Lexus LS 400/LS 430

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Comments

  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    On the table just behind me as I write this is a wireless remote and relay. It was intended for being able to turn on driving lights with the remote without wiring through the firewall for a new switch.

    I plan to use it to open/close the door switch for the Nav DVD. If the Nav DVD door is "open" then you never see the message. So if I want to actaully use the DVD I can actuate the remote button and a few minutes later (it takes a few minutes to read the DVD and restart the nav once the door is "closed") I have Nav available.

    The relay, "dvd door switch", will default to "open" each time I restart the vehicle.

    What am I bid for replicas??
  • stevesteinstevestein Member Posts: 263
    As I said, you go where Lexus techs fear to go..
    just reprogram the thing, it's probably in some form of C, and then burn a new DVD!
  • gteach26gteach26 Member Posts: 576
    Does that silly "I agree" screen REALLY limit Lexus liability?

    Also... I got the LS tinted today WITH metallic tints. The installer said metallic tints are of higher quality than regular tints and he's NEVER seen GPS disruption because of it.

    GPS is working just fine with the tints on..whoohoo!

    The cost to do all five windows with a 10 year warranty? $99 dollars.

    The cost of not having to hit that silly "I agree" button ever again? Priceless. :)
  • rennyboschrennybosch Member Posts: 329
    Welcome to the club, nskod. In addition to what Mitchell said, you might also want to consider waiting till October or November when typically they come out with a new version of the CD. Then buy that one (from Lexus-parts.com), install it yourself, and you'll have the newest newest.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Rochester MI, December 2, 2004.

    "Pedestrian accident: A 23-year-old Warren woman was hit by a car as she jaywalked across Main Street in downtown Rochester around 10:30PM Nov.24. The driver of the car, a 26-year-old Macomb woman, said she has just turned on her defroster and it fogged her windshield so she never saw the pedestrian. She was ticketed for careless driving. The pedestrian, who was thown 50 feet, was taken to Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital, where she underwent surgery."

    A Lexus or Toyota??

    But for sure an automatic climate control system designed by NipponDenso, Denso US.
  • michael_mattoxmichael_mattox Member Posts: 813
    Some one previously suggested this but I thought I would add some Ideas....Cheap insurance.

     

    PROBLEM: Rock may hit Laser cruse modual and the repair is $2000...Insurance paid but my insurance rates will no doubt go up.

     

    FIX: I went to a local Auto Glass place and they installed a piece of Lexan infront of the modual it works great...They did it for free but I would guess it would cost less then $50 bucks if someone did charge you.

     

    Here is what they did...There is a trim piece that fits around the hole in the bumper where the modual is...That piece pulls out...cut a piece of Lexan (I have 1/4 in. but only because the guy didn't have 1/8 in) about 4" square (I didn't measure but big enough to fully cover the hole in the bumper to get a professional look) You can work it into place from an opening under the bumper maybe 6" to the right of the hole....Once you are sure you have the right size...simply use industrial strength two sided tape around the modual frame and then work the lexan back in and stick it on...works like a charm...looks nice. I have not notice a difference in how my radar cruse works and I assume Laser Cruse would work.....

     

    PS...If you have a hole in your modual Glass..Usually it will continue to work (at least for a while) and you could try this as the fix rather then replacing the unit. I don't know how long it would last but the unit could always be replaced later.
  • michael_mattoxmichael_mattox Member Posts: 813
    Some one previously suggested this but I thought I would add some Ideas....Cheap insurance.

     

    PROBLEM: Rock may hit Laser cruse modual and the repair is $2000...Insurance paid but my insurance rates will no doubt go up.

     

    FIX: I went to a local Auto Glass place and they installed a piece of Lexan infront of the modual it works great...They did it for free but I would guess it would cost less then $50 bucks if someone did charge you.

