2002 Lexus LS 430 Consumer Reviews

WOW!!

Written by: HIGHAUDIO on 05/20/2008

Vehicle

2002 Lexus LS 430 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A)

Review

I wanted the best big luxury vehicle for the money. It's a sleeper. Amazingly quiet. I've had people tell me they can't even hear the engine when the car is on. At 100+ mph, the LS 430 commands the road. If I had to buy another car, then I'd get another LS 430 in a heartbeat!

Favorite Features

Touch screen. Nav. Mark Levinson audio. Rear shade.

Suggested Improvements

None

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LS and more

Written by: lexx2 on 12/19/2007

Vehicle

2002 Lexus LS 430 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A)

Review

The LS 430 was a step up from my ES 300. The features are abundant, yet fade away fairly quickly. The car is quiet and extremely comfortable. The front seat gives the feeling of driving a smaller car, but the rear seat passengers have all the room anyone could want. I enjoy the nav system and the Mark Levinson stereo is fantastic. Suprisingly, the car handles extremely well in the snow and slop of a Cleveland winter. The VSC and "snow" button do make a difference in the handling and performance. The gas mileage is something I should have paid a bit more attention to. I get about 17 - 19 in the city and 24 on the highway. My twin engine boat came a close 2nd in fuel burn!

Favorite Features

I really like the parking assist, nav system, radar cruise control and heat and cool seats (front and rear). The auto door closers are an attention getter when I have passengers. The auto rear sun shade too! The only thing missing is a personal valet to live in the trunk.

Suggested Improvements

Have as standard the cool box refrigerator and tire pressure monitoring.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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From ES to LS

Written by: John L on 10/23/2007

Vehicle

2002 Lexus LS 430 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A)

Review

After owning an ES 300, my next natural move was to an LS 430. I cannot imagine owning anything else but a Lexus.

Favorite Features

My favorite feature is between the comfort of the front and read seats or the radar cruise and parking assist.

Suggested Improvements

I seem to have trouble with the voice recognition commands. Maybe a cheat sheet would help.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Certified Buyer

Written by: Eric L. on 05/30/2007

Vehicle

2002 Lexus LS 430 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A)

Review

I bought this car as certified and received an extra 3 years or up to 100k miles on it so that makes me comfortable. I am 6'4" and weigh 240 lbs and I found this car to be quite comfortable and spacious for my size. The head room is plentiful as well the leg room in the front. I got out of the vehicle and sat in the rear passenger seat directly behind the driver and my legs did not touch the seat. The acceleration for a luxury sedan is great. On the open road I would accelerate to the low three digits and the car kept up with my demands. Also I found the drive to be very smooth, quiet, relaxing, fun and enjoyable.

Favorite Features

Leg room (I'm 6'4" and have other tall family members) and they all fit comfortably.

Suggested Improvements

Dealerships should upgrade the navigation software packages if the car is more than 3 years old.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Be reasonable in expectations

Written by: Eriks on 02/09/2007

Vehicle

2002 Lexus LS 430 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A)

Review

After following Edmunds reviews I finally decided to purchase the 2002 model with all options included. The car is reasonably well built but has its limits. The engine starting process is rather loud to compare with idle. Steering wheel leather deteriorated quickly. Instead of road noise, the wheels/tires seem to produce constant unpleasant hiss. Two separate thermometers show outside temperature while the driver has no idea what the inside temp levels are. Sound system is good but with very limited adjustment possibilities. Radio often loses station in city driving and this downgrades the overall sound. Change of gears from 2nd to 3rd is late for 1 sec driving normally without kick-down.

Favorite Features

Intelligent features - smart mirror lights, keyless entry, remote start, seat adjustments, rear seat controls, folding steering wheel. Turning radius made a pleasant surprise. Some rear zone adjustment are made available to the driver

Suggested Improvements

While sound system controls are high-tech and easy to push, the other buttons come from a truck (snow/power switch, height adjustment, etc.). Visible cassette player together with touch sensitive navigation screen causes people to laugh. Poor heating for legroom. Improve steering wheel leather!

