I had an 04 LS 430 Modern Luxury which is also the “refresh” model (like this) but added Mark Levinson, hearted and cooled front seats, navigation, etc. with the customary options over base. The refresh model (2004-2006) is a great car in every trim. Real world fuel economy on premium gas at or near sea level is around 28 on the highway cruising around 70. The refresh model gained the 6 speed auto in addition to the lights you mentioned. It has more torque than HP so it feels reasonably quick around town and the transmission is engineered for a tank and will last hundreds of thousands of miles. Lexus Service folks themselves say the 430 6-speed powertrain is the best ever from Lexus. It’s still a hydraulic rack and I honestly prefer it over my 460 in terms of steering. It’s pretty much what Rolls aimed for - effortless if not exciting acceleration, super comfy seats, cushy ride, and plenty of space to stretch out in comfort. I will add, since you noted the vents, that the vent servos will fail eventually but frankly it’s not worth fixing from a comfort perspective although it’s not super expensive. The AC is ice cold. The suspension is a lot more durable than the suspension in the 460 models. I got to 160K miles on original struts. All struts including the hood and trunk are KYB OEM so they are way and cheap to change if you go straight to the KYB aftermarket. Brakes are just fine with something cheap like Centric semi-metallic pads, offering plenty of stopping power. I will even admit the engine is so quiet that I once forgot to turn off the car. It’s a much quieter engine at idle on startup because it doesn’t have their GDI which is pretty noisy on the 4.6L. It has a tighter turning circle than it should and has a lower cD than any of the current Lexus sedans and also both 460 models. Literally the next two LS models have a bigger turning circle and more drag. I have had many friends who’ve driven and loved these cars. If you’re looking for a straightforward luxury barge that’s easy to run to 250K miles, get a 430. If you like a torquey low stress efficient V8 you won’t go wrong with this. Someone reading the comments should buy it.
Unequivocally agree! I've had my 2005 for 8 years now and at 61 years old...I do not plan on buying another car for the rest of my life. She is also white (best color to have in Florida), and looks almost new with only 133,000. Every person who's driven in her cannot believe its a 18 year old car with how she looks and drives. Every reviewer here on TY says practically the same thing....best car ever built. I cannot agree more!
@@kaohsiung99 fkn amazing - i've put 1500 miles on it - no issues so far - only thing is the telescoping on steering wheel doesnt work, but up and down works great - updated the audio system, got an Atoto S8 ultra with carplay - amazing - the only thing i've noticed is at highway speeds (75+mph) when slightly veering right like on a curve on a highway i hear a strange rubbing noise - havnt been able to figure this one out yet - drove past a local crackhead the other day and had my windows down dude said "damn man thats a nice ass whip"
After owning BMW, Jaguar, and Land Rover, owning a Toyota/Lexus product is sheer heaven with no worries when driving their vehicles day in, day out. No oil leaks on the driveway either. Great video as always Bill with plenty of mayhem for you while filming, birds always paint freshly washed cars.
That IS true!! All round outstanding performance and THE MOST reliable engines made, these Lexus cars are BAD ASS!!! 👍💯 This 3rd gen is a sweet example!!
That is true. HOWEVER, here's one: LEXUS meaning: One possesing great potential and beauty as well as an immense amount of drive, pleasant dissposition, good natured, extremly intelligent, very beautiful with a very unique sense of humor.
Actually, no. If you've read the book, the name "Lexus" originated from the very early idea for the brand, which was to name it "Alexis". They obviously dropped the A and added the U in place of the "I". All of that "Luxury Export to the US" talk is nonsense, and the speculation has been officially denied by the Toyota Motor Corporation.
Awesome review from our Bill! After owning four Mercedes over the years with dubious build quality and endless costly repairs we finally gave up and purchased an immaculate condition high milage Silver/Black LS430 2004 UL package fully loaded. We have never been happier with a vehicle, the LS430 is every bit a good as the hype, cannot recommend one of these marvels enough. The car always attracts positive comments and our mechanic that pampers our LS is keen to buy it from if we ever decide to sell, trouble is this is a hard act to follow. Always entertaining and candid is a review from Bill! Thankyou
I was gonna get the 460 but my friend has one and told me to get the 430 instead cause his engine started acting up at 180000k. His older 430 went 350k with no problems except navigation went out .
This guy cracks me up! Pushing 100 on the way to work and he shows the speedo. Doug DeMuro would say he's going a speed he can't show or say, but not our friend here. Shameless and fearless!
I remember driving my boss's back in 1999 and being stunned by the HID headlights. Also I was impressed by it cruising at 120 for miles effortlessly. But don't tell him.
I didn't appreciate Lexus much until I owned one. I then realized just how much more intelligent their engineering approach was. The scarcest one is the GS460 and I've been trying to find a good one for a long time.
@DC Williams It's sad that people like you can't see beyond anecdotal evidence (which is all this is). It's a great thing we have statistics to show Lexus (and currently Genesis) are still dominating luxury segment reliability. The GPS. Really? There was no model year 2012 GS350. They don't exist. They had a new 3rd gen GS for 2013 that had a few issues close to launch that were sorted and never seen again. If that's what you meant then, regardless, it's still less common to have issues with first model year Lexus. A friend has a '13 GS350 with over 100k miles and nothing has ever gone wrong.
A year ago I had a silver gs460. Best smoothest car I EVER owned. I only sold it to buy an SUV for our crazy Canadian winters. Do I regret selling it? Yes :( it only had 115000 kms. 2008. Oh well I got what I paid for it. Now I'm looking at a 2003 ls460. Silver. With only 65000kms. A true unicorn.