     

    Here is what they did...There is a trim piece that fits around the hole in the bumper where the modual is...That piece pulls out...cut a piece of Lexan (I have 1/4 in. but only because the guy didn't have 1/8 in) about 4" square (I didn't measure but big enough to fully cover the hole in the bumper to get a professional look) You can work it into place from an opening under the bumper maybe 6" to the right of the hole....Once you are sure you have the right size...simply use industrial strength two sided tape around the modual frame and then work the lexan back in and stick it on...works like a charm...looks nice. I have not notice a difference in how my radar cruse works and I assume Laser Cruse would work.....

     

    PS...If you have a hole in your modual Glass..Usually it will continue to work (at least for a while) and you could try this as the fix rather then replacing the unit. I don't know how long it would last but the unit could always be replaced later.

     

    I wish we could get this message to Lexus USA management ...I would call them or E-mail them if I knew how and who....If any of you guys know feel to foreward this message to them.
  • drpartagasdrpartagas Member Posts: 5
    I currently have a LS 430, 2004, with 17 inch tires/wheels.

     

    I want to replace with 18 inch wheels and tires.

     

    Can any of you experts reccommend a sportier spoke type of wheel, similar to the 2005 model year, that would look fine on my car? And, the wheel company that makes the wheel should I decide to go after-market.

     

    I have the more conservative wheel on my vehicle and desire to set it off with 18 inch tires.

     

    Thanks-Pete
  • rgswrgsw Member Posts: 333
    Try http://www.tirerack.com/
  • topspin628topspin628 Member Posts: 373
    Is there a way to answer the phone via steering wheel controls?
  • rgswrgsw Member Posts: 333
    I have the Verizon Motorola V710. The screen goes to telephone screen on incoming call and the radio quits. I press the telephone key on the lower left of the steering wheel assembly and that answers the phone for me. It disconnects automatically when the calling party hangs up.
  • topspin628topspin628 Member Posts: 373
    Thanks. I had been answering by pressing the green button on the nav screen but that means taking my eyes off the road a bit. There are so many buttons by the steering wheel that it's a bit confusing. Does it have a phone icon or say anything on it?
  • rgswrgsw Member Posts: 333
    There is a "phone" icon on the switch that is not visible unless you are looking it from outside the car with the door open. It is the lower of the two big buttons on the left side of the wheel that are below the three buttons that control the volume of the radio. The top big button controls access to the voice recognition system, the lower button controls the telephone. I note that the phone usually shuts itself off after the calling party hangs up without action on my part. A matter of interest, the volume controls (three of them)first one for increase, second one for decrease, the third one is unusual, as it sets the volume to whatever preset level you choose. On my car, someone had put the volume to full level and held the third button until it beeped and set the volume at that level. I bumped the switch accidentally and the volume went to full and really gave me a start. It is a good button to set the volume at a low level so that you can reduce the volume to that level by just a toggle of the third button. You could set it to normal if that is what you choose. I don't use it often, but if I need to turn the radio down, I have the button set to a low level of sound. Enjoy.
  • ifpskenifpsken Member Posts: 39
    Has anyone else noticed that Acura's GPS offers real-time traffic info through their XM option?

     

    I called Lexus customer service, they were aware of Acura's GPS but was not knowledgeable whether Lexus GPS had the ability to be upgraded with new software to provide this feature. They promised to have someone give me a return call.
  • sv7887sv7887 Member Posts: 351
    Hi All,

      I've been looking at the resale values on my 2002 LS430 (I bought it in Sept 01) and have been impressed with the way it has held its value...Looking at the '05 LS do any of you see any point in upgrading? My warranty runs out next September so I have a decision to make..Extend it or trade it.

     

    My car has only 25K and has the NAV/ML option package on it..The Kelley Blue Book says the trade in is worth $40K..I know Kelley is owned by a consortium of dealers..I suspect the real value is $42K..I looked on the other boards and it looks like 10-11% off MSRP is typical..It's similar to what I've gotten from the dealer on every Lexus I own..That would make a only a $13-15K differential between my '02 and a brand new one (With the modern lux package)..

