2004 Lexus LS 430 4.3

Summary:

A quality vehicle that can now be had for an affordable price

Faults:

Sub woofer has never worked (a common fault).

Laser cruise control has an alignment fault and doesn't work.

Rain sensing wiper function doesn't work.

General Comments:

Faults listed as above. The premium Mark Levinson stereo is nice, but the sub woofer is a common fault and very expensive to replace.

The laser (dynamic) cruise control is also a great feature when it is working properly. It will even apply the brakes if you get too close to the car in front. Mine developed an alignment fault soon after I purchased the car. I took it to Lexus and they had to contact Japan for any info on the laser system. It would appear that the laser system was only used for one year before they went to radar, which was apparently more reliable.

The rain sensing wipers have never worked, but the car has a pretty intelligent intermittent feature that varies the wipe, so I have never worried about getting the rain sensing function looked at.

Overall I do really like this car, it performs very well and is not bad on fuel. There are too many features to list, and a lot of them are not obvious unless you are made aware of them. A few features worthy of mention are self closing doors, auto dimming mirrors, "smart key" keyless entry (puddle lights and interior light illuminate as you approach the car at night) - just touch the door handle and the car unlocks, full electric seats (heated and cooled) and steering column electrically adjustable up and down and in and out, all with 3 memory positions. The list goes on and on. On the safety side there are 10 airbags.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st April, 2015

3rd Apr 2015, 01:49

This car set the benchmark for quality for its class when new, and will often outlast its predominantly German rivals while giving less trouble, provided it has not been tarted up by idiot hoons who insist on chopping and lowering the suspension, fitting idiotically wide and massive diameter rims, and a non-stock exhaust that spoils what this car was so renowned for - outstanding refinement.

A really good ride if you don't mind the bland, anonymous styling, and a chassis set up more for comfort than dynamics.

1995 Lexus LS 400 4.0 V8

Summary:

I love it - affordable, reliable, luxury motoring

Faults:

Minor electrical faults, oil pressure warning light, bulb blown warning light, both false alarms.

An auto electrician fixed the bulb blown warning light, but traced the oil pressure warning light to the instrument panel. $2000 to replace, plus $500 to reset the speedo. No thanks! I disconnected the oil light and installed an after market oil gauge and warning light.

General Comments:

I call it the satin sledgehammer - smooth and powerful. I was a bit hesitant to buy a 17 year old car with 360,000 km on the clock, but $6,000 for a $150,000 limo seemed like a bargain.

It's turned out be the best car I've even owned. I thought my old E Class Merc was good, but the Lex has been better in every way; smoother, quieter, more comfortable, faster, more economical and more reliable.

My mechanic hates me! The only time he sees me is once every 5000km for an oil change, once a year for registration check, and once every 150,000km for a timing belt change. That's a $2,000 job, so check the log books if you're thinking of buying one.

The stereo is awesome. I installed an FM modulator to play MP3s, but ended up ripping all my vinyl to CD because the quality is so much better.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th June, 2014

24th Aug 2014, 10:24

Saw one of these that had done 880k, and it still felt like it had plenty of life in it. These are amazing cars.