sdwtchlvr

iTrader: (1)

That's a bummer. I probably over paid for my tint job ($450) but the guy I went too is well known in SD, does a ton of high end cars and prides himself on installing the tint properly (removing door panels). So far, no issues.

I think the L series comes standard with little things like leather trimmed doors, reclining rear seats (possibly cooled rear seats?). Again, I'd love an L but there were none in my price range with acceptable miles. Everything was either over 100k miles or too expensive. I'll get one down the road though, once my 2 boys are older. The oldest (4yo) is already over 50" with size 1 shoes. Looks like he's 7.

dal20402

Most Ls are configured exactly the same way as the SWB cars with the Comfort package.

But Ls had more options available. SWB "Comfort Plus" and LWB "Luxury + Rear Seat Upgrade" are mostly the same, but the SWB version doesn't have four-zone climate or sunshades for the side windows. In the early years "Touring" was only available on Ls, and "Executive" has only ever been available on Ls.

Zeke21's list is worded a bit unclearly. Nav + HDD, Advanced Parking Guidance, DRCC, and soft-close doors/trunk are all available on SWB. Air suspension was L-only until 2009 (when it was available only on AWD SWB cars).

Zeke21

My list came from my 07 brochure. I'm sure the options and packages have changed over the years. I'll post a photo of that page later today. Maybe I goofed something.

Nat

iTrader: (1)

"L" looks better. Just my opinion.

mannye

All good information thanks. At a minimum I know that ML and NAV are "must haves" for me, I also need to have radar cruise control for those trips down to the keys.

I think that if I wait until after the new year, (just after...first half of January) I might be able to snag a good LWB example '08 for a lower price than what I am seeing now.

I also think that even a "base" L model is the equivalent of a "loaded" SWB. Since in '08 the double glass, for example wasn't standard in the SWB.

So my hunt will begin in earnest for a "low mileage as I can afford" '08 L to replace my beloved '05.

I am only worried about that hard drive, but I'm hoping someone can figure out how to clone them soon!

NickTee

But have you checked to make sure that it fits in your garage?

SW17LS

Yeah, double check that. It would not fit in my garage.

mannye

A 1969 Plymouth Road Runner fit in my garage. Coincidentally both the RR and the LS measure 202.7 and 202.8 inches respectively. So I'm good.

dal20402

Radar cruise is *very* rare on early 460s, either SWB or L. If it's a must have for you then you might want to look at 600hLs.

The "base" L is the almost exact equivalent of a SWB with Comfort Package and nav, both of which the vast majority of SWB cars had. The double glass showed up on SWB midway through the '08 model year (my March '08 build SWB has it). It's harder to find "loaded" examples of either SWB or L, although it's a bit more common to find the high-dollar options on the L.

Typically when I was looking for my SWB car I'd find about 150 SWBs in my price/mileage range for sale in the whole country. Usually about 5 to 10 of them would be what I'd call "loaded" (Comfort Plus, nav, ML). Expect a higher ratio than that for Luxury/Rear Seat Upgrade on Ls, but not that much higher, and there are fewer of them for sale. Air suspension is more common.

I think you were accurate -- the wording just might be misinterpreted as saying all those features were L-only.

Zeke21

The radar cruise feature is really neat and I find it extremely useful!

Here is a link to some of the brochures in pdf form. My 07 brochure actually looks different than the one shown here...so makes me wonder if it is an early version or something? However, I don't think the options/package arrangements are any different.

http://www.auto-brochures.com/lexus.html

tq745

Owned 09 SWB and traded it in for a 08 LWB. Things I have what SWB didn't: ML, NAV, Side window shades, 4 zone climate control, factory air suspension (really comfy), reclining rear seats, radar cruise control, parking assist, and lots of leg room - no more dirty backside front seats from kids putting feet on top cause they can't reach.

The only downside I can think of is having a smaller trunk in the LWB. Other than that LWB is better overall... and it looks ALOT nicer.

Zeke21

I thought trunk space is the same between SWB and LWB...I think it only gets smaller if you have certain options/packages installed that were available only on the LWB. In short...if you have reclining rear seats you likely have smaller trunk space, same with the executive package. Honestly my trunk space is still rather large.

dal20402

The option that reduces trunk space is the four-zone climate (which is L-only); on those cars, there's ducting behind the seats. Reclining rear seats have little if any effect.

Zeke21

Thank you. That would certainly make some sense.