Want a luxury car with sizzle?

Try the Lexus GS430. This is one of those cars that you can completely overlook.

2004 Lexus GS430. The Bottom Line -- Price: $52,799. Fuel economy: 18 city, 23 highway. Estimated annual fuel cost: $1,200. Click photo for larger image.

Part of that is because there are so many competing, newer products which are getting a lot more attention. These include the new BMW 5 Series, Cadillac's upcoming CTS-V and a continuing barrage of products from Infiniti.

Another reason it's easy to forget about the GS430: advertising, or the lack thereof. You're far more likely to see something on TV or in the newspaper on the new RX330 or any of the other SUVs Lexus now markets, or perhaps something on the lower-priced and more sedate ES330.

Our silver GS430 had a base price of $47,825, with a 4.3-liter, 300-horsepower V-8. It had standard everything including side impact airbags, front-seat-side curtain airbags, power everything and genuine walnut. But there were extras, the most significant being a Mark Levinson Audio/Navigation system costing $3,250. After it and several less significant options were added, the bottom line came to $52,799.

Ask any auto journalist to name her or his top-10 favorite rides, and the GS430 is almost guaranteed to hold a spot. Why? It's pure silk to drive, see and experience. The acceleration, as powerful and fast as it is, is so smooth and fluid that you barely know it's happening.

The interior is so comfortable and understated that you think you're sitting on the finest linens and bed silks. And the ride? It flows. It has nary a ripple -- just silky smooth.

It's all about understatement with this car. Perhaps that, too, is what is so cool about the GS430. It sneaks upon you.

Then you turn the key. And that's when your Lexus moment begins.

Everything about this car is silence. When the car is idling or standing at a light, you hear nothing. Pump the gas pedal to take off and you know the power is there -- but you hear nothing.

I know Rolls Royce used to use the word "wraith" -- or ghost -- in the names of some of its cars. I think the word could be just as well applied to the GS430, a spectral, other-worldly, silent presence that overtakes you.

Let's take a look at the interior. Check out the detailing. Intricate stitching on the steering wheel with some of the most gorgeous polished wood you'll ever see. Rear seats with headrests and contours positioned and designed in "just so," not too little or too much. Pleats and wrinkles so casually yet precisely located on the seats that they softly rub against your skin and clothing.

The instrument panel has the usual round gauges, but they are black lettering against a white background, and thus highly legible. I particularly liked the navigation system because the controls and the touch screen were easier to use than most models I've driven.

And Lexus had the good sense to include duplicate controls for audio and climate systems that you can use apart from the primary controls for those functions that you also find within the navigation system.

If I had any quibble at all, it would be with the back seat room situation. Even with my shorter legs, I felt cramped with little leg and foot room to spare. The fact that this is one of Lexus' older models shows on this score. I don't remember having the same concerns on its newer products.

I also thought the shifter didn't operate as smoothly as I would have liked going from automatic to manual mode. But this isn't nearly as bad as you experience on cars such as Jaguars.

The CD changer in the glove box was another pain. You will need to get everything set up before you take off in this car.

Also, be careful when you use the trunk. The shape of the deck lid is such that you can give yourself a nice whack on the noggin as you back away from the trunk before you close it.

My affection for this car was more than duplicated by the owners who responded to MSN.com and Edmunds.com chat rooms.

Here's what they like: "It's the ultimate in styling, quality inside and out, smooth quiet ride, performance, brakes, sound system, features and reliability ... The acceleration beats a BMW 540 for almost 10 grand less. The interior is amazing. Soft leather and real wood finish galore ... It is a good car overall and has no mechanical problems like the BMW."

Problems? "Standard factory wheels should be 17's instead of 16's. CD changer in glovebox should be moved to dash area. Voice navigation volume is not loud enough ... Seats are a little hard ... Could have even more power in the regular version of the GS430 -- 400 horsepower would be nice ... No reverse sensing system available like most other models in the price range. Cramped back seat with three."