I stumbled onto Lexus a GS300 in 2003 since I have bought 7 Lexus over the years. I currently owned RX450H(family car) and GS300 on 7 plate( my personal toy to commute to work) 20 miles x 2 on the motorway bought at a bargain prices.
Great to see you Bill! Anyone who says this car is boring, knows nothing of the brand. Lexus should grow on you Bill, they'll outlast most of the cars you evaluate & definitely Outlast anything German you put up. Lol Hello from Detroit
@@curiouscars9282 Lexus has the ES but Germans have worse crap like the CLA, etc. The Lexus F models ironically have better road, steering, and braking feel than current M and AMG which are all artificial, over-boosted, isolation boxes.
MrCarGuy Thanx for putting the knowledge out their bro couple of German fanboys in the comments and as always their favorite saying is it’s a Toyota or it looks like a Camry or Corolla when Lexus cars have many differences as well especially the LS cars the Lexus haters never stop with that line it’s a Toyota smh
The Japanese took some of the best cars in the world stripped theme down saw how they could improve them in quality , performance , safety and engineering , reliability and made a car that was far superior to any European brand to sell for themselves I.E. the Lexus
Love your forthright commentary Bill, I own a 13 year old RX400H which I love. My first ride was in a 2004 LS430 which made me fall for the Lexus brand.
Case in point: in 1990 Mercedes was still using the old 1970s seatbelt "buzzer" while every car company in the world had moved on to the electronic chime or tone. Also, IIRC Mercedes still did not have a power tilt/telescope steering column, remote control door lock and trunk opener, automatic headlamps and bright lamp dimmers, fully electronic climate control, or a high quality 6 speaker stereo with cassette and CD player - all of which were standard equipment on the 1990 Lexus LS400.
A friend bought a new first gen LS400.I owned an E series Merc. I was completely shocked that i actually preferred the Lexus! Until I drove one I ignored the magazines heaping praise on them because I loved my Mercedes and couldn't believe Toyota could ever compete.Why did I have to ruin it all by driving the LS!
Got a GS430 with the same engine as this, I often take the longer route because I don't wanna stop driving it. 20 years old next year and not a single issue.
I'm definitely into mid 2000's, low miles Lexus. Have an '07 ES350 that now has 35K on it that I picked up 6 months ago with 18K. Can't recommend them highly enough! Just upgrade with a bluetooth install and you're good to put 250K miles on them.
I got an 06 and it’s probably the best car I’ve ever owned. Sillllllky smooth and plenty of punch when you need it. Such a reliable car. I like how you seemed to change your tune about the car at the end when you said I guess it does have some pep. It definitely does.
@@theodoreyoung8777 For sure! I just did a minor tune up on mine (cleaned MAF, TB, new ECT sensor and PCV along with a new air filter) and it runs like a brand new car. Seems to have improved throttle response and smoothness and I wasn’t complaining before. I want to keep this car for a long time.
@@jpate89 Me too bro and had my belt and water pump replaced at the Lexus dealership just got a new die hard platinum battery and wow what a difference my car is much faster now It was already fast quiet and smooth but with the new battery a major difference I love my car that’s why I’m never getting rid of mines 💎 😎
And last but not least can’t stand how people hate on Lexus bro especially those Mercedes Benz or German badge snobs lol smh the first thing they say it’s a Toyota or it isn’t fast enough funny thing is the Mercedes Benz S430 of that era is slower than our Lexus in horsepower and overall as a whole 😂 but people just hate without knowing or doing their research like u said he didn’t give our Lexus its recognition until he pushed it then o yeah it does 🤣 and one last thing our car is so whisper quiet and buttery smooth u can be doing a 100 mph and feel like your doing 40 or 60 mph 😎
@@theodoreyoung8777 Dude the LS is probably the best all around sedan ever built for the money. Let people hate, they don’t know WTF they are talking about. As for Bill, he gave it a ton of credit, but he always has to talk a little bit of trash even on the cars he likes. He basically says Mercedes couldn’t do what Lexus did for the money they couldn’t come close and the quality blows MB out the water. Trust me, he gets it.
Not to tell you your business but the oscillating vents you hate are actually “smart.” They use seat and sun and temperature sensors. If it’s just the driver, vents will aim directly at driver upon startup when it’s hottest inside. It then after a few minutes oscillates but only back and forth toward the driver. Eventually once it cools down to normal the vents sway all the way from side to side. If there’s a passenger, exact same thing except they get right vent pointed toward them at first, then their own oscillation, then they’ll finally sync once it’s nice and cool inside and go all the way from side to side together. Also there are sun sensors which will change their algorithm, say, if you’re on a long interstate drive facing the sun for a long period of time. Don’t sell these suckers short. No other Lexus has ever had them, just another reason these cars are so damn special. Oh and LOLLL about the gun storage also. Those front door pockets are great, but my 9MM kept moving around so I put it in the glovebox. Great review. But drive it around a little you’ll see what I mean about the vents!!!!
The oscillating vents are God-sent. One of the best things for anyone who doesn't like any direct air blow, hot or cold. Used to love this feature when driving several Crown's.
It's not the Japanese Benz - Lexus has no equal - The Germans only wish that they could build reliable, efficient and awesome cars like Lexus consistently does !
A Classic and Epic car. I have the same car and always getting complements on how lovely it is. I'm the second owner of my LS430 and I wish I had another one just for giggles.
