Ten years before this model came along, the first generation of this car, the LS400, permanently changed—dare we say revolutionized—the big-spender end of the market. Before Lexus came along, the Germans were riding a reputation of design and engineering infallibility stretching back to the '60s, a myth they leveraged into a monopoly of the luxury-car trade. But as happens with monopolists, they became arrogant and complacent, raising prices to nose-bleed altitudes with impunity and getting by with incremental upgrades to their cars from year to year rather than keeping them up to date with timely redesigns. In effect, they were telling their customers, "Hey, if you're going to quibble, go somewhere else." Then along came Lexus, and suddenly there was a someplace else. The Japanese company forced the German automakers, Mercedes-Benz in particular, into painful reforms that ended careers and buried long-held illusions of invincibility. The LS430 glides down the road seemingly a couple of inches off the pavement, as though ripples and cracks and expansion joints weren't even there. These are just some of the LS430's myriad standard or optional goodies. In addition to the usual luxury-car stuff, it comes with a water-repellent windshield, a power rear-window shade, and enough wood trim to build a canoe. Options include a navigation system, a killer sound system, and a voice-activated phone. And if these aren't enough, there's an Ultra Luxury option package that tosses in a variable air-suspension system, an adjustable rear seat, and enough bells and whistles to start a marching band. To say that the LS430 can do it all is understatement; it seamlessly balances first-class cabin comfort and the latest in gee-whiz technology with effortless performance in a way that matches the best in an extraordinary class for thousands less. The formula still works. All of our cars come with RI State Inspection and Standard Warranty. Dealer Information: Premium Auto Sales (401) 400-1401 32 Stafford Road Tiverton, RI 02878 www.DrivePremium.com