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I didn’t think my responses were defensive. I’ve been extremely polite and grateful to everyone who has responded to my question. However, my original question was not about insurance and after you and LEXIRX330 questioned whether I was sure I was correctly doing a simple task like an online quote, I simply and politely explained that I’m sure I am. This isn’t exactly my first car (it’ll be number 8) with the same insurance company, USAA. Maybe after 21 years with USAA if I was willing to change to one of the carriers you’re looking at then the rates would follow the pattern you’re suggesting. Or maybe you guys can check the rates with USAA or Geico if it’s that important to you and perhaps you’ll see the same pattern that I saw. But thanks again for all of the responses, even the ones focused on auto insurance rates. :D

Also just did a quote with another carrier we write business with... 04 LS430 408/6 m 03 LS430 388/6 m 02 LS430 376/6 m Doing an online quote is not exactly rocket science. As for putting in something wrong, with USAA you can put in a VIN number of a car of the year and make you’re interested in (which USAA uses to identify the pertinent vehicle info) and leave all of your other actual info that’s on file the same as your existing policy and you get a quote for comparison. If anyone is with USAA or Geico try it if you have the time and you'll see what I'm saying. Maybe carriers other than USAA and Geico are doing something different. Or maybe for me the rates follow this pattern regardless of carriers. But I assure you I know how to obtain an insurance quote. :D I hope my original post will not get sidetracked by the insurance issue as I appreciate the info in regards to the original question. Thanks guys.

I'm serious about the 2004 LS430 having the cheapest rate of all of the LS430 models. My insurance is with USAA, but I just went to Geico's website to see if other insurance companies varied their rates in a similar way. What I found was that with Geico the 04 LS 430 was also cheaper to insure than the 2003 or 2005 LS430. I don't have time to check all of the years at Geico as I did with USAA, but it seems the phenomena is the same. Not a big deal, but check it out for yourself. I have a friend who was surprised at the idea of checking the insurance rates before buying a particular model of used cars because most people don't think to do it in advance. They simply find a car they like and deal with the insurance rates later.

Just checking in again to read the comments. Thanks everyone. To SW03ES, I always go to my auto insurance company’s website to get insurance quotes on cars I’m considering. For whatever reason, all of the LS430 models have higher insurance rates (for me anyway) than the 2004 LS430. Not just the 2005-06, but even the 2001-2003 LS430s. Now, I have no idea what metrics they use to determine which model years get the lowest rates, but I’ve seen similar phenomena with other car makes. If your insurance company does instant online quotes, you might try it on a few models to see what I mean. But anyway, the LS430 is growing on me. I’ve been looking at some of the various threads where members are posting pictures of their LS430s and they look pretty sharp if you get the right color.

Thanks everyone for the prompt and sincere responses. I’m finding them very helpful. I know I have to make a decision on the 04 LS430 before someone else gets it. Though the exterior has a somewhat dated look, the car is loaded with contemporary features and has a great reputation for reliability. I just wish the rear of the LS430 was a little sportier or had a little more character (the front is nice). The one I’m considering getting is cypress green with a tan interior. The temptation of course is to get a fully loaded, newer and lower mileage car for about the same money. It is hard to move on from driving an LS. I was disappointed with the aforementioned cars I test drove this summer, partly because I’ve gotten used to driving a rear wheel drive car. Also, it’s amazing how an old Lexus still has features that some new cars don’t have (like dual front power seats and rear AC vents). To those of you with Mercedes or BMWs, are the maintenance costs exorbitant? And those of you with ES350s or 06 GS 300s, have you noticed a big difference as compared to the LS430? Finally, to 03whiteLS430, I would primarily drive the car to work and to do errands around town. Unfortunately, I’m the homebody type. I currently drive my car about 7000 miles a year (not much to see or do in my mid-size city).

