There appear to be many people on this thread who don't know what they are talking about. I have a LS 430 with the ML system; it is by far the best car stereo I have ever heard. I've had this car for 10 months now. The $5k package on my car included a DVD based navigation system with voice input, the Euro-tuning sport package and larger chrome wheels. I compared the 430 with base sound system and with the ML, there is NO comparison. I sold my '97 Infiniti with its BOSE system, a stereo that truly bites the big one. The ML system is the first car stereo that really images with soundstage depth. Both Stereophile and Absolute Sound wrote it up and loved it. BTW, even with its $5K list, you can get the car and ML package discounted significantly if you shop around. I'm a Krell person at home, but a ML person on the road. And in my other (previous) cars I usually jerked out the stock system and install aftermarket items. I will not touch the ML system. Other cars/sound systems tested during my car hunt were the 2000 Mercedes S class (awful stereo, and cd changer was extra), BMW 7 series (2000 and 2001 models, not the 2002), and the new Infiniti Q45 Bose. The Lexus ML system was the best of all tested.