3 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Driveable Livingroom

Written by: D Norman on 01/30/2007

Vehicle

2002 Lexus LS 430 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A)

Review

This is my second LS series. This is by far the most comfortable automobile I have ever driven and I have driven hundreds. I purchased the Ultra Luxury Package this time and the amenities and ride are absolutely unsurpassed. My wife and I drove to Florida last summer, 2700 miles in all and the level of comfort could not have been better. There are copiers, i.e. the 07 Big Mercedes and BMW's,but they don't quite compare the the ride, reliability and comfort of the LS 430 Ultra. Superb motorcar.

Favorite Features

Steering feel. Adjustable suspension. Power, quick but not a performance car. Laser guided cruise control, it will actually slow the car down if there is a vehicle in front too close for the speed. Navi system is nice touch.

Suggested Improvements

None, great automobile. I have looked at the 07 but do not like them enough to trade at this point.

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Best Luxury Car Value

Written by: Scott on 12/15/2006

Vehicle

2002 Lexus LS 430 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A)

Review

Doing my homework paid off. I wanted the best luxury vehicle for the money and I found it with the LS 430. Smooth, powerful, quiet and comfortable are all great words to describe this car. Sitting at a stop light, you won't know the engine is running. At 70+ mph, the LS 430 glides down the highway. For my money, there is no option. Lexus clearly makes the best full size luxury sedan.

Favorite Features

User-friendly Nav system; "you can hear a pin drop" quiet engine; roomy enough for a 6'5" driver; Levinson sound system is crystal clear.

Suggested Improvements

Tighter suspension; slightly more backseat room; no real obvious flaws.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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KEH review of 2002 Lexus LS430

Written by: Janice R. Heugel on 10/11/2005

Vehicle

2002 Lexus LS 430 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A)

Review

The best car we have owned. Fully adjustable to make passengers comfortrable. Only minor problems readily and easily corrected by regular maintenance and dealer service. Highly recommend.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

better rear bumper design as it is a little soft and marks easily.

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Great car!

Written by: lymanls2 on 09/23/2005

Vehicle

2002 Lexus LS 430 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A)

Review

The car does everything a luxury sedan should do, and does it well. It is dependable, good looking, smooth riding, powerful, spacious inside without being bulky outside, and has a big trunk for lots of cargo. I could not be happier with a car.

Favorite Features

Total dependability.The car takes me where I want to go consistently, comfortably, and without balking.

Suggested Improvements

Maybe---tighten the suspension a little so it might corner a bit better at 80-85mph.

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2002 Lexus LS430

Written by: Eric on 09/13/2005

Vehicle

2002 Lexus LS 430 4dr Sedan (4.3L 8cyl 5A)

Review

This is my first luxury car and bought used to avoid sticker shock. The only item needing warranty replacement were the two gas-filled lifters for the trunk's lid. I bought as "like new" with 23K on the clock. The original owner replaced the Yoko 390's with Michelin XSE MXV4's as they wore out too soon. The ride is not super quiet over interstate pavement joints which may be exasperated by these new tires. I don't know. Also, the AC is so powerful that even in a Gulf Coast summer the fan speed on "Auto" has to be manually moderated. This involves using the Navigation touch screen. A nice problem to have though in Houston. I am 100% happy with this car even in our new era of $3/gallon gas.

Favorite Features

The engine; plentiful power when needed but always silky smooth AND QUIET. The interior; reminds me of a 5 star hotel. Navigation; invaluable when out of my home territory.

Suggested Improvements

The Lexus Link system (aka "On Star") which is now unavailable and soon to be disabled should be downgraded for free to an emergency only police alert device. My system was never activated ( not value for $)so still has its initial year of service available. What a waste of resources to just junk it.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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