Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Separately, I am working with Lexus_parts.com to determine how to get the v.4.2 update. I guess there were a lot of errors in the v.4.1 database so Lexus will replace it for free. So now I'm trying to figure out how to do that since I purchased v.4.1 on line and installed it myself. Stay tuned.
If you have an LS 430 with DVD version 4.2, then you'll need to get a free update from your Lexus dealer.
(white, black, black cherry (purple), briarwood (pearlized bronze), silver, Cypress pearl (light green).
I know it is subjective, but I'm about to buy one and I'd love to hear all of your thoughts.
Thanks!
It looks extra special debadged and with gold center BBS-RS 3-pc wheels.
But in the end, color is a very personal choice. Nevertheless, some colors affect resale values. Try going to the used car appraisal section of this site and appraise a 2004 LS with different colors and see what happens to the price. It's a very interesting exercise.
I entered San Francisco and got 2976 miles with 177 miles of toll roads even as I selected no toll. The NAV estimated 50 hours and 14 minutes. Are they kidding? That's 60 MPH ! That's crazy!
'03 LS, blk cherry/ecru
Many compliments, somewhat rare in S.W. FL.
Wish Lexus would offer more colors, especially non-metallic ones.
Even I would consider a two-tone if well done, not color bands like early LS. More like the Maybach by
M-B, have you seen one?
Even Ford and Dodge trucks have some pleasant new
tones.
jmho+2cents, what do you think?
I often have to resort to ebay to get a more realistic look at the colors.
I apologize for not responding to your post a while back. I was away on vacation until yesterday. The dealer informed me yesterday that the new Navigation System upgrade (Version 4.2) was in. They picked up my car at work this morning, installed the 4.2 and brought it back by 1:00PM. In testing it this afternoon, the new version seems to be working perfectly. I noticed that streets in my neighborhood that version 4.1 had wrong are now corrected and it actually takes me home by telling me to turn at the correct streets rather than a couple of ficticious streets in the previous version.
Frustrating, isn't it ? Seemed like here in So Cal, you are either driving very fast (over speed limit) or very slow (way under speed limit) due to the traffic here. I live 8 miles from my office, no freeways in-between, yet it takes me 30 minutes, on good days..... Prior to this, I used to live about 28 miles away, two freeways in-between, and 1.5 hrs later I am home or in my office
Now it's only 8 miles....
Crystal White Exterior/Cashmere Interior with the Modern Luxury Package and Smart Access.
I was not expecting to lease the vehicle so soon BUT.. I just happened to inquire to a dealer who needed an extra sale for November and they gave me, quite simply, an offer I could not refuse.
They DROVE the vehicle to my house (an hour's drive) did the presentation in my driveway and the paper work in my dining room table.
I leased for 36 months/12K miles per year $697 per month (plus tax) with $1650 total due at signing (including first payment). I'll list the full details (cap cost/residual/money factor/etc) in the "LS prices paid" forum soon in case anyone is interested.
I am in awe of the level of service and the ease of the transaction. I am also in awe of this vehicle. Smooth. powerful, elegant... my goodness is this a special car.
Looking forward to three years of carefree driving in PURE luxury!!!
And please allow me to give a quick thanks to all of the posters in this forum. You have all been very helpful in presenting "real world" experiences that helped me decide on a vehicle. I 've been lurking around for years with just an occasional post on this forum.
Now I can actually post as an actual owner..
So, I guess no motorbike purchase or ride lies in my future.
It's a phenomenal car as you are already realizing. The bad news is that it's going to be very hard to accept anything else in the future - regardless of price - because it is that phenomenal. In my opinion it remains the best lux car in the world under $100k and maybe over $100K as well. But I haven't driven the latter so I can't say for sure. That is a great deal that you got as well. Can't come close to that around here. Residuals are holding up very strong on the LS which is great for the leasing crowd.
I could not believe the deal was real until I was sitting at my dining room table signing the contracts. These fellas must've really needed an extra sale for November.
I guess it comes down to luck... finding the right car at the right time at the right dealership.
When the sales rep offered to deliver the vehicle to my doorstep (an hour away) I almost fell out of my chair!
Congrats on what sounds like a great deal and a great car - hope you'll hang around and share your ownership experiences.
