IS it worth buying a used Lexus (or any high end) out of warranty?
10-27-13, 09:10 AM
#31
I've been a member on there for quite some time and noticed the same thing. I wanted a W220 S600 or an R230 SL500/SL55 and the horror stories of maintenance costs were what made me pick the LS instead. It's a shame because I love Mercedes but the ones from 2000 to 2006 just suck.
If you type LS430 into the search bar at MB World you will find that they hate Lexus and the LS430 more than anything. They see it as a boring, crappy W140 knock off. It's very interesting considering how unreliable the W220 is.
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If you type LS430 into the search bar at MB World you will find that they hate Lexus and the LS430 more than anything. They see it as a boring, crappy W140 knock off. It's very interesting considering how unreliable the W220 is.
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They say they are boring and ugly, they keep comparing their experience in an old ES to the AMG monsters, I was quick to point out that the ES is a bottom baseline model, just like the c230's and c280's.(which I called econoboxes and the german equivalent of a Ford Focus) they didn't quite like that lol.
We got into some pretty serious Lexus vs Benz debates, ill admit I was giving it back to them pretty good, maybe too good as I was almost banned and had several warnings to 'tone it down ' lol.
Last edited by 1WILLY1; 10-27-13 at 09:17 AM.
10-27-13, 12:22 PM
#32
LOL you are very right, I made the mistake of telling them that I am a Lexus guy and a current owner, I got post after post of "anti Lexus" replys.
They say they are boring and ugly, they keep comparing their experience in an old ES to the AMG monsters, I was quick to point out that the ES is a bottom baseline model, just like the c230's and c280's.(which I called econoboxes and the german equivalent of a Ford Focus) they didn't quite like that lol.
We got into some pretty serious Lexus vs Benz debates, ill admit I was giving it back to them pretty good, maybe too good as I was almost banned and had several warnings to 'tone it down ' lol.
They say they are boring and ugly, they keep comparing their experience in an old ES to the AMG monsters, I was quick to point out that the ES is a bottom baseline model, just like the c230's and c280's.(which I called econoboxes and the german equivalent of a Ford Focus) they didn't quite like that lol.
We got into some pretty serious Lexus vs Benz debates, ill admit I was giving it back to them pretty good, maybe too good as I was almost banned and had several warnings to 'tone it down ' lol.
Everything you said sounds exactly like something they would do over there. It's weird how some of the guys are so different from the Benz owners/enthusiast I meet in real life. The guys I meet in real life love the LS430.
10-27-13, 02:10 PM
#34
for you sir. This is exactly my motivation: luxury but not well noticed.
10-29-13, 11:29 AM
#35
Lexus Champion
The W140 is a different story. The 97-99 S class is probably my favorite car of all time. Not exactly reliable either, but at least it was bullt like a tank, no cheap parts or cost cutting which is what the W220 was famous for. If I could motor around in a '99 W140 (S500) that is as reliable as my LS, I'd trade it in a heartbeat. But, that's a fantasy.
10-30-13, 06:49 PM
#37
Pole Position
You drive an almost 10 year old LS, and there's nothing else you rather be driving..
Oh really, sorry I don't believe you.
Tell that to someone else. Maybe a Ferrari or Aston Martin but a LS430 Sorry
The LS430 was great during it's time. No doubt
But now it's just a reliable dinosaur. I undestand the attachment. I felt the same way about my 91 NSX. I luv that car.
But for a minute think about how much has change in the past 11 years.
Wouldn't a nice LS460 or S550 bring a bigger smile to your face.
Oh really, sorry I don't believe you.
Tell that to someone else. Maybe a Ferrari or Aston Martin but a LS430 Sorry
The LS430 was great during it's time. No doubt
But now it's just a reliable dinosaur. I undestand the attachment. I felt the same way about my 91 NSX. I luv that car.
But for a minute think about how much has change in the past 11 years.
Wouldn't a nice LS460 or S550 bring a bigger smile to your face.
I have a 460L right now. I can't wait to sell that bastard and go back to a low mileage LS430. I absolutely hate my 460L. In the shop getting fixed way to much, even though its still under warranty. (in the shop now for the second time in 2 weeks) Noisy motor that ticks like a diesel. Popping brakes. If it was on fire, I wouldn't **** on it to put it out.