The oscillating vents are much more complex than you realize and they are not hokey. The car has built in separate temperature sensors in various locations to adjust the air as needed per its settings. If your passenger doesn’t like how you have the air conditioning freezing and they set their side warmer, the temperature vent will have warmer air for that passenger and adjust the oscillation pattern to reduce it so that the driver who likes it cold won’t get the warmer air blowing on them. Correspondingly,the oscillating vent will stay focussed on the driver with less isolation. If there’s a greater variance in temperature between the two users, of course the warmer air will be diverted to the lower foot position for the person who wants warmer air while the person who wants cooler air will receive air from the oscillating vent. This is clever if you have cold feet from poor circulation you can put the heat very high on your side as the driver, lower the temperature On the passenger side with the air conditioning on to direct the cold air to your face so you don’t overheat since so much hot air is blowing out at your feet. It’s a very sophisticated system mine still works on my 2001 LS 430. And I don’t have it on my 2010 LS 460 L AWD,Wish it did. But not gimmicky at all. You have to be very perceptive to actually discern the whole patterning and functioning of the system. Like I said their various Temperature sensors throughout the car to accommodate the most pleasant environment. It was way advanced for the time.
@@gabeeskridge8291 Thank you its definitely not 1000 percent perfect but no 20 year old car with over 100k miles will be. Still it looks pristine when you see it driving down the road. It drives like its brand new the V8 is butter smooth has loads of torque and the transmission is so good that you cant even feel it shifting gears. Even though its a two ton luxury sedan it handles better than my 04 acura tsx that I just got rid of. Ive had mechanics tell me that my LS430 is the nicest 20 year old car they've ever seen. Clear headlights. Not a single rip in the interior. The wheels are even in pristine condition. It's by far the best car that I could have gotten especially considering that I paid below 10k for it.
@@theodoreyoung8777 I'm a part time auto broker. I've decided this is my next ride , come rain or shine. I need the Euro Tuned Sport model, 150-180K on the miles. 2004-2006.
I have a 2005 LS430 ULTRA LUXURY BLACK ON BLACK. I purchased from original owner in Northern California with 69,000 miles 5 years ago . It currently has 99,000 I may never sell it . It took me 6 months looking everyday to find it . These are great cars .
@@itzjdub282 yes there is currently. It has a little over 100k and you can hear it clunk when driving and steering shakes a bit . I was told it was the suspension and something needing replacement. I don’t drive it so I have not had it repaired. Although I believe I will be repairing it in the next few months .
Not boring...fast muscular heavy solid vault-like over built rock solid luxurious supple lovely understated high tech reliable bullet proof and a joy to own & drive. Mine is anyway... ALWAYS EXCELLENT WORK BILL
Dad sold a 2000 S500 (W220) for a 2004 LS430 - Sport w/ Modern Luxury Pkg. Silver/Grey - He still has it... roughly 60k miles... everything works. The car is like new. I imagine if the S500 was still around it would need at least 1-2k a year in repairs/maintenance.
Really like the LS series until the latest generation appeared. I hope Lexus will return to a "squarer" look for the LS with the next generation. This is a beautiful car.
I bought my 2004 ls 430 with 100k even for 10grand straight. Best car I ever purchased. I've had zero problems since I purchased it and would buy it again.
@@theodoreyoung8777 mine got totaled last Saturday by suv Rear ending me doing about 40mph. The car took it like a champ an my son in backseat was fine. Excellent car till the day it died. Time to get Lx 470.
I bought a 21 year old Lexus ls400 a few weeks ago just for fun. It is amazing and i use it as a daily driver. German cars that old are scrap material.
As a Canadian, seeing you cruising with the needle at 95 to 100 I was thinking things had slowed down in FL, then I realized it was MPH and not KM/H. Good on you bad boy!
A J T It sure does I have to check all the time and does and I be amazed at how fast it is and so smooth doesn’t feel like it if that makes any sense too lol I own a 2006 Lexus LS430 and never getting rid of mines she is a keeper 🤝😎
Lol yup! My first car was a '97 Mazda 626 that had that feature. Drove it to almost 300k when the head gasket finally gave up, but those vents... they never gave up!
I have never seen those wheels on an LS. They look like 3rd gen GS wheels and they really look great on it. I am a huge fan of that generation of LS. Not so much the bland one that came in 07.
Bill this is Beauty from Lexus...when Japanese copy and Improve! Nice video....if Hitchcock was around he would definitely Star you in the sequel to The Birds!
I own the 05 and 2010 LS Lexus’. You can’t beat em. But although the 2010 is a little more powerful and comfortable it doesn’t hold up as well as the 05 430. Lexus peaked in 05. And I say that because the 06 while it was just as nice as the 05 and very little change, they did lower the horsepower a little bit due emissions bs. Thanks demos.
Way back when I owned a 1997 W140 and I still have a 2005 LS430 Base/Premium that I use as a daily driver. The ride is very similar, and I would have to admit that the Mercedes switchgear was as precise as a Rolex, but the Lexus is a far, far, far better car overall. My mechanic explained that the LS430 was the last Lexus that was sold below cost; all future cars had to make a profit. The LS430 was "dumped" into the USA to drive the final nail in the coffin for the Germans. It didn't quite do that, but it sure put them on their heels. Unfortunately Lexus then started the slow process of diluting its brand ... they really had mojo in the first decade of the millennium. Their LS sales are a fraction of what they once were.
That scout bird was apparently telling his friends to come fly over the Lexus and drop some bird poop on the hood, lol. This is a great looking car for its age, and should be a very comfortable and reliable ride. I'm not surprised you already have a sale pending on it.