For everyone - the Rules of the Road linked at the top of the page provide a clear and easy to read set of guidelines.
And you can always email your host if have other questions!
This is the first Lexus I buy as my own personal vehicle and daily driver. I don't think I'll regret it!
I've been playing around with the interior... every button, every switch, has such a high quality feel to it. For example, pull down on the hand holds and release... they SLOWLY glide back into position. Need to open the coin holder? Push the little button and it gently pulls open.
I'm like a giddy little kid on Christmas morning. This is wonderfully ridiculous!!!
It truly is an awesome car to own.
Here I am one month later and I am still figuring out things about the car (and the manual is still on my nightstand for late night browsing). For instance, I discovered that you can re-program the Smart Key to open all doors (instead of just the driver's door) when you touch the driver's door. I had been led to believe that this was something that had to be done by the dealer, but that is not the case. See p. 30 of the manual.
Michael - with your expert knowledge on this car that one surprised me. It is a great asset for near sunset driving particularly as you ascend and descend bridges.
Gteach - the heated/cooled seats need someone sitting in them to work. Put a great CD in that ML and accelerate to 70-80 and you'll feel like the king of the world. Just make sure there aren't any troopers around.
One thing to look out for though is that the headlights don't shut off if you leave a door open. So double check those in your garage. Someone posted that a long time ago here and I noticed it one day when I was taking a package out of the rear seat and failed to close the door. Came out two hours later to walk the dog and the garage was well lit from my headlights. Perhaps they fixed this small blemish on the 2005. But the door closers will always shut a door that is left ever so slightly open if you have them. But they may only be on customs and ultras.
By the way what is your all in lease with sales tax?
Still the same on the 2005. I find the trunk lid to be the culprit more than the doors. My wife has run the battery down on the SC twice in 6 mos because of the trunk lid. It doesn't have a power pull down (probably to avoid damaging the roof if it's retracted and something is on top of it) and if it's the least bit up the light stays on. If it fails to catch fully or, given the miniscule lift you get when you use the remote, if you accidently hit the trunk button it can be impossible to see. With the two identical Lexus keys (when I still had the 2001 LS) it was easy to use the wrong key. I am now in the habit of pulling up on the trunk to make sure it's closed everytime it's opened. I don't know why the light switch can't turn off when the trunk (or doors)is within a half-inch or so of fully closed or there can't be a time out function after 15 minutes or so.
I found the seat compartments... great place for knick knacks.... I have not found the rear view mirror sunshade you guys are talking about. The rear WINDOW has a power sunshade but not the rearview MIRROR.. correct?
I'll be poking through the manual for weeks to come! By the time I figure it all out I'll have to turn this baby in!
Oh, and, I WILL be getting a speeding ticket in this car.. I can smell that already.
36 mos. 12k miles per yr
$735 per month (includes tax)
$4000 at inception (includes 1st month, bank fee, security, registration and tags and cap. cost of $1500)
My office is only 6 miles from my house but I've already managed to put almost 200 miles on the odometer just driving around. The ride home from work last night took an hour....Can't wait to play around with all the toys this weekend.
Okay... I have a couple of questions that the manual hasn't helped me out on...
1. Is there a way to set up Smart Access to lock the doors automatically upon leaving the vehicle without pressing the black button on the door handle? (The epitome of laziness, I know, but I'd like to set it up that way if possible.).
and
2. Twice now I've had a hard time turning the starter knob to start the car. It seems to get locked and I have to jiggle the steering wheel back and forth and try a few times to start the car. Normal?
Oh, and I found the rearview mirror sunshade.. Oh boy!!
Thanks!!
Also... I've posted all of my lease details in the "LS prices paid board" in case anybody cares.
2. Happened a few times to me at the beginning but hasn't happened in a long time now. It's a function of how you parked.
http://www.auto-report.net/index.html?tm200402.html
Check out the engine specs including the hybrid versions.... I am tempted to say that the LS may simply run on the 450h motor, maybe in the same mold as the RX400h.
I sure hope you are right, Len, with the timetable and highlights of the next LS.
Remember to push the key inward before turning.
Figure it will be, altogether, cheaper that renting a car that may not be my choice.
2 Smart Key 3 18-inch all-season tires