Similar to me really, after my recent encounter with a Fender Player Series Jaguar, I realised that a passive P/PJ sound worked way better with my band, than the active, humbucking basses I have been using. But I missed the B string, which is why I returned and ended up buying the 435. These new alnico pickups definitely help achieve that traditional P bass tone with the neck pickup soloed. Even with bright strings and the tone rolled back, it's definitely there. Got that real mid range presence, warmth but clarity.
As the 235 has ceramic pickups (like your 425), I would imagine it would sound quite so 'traditional' and will inherently sound a touch more scooped and modern (though not excessively so). It depends how much you want that classic tone I guess.
I seriously think the 435 is worth the extra over the 235 though, I'd say the pickups are worth that alone, but then there's the other benefits too!
Whatever you decide, it'll be a great instrument, but I suppose you just need to figure out what's most important to you, and whether you feel that's worth the money or not. 😊