_mattox · May 2004

My dealer found them but the price is outragous around $900 for a set of 4....I think in Canada?

I found a couple of sources in the Lexus owners club (look under mud guards) ....Also a picture of a 430 with them installed (worth a look)...I think they look really nice and I hate the mud splatter around the back of the wheel wells. (I live in The Seattle area)

According to the owners club I should be able to get them for about $250....I have sent an E-mail to one source and have not received a reply..Will make some calls tomorrow.

My understanding is they can only be gotten as a special order from Japan or in Canada but the Canadian one's I believe are expensive. I'll check a couple of dealers up there.

They put mud guards on their suv's and they are relative cheap..I think a $150 option.

topspin628 · May 2004

Here's an interesting question. If both autos could fit your lifestyle (in other words, space was not a necessity but just a comfort choice) which of these would you opt for? The prices are similar, I believe.

I am considering both and could live with the smaller tighter quarters of the SC but am curious as to one year down the road which car would be more enjoyable. The LS for sure seems to offer more in quantity, space, gadgets etc. while the SC is a unique bird.

Also, I would imagine that both would do OK in the winter with the right tire set up.

By the way, so many comparisons for cars are done by category, sport, lux etc. that I for one would find it interesting to see a comparison based on price. That is, if you had 30,40,50, 60K to spend on any car, which would you choose and why?
Knowing of course that each category is a compromise in some area.

ljflx · May 2004

Knew you'd like the MT sketch and it is very much the LF-S concept. It may not be the actual concept they built but its definitely a stretched version.

My feeling is Lexus will be much more true to the concept with the LS than the GS because the LS is the foundation of the brand.

Just my opinion - but maybe the GS was delayed (and modified from the LF-S) and the LS being moved up (per Consumers gude) is tied to Lexus wanting to lead with the LS - just like 1989/90. Remember the GS was supposed to be a 2005 car originally. Even though the GS was altered and took cues from the LF-S - instead of being a replica of the car - it seems to be getting a lot of approvals and raves from the mags. My cousin saw it and said it was a stunning car - far better than the pix.

Think about this - originally it was said the LF-S would be the next GS. But then Lexus modified the position saying that the LF-S was a car from which future Lexi would take styling cues. Hence it was not a concept at all. Many have missed that point but I've read it a few times including recently in Lexus magazine. Why the change in the concepts genesis and the push back of the GS? Has to be the LS. It's logical that you can't have an old gen LS around when you have a new gen GS around and the body style change represents an entire new direction of the brand. If it was business as usual - sure. But a changing of the guard and worldwide branding - you go with what got you here. On top of that you have the engine issue. Lexus has been dead silent about the bigger V8 on the GS. Do you go a year with the GS having a newer and better (big) engine than an LS? Bad decision. Do you keep the old engine in a newly defined car. Bad decision again unless you have a helluva marketing spin on it. Do you put that new engine in an old body LS. A middle ground decision but it is only on the good side if it's a hybrid. I'm sure this is all part of Lexus operational and marketing discussions and planning right now and some of the mags internal sources may have different views of the decisions to be made. Thus you may be seeing some mags holding to the original 2007 planned LS and some pointing to the 2006 MY until Lexus makes a final decision. As for our friends at autospies - they seem to be in another arena with the car being a 2008 - or maybe someone mistook a 6 for an 8 when they read someone else's literature.

ljflx · May 2004

Where you live has to play a role,. The SC is horrendous in snow. The SC, like an MB SL, is really a niche specialty car to me. It's ideal as a toy car to use occassionally and on weekends.

ljflx · May 2004

The Lexus suv's come standard with mud guards. They are high quality ones as I have them on my GX and they were on my old LX. Are these the ones you would get? Also are you doing them all around or just on the rear tires?

ljflx · May 2004

I like the look. What color is your LS? Mudguards to me alwasy look best on medium to dark colors.

wwest · May 2004

being BUTT UGLY, the SC haven't exactly been a star in the Lexus stable, for instance where is the SC330 Lexus promised years ago?

michael_mattox · May 2004

a Black on Black 01...Hard to keep clean...Mud Guards would help

ljflx · May 2004

That's my 2004. Should look great in that color.

wwest - did you get an RX330?

gteach26 · May 2004

The newest Automobile Magazine (pg. 32) is reporting the new ("super-Lexus")LS is due out in August 2006.

We'll see....

rcf8000 · May 2004

My wife drives an SC and I drive an LS, so I can speak from experience. I drive the SC occasionally, and it is more fun to drive than the LS. However, I find it rather cramped; I would never consider taking a long trip in it. My wife is small, so she finds it to be perfect for her. She uses it almost exclusively for around town trips.

ljflx · May 2004

Saw that today and if true almost confirms the next LS is a 2006. You would expect that the super LS will arrive after the basic LS not before it. If that LS is made they will have a 600+ HP version of the LS with high performance, AWD and high MPG. I don't need that power but its obvious Lexus wants the halo effects and may go to the top rung of the latter real quick in the super $100k+ sedan area. The basic LS we get will be awesome enough for me.

Remember the scene in Superman II where the cab driver looks at the fight about to develop between superman and the super villains. His words "this is gonna be good" probably aptly develops the battle that is starting to shape up at the high end. I'm not painting anyone as good or bad here. But all this innovation and forced competition is great for the customers.

wwest · May 2004

If you look closely at that scene you will realize that the cab is the one that was damaged at the beginning of the movie when it ran into Clark as he crossed the street.

Pure camp.

