Lexus LS 400/LS 430

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#5797 of 8465 Re: 2004 LS 430 and bike carriers [steven1 #5796] by syswei

May 23, 2004 (4:51 pm)

Replying to: steven1 (May 23, 2004 3:55 pm)

Just to clarify, with the rack I bought you only need a hitch receiver on the car, not a hitch per se (which I think of as one of those metal balls). I would call Lexus corporate customer service, I think it is 800-usalexus. If you find that a hitch receiver is not available from Lexus for the LS430, there are third party alternative such as going to u-haul or, I'm guessing, maybe sears. BTW, Thule or whomever may specify a certain Class hitch receiver, Class 2 for example.

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#5798 of 8465 does 1995 Ls 400 Sun Roof Makes a noise by lexus ls

May 23, 2004 (6:32 pm)

I am looking to but a 1995 ls 400. I wanted to know if when the sun roof is fully open does it make a like wind/loud bass that pulsates noise at like 20+ mph? I just want to know because i love sun roofs and if i can't open it all the way then i am not going to buy the car. Urgent lol, thanks for the time

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steven1 (May 23, 2004 7:35 pm)

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#5799 of 8465 Re: does 1995 Ls 400 Sun Roof Makes a noise [lexus ls #5798] by steven1

May 23, 2004 (7:35 pm)

Replying to: lexus ls (May 23, 2004 6:32 pm)

Sure can't help you on the noise. I know my LS430 is quiet. However, with regards to carrying bikes, it now makes no sense to attempt to attach them to the roof as it will block usage of the sunroof.

Thanks for sharing.

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#5800 of 8465 sunroof noise by lexusguy

May 23, 2004 (10:09 pm)

I had a 96 LS for many, many miles before I bought my '01, and I never noticed any kind of sunroof noise issues as low as 20mph. Granted, at 85mph on the highway, you probably arent going to want to have the sunroof open, but thats true of any car. Below like 60mph though, its pretty quiet.

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#5801 of 8465 Custom Lux vs Modern Lux by topspin628

May 24, 2004 (6:50 am)

Any opinions on the merits and value of each of the above packages would be appreciated. I also want the Smart Key option and am not clear if it is included in either.

Also, has anyone hear cross shopped the LS with the Jag XJ8 and MB E 500? These are my final contenders and I'm leaning toward the LS for reliability.

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#5802 of 8465 sunroof noise by chicagoed

May 24, 2004 (6:52 am)

Yes, I have a very annoying low-pitched drumming noise from my open sunroof on my '04 LS430. My previous three cars (different brand) with sunroofs didn't have this problem. Something for Lexus to improve.

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#5803 of 8465 Custom Lux vs Modern Lux by topspin628

May 24, 2004 (6:56 am)

Any opinions on the merits and value of each of the above packages would be appreciated. I also want the Smart Key option and am not clear if it is included in either.

Also, has anyone hear cross shopped the LS with the Jag XJ8 and MB E 500? These are my final contenders and I'm leaning toward the LS for reliability.

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#5804 of 8465 topspin628 by ljflx

May 24, 2004 (8:23 am)

Smart key is not part of the option packages. It's an add on to them and I believe just about every LS that comes in, except maybe the premiums, has it these days. The Custom Lux gets you a few more things - most notably dynamic laser cruise, laminated side windows etc, and in some cases includes nappa leather at an added cost. But in some areas it may have neen discontinued per posts from last week.

I doubt many people here cross-shopped the E. It's a noticably smaller car in and out thus in a different class. Most either went straight LS or cross-shopped the S-class and in a few cases the 7-series. I had cross-shopped the E and the S-class with the LS (A8 as well) back in 2001. The E was no match for this car as a premium luxury sedan (I've been in the new E and it is no match either) but the S and this were a photo finish. As lavish as the S is I just find this car to be more luxurious, slightly smoother and better riding, a tad quieter and far more reliable. The fact that it is cheaper is the icing on the cake. The A8 is a stunning car (both in 2001 and now as far as I'm concerned) but it misses the refinement and smooth ride of cars like the LS and S by a wide margin. It's also a reliability nightmare. No Jag experience at all - I just know the people who used to live next door to me couldn't wait for their lease to be up. They had a reliable car but they just didn't like it. But that was around the 2000 MY.

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#5805 of 8465 re: sunroof noise by acco20

May 24, 2004 (3:09 pm)

If the problem being discribed is what I think it is, it can be stopped by lowering a rear window about 1/4 to 1/2 inch while underway. Hope this helps.

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#5806 of 8465 by lexusguy

May 24, 2004 (3:22 pm)

I can tell you of experience first hand with Jaguar, and M-B. The E is nice, but as one magazine put it "computer-controlled controls". The steering is vague, as is the throttle, and the brakes are just awful. I hate that electro-hydraulic nonsense. There is NOTHING wrong with good ole mechanical brakes. I dont want a computer trying to guess what mechanical brakes "should" feel like, when my ACTUAL brakes ACTUALLY feel like that. Other than that, the E has a very strong residual, and combined with free scheduled maintanence, makes it a good choice for a couple of year lease, and a bad choice for a long term buy.

The XJ8 is all new for '04...and while it does improve a lot of things, (the majorly cramped cockpit for one), its still behind in a lot of things. Of all the full size luxury imports, the XJ has the least amount of features, the plasticy center console, and the rather claustrophobic high dash line. Plus, its not that much fun to drive. When you get into highway speeds, it feels nervous, and the typical Jaguar numb steering doesnt help. Also, why cant Jaguar do a decent set of brakes? It stll has their signature too long pedal stroke, followed by a mushy brake response as the binders try and stop the big car. Also, unlike M-B, the Jag's residual is literally horrible. The car will lose 50% of its value in 2-3 years. Its not very reliable either. Jag's CR ratings are the same as M-B and BMW as "worse than average".

As for the S-class, it used to be a very nice car, but its become really dated, and really expensive for what it offers. In the last C&D super lux comparo, the rankings were as follows: (which I agree with 100%)

6. M-B S430
5. VW Phaeton
4. Audi A8L
3. BMW 745i
2. Jag XJ8
1. Lexus LS

8465 messages, Last post on Jun 13, 2013 at 12:06 PM