OK, I bought a 2006 LS 430 about 5 months ago and I love it. I have previously owned a '98 ES250 and a '02 GS 300. I have really enjoyed all of these Lexus's (or is it Lexi??). I looked for many months to specifically find a 2006 LS430 with under 50K miles. I live in Indiana and I found very few of them within 500 miles of my house. I eventually found a CPO one in Cincinnati, OH and called the dealer and made an appointment to see it right away. For some reason, I suspect because people love them or they drive them alot, it is hard to find that many used LS 430s, with lower mileage.
After driving many cars over my 40 years of driving, I am more pleased with this car than any other new car I have leased and/or purchased. I plan on driving this car into retirement (200K+ miles) and according to my experience with Lexus this should be a no brainer. It is true that maintenance is more expensive than the average car, but then you have to go in less, so that makes up for it, since my time is worth money. Like it was stated in a previous post....there is no need to go to a Lexus dealership for maintenance. Just find yourself a good local mechanic and get it serviced regularly. If you look at the maintenance schedule, with the exception of the timing belt at 90K miles, most of the services are oil & filter and air filter changes (perhaps a tranny or coolant service) and lots of INSPECTIONS.
My older brother owned a '98 LS400 and drove it for 10 years. He then sold it to my son, who is in the Air Force, with 119K miles on it back in 2008. My son has driven it for 4 1/2 years with it currently reading around 180K. Neither one of them actually take care of their cars like I do and yet this thing refuses to stop running. Earlier this year, this poor LS400 was the victim of a hail storm and took a serious beating. However he continues to drive this car and plans on doing so until it is no longer reliable, It has never broken down and only had routine maintenance done on it !!
Once my older brother sold his '98 LS400 to my son he bought himself a 2008 LS460L. I can tell you right now that he wishes he could get back his LS400 or a good LS430, because he likes the ride and handling of the older versions better.
I guess IMHO if you want a cushy ride with lots of bells and whistes and a reliabilty rating through the roof.........buy an LS 430. If you want a sports car and you like your mechanic, DON'T !! LOL