Need Help To Find/buy A 2002-2004 Ls430.

[lsrxlex]

Hi all,

I need your expertise with chosing/inspecting/purchasing a 2002-2004 LS430.

I'd try to find one in 2 local markets in California: San Francisco bay area and Orange county.

I'd like to avoid the first year model 2001 of the LS430. And I like the Blue Tooth technology (just for safety reason), so I'll try to come up with enough money to afford a 2004 model which might have the BT.

(I think I'm addicted to the LS after owning one in 16 years and specially after an accident!)

Any inputs would be greatly appreciated.

[RFeldes]

Sorry about the accident lsrxlex...2002 or newer..If you can swing an 04 go for it..Either way, you wont be disappointed.

[blake918]

I'd go for the '04 if you can for no other reason than the keyless entry and start. A relative of mine has a '05 with keyless, you wanna talk about COOL!! B) You can easily get aftermarket bluetooth if you can't find a car with it, and it won't be crippled by the Lexus legal department. ;)

I forgot what year 430 had this problem, but there were recalls on the transmissions and I think the fuel pumps too.

[TennesseeLexus]

It is the 2004 model.

2004 LS430 Recall

[jainla]

Sorry about the crash...hope nobody was injured.

Don't be so quick to write off an '01-'03 LS430. Personally I think the color combinations for interior colors and wood are better, and they will be a little (but not much) easier to find. If you call and ask nicely the dealer will give you the in-service date from the VIN; my LS430 is among the last '01 LS430s made and so far I have had 0 problems.

There weren't that many changes between the 01 and 02+ cars, some navgational system tweeks (adaptive volume control for voice directions) and I'm sure some minor changes but the feature set is the same until you hit '04. The only gotcha on the early models was a recall (or maybe just noted issue) for defective windshield gaskets, this was limited to some early cars with the Custom Luxury package and almost all CPO cars have this corrected.

That said if you have the choice between an 01-03 and 04 that are in all other respects equal don't choose the newer car just because of the bluetooth integration: everyone I know who has one said it's not that great. The system is not as compatible or flexible as some aftermarket systems, and the choice of phones that Lexus will guarantee to work with it is limited. However the keyless entry and 6 speed autobox are pretty cool; if its worth the extra cash to you go for it (nobody seems to be able to prove that the 6 speed is any faster than the 5 speed but you can manual shift).

If you are thinking about buying private party or from a non-lexus dealer see if you can get your local Lexus dealer to do the CPO inspection on the car. It takes about 2 hours, costs you about $120-180, but you'll have in your hand a complete list of what Lexus itself would fix in order to certify the car as CPO. Some dealers are cagey about doing it (make them do it under the seller's name) but they will give you the most comprehensive inspection; they know what to look for on these cars.

Aside from that I can't recommend one highly enough--they drive like magic. These may be the best cars (Lexus has yet) built on the road today.