     

    What do you all think? Should I do it?

     

    Thanks,

    SV
  • rcf8000rcf8000 Member Posts: 619
    I have an '01 with 48K miles, and face the same quandry. It is now out of warranty except for power train. However, the car has been extremely reliable, and I don't see that the new ones offer much over what I have. Therefore, I see no reason to get one. I'll probably get a new one when the next generation LS comes out ( two years from now, according to rumor). But I'm also going to take a good look at the next generation S500, coming out one year from now.
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    Too much new stuff set to debut at Lexus. If you needed a great lux car today this is it. But if you already have one it's probably better to see what the 2006 or 2007 new style brings with it particularly if you're buying and not leasing.
  • asleepasleep Member Posts: 4
    I think the ASA ST3 looks very good on the LS.
  • sv7887sv7887 Member Posts: 351
    Hi All,

      The only reason I was thinking about it was the resale value...By 2007, this car will be 5 years old and worth what, 25K? It would be about a $40K differential at that point. My own car is a silver/black combo..It hasn't aged well in my opinion..I should have selected the Parchment Crystal/Ivory interior option. The '05 LS seems to have a few toys that mine doesn't (Smart Key, 6 Speed transmission, climate controlled seats)..I do realize this is an incremental improvement over what I already have...Still, I think the refresh although subtle is a better looking one..

     

    For those that have one...How does the ride compare? Other than those subtle equipment differences, is there a perceptible difference in the driving experience?

     

    Thanks,

    SV
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    Ride - greater than ever. handling - tighter and crisper than ever. Remains extrremely quiet and the back-up camera is fabulous to have and I like the laser cruise a lot more than I thought I would. Smartkey is something that seemed so unnecessary but is so great to have. I have the antique walnut wood, which came on custom and ultra luxes in 2004 (with certain interior colors) and it is very rich. Not sure if that is still available today. The new exterior features definitely give the car a stronger, bolder look and are more eyecatching. The six speed tranny makes the car even smoother than before with an ever so slight uptick in fuel efficiency. But it provides greater 0-60 speed and more torque. Don't drive it because if you do your resistance will fail. Door and trunk closers are flawless as is the reliability. If you get it make sure you have the updated nav software that Lexus is installing now. Just got my notice in the mail.
  • feverhartfeverhart Member Posts: 144
    Ditto to ljflx's reply. I have an '01 LS430 Ultra, which my wife now drives and the '04 (same as '05)LS 430 Lustom Lux. The '04 is a much better automobile, in my opinion. In fact some members on this board lauded the '04 so much I was convinced to buy it and I'm glad I did. The smart key is great.
  • rgswrgsw Member Posts: 333
    I would think the dealer would want to go High Book Trade to Sticker on the new one or low book on trade and discount the 05 some. Betcha the deal they will offer is closer to $20k for the same car with same equipment.
  • rgswrgsw Member Posts: 333
    I believe the instant weather by selected cities is a part of the XM Radio programming and is not specific or germain to Acura or Lexus. I found this on their web site.

    Powered by Traffic Pulse and The Weather Channel, XM Instant Traffic & Weather offers listeners in-depth, up-to-date information about road and weather conditions in 21 major metropolitan markets plus several interstate corridors nationwide.
  • drpartagasdrpartagas Member Posts: 5
    What best performance tires might I consider in choosing for my 2004 Lexus LS 430?