I grew up a GM guy. Had a 71 Pontiac Ventura, 77 Impala, 77 Delta 88, 75 Cutlass Supreme... then a 1994 Monte Carlo and 1999 GMC Envoy. I went to Toyota from there. My wife and I have 2 Toyota Venzas with 3.5 liter 268 hp Lexus V6s. They are fantastic. Reliability makes you love a car more and more. The comfort is great and 0 to 60 in 6.7 isn't bad for a 4000 lb AWD station wagon
I had an 04 LS 430 Modern Luxury which is also the “refresh” model (like this) but added Mark Levinson, hearted and cooled front seats, navigation, etc. with the customary options over base. The refresh model (2004-2006) is a great car in every trim. Real world fuel economy on premium gas at or near sea level is around 28 on the highway cruising around 70. The refresh model gained the 6 speed auto in addition to the lights you mentioned. It has more torque than HP so it feels reasonably quick around town and the transmission is engineered for a tank and will last hundreds of thousands of miles. Lexus Service folks themselves say the 430 6-speed powertrain is the best ever from Lexus. It’s still a hydraulic rack and I honestly prefer it over my 460 in terms of steering. It’s pretty much what Rolls aimed for - effortless if not exciting acceleration, super comfy seats, cushy ride, and plenty of space to stretch out in comfort. I will add, since you noted the vents, that the vent servos will fail eventually but frankly it’s not worth fixing from a comfort perspective although it’s not super expensive. The AC is ice cold. The suspension is a lot more durable than the suspension in the 460 models. I got to 160K miles on original struts. All struts including the hood and trunk are KYB OEM so they are way and cheap to change if you go straight to the KYB aftermarket. Brakes are just fine with something cheap like Centric semi-metallic pads, offering plenty of stopping power. I will even admit the engine is so quiet that I once forgot to turn off the car. It’s a much quieter engine at idle on startup because it doesn’t have their GDI which is pretty noisy on the 4.6L. It has a tighter turning circle than it should and has a lower cD than any of the current Lexus sedans and also both 460 models. Literally the next two LS models have a bigger turning circle and more drag. I have had many friends who’ve driven and loved these cars. If you’re looking for a straightforward luxury barge that’s easy to run to 250K miles, get a 430. If you like a torquey low stress efficient V8 you won’t go wrong with this. Someone reading the comments should buy it.
And that’s why I’m never getting rid of my 2006 Lexus LS430 she is a keeper 😎 Perfectly said bro thanx for the info 🤝😎
Buying one.
h7 🤝😎
h7 Please let me know when u do bro and how much u like the LS430
There's many parts on this that look familiar to my 2001 Toyota Crown Athlete VX.
This is hands down, the greatest car ever built! If you own one, keep it as long as possible.
yup, best car ever
Unequivocally agree! I've had my 2005 for 8 years now and at 61 years old...I do not plan on buying another car for the rest of my life. She is also white (best color to have in Florida), and looks almost new with only 133,000. Every person who's driven in her cannot believe its a 18 year old car with how she looks and drives. Every reviewer here on TY says practically the same thing....best car ever built. I cannot agree more!
just got an '06 yesterday! its so freakin NICE!
@@probad- How's everything going with your Lexus?
@@kaohsiung99 fkn amazing - i've put 1500 miles on it - no issues so far - only thing is the telescoping on steering wheel doesnt work, but up and down works great - updated the audio system, got an Atoto S8 ultra with carplay - amazing - the only thing i've noticed is at highway speeds (75+mph) when slightly veering right like on a curve on a highway i hear a strange rubbing noise - havnt been able to figure this one out yet - drove past a local crackhead the other day and had my windows down dude said "damn man thats a nice ass whip"
After owning BMW, Jaguar, and Land Rover, owning a Toyota/Lexus product is sheer heaven with no worries when driving their vehicles day in, day out. No oil leaks on the driveway either. Great video as always Bill with plenty of mayhem for you while filming, birds always paint freshly washed cars.
Had a 06 Avalon. No major problems. 128,000 miles. Loved it.
Dispite being only 24 years old, I love cars like this. I would take this car in a heart beat! (Although, I'm quite partial to Lincoln Town Cars too)
I’m 16 and love land yachts! Smoother the ride, bigger the barge, the better
I got my first LS when I was 33. Since then I’ve had a Jaguar XJ and now another LS. Once you get used to these barges it’s hard to go back.
@@thecrazeecow1682 If you like the land yachts go to @AnthonyGozzo You Tube Channel
@@thecrazeecow1682 23 here and drive an ES330 lol! Love the smooth soft ride!
@@thecrazeecow1682 hello fellow 16 yr old
15 year old navigation is like having pac man on your dash. Thats pure gold
I have the same nav system in my 05 land cruiser and 06 Lexus ES330 it still works perfectly haha
@@805NAVE i actually have an 05 MDX and i use the Pacman nav system It does work well. My lady has an RX 350 nav system. Works great.
i have this system and still use it today
I won't buy a car without Bill telling me what kind of firearms and narcotics I can stash in it!!!
I'm also a Mercedes guy, but I absolutely LOVE the Lexus LS. They're great cars, very reliable and incredibly comfortable. They ride like a cloud.
Me too bro that’s why I had to try a Lexus and own a 2006 Lexus LS430 and she is a keeper and I’m never getting rid of her 😎
This is an absolutely fantastically reliable car. Those that know, will seek it out specifically for that reason.
Lexus actually stands for luxury export to U.S .. Hence LEXUS
That IS true!! All round outstanding performance and THE MOST reliable engines made, these Lexus cars are BAD ASS!!! 👍💯 This 3rd gen is a sweet example!!
It makes perfect sense but I’m not sure it actually stands for that.
That is true.
HOWEVER, here's one:
LEXUS meaning:
One possesing great potential and beauty as well as an immense amount of drive, pleasant dissposition, good natured, extremly intelligent, very beautiful with a very unique sense of humor.
I learned something new today, thanks Matt.
