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I see that many LS430 owners have moved out of the Luxury Board.Let us enrich the LS board with our driving/ownership experience and make sure that we document any problems we encounter.
-The car that is the best value
-The car with the best features
-The car with the best handling
-The car with the best exterior
-The car most fun to drive
-The car everyone else envies
It's too bad you are all so busy congratulating each other on how smart you are for buying the Lexus that there is no real discussion of the cars themselves.
Thanks.
Pat
Host
Sedans and Women's Auto Center Message Boards
Always happy to answer questions...just don't need the trash talk.
I didn't know about the Valentine 1 product. Is it that much better the a Passport? Also, can you buy it in a store or only on the web? I need something soon, but I want a clean installation.
Ljflx,
Your right about the amount of troopers on NJ highways these days. It's odd, they pull up give the car a good look smile and move on.
818: I never discussed intelligence issues, again inaccurate. It was a discussion of my opinion of the cars - so, "enjoy" the discussion.
819: I did "keep it about the cars" and I don't see where it is "out of hand" to disagree with others if done courteously. Unless you were referring to #'s 816 and 818. Then I might agree.
Probably to everyone's great relief, I am done with this.
I've been going back to the start of this board to catch up (I've only been participating for a couple of weeks). It was informative and interesting to read the posts by ljflx, wbwynn, flint350 and others. It seems so many others went through the same S430/LS430 decision process I did. I found an early post about reprogramming the locks that was great. I intend to have that done before the car is delivered, there also was a referral to irontoad.com. They are a Lexus dealer (I think) who sells discounted parts and accessories over the web. They quote mats at $88 and up. I'm sure LS430 is up, but it seems a reasonable price to get a second set of mats for an Ecru interior. You could keep one set for dress and another for everyday, or just rotate them and clean the set that's out at your leasure.
It was optioned with the custom luxury group, aniline leather, lexus link, chrome wheels, trunk mat, and wheel locks. This brought the price to nearly the ultra level. If you are wanting the "Custom Luxury", I would shop around as they are available.
Re: Sport Suspension
The dealership in Orlando Florida has a Sport LS on their lot. Are you sure they are being discontinued. I have seen a few of them.
On the ecru interior and mats - when I brought the car back to the dealer on my first service they were able to get the leather and the mats back to brand new condition. This after a horrendous winter in New Jersey where snow was on the ground most of the time. So you may be over worried about this. For that really bad stretch of weather I took a few of those Lexus car care floor covers that they leave in your car after they service it and put them inside to prevent the mats from getting too dirty.
The Custom Luxury is my package of choice. However I am finding it difficult to get complete, reliable and consistent information about what the Custom Luxury is and is not. Your response here would be very much appreciated.
Also what was the sticker on that car?
Ljflx -The S500 was out of my price range, so I didn't consider it. Reading your report that the LS even beat that car makes me more secure in the decision. I think we have similar preferences in what we want in a car. BTW I think you said you also got the car at Ray Catena. Was John F. your salesman? He said he sold a car to someone from Freehold that worked for Deutchse Bank. If I'm not confusing posters, I think that fit your bio.
I put ten refundable security deposits down ($7750) and got the lease at 764.91 through Lexus. The extra security deposits (2-10) reduce the money factor by .0001 each. Terms were: 42 mos/12K miles w/.15 per overmile (42 mos was because I wanted the lease to end at the beginning rather than 6 or 9 months into a model year), residual 56%, money factor .00210. It included luxury and 6% NJ sales tax. Outside the lease was a 450 acq. fee (0 disposition).
Ljflx - Your comments about local banks are still true, but other considerations tipped the scales towards a lexus lease for me. If I equalized the playing field as much as possible (backed the extra security deposits out), I could have gotten a little better deal from Hann than Lexus, but at more risk. Historically I have only really needed 10k/yr (27,500 on my current car after 35+ mos). Hann would have been $40/mo cheaper at 10k than a 12K Lexus lease. On the down side, they would want .35 per extra mile vice .15, and had a $450 disposition fee. If my situation changed and I ended up driving more miles I could get hammered with the Hann lease. I also think the manufacturers are more forgiving at turn in than the banks
.
Being able to buy down the money factor with extra security was also a plus. I look at it as getting roughly a 15% tax-free return on that money. I know its a little less because I haven't adjusted for the tax writeoff part of a higher lease payment, but even if it's only 13% it's still a good deal. I figure at worst I paid a few bucks extra for 7K miles I may not use, and some extra protection if I go over that.
I'm sure I'll be waxing poetic about my new car in the next few days, that is if I ever get out and on the computer.
You are 100% correct about the ES package on the LS. It was the best $100 I ever spent and I love the handling, but it did take over 4 months to get the car. I couldn't be happier that I pick the LS over the BMW 740il which was my other pick. I also hope they stop making the ES package as well.
Had to go back to work though, so only had a chance to put 5 miles on. We went to the service area to get the lock sw changed (thanks to the posters for that hint). The service center is every bit as nice as I imagined based on your description. They also were a little surprised when I asked about Wayne Gretzky's cousin. I've told them to check out this board. It was a big help to me and certainly would do the same for others.
I'll report back (gushing I'm sure) after I've driven the car a few more miles.
Now, I need to talk with someone who has a similar lease to what I am looking at. I think I'm going to skip the Ultra Luxury and go with a nav/lev car at about $61,500. I see people bargaining this car down to $55,000 which is great, how difficult is that to do? Also, if I can get some more information on the Custom Luxury car I may do that.
People with nav/lev cars, leased I need to know the specifics of your lease if you wouldnt mind. I was quoted $1200 a month with $5,000 down, and 20,000 miles a year. Thats a little out of line from what I've seen on here. I'd prefer 0 down to $5K also.
Thanks in advance for the help. If this goes smooth I should be in an LS430 by late May, early June.
-Stephen
my 1995 LS400. Yesterday I noticed that three tires have 44 ax psi indication
and one tire has 35 ax psi specified. Of course I use no more than 32 psi
inflation but should I be concerned about varying ax psi indication? Should
I complain to the dealer? By the way, the 35 ax psi tire was made about
1.5 years ago and the other tires were made more recently. If you purchased
these tires recently for your LS400, what is the ax psi indicated on your tires?
my 1995 LS400. Yesterday I noticed that three tires have 44 max psi indication
and one tire has 35 max psi specified. Of course I use no more than 32 psi
inflation but should I be concerned about varying max psi indication? Should
I complain to the dealer? By the way, the 35 max psi tire was made about
1.5 years ago and the other tires were made more recently. If you purchased
these tires recently for your LS400, what is the max psi indicated on your tires?
I live in Southern California, I don't know if region affects price.
I bought mine, no lease, so I can't help you there.
I'm in North Carolina, and we are not seeing these big California discounts. The cars are still "demand tight" here. A lot of buyers are still paying close to list for Nav-Lev models. Money rates and residuals are regionalized (as per Lexus Financial). I think that the residuals are beginning to drop in April....maybe a drop in rates will offset this.
Hope this helps...it's a great car.
Glad to see you're off the Q45 too!
I am seeing a lot of LS430's on the Garden State Parkway here in NJ but for the first time I had one directly behind me today. Denniswade may think the headlights look goofy (as per his posts on other boards) from the sideview but the car is absolutely awesome in your rear-view mirror.
As for the Q, I still like it and am still considering it. Its a unique car.