     

    I'm looking for a wonderful spring to fall performance tire. Quiet and handling on dry and wet surfaces is important.
  • oacoac Member Posts: 1,594
    I was looking to change my Dunlop Sport recently, and wanted the Turanza LS-H tires, which everyone here recommends strongly. Turned out I went with somewhat of a change - a Goodyear GT-HR+ tire. This tire is the quietest tire I have ever had on my LS. Mine is a '99 with the 16" wheels tho', so may not meet your '04 LS needs. But check this tire out. My LS rides like new. Dead quiet even at high speeds. Just a wonderful, wonderful feeling with this tire. This is the first Goodyear tire I've purchased, as I am a huge fan of Michelin or Dunlops. Currently have the MXV4 on my '03 Matrix and the LTX M&S Michelin on my '01 Sequoia. Both extremely good tires, with excellent dry and wet tractions.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Personally, I don't see how you can top the Michelins... YMMV.
  • jbianco12jbianco12 Member Posts: 125
    Sorry it took so long to reply...

    Yes, the Lexus leather cleaner and conditioner come with directions. The seats look and feel beautiful after they are conditioned...You can purchase this stuff at lexus_parts.com. It'll cost you around $15-$20 for both. Try it on a small section of one of the seats first to see if you like it before doing all of them.
  • sidgriggssidgriggs Member Posts: 122
    Did you ever find out if the Treo 650 works with the LS
  • sv7887sv7887 Member Posts: 351
    Hi All,

      I went and saw the '05 at the dealership..It is essentially the same car albeit with a few tweaks here and there..I think the new headlights give the car a more aggressive look. Otherwise it looked like the same car.

     

    The dealer set the tone by offering $38.5 for my '02 with 25K miles. I didn't bother to negotiate and left. Even Kelley Blue Book says the car is worth $40K min. Given that it is virtually the same car, it's a matter of how much depreciation I'm willing to take. Everywhere I read Lexus claims to hold the highest residual at 63%.

     

    The dealer can't have it both ways, implying Lexus is the residual leader and undervaluing the trade. I'm not inclined to do anything at this point. Unless I'm offered a relative bargain, I'll sit tight and await the new S Class next year.
  • garyh1garyh1 Member Posts: 394
    No one posted any experience here, so I just did some internet research and discovered that the Bluetooth car kit cell phone capability of the Treo 650 (now offered exclusively by Sprint PCS) is non-functional in every manufacturer's cars, including Lexus. PalmOne's web site says it is aware of the problem and is working on a patch:

     

    http://www.palmone.com/us/support/bluetooth/treo650carkit.html

     

    I also discovered sites that talk about hacking the Sprint version of the Treo 650 to work on Verizon, but that still doesn't make the car functions work. Guess we'll all have to wait a little longer to get the ultimate smartphone to work with the ultimate luxury car.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I agree with you, sv - however, they all do it. Every dealer likes to give you "under book" for the trade in; In fact, these days, they'll give you the new car with a deep discount, but they like to make it up with the trade. Can you really blame them? They're trying to buy low, sell high. It's what they do. I'm thinking, they don't have it both ways, it's more like YOU want it both ways, you want the new car for invoice, but you want full value for your trade.

     

    Anyway, the dealer's gotta make a living too.
  • carnaughtcarnaught Member Posts: 3,582
    I agree with you that car dealers are a business and thus they want to buy a used car low and sell high. One dealer recently told me that despite low mileage and pristine condition of a used trade, they will offer Edmunds or KBB wholesale price minus 5-10%. It makes me wonder about the utility of having the Edmunds used car price if it's essentially ignored.
  • sv7887sv7887 Member Posts: 351
    Nvbanker,

      Undoubtedly you are correct. As Adam Smith would say, this economy is powered by everyone attempting to maximize their own interests. I'm not especially excited by the new model, but it's an attempt to position myself for the 2007. As per my trade value, I'm just using their rhetoric against them. On one hand they claim the LS has the highest residual and then try to convince you your car is only worth 55% of its original value..It's amusing to me.