Actually, no. If you've read the book, the name "Lexus" originated from the very early idea for the brand, which was to name it "Alexis". They obviously dropped the A and added the U in place of the "I". All of that "Luxury Export to the US" talk is nonsense, and the speculation has been officially denied by the Toyota Motor Corporation.
Awesome review from our Bill! After owning four Mercedes over the years with dubious build quality and endless costly repairs we finally gave up and purchased an immaculate condition high milage Silver/Black LS430 2004 UL package fully loaded. We have never been happier with a vehicle, the LS430 is every bit a good as the hype, cannot recommend one of these marvels enough. The car always attracts positive comments and our mechanic that pampers our LS is keen to buy it from if we ever decide to sell, trouble is this is a hard act to follow. Always entertaining and candid is a review from Bill! Thankyou
Have been waiting for Bill review of the LS430 for years!
LS430 is one of the best looking luxury sedans EVER. I have a newer LS460 and I wanna get the older LS430!!
Yupp 😎🤝
I was gonna get the 460 but my friend has one and told me to get the 430 instead cause his engine started acting up at 180000k. His older 430 went 350k with no problems except navigation went out .
Chomar Did u get the 430 bro know their hard to find I own a 2006 Lexus LS430 and never getting rid of mines she is a keeper 😎
@@theodoreyoung8777 yeah I got the 2004 430 I'm sitting in it now. Everything works fine with no problems. Lexus for life
Chomar Congrats bro what would u say u like the most or the few things u like about our 430 cars
I saw about 7 eagles circling above my park today, and I thought of Bill. It was too close for comfort.
Ha ha ha..they are talking about what they are going to do to bill while they circle around looking for him...AND they all just had breakfast...lol
Welcome back Bill, fantastic review of a underated car, glad the weather is not too hot, keep an eye on the birds
I’ll take a Lexus over a BMW or Mercedes any day.
Reliability my friend I have a Lexus no problem smooth ride
I Have a 2013 ES350 with only 40k miles, reliability is unparalleled. German cars are mostly all empty $ pits over 5 years old ad 50k miles !
Genesis is best!
Reliability yeah, luxury? S class still always takes it
@@Chris-yy5pj junk
This guy cracks me up! Pushing 100 on the way to work and he shows the speedo. Doug DeMuro would say he's going a speed he can't show or say, but not our friend here. Shameless and fearless!
Love my 06 LS430 Ultra Luxury ❤️🔥 bout damn time you got your hands on a LS430 for us
Me too I own a 06 as well never getting rid of her she is a keeper 😎
The Second and Third Generation Lexus LS are my two favorite Lexus’s.
I remember driving my boss's back in 1999 and being stunned by the HID headlights. Also I was impressed by it cruising at 120 for miles effortlessly. But don't tell him.
@@9ZERO6 Yes, I drove my bosses LS460 going 65 in a 45 and I couldn’t tell I was going fast.
I didn't appreciate Lexus much until I owned one. I then realized just how much more intelligent their engineering approach was. The scarcest one is the GS460 and I've been trying to find a good one for a long time.
@DC Williams It's sad that people like you can't see beyond anecdotal evidence (which is all this is). It's a great thing we have statistics to show Lexus (and currently Genesis) are still dominating luxury segment reliability. The GPS. Really?
There was no model year 2012 GS350. They don't exist. They had a new 3rd gen GS for 2013 that had a few issues close to launch that were sorted and never seen again. If that's what you meant then, regardless, it's still less common to have issues with first model year Lexus. A friend has a '13 GS350 with over 100k miles and nothing has ever gone wrong.
A year ago I had a silver gs460. Best smoothest car I EVER owned. I only sold it to buy an SUV for our crazy Canadian winters. Do I regret selling it? Yes :( it only had 115000 kms. 2008. Oh well I got what I paid for it. Now I'm looking at a 2003 ls460. Silver. With only 65000kms. A true unicorn.
MrCarGuy So true bro that old Lexus IS a Toyota saying lol smh 🤝😎
@@jonathanwelke bought my black gs460 a couple years ago. i'll never sell it because ill never find another one as nice.
@@jonathanwelke fella there is no ls460 of 2003)
I had one of these same year for about 4 years, and still miss it! SO comfortable and smooth and mechanically bulletproof
Happy thanksgiving Bill. I’m thankful I found this channel this year!
Thanks, Bill. I remember when the original LS400 was introduced. The way that engine was engineered, you could tell it would last forever.
😎
I stumbled onto Lexus a GS300 in 2003 since I have bought 7 Lexus over the years. I currently owned RX450H(family car) and GS300 on 7 plate( my personal toy to commute to work) 20 miles x 2 on the motorway bought at a bargain prices.
Great to see you Bill! Anyone who says this car is boring, knows nothing of the brand. Lexus should grow on you Bill, they'll outlast most of the cars you evaluate & definitely Outlast anything German you put up. Lol
Hello from Detroit
Hello Paul - I have to admit this car did impress me, and I've always been down on the brand. Still couldn't get me in an ES, though.
@@curiouscars9282 Lexus has the ES but Germans have worse crap like the CLA, etc. The Lexus F models ironically have better road, steering, and braking feel than current M and AMG which are all artificial, over-boosted, isolation boxes.
True indeed I love my 2006 Lexus LS430 and never getting rid of her she is a keeper 😎
MrCarGuy Thanx for putting the knowledge out their bro couple of German fanboys in the comments and as always their favorite saying is it’s a Toyota or it looks like a Camry or Corolla when Lexus cars have many differences as well especially the LS cars the Lexus haters never stop with that line it’s a Toyota smh
Thanx bro for being honest and not just another Lexus hater lol like the fanboys of German cars o it’s just a Toyota 😂 smh
The Japanese took some of the best cars in the world stripped theme down saw how they could improve them in quality , performance , safety and engineering , reliability and made a car that was far superior to any European brand to sell for themselves I.E. the Lexus
What?
