ScousePaul

Outstanding!

Well that's one way of evaluating! Just remember not to google (insert car here) and rust when looking at other manufacturers of old vehicles .

I know what you mean Jim. I just think it's difficult to apply our own view globally. The 400 and 430 were JD Power winners pretty much every year they were in production (not getting into the validity of such surveys...) so they are generally "well-sorted" :). I just think with any older car, particularly those that cost a significant amount when new, you need to be careful but still assume that it's going to be pretty tight just due to the great build quality that we associate with these models. I'm now expecting my air suspension, radiator and timing belt to all self-combust when I fire her up tomorrow .

I couldn't say that's the case or not - I've only owned a few of the millions of cars made between that time period :). I do think that we tend to project our own experiences when discussing things like reliability and quality control. A well-sorted 430 (or a 400, though they're now getting very old) should still provide happy motoring.

Any car that's a decade or more old should be inspected carefully - particularly a luxury limo as repair costs could outweigh the price you paid for it. If you get a well-sorted one though then there are bargains to be had. You're getting a £50K-plus car that looks and runs as well as new for a tenth of that price.

I'm actually in Southport so it's a straight drive down the A570/Rainford bypass to yours. About 30 mins or so.

Yes, the MML-T1 was the one I was inquiring about with them. This was looking to install in a 2005 LS430. If you can negotiate a deal then I may be interested :). Also re: fitting, I can likely manage it but if you've experience in ripping out the cluster then that's a possibility too ;). I do have the tools, but not tried this on an LS myself.

I'm not familiar with alternatives, but I've also been looking recently at Vaistech. I contacted them and they were very quick to respond and suggest options. From what I can gather their device looks to be the most integrated with the built-in 'infotainment' cluster. Seems like whatever is chosen it just shows as an aux input. The main selling point with this approach is that you can use existing steering wheel controls and it shows what's playing on the LCD screen. Don't think we'll get better than that with other offerings, or at least not easily. GROM is another option, but doesn't look to add anything extra. [edit] actually the GROM example video in that link does look quite cool and have extra features, but would check how compatible it is with your LS.

To me the new aggressive styling would fit really well with an IS F type body, but it doesn't gel with an LS type of body. I think I'm probably just getting old...

I'd be tempted if it had the same light cluster and grille as a last gen LS400, Not sure I'll ever get used to that aggressive frontispiece... . Absolutely outstanding technology though .

As someone who recently picked up an LS430 and expect to do a lot less than 20 miles a day I don't think it's excessive . 20 miles a day is still around 7K miles a year, and you'll enjoy all of them :).

That Fuelly site is interesting John. Lots of tips there for getting the best mpg. My tip is to turn off the display on the LS that shows current or tank mpg (this works for the 450h as well ). If I was doing serious mileage I'd watch it more closely (and consider an LPG conversion), but for now I just assume I'll get at best 20mpg mixed driving and 30 on a good motorway run.

I do intend to keep hold of this for a while (unless circumstances change) so yeah it could be passed down the family at some point :). I did a quick check using one of those LPG calculators and I'd be better off by around £100 a year in fuel costs with my expected usage, so I'll leave that decision to the munchkins :).

Yep, I had that happen on an old Cavalier and seen it on lots of other flat red cars. Must be something to do with the pigments and sunshine? I did have a Supra MKIV in plain red and that didn't have problems with fading (it was about 10 years old at the time), so maybe Toyota's quality wins out yet again . I guess maintenance and where it's parked (garaged) etc must also play a factor.

That's an interesting point Denis. I doubt if I'll be doing more than 2 to 3 thousand miles a year with this car though (I currently work from home) so can't see an LPG conversion repaying itself that quickly.

Ah I see - you were replying to the link which had those very US looking red LS's. Mine can be seen in the earlier replies - one's a bit red but it's not the LS .

?? It's my money David. Not sure where you think I've wasted it?

Thanks John! I've never seen a red LS in person in the UK but good to know they exist .

The ride is a bit firmer than the LS430. It's a more sporty model though so maybe that's expected. It's still not what I'd consider rock hard though. Certainly does have more cabin noise, and also (in my example) a lot more prone to rattles, instrument panel or other fixtures I've yet to determine :). The 450h certainly excels in performance. Instant torque. CVT transmission is not to everybody's taste though.

Agreed on that, chalk and cheese comes to mind when comparing different makes/models. They're all designed and built to a particular spec.

Red is the colour :). Thinking about it, I've never seen a red LS. Imagine how funky that would look . I guess it wouldn't appeal to the target market on introduction... I once bought a Fiat Coupe in red and it looked amazing. Typical Fiat build quality though... What's your Merc?

Liverpool red through and through John. Have nephews and uncles who are practice the bluenose dark arts, but my lineage runs red ,

Well took it out for a run to Scotland last weekend for it's first real drive and it was all as expected - no drama and nice and smooth. Averaged about 27mpg which is fine, about the same as my old LS400 and not much different to my 450h. Was mostly in waft mode but did have some fun overtaking moments on the lovely A75 (was driving to Portpatrick right on the southern tip of Scotland). Goes like a train when you want it to. Car came back filthy and it's been sitting on the drive like that all week but today felt almost spring-like so I gave it its first good wash and even a little wax polish. Paintwork on this is immaculate. I don't know what they do differently but compared to the 450h (10 years old and same mileage as the 430) this 12 year old paintwork really holds together well. So, an excuse for some more pics My youngest working hard on the 450h. He charged me £1 per alloy, which I think is competitive, so I'll keep him on.

That's real mad max territory there. I suspect the ride and noise suppression isn't within Lexus specs .

Well this has been a rollercoaster of a thread . I know exactly what you mean about binding to a car or not. If you don't feel comfortable with it then it's difficult to get beyond that. I loved my old LS400 and love my current LS430 and do think an LS460 will be on my horizon one day, but do have a nagging doubt that I'll miss something intangible in these old boxes... Will find out in about 10 years once the current one has worn itself out .