     

    My car's warranty is about to run out, and if the cost of upgrading is reasonable I'd consider it. I'd rather not have to shell out 35-40K in cash in Sept 2007. (Difficult to sell to the wife) But I can get away with around 17K-20K each time.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    It's been this way as long as I can remember getting involved in the business from the bankers side of things. Whichever guide they prefer to use, they always kick it down some to buy a car to try and increase their margin on the buy, and I can't blame them. The success of the wholesale used car market will depend on the buy rate, as it does in any wholesaling, not the sell rate. Be it Black Book, Blue Book, Edmunds or whatever they have in their back pocket, they'll deduct 10% when trying to buy your car. We always get insulted, but it never changes. Our alternative is to try to sell it ourselves, but that means we do the work ourselves.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    "I'd rather not have to shell out 35-40K in cash in Sept 2007. (Difficult to sell to the wife) But I can get away with around 17K-20K each time."

     

    Now, THAT I totally understand!!! :)
  • rennyboschrennybosch Member Posts: 329
    It has to do with the time value of money.
  • mmm1mmm1 Member Posts: 54
    In the past 10 years I have bought two Lexuses (Lexi?) and sold a Toyota and two Lexuses. I have never traded in my cars since they were all in above average condition and relatively low mileage. I have found that selling a Toyota product is very easy. An ad in the local paper (Williamsburg, VA) for a few days and the car is sold. Didn't require a lot of time or effort with any of these cars. I generally have used Edmunds TMV price plus a few bucks and it works great. It just gives me a lot of satisfaction to get a couple thousand over what the dealer would give me on a trade-in.

     

    Unrelated subject: My wife's 03 LS 430 with only 11K miles on it needed front end alignment. Les Barker Lexus in Virginia Beach wanted $144 for this job!! Local Toyota dealer did it for $60. Have used this Toyota dealer for work on previous ly owned Lexus cars and they consistently do a great job on post warranty work for half the Lexus dealership price. I am especially comfortable having them work on my 01 RX 300 (out of warranty) since it is almost indentical to the Toyota Highlander.
  • ckennedyckennedy Member Posts: 82
    Thanks for getting back. I called lexus-parts.com and suggested their product or lexol which are one in the same. A local dealer also said lexol is a great product. I guess I have to decide soon as I keep putting it off.
  • herb4herb4 Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone know when the next major change in the design of the LS 430 will occur. I do not want to buy one the last year before and new body comes out

    thanks
  • mfprmfpr Member Posts: 41
    The next generation LS will introduced for the 2007 model year. Presumably that means the 2006 will be identical in body style to the current model. I have not read if the 2007 will be released earlier in 2006 or the normal Sep/Oct time frame. Maybe someone else has more information.

     

    Mike
  • pip7pip7 Member Posts: 10
    I just "pulled the trigger" on a Cypress Pearl / Cashmere 2005 LS, modern luxury with smart access, 18 in. wheels and popular options package. I got a great deal from Phanka Lexus in Chantilly VA ($58,700). The car arrives in port Newark on Dec 28th so it must be somewhere in the Panama canal now - or south of the cape of Good Hope. I'll get it in early January.

    Can anyone help out with info on two specific phones that I can get on my plan? They are:

     

    Sony Ericsson T637

    Nokia 6820

     

    I am intrerested on how they interact with the bluetooth system on the new LS.

     

    Thanks!
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    We've been pondering whether the next car is a 2006, a 2007 or an early entry 2007 (say Spring 2006). But the below link lends crecedence to the belief that it may be a 2006 or early entry 2007. Lexus will be very secretive about the auto side of this car but guaranteed it will be a 5.0L in its gas engine variant and will follow the new styling trend of the LFS. In fact the LFS was probably an LS more so than a GS in its pure design look. Lexus intends to set a world standard with this car and trump MB's 2006 S-class so don't expect much details to leak out. It will likely have a few hybrid options as well, one that will get you 600+HP (this will be a $100K+ car) and one that will probably get you well into the 4's. Let's pray they stay away from the dreaded and totally unneeded I-drive.