Greetings everyone. I need some advice. I’m trying to decide if I should buy a 2004 LS430 with the modern luxury package (Navigation, 18 inch tires), 61K miles and in excellent condition for $22K. I currently own a 1997 LS 400. My LS 400 has 131K miles and has a leaking oil pan gasket ($182 to repair). Otherwise, it’s been pretty much trouble free all these years. A couple of years ago I did have a corroded negative battery cable ($8 fix) and on really cold days the outside temperature display sometimes reads -22. But overall, the most dependable and best running car I’ve ever owned. So, what’s the problem? Well, I was hoping to buy something newer than a 2004 model car. I’ve decided to spend no more than $26K cash (withdrawing it from savings, I have no interest in financing or leasing). I’ve test driven a 2006 Avalon, a 2007 Altima, a 2009 Chevy Malibu LTZ, and even a 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP and didn’t really care for any of them. I’ve also test driven a 2005 LS430 (the 2004 model is in another city). Obviously, the LS430 was my favorite of the ones I've looked at and the closest to what I’m used to, although I’m not 100% sold on the shape of the exterior and it’s not satellite radio ready. The 2005 and 2006 LS430s come with too much of an insurance increase for me, which is why I’m only looking at the 2004 model. I’ve also thought about test driving a 2006/2007 Infiniti M45 or 35, an ES 350, a 2006 GS300, or maybe a nicely loaded SUV. The BMWs and Mercedes are nice looking, but I’m worried about their cost of routine maintenance and service. At this point, I feel I’m wasting too much time researching vehicles. I know there are a lot of LS430 owners here and would like to know your opinions on buying a 2004 LS430 in late 2009. Also, I would gladly entertain suggestions on any reasonably priced alternatives in my $26K cash price range. Thanks for reading my post and all suggestions are appreciated (I will read all of what you write).

Hi, 92Lex, When the guy at Auto Zone cut into the cable, the corrosion appeared to travel down the inside of the cable. If I remember correctly, he cut about an inch or less away from the end of the terminal. I called a Lexus dealership this morning (in Florida since they offered Saturday service) and they informed me that the negative battery cable on the LS400 feeds into a wiring harness. The Lexus parts person said he estimated the harness costs about $800 (without looking it up). The Lexus parts guy also said this was not an uncommon problem and suggested splicing the negative cable further down pass the corrosion and creating a bridge between the old cable still attached to the wiring harness and a new cable purchased from a parts store using a “block.” I noticed that many of the websites for stores like Auto Zone and Advanced Auto Parts offered a special order splice kit for the car (but no pictures). So, apparently, that is the way the aftermarket parts stores handle this type of problem. I drove the car today and it drove great. Yesterday I was tidying the trunk and forgot the car was still running because it was so quiet. So, it’s not the worst problem at this point. I’ve been told by several people that the problems I’m starting to have with the car are stemming from not driving the car very often. I probably drive it 12 miles roundtrip to the store every 7 or 8 days (I typically work from home). So, I should probably start at least cranking it up every couple of days. I’ll try doing the cable splice if the problem gets any worst. For now, the new battery terminal end seems to have solved the immediate problem of cold weather starts. I’m definitely going to try to avoid paying the dealership $800 plus labor (even the Lexus parts guy warned against that). Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Hi. I hope someone can help me with some good advice. I am seeking information on how to replace the negative battery cable on a 1997 LS 400. The cable has corrosion going through it. Twice I had to get a jump when the weather was in the low 20s. So, I had the battery and alternator tested both times and both tested good each time. Finally, a gentleman at an auto parts store took his pocketknife and cut into my seemingly normal looking negative cable and that’s when we noticed the white powdery corrosion traveling through the cable. I removed the battery and battery compartment (in the auto parts store parking lot) but stopped when I saw that the negative cable eventually is taped to several other cables and the end of the negative cable is not visible. As a temporary fix, I replaced the negative battery cable terminal end and the car cranks reliably, but could run a little better. So, if you have any experience with replacing the negative cable in a 1997 LS400 I would appreciate any advice. I could cut the tape (that’s wrapping the negative cable to several other cables underneath the battery compartment) and try tracing the negative cable further; but I don’t want to waste my time if the cable ultimately travels into a wiring harness or is not replaceable. I read one post that talked about a negative cable connecting to the frame near the oil filter, but that poster didn’t say which Lexus model (it’s night time and I haven’t been able to go outside to see if my negative cable ends in a similar location). Can the LS400 negative cable be replaced with a regular auto parts store negative cable? Is there a diagram somewhere or is this a simple enough task where one could be talked through it and just do it? Thanks if you can help or even if you just took the time to read this. :)