It called "Reverse Engineering" . . .
Mercedes, Audi , and BMW got rocked and KO'd when Toyota came with Lexus LS. They have never recovered.
@@gabeeskridge8291 sales data show the opposite.
@@Jmjdit sales data show toyota lexus is the largest, most sucsessful global automotive brand.
Love your forthright commentary Bill, I own a 13 year old RX400H which I love. My first ride was in a 2004 LS430 which made me fall for the Lexus brand.
Bill's commentary is highly addictive , you forgot the tennis racket again....damn birds
I like the design of the 2007-2017, but this generation looks more expensive and prestigious
The 07 looks like a Camry 🤮
@@IceQueenVanessa yes, this one has more presence
Case in point: in 1990 Mercedes was still using the old 1970s seatbelt "buzzer" while every car company in the world had moved on to the electronic chime or tone. Also, IIRC Mercedes still did not have a power tilt/telescope steering column, remote control door lock and trunk opener, automatic headlamps and bright lamp dimmers, fully electronic climate control, or a high quality 6 speaker stereo with cassette and CD player - all of which were standard equipment on the 1990 Lexus LS400.
Yeah those old MB stereo systems were beyond bad.
Stay away from politics bill and continue with the automobiles , you do way better that way dude!!!
A friend bought a new first gen LS400.I owned an E series Merc. I was completely shocked that i actually preferred the Lexus! Until I drove one I ignored the magazines heaping praise on them because I loved my Mercedes and couldn't believe Toyota could ever compete.Why did I have to ruin it all by driving the LS!
🤝 That’s right bro that’s why I’m never getting rid of my 2006 Lexus LS430 💎😍🥰😎
Got a GS430 with the same engine as this, I often take the longer route because I don't wanna stop driving it. 20 years old next year and not a single issue.
Wow bro congrats on that longevity I also feel the same I own a 2006 Lexus LS430 and never getting rid of mines she is a keeper 🤝😎
Thanks for reviewing this Bill
This is my fav LS 430 car review ! Loved the humor, made me chuckle several times. I want to experience a Lexus LS 430
I'm definitely into mid 2000's, low miles Lexus. Have an '07 ES350 that now has 35K on it that I picked up 6 months ago with 18K. Can't recommend them highly enough! Just upgrade with a bluetooth install and you're good to put 250K miles on them.
I got an 06 and it’s probably the best car I’ve ever owned. Sillllllky smooth and plenty of punch when you need it. Such a reliable car. I like how you seemed to change your tune about the car at the end when you said I guess it does have some pep. It definitely does.
Never getting rid of of my 2006 it’s a gem 💎 😎
@@theodoreyoung8777 For sure! I just did a minor tune up on mine (cleaned MAF, TB, new ECT sensor and PCV along with a new air filter) and it runs like a brand new car. Seems to have improved throttle response and smoothness and I wasn’t complaining before. I want to keep this car for a long time.
@@jpate89 Me too bro and had my belt and water pump
replaced at the Lexus dealership just got a new die hard platinum battery and wow what a difference my car is much faster now
It was already fast quiet and smooth but with the new battery a major difference I love my car that’s why I’m never getting rid of mines 💎 😎
And last but not least can’t stand how people hate on Lexus bro especially those Mercedes Benz or German badge snobs lol smh the first thing they say it’s a Toyota or it isn’t fast enough funny thing is the Mercedes Benz S430 of that era is slower than our Lexus in horsepower and overall as a whole 😂 but people just hate without knowing or doing their research like u said he didn’t give our Lexus its recognition until he pushed it then o yeah it does 🤣 and one last thing our car is so whisper quiet and buttery smooth u can be doing a 100 mph and feel like your doing 40
or 60 mph 😎
@@theodoreyoung8777 Dude the LS is probably the best all around sedan ever built for the money. Let people hate, they don’t know WTF they are talking about. As for Bill, he gave it a ton of credit, but he always has to talk a little bit of trash even on the cars he likes. He basically says Mercedes couldn’t do what Lexus did for the money they couldn’t come close and the quality blows MB out the water. Trust me, he gets it.
Not to tell you your business but the oscillating vents you hate are actually “smart.” They use seat and sun and temperature sensors.
If it’s just the driver, vents will aim directly at driver upon startup when it’s hottest inside. It then after a few minutes oscillates but only back and forth toward the driver. Eventually once it cools down to normal the vents sway all the way from side to side.
If there’s a passenger, exact same thing except they get right vent pointed toward them at first, then their own oscillation, then they’ll finally sync once it’s nice and cool inside and go all the way from side to side together. Also there are sun sensors which will change their algorithm, say, if you’re on a long interstate drive facing the sun for a long period of time.
Don’t sell these suckers short. No other Lexus has ever had them, just another reason these cars are so damn special.
Oh and LOLLL about the gun storage also. Those front door pockets are great, but my 9MM kept moving around so I put it in the glovebox. Great review. But drive it around a little you’ll see what I mean about the vents!!!!
🤝😎 I own a 2006 Lexus LS430 and never getting rid of mines she is a keeper 😍
Bill: The Lexus LS430 interior was designed to look like a Ritz Carlton.
Me: Does that mean the Chevy Impala interior was the No Tell Motel? 😏
The oscillating vents are God-sent. One of the best things for anyone who doesn't like any direct air blow, hot or cold. Used to love this feature when driving several Crown's.
I have an 04'. I love it. Got it for $6,000 with 140,000 miles. No issues and everything works.