     

    http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=4&id=322585

     

    By the way somewhere else in that news link it says Sony will likely stop production on Plasma TV's and go entirely the LCD route. That is certainly the future if anyone is looking at TV's. Plasma will probably be symbolic with 8-track and betamax in the future.
  • deanedelldeanedell Member Posts: 16
    Looks like the next LS will be available summer '06 according to this press release.

     

    http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/04/1221_2.html
  • oacoac Member Posts: 1,594
    Good find !

     

    Finally we have a committment on paper from TMC re next LS. But will this car be released same time in the NA market as in the Japan market ? I sure hope so.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    Yeah. Let's hope Lexus doesn't try and "help us" with the new LS the way BMW has done with the 7 and 5 series. I was looking at HDTV's today and was astonished at how big and bulky(HEAVY!) the regular picture tube HD's are. So impractical. What a breath of fresh air it was when I walked over to the LCD's. Thin, light and beautiful but costly! The only thing I didn't like was the narrowness of the screen. A 27" LCD appears to be small because it is so narrow. Saw a beautiful 42" Sony LCD for "only" $5500. The fact that Sony will be concentrating their energies on LCD means it probably pays to wait awhile and see what new LCD's they come out with.
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    LCD's didn't handle motion (sports, mainly) well in the past. Don't know where they are today though as they said they were working on this. In pure pixels LCD's are the best as they are something like 1900x1200 (for future higher def broadcasts than we get today) or so vs 1380X720 for Plasma and most 720P HDTV's. But they blurred fast paced action a bit so in tennis or golf you would see a streak of the ball at times. Even football didn't play all that well. I have two Sony XBR HDTV's (4x3's) that auto adust to 16X9's on HD channels (or widescreen DVDs) and a a DLP 720 progressive 16X9 in my house. Sony's LCD (normal as opposed to pure LCD) projection sets are also excellent but the blacks are not as deep. The DLP and the Sony XBR's are fabulous in HD with an incredibly clear and precise picture and handle motion perfectly and have very deep blacks. Tube's still have the best pix for standard TV though in my book as picture is clearest. But in HD the DLP is preferred as it fills the whole screen. Plasma's never interested me as I knew for a while it was destined to be just a temporary technology. Consumers thinks the Sony 34" 16X9 tube HD is the clearest and best picture there is - standard and HD. CNET votes it that way as well. But it's too small for my family room.
  • ljflxljflx Member Posts: 4,690
    Remember the US is their primary market right now. Can't imagine they will let it trail.
  • jbianco12jbianco12 Member Posts: 125
    Interesting note about Plasma TV's. I'm on the hunt for a 50" Plasma right now. I didn't see anything in the article that said Plasmas were heading for the same grave as 8-tracks...Anyone have an opinion on Plasma vs. LCD TV's.
  • hpowdershpowders Member Posts: 4,331
    According to CR(12/04), plasma sets use a lot of power, generate a lot of heat and don't quite match picture-tube tv's for "fine detail, color accuracy and subtle gradations of black and gray." They also maintain that plasma production is increasing, not decreasing. It is, however, bad news that Sony won't make them anymore since Sony dominates all categories of HDTV's with the best picture quality. The largest screen I saw in LCD was a Sony, 42" wide. The picture quality was breathtaking.($5499 at Circuit City)
  • oacoac Member Posts: 1,594
    I recall Len mentioned *several* engine options. My speculation will be only two - a 5L v8, and the 4.5h hybrid (the one with a v12 performance and a v6 fuel economy). I further speculate that the 5L will probably be at 450hp, while the 4.5h should put out close to 500hp; ~400hp from the gas motor, and ~100hp from the electric battery. Imagine an LS with ~500bhp, 25mpg fuel economy, UL trim, and priced well under $90K OTD ? Just adding ca. $20K to today's UL. That will be outstanding. With a base 5L engine, the LS should move uplevel to the S500 level. The base 5L should be a tad over $70K base price, which should remain a bargain when compared to the 745iL/760iL and S500/S600 combos.
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