mannye

New tires make me nervous because around these parts they are often an indicator of a bad wreck being pawned off as a cream puff. But it wasn't a problem. It's silver, which was the color I wanted because it almost never looks dirty. The downside is it isn't as apparent when washed and waxed, but that's OK. By that I mean that a black or dark blue car looks amazing right after a nice wash and wax compared to when it was dirty, and a silver car, well, not so much of a difference. But that should save me hundreds in cleaning bills because I can stretch out the intervals. About the stereo... very impressive when playing "good music" like Buena Vista Social Club or any othe audiophile favorite. NOt so impressive when switching to Metallica, 50cent, or anything else poppy. I can't speak to the tuner because FM radio in South Florida sucks !Removed!. Maybe if I find myself in the northeast one day I'll see if the tuner is good or not. I have not tried Led Zep or Steely Dan yet, but something tells me it's going to like Steely Dan better than the lead balloon. After about 70 miles I am VERY happy. This one's going to be around for a while. Is there any way to retro-fit the laser part of the cruise control? It's the one option I really wish was there.

Well, comfort is entirely subjective, so I'll agree to disagree with you! ;) The 6'1 part is just a broad generalization, and nothing more, that refers more to the smaller LS400s than the larger 430s. The SUVs have decent headroom, I agree. But, if I can hardly fit my legs in, it doesn't do me much good. I'm anxious to sit in a LS460 to see how I fit! The one that I really wish I could fit in is the ES330 because I really love the exterior styling of the car!Cool, another Town Car person!! The depreciation really isn't that bad. The base model (which are what most of them are) lists for $42k and some change (I'd opt for the $500 factory hid lights.). Take $12k off because of dealer incentives (and that's before you haggle!), and you've got a cool magic carpet that can easily go 300k miles for less than $30k!! So, seeing a '06 Town Car with 20k miles on sale for $25k really isn't that bad of depreciation. Well, you're right, of course, the depreciation isn't that bad on a Town Car, but I would never consider a new one. In fact, the price point you mention for a used (practically new) 20K mile example is why I love them. Cool New York look (especially the long-wheelbase model "executive?") with that 70's limo ride...can't beat it with a stick! And.... if you want to spend a night out hitting the bars with a gal pal or a couple of buddies, it's the best! I would hire a driver for a hundred bucks and drink all I want plus look like a millionare! I was one of those deisel unbelievers until a recent trip to Spain. The rental company gave us a Citroen something or other (a tiny little thing) that was AMAZING. Power to spare even in the mountains and I didn't relize it was a diesel until I went to fill it up! Imagine my surprise! My image of diesels was of those horrible Mercedes we had in the 70's and 80's belching black smoke and sounding liek they were about to fall apart! A hybrid that would make real sense would be a diesel/electric that would certainly get 100mpg or more and have plenty of power, plus be able to run SVO or biodiesel to boot.

I disagree. I'm almost 6'3'' and the LS 430 has plenty of room for me. I can't say if I was an inch and a half taller that I would say the same thing, (it CAN make a big difference in comfort) but a 6'1'' driver has plenty of room in the big Lexus. I can't speak for the smaller sedans, having never been in one, but the SUV models also have plenty of headroom. I also love the Town Car! I don't love the depreciation, but I just think it's flat out cool! I really wish we got them here. Instead they stick us with hybrids. :( I've read about the IS220d, and I keep wondering why we don't get them here. I think my next car will be a diesel, probably an E320 CDI. It's fast, efficient, spacious, and gorgeous. After a pleasurable day of driving in a relative's 320 CDI, I'll certainly check it out when it's time for a new car in a couple years. I'm still drawn to the Caddy DTS and Town Car because I'm an odd duck and LOVE bench seats and cars that really float down the highway. I'm going to go kooky conspiracy theory on ya. They don't want a proliferation of deisel engines in the USA because we might all decide to go run them with corn oil or homebrew biodeisel.

I just drove home a 2004 LS 430 Sport Package I picked up at the local Mercedes Dealer for 35K! It has navigation, rear view camera, Levinson, ventilated seats, and a bunch of other cool options that make it an "Almost Ultra" except for the cooler and rear electric seats! 35K on the odo also so another 18 or 20 months of full warranty! Now I have a few questions. Can I change the oil myself? What kind of oil does it take? They put 4 brand new tires on it, which actually made me nervous, but Carfax was clean for it never having been hit. Local car... all serviced at the local Lexus dealer.. Levinso system sounds very nice... needs some bass though if I'm going to go getto once in a while... I probably won't do anything about it though... Is there a general checklist of things I should have the dealer look at while I am still under warranty besides the airbag? HOw about popular quick mods I can do?