It's not the Japanese Benz - Lexus has no equal - The Germans only wish that they could build reliable, efficient and awesome cars like Lexus consistently does !
This was peak Lexus LS, just amazing vehicles that gave buyers what they wanted.
Love the LS430! My favorite lexus. I really want one myself! It's also one of the most reliable cars.
This car is so iconic and reliable that at the time even the CEO of Ford bought one as his daily driver.
A Classic and Epic car. I have the same car and always getting complements on how lovely it is. I'm the second owner of my LS430 and I wish I had another one just for giggles.
Great video Bob, I bought a SC430 thanks to your previous videos :)
The oscillating vents are much more complex than you realize and they are not hokey. The car has built in separate temperature sensors in various locations to adjust the air as needed per its settings. If your passenger doesn’t like how you have the air conditioning freezing and they set their side warmer, the temperature vent will have warmer air for that passenger and adjust the oscillation pattern to reduce it so that the driver who likes it cold won’t get the warmer air blowing on them. Correspondingly,the oscillating vent will stay focussed on the driver with less isolation. If there’s a greater variance in temperature between the two users, of course the warmer air will be diverted to the lower foot position for the person who wants warmer air while the person who wants cooler air will receive air from the oscillating vent. This is clever if you have cold feet from poor circulation you can put the heat very high on your side as the driver, lower the temperature On the passenger side with the air conditioning on to direct the cold air to your face so you don’t overheat since so much hot air is blowing out at your feet. It’s a very sophisticated system mine still works on my 2001 LS 430. And I don’t have it on my 2010 LS 460 L AWD,Wish it did. But not gimmicky at all. You have to be very perceptive to actually discern the whole patterning and functioning of the system. Like I said their various Temperature sensors throughout the car to accommodate the most pleasant environment. It was way advanced for the time.
I just bought myself a 2002 Lexus LS430 with only 102k miles on the odometer as a daily driver. I'm absolutely infatuated with it.
Wise , extremely wise decision. For the money , the greatest vehicle ever built. Period.
I'm looking for a mint one RIGHT KNOW.
@@gabeeskridge8291 Thank you its definitely not 1000 percent perfect but no 20 year old car with over 100k miles will be. Still it looks pristine when you see it driving down the road. It drives like its brand new the V8 is butter smooth has loads of torque and the transmission is so good that you cant even feel it shifting gears. Even though its a two ton luxury sedan it handles better than my 04 acura tsx that I just got rid of. Ive had mechanics tell me that my LS430 is the nicest 20 year old car they've ever seen. Clear headlights. Not a single rip in the interior. The wheels are even in pristine condition. It's by far the best car that I could have gotten especially considering that I paid below 10k for it.
Mercedes never recovered after the launch of the Lexus LS, especially this model. Simply amazing in every respect.
They're knee caps were shattered , and they were completely exposed for their trash vehicles they put out.
@@gabeeskridge8291 🤝🏽😎
The moving vents are awesome!
I can’t wait to get my hands on one. My dream car
Definitely get one bro I own a 2006 Lexus LS430 and never getting rid of mines she is a keeper 👍🏾👍🏾😎
@@theodoreyoung8777 I'm a part time auto broker. I've decided this is my next ride , come rain or shine. I need the Euro Tuned Sport model, 150-180K on the miles. 2004-2006.
@@gabeeskridge8291The best in getting one bro u won't be disappointed 🤝🏽😎
Love The Lexus! This Definitely Fits The Channel! 👍
I wasn't sold until you showed the switchblade storage. Now i must have.
I have a 2005 LS430 ULTRA LUXURY BLACK ON BLACK.
I purchased from original owner in Northern California with 69,000 miles 5 years ago . It currently has 99,000
I may never sell it .
It took me 6 months looking everyday to find it .
These are great cars .
Congrats bro I own a 2006 Lexus LS430 and I’m never getting rid of mines she is a keeper 😎🤝
Have you had any issues with the suspension?
@@itzjdub282 yes there is currently.
It has a little over 100k and you can hear it clunk when driving and steering shakes a bit .
I was told it was the suspension and something needing replacement.
I don’t drive it so I have not had it repaired. Although I believe I will be repairing it in the next few months .
I plan on buying one of these in the next year or so. One of the best cars every made.
Not boring...fast muscular heavy solid vault-like over built rock solid luxurious supple lovely understated high tech reliable bullet proof and a joy to own & drive. Mine is anyway... ALWAYS EXCELLENT WORK BILL
Agreed love my 2006 Lexus LS430 never getting rid of mines 💎 😎
Just sold my 2002 LS430, hated to do it, but it was time.
If you have the Ultra Luxury trim level, the rear seats get a massage function, recliners, and the driver gets adaptive cruise control
This dude started the video on the bird in the tree! 🤣🤣🤣 I f%#@ing love Bill
Darnn. I wrote this a year ago?! 🤣💯
Nice LS 430! Are you a stand-up comedian? You’re cracking me up!!😂
Lol all birds eyes are on Bill. This is so entertaining when watching his video.
Dad sold a 2000 S500 (W220) for a 2004 LS430 - Sport w/ Modern Luxury Pkg. Silver/Grey - He still has it... roughly 60k miles... everything works. The car is like new. I imagine if the S500 was still around it would need at least 1-2k a year in repairs/maintenance.
that's not a boring car - it is a beautiful masterpiece. Go ahead try and find a better looking and reliable car on the planet.
@ 16:25 . . . Little mini Beastie Boys review tucked into the overall Lexus review. Sub-review and main review. Classic Bill.
Really like the LS series until the latest generation appeared. I hope Lexus will return to a "squarer" look for the LS with the next generation. This is a beautiful car.
