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Comments
We looked at the new ES350, but didn't like the style of the center console, or - more importantly - the visibility for the driver all around the new model ('07 and '08). So we ended up buying a low-mileage '04 ES330, fully tricked out with the same Mark Levinson stereo and navigation system as in my LS.
Bottom line: the ES is a very nice car, but IMO definitely a step down from the LS. And be sure to check out the visibility of the new ES350 - that's a big difference from the LS model you are used to!
By the way, this is not a great place to put your question to get other responses - try reposting under another thread like "LS430 - Buying and Leasing Experiences" or some such.
A step down...??!! Try 2 or 3 or even 4.
The only reason the ES exists at all was to give the early Lexus dealers something besides the LS to sell.
ITA with you on the seats. We have an '05 LS. When I extend the lower (horizontal) part of the seat forward - not the entire seat but just the lower part - the seat gets lower and firmer, too. That is way too uncomfortable, so I give up thigh support for 'sitting bones' comfort.
Another problem I have had for several thousand miles (it now has 100k) is a "shuddering thud" when I take my foot off the accelerator. It is more of a "feel" than a loud sound, but I can hear it too. It feels like it is underneath the car in the transmission area. It only happens when I take my foot off the accelerator after accelerating, Also, it is random, sometimes I can drive for hours and it won't happen. I am more concerned about this problem than I am the high idle problem.
Any advise would be appreciated.
You might want to give McGrath Lexus of Westmont, Illinois a call. I checked around, even across the country, about a year and a half ago and found them to be the most reasonable. I honestly can't remember the exact quotes. But found them to be the least expensive by far.
Good luck.....cn
And Lexus wonders why the dealer never sees my car for service?????
Lexus is the biggest rip off I have ever seen so please do not waste your money, they need to change their slogan of defining perfection because they are no where near defining perfection and to me that is false advertisement.
I hope I have been helpful and possibly saved you alot of money. If you would like to see pics of my Lexus to see what I am talking about email me and I will be happy to send them to you.
Here is a solution that I have used on our newly acquired preowned LS430 (an otherwise dream car), the Azera, and a previously owned 2000 DTS Cadillac with similar seat design.
At rear of the driver seat there are a series of two flaps that need to be opened to get into the bench portion from the rear. The first is one is a foot tread protector attached to the rear of the seat back cover. It is secured underneath by a integrated wide pressured attached plastic clip. Detach by pulling down and forward and then lift out of the way. The second flap is the bench seat cover that can opened by carefully prying the two plastic clips which secure the cover to the seat frame. You will then have access to the rear of the foam cushion but watch for the sharped edges on the frame when feeling around.
You can then stuff the seat by inserting almost any thing to fill the center void. I used a combination of turkish towel and upholstery foam between the existing seat foam and the supporting frame. Don't make the mistake of stuffing between the leather and the foam that can interfere with the heating, cooling, supply line and wiring.
My experience is that the amount and positioning of the stuffing is a customizing event that may require many tries to achieve the desired comfort but the end result is worth all of the effort. You will be absolutely astonished at the difference.
I run nice and quiet comfortably running Bridgestone Turanzas, summer only, on my '92 LS.
The '01 you are looking at has 143,000k which averages out to less than 18,000 miles a year. Looking it like that, that mileage doesnt sound so bad. Maybe the car was maintained at a particular Lexus dealership where they have records? If not? The best thing you can do, is still have the car checked out by a reputable mechanic before you part with any money. If you cant get any records, you know the 1st thing needed is to replace the timing belt.
Hopefully you'll check the NADA book ( or other source ) to see what an '01 LS is going for with 143,000k. I checked Edmunds appraisal with only the options you mentioned. Trade in : $12,500k Private party $14,900 Dealer retail $17,200
If the car is in good condition, then $13,000k sounds like a pretty fair deal.
I did use edmunds.com and came up with the similar numbers. I am guessing that he is having to lower sale price because most people are afraid of the mileage.
I thought maybe this has happened to someone on here before. If anyone has any ideas what my problem could be, I really would appreciate any help. I live in Georgia, and it is already getting too warm to be without my A/C!