But damn good movie.

anthonyp · May 2004

How about help me out with the tire replacement on my ls430.?.I woild like quietness. I figure after your trip to Memphis you may need new tires also Tony ps barbeque season is approaching

topspin628 · May 2004

Does anyone have or seen the saddle interior. You can build one on line with Black ext.

I was very impressed with this combination on the SC and wonder if it's just as striking on the larger LS.

wwest · May 2004

I would still stick with the Bridgestone Turanzas. But be careful, Lexus has their own tread pattern on some models of tire, but sure and not get that one.

Memphis was by air this time, via Daytona, Tampa, and then Memphis. Cars were DNF at Daytona this year, back to Porsche next year.

go_mdx1 · May 2004

Hi All,

Question on the Navigation Systems....

I understand major improvements were made to the Points of Interests (POI) and street mappings in the 2004 model's NAV system. Does anyone know if the NAV upgrades were JUST software OR did the hardware also get upgraded?? I talked to a Lexus sales guy who said BOTH were upgraded and that getting the 2004 DVD would not improve these areas in a 2003 model. Of course, I think he was motivated for me to purchase a 2004 model!!!

Thanks folks!!!

anthonyp · May 2004

Thank You---Now let me get this streight..Bridgestone Turanzas, but don`t get the Lexus designed tread..What would I ask for, Turanza as it comes normally? Thanks Tony

wwest · May 2004

will understand what I mean.

The bridgestone tread design is optimized for low noise, Supercomputer calculations, don't know why Lexus doesn't use it.

Cheaper purchase price??

pat · May 2004

For everyone's info, the Town Hall has a new discussion for our members to ask questions directly of a Tire Rack rep - if you're interested, check out this link: Ask Connor at The Tire Rack.

chasfj · May 2004

I asked the Master Tech at my dealer the same question. He says the NAV in the '04 LS is updated hardware and software. The software on the DVD will not work in pre-2004 NAV systems.

rcf8000 · May 2004

I looked at new LS430s today, and asked my sales person about the cost of XM radio. She didn't know, but she asked another sales person, who said $1500, approximately. Meanwhile, she had put in a request for the information to the parts department, who came back with about $600. Amazing. What have any of you who have it paid? How happy with it are you? Incidentally, I think the black antenna on the side of the trunk lid for XM radio is seriously ugly. Even the Honda Accord has a body colored antenna, centered at the top of the rear window.

jamesfletcher2 · May 2004

I am amazed that nobody has said this before but IMO (and many other I know) mud flaps are super ugly on cars (especially luxury cars). These things are a plague that polyester-clad Nissan and Infinity dealers order to get a few extra bucks on their invoices.

I can't imagine putting them on a LS - or MB, BMW, Jag, etc for that matter. Buy a SUV or pick-up if you love mud flaps.

rgsw · May 2004

I have a dealer installed "Toyota" XM Radio receiver certified for the LS430. Installed price including tax $762. I thought it was a little pricy; however, it does work through the NAV system like a champ, sounds great, and has an excellent selection available. It beats the heck out of the after market device that would have been installed somewhere and play thru the radio with a stick on channel selector. That's why I refused to buy one for the 2003 LS430. I hardly ever play the CD. There is a slight fee to subscribe and monthy payment paid to XM Radio. Agree the black antenna they installed on the side of the trunk lid is ugly. I wrote Lexus Hq about it and got a kind reply that they would pass my comments on to the proper management authority. A picture of the "ugly" antenna is shown at the following URL. http://1stclass.mylargescale.com/RGSW/XM%20Antenna%202%20SM.JPG

michael_mattox · May 2004

We are talking Mud Guards and not Mud Flaps...If you go to the Lexus owners club site and search mud guards you will find a picture of a car with them...I think it looks great but that is not why I want them. (I would give you the URL but the Host has already jumped me for giving it eariler)

If you own an LS430 and live in a place where it rains, you will know why I want them.

rcf8000 · May 2004

That's the antenna I saw all right. Thanks for the info.

jester_monk1 · May 2004

Picked up my new car last Thursday. Modern Lux, with Sport suspension. Cypress pearl, cashmere interior. Love the color.

This is an awesome car! Virtually everything in this car is so well thought out. Love the ride. I did not have an opportunity to drive Sports version prior to ordering, and was concerned that it may either be too harsh a ride, or too soft. It is just right for me (used to own GS400 before).

I have managed to lay my hands on a Verizon phone with BlueTooth and it works well. Have not been able to upload my phone directory. Lexus doesn't allow you to type in phone entries directly (it must be uploaded) which is annoying. The voice quality is very good.

Stereo is awesome. Love smart access. reverse camera and park assist is well done.

This car is not a head turner. But little do people know the comfort you are travelling in inside!

My choice was between this and 745. Finally came down to the ride, Bluetooth, $20K, better reliability, and the interior being so well thought out.

ljflx · May 2004

What Verizon blue tooth phone do you have? I inquired a few weeks ago and got an e-mail message from Verizon that they havn't implemented bluetooth technology yet. Someone posted a Verizon e-mail and it was the same one I got.

edspider1 · May 2004

Custom/Ultra trims include water repellent windshield glass. I found out how great this feature was the hard way. When I took delivery there was a small scratch on the inside windshield. The dealer installed a new one a couple of days later. Yesterday it rained hard and I noticed the wipers seemed to not be working as well I was used to. I paid a visit to the dealer who just played dumb saying he thought all LS 430s had the same windshield. I had to drag him to parking lot with a glass of water. He was still skeptical, so I showed him the sticker of a premium and an ultra. I think he now believes me, but he'll have to get back to me on what they can do. He claims there is only one part number for windshields.

I'm confident Lexus will make good.

Lexus LS 400/LS 430

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