I was pretty well decided on a CPO DTS Performance (or maybe Lucerne CXS) to replace my last lease car this coming winter / spring. On a lark, I took a test drive in an 06 LS430 yesterday and was very impressed. The car and performance weren't exciting, but it was very comfortable and smooth and did everything well. Also, despite 52K on the odo, it had no rattles or other items that indicated that it wasn't a new car. I don't have a problem with RWD that a good set of winter tires won't solve. Financially, if KBB values are to be believed, the 3-year (75K miles driven) net cost (retail purchase price minus private party sale price 3 years later) is a few K lower for the LS430. Also, even if I don't buy until early next year, the Lexus CPO program is for 3 years from date of CPO purchase (up to 7 years in service), and 100K total miles. So, I could still get a 4-year old LS430 or 3-year old LS460.

I'm not thrilled about buying foreign, but are there any other good reasons not to put the LS430 / LS460 on my short list?

People will hate me for saying this.. I AM a Cadillac enthusiast - and I do run this forum... But I'm like Jim Carrey in "Liar Liar" and I have trouble being dishonest...

The Lexus LS is better than the DTS in every imaginable way except for two things: Design (which is a matter of opinion and taste) and Driver Involvement. I have a considerable amount of driving time in both vehicles (2000 Cadillac DeVille DTS and 2005 Lexus LS430) - the DTS is going to turn more heads. It's also going to be more fun to drive. It handles better and has a really mean sounding engine under full-throttle. The Northstar is very, very impressive.

However.. The Lexus is the quietest, most comfortable sedan you can buy for under $100k.. It's very soft riding with very soft materials inside, has lots of luxury amenities and actually - lots of power. In a straight line, you're hitting sixty miles per hour in 5.9 seconds. In the DTS, not for about 6.9 or so... It's a noticeable difference.

I don't have any real good driving time in the Lexus LS460 - which is a much better looking car than the LS430.. So the head-turning factor may be different with that. The LS460 isn't quite as soft-riding as the LS430 - but it's just a quiet, soft and luxurious inside, handles much better AND is even faster - with 60 miles per hour coming in 5.4 seconds.......

You might want to look at some of the posts in edmunds.com. I seem to remember several people writing in about buying a used LS and having to replace the entire electro-luminescent (whatever....) dash display after 4 - 5 years.

For me, when you're talking this price range, you're talking appeal almost as much as features or performance. If someone says to me, look there's a new Lexus LS, I won't bother to turn my head. Say there's a new Caddy and, even though I own one, I'll do a complete swivel to take a look. If appeal means nothing, buy a Chevy, or a Camry..... No doubt the Lexus is a great car. Just doesn't do it for me.....

Kind of a strange observation of mine, but I think the LS430's boring styling looks OK in lighter colors like silver or white. I prefer the styling of the DTS, but only in dark colors like gray, blue, or black.

I wouldn't worry about replacing the electroluminescent lighting in the dash...

I had a chance to take a test drive with my wife last Friday. The LS430 was one of the best cars for wheelchair transfers I've ever used: big flat leather seat, tall door opening, large distance from the seat to the dash, tall seatbelt receiver, roomy flat trunk, and a Cadillac style trunk pulldown. It was better for wheelchair transfers than the newer LS460 which had a bit narrower seats and a bit of thigh bolster. But, the LS460 also has a power open / close trunk. The LS430 remains high on our list.

The Lexus of Lansing service department is the second best I have dealt with, Cadillac being the best. So, you will get great service either way.

If I had your unique set of criteria Greg, the LS430 would definitely be "my short list". You have the Allante for more exciting drives. I certainly understand the buy American concern, especially where we both live, but for some reason, in my mind, when buying used foreign, it's not so bad. That may make no sense, but that is how I slept at night when I bought my used Z.

Todd

... but for some reason, in my mind, when buying used foreign, it's not so bad. That may make no sense, but that is how I slept at night when I bought my used Z.

Todd

When you buy a used foreign car, you're making room in someone else's garage to buy a new domestic car ... or something like that.

I have a 2004 DTS. I was seriousely considering an LS430. I didnt like the way the gas pedal felt on the LS, its hinged at the bottom. Also didnt think it felt as fast as the DTS, although the DTS has 300hp, the Lexus 290, supposedly the 0-60 is faster for the Lexus, it didnt feel like it. The Lexus is very quiet, but didnt handle very good. It was super comfortable and the quality was way better than the Caddy. Overall the only reason why I didnt buy it over the DTS was the feel of driving it, I liked the way the Cadillac felt a lot better. It was a close second though.

I can certainly agree with R6DTS where the DTS feels faster than the LS430. The Lexus IS faster - but you just don't feel it. And think at some RPMs, the DTS may actually BE faster - but overall - to 60 and to the 1/4 mile, the Lexus wins.. The DTS is a lot more fun to drive and turns a LOT more heads, however..

FWIW, my father has a 2002 DeVille, and I own a 2007 Escalade, and a 2009 LS460. Love the Lade, hate the Deville. That is why I went with the Lexus. Best luxury car for the money in my opinion. Build quality, reliability, and resale value for the Lexus are all excellent, and if you have never been to a Lexus dealer for service, you will be very impressed. My dealer will even come pick up my car, leave me a new loaner (LS460) to use, service it, wash it and return it back to me. If you go in they even have a business center where you can work while wait.

RWD in the snow is not that bad with the LS, but when the snow gets deep and and it gets slick I just roll out the Lade and leave the LS parked.


IMO I prefer the looks of the 460 over the 430.


Go with the Lexus, you will not regret it.

Did Toyota ever sort out the Aisin gearbox issues? The 1998 LS400 I briefly had was obnoxious to drive because the transmission, by design/fault, was reluctant to respond. It wasn't a mechanical issue as all LS400s behaved this way when driven aggressively. I suppose this kind of car isn't meant to be driven that way, but the DTS did as told when called to action.

I wish the DTS had wider front seats and more expensive plastics. The LS smells, feels, and is assembled better.

Lexus is in a different class. The DTS does not compete with the Lexus anymore than the Lexus is capable of competing with the Audi A8 W12.


Here's my next car...................priced with the DTS...... so far...................... :)

I don't care for the bustle butt of the MKT. However, I did see a M-plated ecoboost MKS at the gas station this evening. The Ford employee driving it gushed about the power compared to the NA version.