I originally thought that's what it was, but these days I think we really have to be careful. On top of the normal checking for collsion that could happen anywhere, the recent hurricanes have unloaded thousands of vehicles that should have been scrapped on the marketplace, so we have to be exra-careful. I'm sure I'll see the off-lease glut of 04's happen here in Miami any minute now, and I'll be ready to snap up that Ultra-Package baby for under 38K! (after carfaxing it, of course) Thanks for the replies!

I'm currently looking for a 2004 LS 430, and I've been waiting for the 460 to hit the market and , if my reasoning is correct, lower the prices on those '04s. I've been searching on ebay, and keeping an eye on what's selling and recently noticed A LOT of 2004 LS 430s coming on from Ohio. Usually, it seems south Florida and California, with some NYC thrown in there are the more popular spots for these cars, but today I logged on and there are at least 5 maybe 6 2004 LS 430s for sale in Ohio, where I never saw one before... Could these be ressurected Katrina cars? Or is it that everyone suddenly wants a 460 and what I thought would happen is happening?

Is that air suspension otherwise known as the "Sport" suspension? What usually fails on that? The bags? A co-worker of mine had a Lincoln Mark VIII (I think it was an 8) and he had all sorts of problems with his air suspension...a couple grand worth. Would an extended warranty cover it? I do plan on keeping this car for a while..

LOL...2X4s that's what the MDX is for ;) The Ultra is my goal, and yes... the back seat stuff is what's really makes it an interesting package for me...but if I do find a Custom Luxury package at a good price and low miles, I'll bite. The true dealbreakers for me are the Mark Levinson system and the air conditioned seats...here in Miami, land of heat, those aren't really a luxury. I'm sick and tired of arriving at meetings with my back soaking wet from 120 degree seats...

Yessir! Getting an '04 LS 430 as soonas I find one either private or at a local dealer. It's taking a while because, I guess like everybody else, I'm waiting for a good deal. I'm hoping to find an ultra-lux model for 40K oe less if I can. So far they are all above 40, but I figure with the new 460 coming out I should be able to get someone to bite on 40 or less soon enough.

Again, thanks a lot for the advice. Here's what I'm thinking... Wait for the '07 to hit the streets and let all the early adopters shell out the bucks and trade the 04s and 05s in.. or better yet, sell them on thier own... (on a side note...if you buy a used car from a dealer, the Florida Lemon Law will not help you if the car turns out to be a problem, but if you buy from a private seller, you can still find help under the law if need be) I don't want to pay more than 30ish, so an 05 will most likely be out of my range even later this year. But now that I know about the tranny issue, it's a simple question... (has the transmission work been done) It would be interesting to note what percentage of 04 owners have come across this problem. Anyone know?

Thanks to both of you! I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but now that you mentioned it, the 04s DO look different! I think it would be prudent to wait a little bit and get an 04. I'm prone to keeping my cars for over 7 years (currently driving a 99 CRV) and looks like the 04s will have more "staying power" than the 03s for me. I'm especially glad to hear about the upgraded stereo! When is the 460 hitting the street? Never mind... in the fall...lol

I am currently in the market for a new (used) LS 430. I think they are the bargain of the century at the low to mid 30 mark I see a lot of 03 430s going for... But I have a questions about the 3.5 generation (04 to present). Is it worth it to fork out the extra 5 grand to get an 04 model instead of an 03? I see the prices go into the high 30'w low 40s on those and I wonder why? What was the big difference between the two years? I understand that most 04s are still under full warranty... but perhaps if the difference is that much between an 03 and an 04 I should wait a little and maybe get an 04 next year instead? By the way...should change the SC 430 to LS 430...soon. Drove a bunch of SC 430s and decided to wait. Now, after spending some time driving a friends LS, I wouldn't get anything else! Simply IMO the best car out there for the money.

Dom, I am an audiophile that wants a convertible...so the Mark Levinson option is a plus when viewed by in light of the sacrafices one has to make when buying a "ragtop" or tintop in this case.. I am very dissapointed to hear about cowl shake. A car at this price level should be rock solid. I am especially surprised that a Lexus would have these problems. Is the cowl shake a platform-wide problem, or might it be limited to earlier years? I guess I would have to spend some time in the cockpit to guage that for myself. Thanks for the input!

Hello... first post so be gentle or at lesat lubricate first: I am seriously thinking of making an SC430 my next car. I am looking at a used model and I would like to know if anyone can advise me of what to look for, as well as what the common problems are with these cars. I am an audiophile and the thought that a manufacturer went to Mark Levinson Audio to equip its cars told me that Lexus was the car for me. What was the first year these cars were made? 98? 99? I remember drooling over the Horsepower numbers. TIA for any advice.