My dealer simply told me to "reboot" ie turn the car off and restart it. I have had to do this maybe a half dozen times in the last year and it worked every time.
BTW, if this does NOT work, then you are looking at some expensive "module" replacements to your car. I do not think it is a "fuse" problem.
I am unhappy that "all the eggs are in one basket" on the touch screen and now I just cross my fingers everytime I start my car.
Good luck and I hope I have been some help.
Mike in Missouri..........
I tried the reboot thing but it didn't work. My 95 is not one of the "all eggs in one basket" model. My Radio/CD,etc. has a different screen below the A/C,heater screen, and of course I don't have Nav. I sure hope it is not a bad module. If anyone else out there has any ideas please let me know.
Thanks for the response though, Mike.
My question is this: what will the 10% ethanol do to the engine of our '05 LS430?
I've searched the Lexus forums and can't find an answer. Thanks!
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My wifes 96 LS400 has the buzzer switch on the right driver kneewall so she can modulate the sound...However my 97 LS400 has no sound when I use the remote and there is no button beneath the interior trunk open button as the manual says it should be. Can anyone shed light on this situation. Again I have no sound when locking or unlocking doors or trunk with the remote and I can't find a button.
Looks like I may need a 4 door car for the child seat and more. Have an 8 month old son right now and planning on having another pretty soon.
Got my wife an '05 Lx470 and it is the best SUV there is, to me.
I have a Tacoma pickup.
Starting to do some research and I see the 2001 is the first year for the 430. Am I wrong in targeting this year and model? Are there any major issues for this model year compared to a 2002 or 2003? Only reason I'm targeting this year of course is the price... the cheapest of the newer styled cars.
I figured since I'm looking, might as well look at a newer model. Is there anything in general I should be aware of for the Ls430's? "This has been known to break at xxK miles... this has been known to happen on this model year..."
Thanks for the help. I will continue to browse all the posts.
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the 2009 is scheduled to be an all wheel drive ( no more 2 wheel - rear drive ) ,
meeting emotional competition from moronic dealers .
the current 2 wheel - rear drive is simple and economic . the all wheel drive will cost 1 to 2 mpg , and not necessary in alot of areas of our country .
assuming the story is true ( all 2009 ls's will be 4 wheel drive ) , it will , in my opinion , lexus's first major dud .
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grab a 2008 ls 460 now , as the '08's coming off the ships are $ 900 MORE , and
have the proven drive train with decent mpg .
additionally ... the 2008 LS 460 is bullet proof , and overcame the 2007 shortcomings .
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RECCOMEND : THE MARK LEVINSON OPTION ...( the satellite - xm - is true to life sound ) .
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mitchell rowe
If you haven't bought an upgrade yet, 7.1 is now available. Looks like you're a couple behind.
eBay Guides - Lexus Navigation Update DVD's and Hard DrivesLexus Navigation Update Date Version 07.1 is now available for purchase. The next tenatively scheduled Navigation Update Version 08.1 is to be released 4th ...
reviews.ebay.com/Lexus-Navigation-Update-DVD-apos-s-and-Hard-Drives_W0QQugidZ100- 00000004085713?ssPageName
Any thing else I should have the dealer look for while the whole front end is torn apart?
Appreciate your collective advice and I REALLY appreciate our hosts, Pat and Karen.
Mike in SE Missouri
Did you still have good/strong airflow from the system during the early part of that hour or so...??
If not then the airflow was being blocked by the iced over evaporator.
There is a thermistor mounted right against the downstream side of the evaporator so the ECU will/should never drive the evaporator temperature below freezing. But, believe me, it does still happen.
The HVAC firmware, as a remedial/recovery measure, may prevent the use of the recirculate mode or the floor/footwell airflow modes until the next time teh ignition is switched on.
I have only had the LS400 A/C shut down in the manner you describe, once in our 92 LS400 while traveling west out of Helena MT, and then in my brother's 92 LS400 traveling north into OR from the mountainous regions of northern CA.
While I suspected evaporator freeze up in both instances I did not think to check for airflow on either occasion. So the A/C shutdown may have been the result of the extra climbing load on the engine and therefore coolant "threatening" to overheat.