Going to test drive an LS430 Today
 

I officialy sold my M3 so now I am without transportation :(

I am going to go and test drive a 2002 Lexus LS430 today. I just got a job, so I will need a car to commute and for winters, I think this might be a good candidate.

Any thoughts?
Please don't bash it because it is not an 8, I am painfully aware of the differences. If I get something like this, I will also get an 8, no more NSX dreams.

Feel free to suggest other luxo cars. I was also thinking about a used Q45. try to keep it reasonable though ;)

Thanks

I like the 430.. it's soooo quiet even with the top down, and the leather feals soo good against your naked butt!

no no, not the SC430, the LS430. :p

Oh that, no comment

haha,
you're mom told you "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything" too eh?

uhm, I want to bash it because it isn't an 8.

btw, what's wrong with a mazda 3?

Mazda 3 is not my style.

If I have to commute for an hour, I am going to be damn sure I am ultra comfortable because I hate traffic and I don't want to show up to work pissed off every day.

The LS is nice. A coworker of mine has an 03. It's surprisingly fast for its size, and quite luxurious. It's a nice "Grown-up" car. It's a bit big for my tastes, but a pretty decent value for the $ (as opposed to going German for something similar).

I just don't know anything about that car..

I'd get the Q45

Acura TL is a wonderful car

FWD :(

Hold out for an '05 "rumor mill"...you will get SH-AWD

i think the new rl comes with that. Not sure of the pricing though, might be a bit high new.

Edit: just checked the proposed canadian pricing. 69K thats about 25-30K more than I would like to spend.

Not a big fan of its design--otherwise its a very competent and reliable package-good value. Other cars would be E-Class Mercedes, BMW 5 series, Used S-Class Benz, 2003 and up Q45, Infiniti M45, Chrysler 300C, Jaguar XJ (R!), New RL, Acura TL--since you are looking at a used LS430; you can cross shop it with virtually any vehicle do to the price point. The only compelling reason to buy this car is if you are just overly captivated by its styling--otherwise there are soooooooooo many other offerings out there to suit everyones taste. Hell you could even look at the Volvo S60R

Just got back from the test drive. It is an impressive car. Very quiet, smooth and super comfortable. It is loaded with all sorts of little gadgets, voice recognition to name one of the more fun features. The engine was strong, lots of pull for such a big car. The seats were amazingly comfortable, A/C too. The handling was respectable for something so large. The suspension was great, soaked up nearly all road imperfections with ease. Lots of room in the car and a nice little sound system. I could see myself driving something like this, it certainly pampers it's driver.

Dre, I checked out some XJR's on autotrader. They are fairly inexpensive, almost worryingly so. Do you have any thoughts on a used version, 2001 seems to fit the price range.

Shiggins...I have a used-car "superstore" here in the Maryland area that always has several Jags for sale, XJRs being some of them. Anyways, one of my co-workers was shopping for a used luxuary vehicle and I went with him. He test drove an 2001 XJR, 2001 CLK 320 and 2000 540. He ended up getting the 540 (it had very low miles and was outfitted very well, plus...it was a MANUAL!! :D ) But the car he really wanted was that XJR...he just couldn't make the numbers work out.

It was very really a beautiful car both inside an out...the interior is a bit tighter than a Merc or Bimmer, but it feels so coddling with the Wilton wool carpeting and Connely leather. Then there's that engine...as glittering an example that BMW's 4.0 V-8 is, that Eaton-blown Jag 8 was stronger, meaner and faster by a good bit! The car is completely stealthy...only the bigger exhausts, bigger running gear and that super-cool mesh grille tell the tale. It's a definate statement of "having arrived" and of being an individual. It's as much of a muscle car as any Corvette ever was.

My only caveat? Make sure you still have some balance of factory warranty...especially with all the electronic wizadry at work in the Jag. Since Ford's been at the helm, they've improved by leaps and bounds, but there's still minor problems (like the windows and car alarm) as well as big problems (like the air suspension) that give owners some fits.

If I had the bucks...no choice...the Jag is it.

Arvin

thanks for the review man, I appreciate it. I will have to go and take a look at one. They are certainly sharp looking cars.

lexux? eugh, we had a bad experience with them a while ago. but then again, they were a new company back then. i dont know how an m3 could be not your style and an ls430 can be. boggles my mind. how about a used 740bmw? bmw always makes a great car.

haha, M3 isn't my style if it is my only car.

Big Fat Luxury Car + Small nimble sports car = My style ;)

Yeah-I love the XJR--just get an extended warranty that covers superchargers. Jaguar is actually near the top of the heap as far as quality goes according to JD Power and Associates--if you get the warranty you'll be straight.

it's a lexus they got all the bases covered if thats your thing.

The LS 430 has been called by the automotive press one of the finest cars ever built. It just won 1st in Car and Drive and 2nd in Motor Trend in it's recent comparisons. It's the most reliable in class as well.

Sweet car. There are a bunch of them around here though.

Lexus does the luxury thing very well, in every aspect of their business, but I'm sure you noticed that if you went to a Lexus dealer for the test drive.

You'll enjoy driving the XJR more--and that british luxury is hard to beat--remember Jaguar was ranked #3 or so in JD Power Quality rankings. The Lexus is probably less costly to own--but not nearly as fun to drive-its quick--but not XJR fast.