Damn Bill, after years of listening to your wit and wisdom while hustling malaise cars, suddenly your pushing some nice well built cars!!!
I bought my 2004 ls 430 with 100k even for 10grand straight. Best car I ever purchased. I've had zero problems since I purchased it and would buy it again.
Congrats bro me too never getting rid of mines it’s a pure gem 💎 😎
@@theodoreyoung8777 mine got totaled last Saturday by suv Rear ending me doing about 40mph. The car took it like a champ an my son in backseat was fine. Excellent car till the day it died. Time to get Lx 470.
I bought a 21 year old Lexus ls400 a few weeks ago just for fun. It is amazing and i use it as a daily driver. German cars that old are scrap material.
You should be watching a different channel then as Bill and Peter deal in many 20-40 year old Mercedes . And they certainly aren’t scrap material
As a Canadian, seeing you cruising with the needle at 95 to 100 I was thinking things had slowed down in FL, then I realized it was MPH and not KM/H. Good on you bad boy!
95 feels like 70 in these cars.
Comment on the back seat, would You be chipper there?
V8 back seat is extremely comfortable. Seats are equally cushy.
@@V8_screw_electric_cars 4 out of 5 Canadians would give it a good 'Chipper' rating. That 1 guy,, well he's from Quebec.
A J T It sure does I have to check all the time and does and I be amazed at how fast it is and so smooth doesn’t feel like it if that makes any sense too lol I own a 2006 Lexus LS430 and never getting rid of mines she is a keeper 🤝😎
Oscillating vents were the hallmark of Mazda 626.
Nice catch! A friend had a 626 back in the early 90's and I vividly remember that feature and thought it was cool (excuse the pun).
Lol yup! My first car was a '97 Mazda 626 that had that feature. Drove it to almost 300k when the head gasket finally gave up, but those vents... they never gave up!
I have never seen those wheels on an LS. They look like 3rd gen GS wheels and they really look great on it. I am a huge fan of that generation of LS. Not so much the bland one that came in 07.
These wheels might be the 2010 Lexus 460 wheels. I will tell everyone that these wheels are not standard equipment for this model year nor an option.
Damn birds always wreaking havoc! I've said it before, but Bill's comments about birds and society in general are worth watching every video!
I plan to buy one of these in the upcoming year, as soon as I'm done paying for my current vehicle, no more car payments lol
Bill this is Beauty from Lexus...when Japanese copy and Improve! Nice video....if Hitchcock was around he would definitely Star you in the sequel to The Birds!
Lexus remain the best pre use car in the market ahead of any other brand. As the saying goes ‘You buy a Lexus and you lease the German cars❤️
How yall keep getting these beautiful cars in such good shape??
'Condo cars' lead a very gentle, sheltered life.
Down south all the cars stay clean
Great car hard to find a decent one these days, where I live at least...
That’s a mint condition! I love my silver 2005 ls430 with 160k miles no issues!
And I love my 2006 LS430 never getting rid of her she is a keeper 😎
Bill You sir crack me up LMAO...love the channel....oh the birds
Great video Bill, solid car the LS!
I have a 2001 and a 2006 and I love this car!
Another great one! Thanks, Bill!
Finally the Great Lexus LS430 😎
Amazing car.
I love Lexus so much! My favourite Japanese car
After years and years of knowing about cars, this is the master of masters, the best car in the world, better than current lexus models and so forth.
need oneeeee
His voice makes me feel like I’m watching a review and listening to the radio at the same time
I own the 05 and 2010 LS Lexus’. You can’t beat em. But although the 2010 is a little more powerful and comfortable it doesn’t hold up as well as the 05 430. Lexus peaked in 05. And I say that because the 06 while it was just as nice as the 05 and very little change, they did lower the horsepower a little bit due emissions bs. Thanks demos.
Way back when I owned a 1997 W140 and I still have a 2005 LS430 Base/Premium that I use as a daily driver. The ride is very similar, and I would have to admit that the Mercedes switchgear was as precise as a Rolex, but the Lexus is a far, far, far better car overall. My mechanic explained that the LS430 was the last Lexus that was sold below cost; all future cars had to make a profit. The LS430 was "dumped" into the USA to drive the final nail in the coffin for the Germans. It didn't quite do that, but it sure put them on their heels. Unfortunately Lexus then started the slow process of diluting its brand ... they really had mojo in the first decade of the millennium. Their LS sales are a fraction of what they once were.
I just bought one about a month ago, best car I’ve ever been in
fun to watch! keep up the good work!
I've ALWAYS wanted one of these.
I love the wheels on that, are those OEM Lexus wheels or are they from another car because they look awesome!
OEM
I have one if these and I love it!
Sold. Already. Wow.
Their gems 💎 that’s why 😎
I had this car for 5 year exact year and model - amazing car!
came for the car and stayed for the birds
I'm on my 7th Lexus, a GS300 SE-L. Brilliant cars; only made better by your unique presentation Bill.
That scout bird was apparently telling his friends to come fly over the Lexus and drop some bird poop on the hood, lol. This is a great looking car for its age, and should be a very comfortable and reliable ride. I'm not surprised you already have a sale pending on it.
I grew up a GM guy. Had a 71 Pontiac Ventura, 77 Impala, 77 Delta 88, 75 Cutlass Supreme... then a 1994 Monte Carlo and 1999 GMC Envoy.
I went to Toyota from there. My wife and I have 2 Toyota Venzas with 3.5 liter 268 hp Lexus V6s. They are fantastic. Reliability makes you love a car more and more. The comfort is great and 0 to 60 in 6.7 isn't bad for a 4000 lb AWD station wagon