riknchar

So I just purchased a gorgeous 2011 CPO LS460 SWB AWD from the local Lexus dealer (3 weeks ago). I got what I felt was a killer deal on this one -- $40,800 out the door (not including tax). The car is a 1-owner with a perfect service history.

So I was just killing time today (foolishly) on AutoTrader.com today when I ran across a CPO 2009 LS600LH at the Kansas City Lexus dealer. 61K miles, charcoal gray, rear seat entertainment system wtih reclining seats. One owner vehicle bought and fully serviced at teh KC Lexus dealer (a very complete service history since new). Price was just dropped to $42K. KBB lists the car's value at $52K, so this seems to be a smoking good deal.

I've been reading about the differences between the LS460 and the LS600 via this formum (and review sites), and now think that it would be nice to have the even smoother LS600.

I shot off an email to the KC dealer to get a feel on what kind of trade difference I'd be looking at. I expect the deal will be for my car plus somewhere around $5K (maybe less, depending on how agressive they get on the trade).

So I'm looking for opinions from Forum members on this deal. Is it worth the extra money to get the hybrid, stretched version, even though it is 2 years older and has 28K more miles?

I know this is ultimately my decision, but would appreciate any thoughts/things I should consider from the forum. Thanks!

peteybabes

If it's a CPO then you can hardly go wrong in one sense!

You will miss some of the features that the 2010+ cars get (memory seats on the front passenger side, etc.), but ultimately you will be getting a much rarer car with potentially better resale.

I would be glad to see what some of the other 600 owners have to say. Good luck!

CJITTY

600 for sure..but I am biased

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Ask the dealer to e-mail you the carfax and autocheck histories and then confirm the service history on Lexusowners.com. I'm guessing it's not a CPO and there's probably a reason for that! Personally, I'd stick with the newer car, but that's just me.

riknchar

CarFax shows no accidents, 1 owner since new, nothing unusual. I pulled the full maintenance history via the Lexusowners.com site, and the car appears to have been meticulously maintained by the KC Lexus dealer (service showing up for each 5K mile interval since new).

The car IS being offerred as a Certified Pre-Owned, with the full 3-year 100K total mile warranty.

Sounds like the early consensus is that this is a pretty good deal. Any other thoughts from the LS600 owners out there?

It seems like most of the depreciation should have been already taken from this car (probably cost in the neighborhood of $110K when new, down to $42K after 5 years)... Would the relative rarity/scarceness of the car make it MORE or LESS valuable in the future?

Thanks for the opinions!

riknchar

CJITY: The LS600 I'm considering is the Smoky Granite Mica color, which I believe is the same color you own. How hard has it been to maintain the exterior with that color? Any problems with rock chips, since it's a darker color?

Thanks!

RodT

trust me the 600 is well worth it i promise you that you will NOT have any regrets, TRUST ME!!!!!!!!!, Lol, ask any 600 owner, and darker colors does have issues with chips on the front bumper from road debris, but they make a clear bra for that my dealer quoted me $450 for it

CJITTY

Yeah..but Lexus paint seems to be soft and I can get my bumper repainted for less than $300 these days..not enough to worry about it if you ask me. I think it is still worth taking car to an independent body shop for full inspection and get an autocheck.com report which is miles above car fax. 600 all the way..I had a 460..you see what I have now. Easy choice

CJITTY

Not $110..try $120k+

caha14

You and me both, and it's all due to our 600hL club in this forum, a.k.a. bunch of troublemakers! Y'all know who you are... Anyone care to persuade my wife that I should also do this?!

I echo what others have said, conditioned to the history and inspection checking out and to the extended warranty (which you've verified already). Good luck!

patgilm

Agree with everyone else. I had a 460 and switched to a 600, no comparison.

hfahmy

Ditto... I have both...600 is a very different beast...make sure you ask the dealer to put new tires, this will make it drive like a dream... Last, check the price on edmunds.com, kbb is very high on 600s

Nospinzone

Riknchar, I'm laughing at your predicament. The classic act in haste and repent in leisure.

I sympathize, we've all been there in some form. My guess is it will be prohibitively expensive to do a deal now. Probably best to enjoy the nice car you have now and maybe down the road trade it for a newer 600.

slimjimtel

Go for the 600...what an amazing car! I had my 2010 LS600hL at my local dealer for service and had every salesman coming to look at it. Dealers seldom have them for retail as they usually are special order. It's a rare car due to the original price. But if you can buy it with low mileage and let someone els depreciate it, it's a win win for you.

LXurious

Go for the 460 the rarity is dropping and its making me sad