My Ultimate Dad Car: 2001 Lexus LS 430
They don’t make cars like this anymore.
The Lexus LS 430 doesn’t look all that interesting to most people. In fact, it’s downright dull and unassuming. The styling is conservative. The color options were designed to appeal to senior citizens. The car’s natural habitat is the local golf course. Sport-tuned suspension? Nope. High-revving engine with loads of horsepower? Get real.
So why on Earth would I buy a luxury barge designed for people twice my age? Because they don’t make cars like this anymore.
Backstory
If you’re into cars then you know how great the Lexus LS 400 and 430 cars are. Toyota created the Lexus brand to compete with Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Jaguar in the US. The LS 400 debuted in 1989 after five years of development and a billion dollars spent. The car was originally known as the F1 project. The project wasn’t given strict budgets and time restraints. This car had to beat the European brands at their own game and more.
The LS 400 was a sales success, which meant the model would continue into the new millennium. My car is a 2001 LS 430 (chassis code UCF30), the first year of the third-generation LS. It’s equipped with a 4.3 liter 3UZ-FE V8, rated at 290 horsepower, and mated to a five-speed automatic transmission that sends the power to the rear. The color is Onyx Blue Metallic with a beige leather interior.
The original owner had my car until December 2022. It started life in Texas and then the owners moved to South Carolina. The maintenance was done on schedule and it just received its second timing belt.
I wanted a first-year LS 430 without all of the technology. It doesn’t have an LCD screen, radar cruise control, air-ride rear suspension, Bluetooth, or swivel headlights. The car is the most basic LS model you could buy.
A Great Dad Car
Space and Safety
I have three little boys. They require space, especially with their large car seats. They have bikes, strollers, and all sorts of accessories. The trunk space is equal to 20 cubic feet. I can fit three car seats in the rear comfortably. I can vacuum the trunk as I do in my living room.
The LS is still a safe car. The IIHS gave the car a Good overall evaluation. Where it falls short is with the head restraints and seats. No, the car doesn’t have a collision warning system, a rear camera, or adaptive cruise, but for its age, it’s safe.
Reliability
Most people know that Toyotas are reliable cars. Lexus took that reputation to another level with the LS. It’s not uncommon to hear about these cars doing insane mileage. Granted, that’s contingent on maintenance but that should be expected of any car.
My car currently shows 192,000 miles. I didn’t balk at that mileage when I discovered the car because the maintenance had been done on schedule for the past 22 years.
Value
My car cost $56,525 new. In 2023 money, that would be $95,540. I’m not going to spend that kind of money on a kid hauler. I hate depreciation (like any good dad would). I’m all about letting someone else take the depreciation and maintenance costs so I can enjoy the car at a fraction of the cost.
This approach isn’t wise for every car though. With used cars, you’re buying the previous owner. So when the right person has owned the car, you get a deal.
The way I see it, I can drive this car for as long as I want, maintain it, and sell it for what I paid for it. These LS cars are becoming increasingly desirable and the good ones will always be at a specific price.
Quality
The fit, finish, and materials on the LS are superb. The panel gaps are consistent throughout the car. The leather is showing its age but isn’t ripped or split. The doors close with a pleasant thud. The hood and trunk weigh as much as a pile of bricks. There’s nothing cheap about these cars.
Sure, it’s lacking all the modern tech that most people want. But I’m not like most people, which should be abundantly clear if you’ve read a single article of mine. I love tactile, analog things. I value craft over glitzy tech. As great as new cars are, they’ll feel like relics in five years. Similar to how a smartphone feels after a couple of years—slow and laggy.
But the Lexus is frozen in time. It’s very of its age but nothing is lacking about it. The car does what it was designed to do just as well now as it did in 2001. And, to me, that’s what real luxury cars should be about.
Don’t Settle for Disposable
I’m excited to start a new journey with another car. I don’t know how long this car will stay with me. I hope to have it as long as the first owner did but you never know. At least I have the option because of the LS’s robust build quality and engineering.
I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to drive old-school cars like this. So I’m going to enjoy them as long as possible. The future of the automobile is electric. That’s more than obvious. And I’d love to own an EV, but I’ll wait until there’s a less disposable option available on the market. I’m not convinced that EVs will last 20 years. But I hope they get there.
Your Next Dad (and Mom) Car
When you’re in the market for a vehicle, you should absolutely buy what you want. But ask yourself why you like a certain car. Is it for reliability? Status? Quirkiness? Or because everyone else has one and you want to be like them?
Take your time, do your research, and see what’s out there. I’m confident that you can buy what you want and need for a fraction of the price if you’re patient and educated. Avoid dealerships of any kind. They never have your best interest in mind and will lie to make a sale. I’ve experienced this and will never buy a car from a dealer again.
If you’re going the used car route, which you should if you want to save money, then buy from a private party. Do your homework before engaging with a seller. YouTube is full of videos about any car you’re interested in. Know the major faults and failures of a car, as well as what it takes to fix them. Buying a car and owning a car are two different things. Running costs often get looked over. You don’t want to buy a poorly maintained car. No matter how good the deal is.
Thanks for your attention and let me know if you need any help buying your next car.