I could drop $100K on a car, even though I think it is stupid to do so, but I'm looking for a low mileage 430 right now. I'm more excited about getting back to a 430 than I was about buying my 460L. Never should have given up my 04 430. Biggest automotive purchase mistake of my life.
Last edited by Bob04; 10-31-13 at 09:56 AM.
10-31-13, 07:23 AM
#38
Bob04....had to chuckle at your post. thanks for the color. I admit to being surprised at those issues with the 460..it is after all, the Lexus flagship product and I would have expected better from them. I do believe Toyota had some general quality issues from say 2005 to around 2009, however. I've seen too many issues with too many Toyota products from that time frame...issues that I would not have seen or expected in other Toyotas: bad water pumps, interior lights going out prematurely, big gaps in panels, etc. Obviously i have no statistically valid data to back that up, just observations across about 6 toyota products family owned from that era. Perhaps the good news is that toyota seems to be on it now...they've announced quite a few recalls in the last couple years, in some cases for things that i'd consider rather minor.
10-31-13, 10:18 AM
#39
Pole Position
Lexus should fire whoever decided to redesign the LS430 into what turnout out to be the LS460. The cars are dramatically different. They had the formula for success since 1990, but decided for revolution instead of the evolution that had served them so well. What a shame.
10-31-13, 11:03 AM
#40
Lexus Champion
I will NEVER part with my LS430.....I will drive it until it dies. Newer designs and technology are nice, sure, but I still think the 430 is one of the best cars ever made. It's just so rock solid. Mine is now 10 years old with 105k, and it's never been to the shop, NOT ONCE, excluding normal maintenance. I look forward to seeing how long it will last...
10-31-13, 05:52 PM
#41
Before I bought my 430 I was looking at 460s for months and seeing all the problematic service histories, noisy engine and I was not impressed with the transmission either. After driving both it was clear the ls430 was the solid vault like build quality I was looking for at half the price of the 460. No brained for me. Low miles 04-06 430 is the way to go
IMO there's no comparison with the LS400.
11-02-13, 10:21 AM
#45
The sales tax on a new Lexus LS would be more money than total repairs for the life of the vehicle. And that's a much smaller number than the depreciation of buying new. If you buy a brand new LS and sell it after the warranty expires in order to buy another new one, you'll lose about $40k in depreciation.
The former owner of my LS had their car dealer maintained for the life of the vehicle, and so I could see the repair history. I would say outside of warranty work, there's probably around $1,500 worth of repairs including my ownership (excluding basic maintenance).
So nearly 100k miles outside of warranty, $1,500 in repairs vs around $7,000 just in sales tax for a new LS (at least in my state).
Financially speaking, there's no question you come out way ahead, but a big reason why is Lexus makes a reliable vehicle.
If you're determined to own a flagship Mercedes/BMW/Audi, then the math starts working against you, but even with those hefty repair bills, I would still bet 99% of the time it's cheaper than buying a brand new $80k-$100k car and taking that hit in depreciation. Even if you were spending $3k a year in repairs, it's much cheaper.
European cars though have geared their products for people who lease, they're borderline disposable. I have a family member that buy Mercedes S class religiously, and if they own the car past the factory warranty, they buy an extended warranty from the dealership. They're definitely amazing cars, but I prefer the LS ownership experience.
The former owner of my LS had their car dealer maintained for the life of the vehicle, and so I could see the repair history. I would say outside of warranty work, there's probably around $1,500 worth of repairs including my ownership (excluding basic maintenance).
So nearly 100k miles outside of warranty, $1,500 in repairs vs around $7,000 just in sales tax for a new LS (at least in my state).
Financially speaking, there's no question you come out way ahead, but a big reason why is Lexus makes a reliable vehicle.
If you're determined to own a flagship Mercedes/BMW/Audi, then the math starts working against you, but even with those hefty repair bills, I would still bet 99% of the time it's cheaper than buying a brand new $80k-$100k car and taking that hit in depreciation. Even if you were spending $3k a year in repairs, it's much cheaper.
European cars though have geared their products for people who lease, they're borderline disposable. I have a family member that buy Mercedes S class religiously, and if they own the car past the factory warranty, they buy an extended warranty from the dealership. They're definitely amazing cars, but I prefer the LS ownership experience.
Last edited by BradTank; 11-02-13 at 10:25 AM.