Overview & Reviews

Lexus' flagship was completely redesigned last year. The only addition for 2002 is a new Platinum Blue Metallic exterior paint.

• Superb ride quality, impressive array of standard and optional luxury features, top-notch interior materials.

• Not quite as athletic as its competitors, adding options raises the price to un-Lexus-like levels.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 67.00

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  Love this car! - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By Norge - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Purchased as a CPO with 43,000 on the clock. Looked high and low for a black on black and finally found one. I have put 60,000 miles on the car (it has 104,000 now) and love it every time I get in it. Drives great, handles well and brakes hard and solid. Very smooth ride and still beautiful! Only issue was one of the mirrors would not fold all the way. Dealer replaced both under warranty with 2006 mirrors and promised they will outlast the car. Trunk struts went out too and were also replaced. Only issue is with the center arm rest. All the padding is gone. No idea but it is flat. Everything else works like new! Ac is ice cold and the heated seats could cook eggs.

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  Be reasonable in expectations - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By Eriks - December 17 - 3:00 am

  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.

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  LS and more - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By lexx2 - July 30 - 10:26 am

  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!

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  Best Luxury Car Value - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By Scott - July 9 - 3:16 pm

  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 wont 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.

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  Not Quite So Nice - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By Not Quite So Nice - March 29 - 4:43 am

  This was to be my retirement car, you know, keep forever. Got the Ultra. Bad choice. Took delivery out of front alignment. Turns out I discovered air suspension was causing a strong lean (2" shorter on right"). Didnt notice until sitting on a perfectly flat surface. Should have gotten the standard suspension. Took dealer three times to get right, had to make call to Japan.

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  MY LEXMOBILE - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By FOURSTRIPES - July 29 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR OVERALL, FUN TO DRIVE , LOVE THE TOUCH SCREEN NAV, LEVINSON STEREO BETTER THAN IN MY HOUSE. WHEN EXITING CAR ALL DOORS LOCK EXCEPT DRIVERS, CAN BE ANNOYING, ALSO WINDOWS TOUGH TO GET USED TO ONE TOUCH UP OR DOWN IS OK GETTING WINDOW TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE IS THE TRICK, OVERALL A NICE CAR,

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  Comfortable around town cruiser - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By V - June 3 - 7:16 pm

  I bought the LS430 for family and guests to have something to drive around town in comfortably and safely. If you want a real comfortable and sports sedan buy the Audi S8!

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  Great Car, But Can I Have My Caddie Back - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By JRB - August 8 - 2:00 am

  The car is amazing. Ive got 2000 miles on it now and there have been NO issues; perfect in every way. If you like gadgets and electonics, this is the car for you. And even better, everything works as it should. And did I say quiet? Oh, and perhaps I forgot to mention that the ride is like skating on smooth ice, yet sporty enough to get off the dime quickly and take a tight turn on command? Styling is nice, but not distinctive. My 94 Fleetwood had a distinctive style that stands out in the crowd. The Lexus looks like any other import. The LS430 is an outstanding car. But will my next car be a Lexus? The jury is still out...I still think about my Caddie.