Lexus LS 430

Price Paid:  $65000.00 from lexus of stl

Year / Model Reviewed:
2004 Ls 430

Summary:
This is the best car ever made you can't beat it. It is more quiet and smooth then any car I have every driven. It is also very fast, and it handles great. The reliablity is unmatched, along with the safety.

Strengths:
Everything

Weaknesses:
nothing

Similar Products Used:
rolls royce Bently Mercedes BMW

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
As a buyer who spent a lot of time comparing the LS430 with BMW, Mercedes, and Audi, my conclusion is that the LS 430 beats them all, hands down. It is a great package of features, fun to drive, and wonderful in styling. I also think the criticism that it is boring is completely unfounded. It has excellent accelaration, corners very well for a car of this size and weight, and has the right road feel for a luxury car. Some influential reviewer opinions about soft handling seem to have taken hold, and are incorrect. I would urge all serious buyers to test drive the car and make their own judgements. This is a car that dominates its competitors on features, performance and styling, and will for a long time.

Strengths:
Excellent accelaration, great interior comfort, great electronics (park assist is a great feature)

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
BMW 5 and 7 series compared, Mercedes compared, Audi 8 compared/

Price Paid:  $58000.00 from Pohanka Lexus

Year / Model Reviewed:
2003 LS430

Summary:
I bought new car. No problem whatsoever after 26,000 mile & almost 3-year ownership. My son exclaimed: "This is like electric car. How come so quiet?"

Strengths:
Quiet & very comfortable riding; Mark-Levinson audio system; No mechanical problem.

Weaknesses:
Style maybe.

Similar Products Used:
None except 3 Honda

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I do not own this car. However I did get a chance to thrash the LS430 around a test track and compare it to the Mercedes S430. For those of you who believe everything you read in car magazines about ride and handling and fun, please remember that YOU will be driving the vehicle and that Michael Schumacher is not your chauffer. In the real world for a normal driver this is what I found: Drove S430 first with the expectation that it would be VASTLY better than the LS430 (because I''d read all those reviews...). Found it to be good overall. Acceleration not that great, but competant through the cones although the steering was vague. Great exterior styling, bland and cheap interior. Drove LS430 - what a revelation. Noticably quicker than S430, much better through the twisties, much better steering feel. Defintely more fun and better handling - much better ride. And the interior is perfection. Obviously I wans''t trying hard enough with the S430 as we all know it should be better than the Lexus. Went back and drove it again - nope, not as capable around the cones, didn''t ''shrink'' aound me as the LS did. I think it needs the sport package and more power just to compare to the base LS430 (not euro tuned). The above is my rating from driving both cars around a track - I somehow don''t believe that most drivers will get to those speeds and try to take hairpin bends at 50mph during their daily commute (in which case the LS430 makes an even greater case for itself). Driving impressions aside the Lexus walks all over the Mercedes except in exterior styling and perceived status. However the Mercedes has gorgeuos looks and is a good car - just needs to imitate the Lexus more to catch up.

Strengths:
Interior is perfection for a luxury vehicle - absolutely flawless. Ride and handling is much better than I expected. Noise, vibratin and harshness stunning in its total absence at normal speeds. Vaultlike build and obvious quality.

Weaknesses:
Front end styling is ugly from some angles. Priced too cheap for status seekers.

Similar Products Used:
Mercedes S430 Mercedes E430 Audi A8 BMW 540

Price Paid:  $55000.00

Year / Model Reviewed:
2002 LS430

Summary:
The LS430 is simply outstanding. Although the styling is somewhat bland, in terms of value for money, there is nothing like it. I''ve seen the Mercedes S-Class, and the luxury of the cabin does not compare to that of the LS430. It does not ride like a German performance sedan, but what critics seem to forget is that It is NOT supposed to!!! Lexus is unique in that aspect, it will do 150 MPH and accelerate from 0-60 in 6.6 sec, but it has a ride quality that is unparalleled.

Strengths:
The cabin workmanship, and the overall Reliability. It has a proven track record. Depreciation, Customer Service, and Ride Quality. Not to mention Innovation in design.

Weaknesses:
Lack of the styling that allowed Lexus to make its mark in this business. The ultimate Lexus would combine the sleek and elegance of an XJ8 with the technological wizardry of a LS

Similar Products Used:
1992 Ls400, 1998 LS400