bostonsnow

HI LS Forum,

I'm looking to move on from my 05 ES330 - the goals for my next Lexus are to MAXIMIZE COMFORT: ie. comfortable ride, minimize shocks and jars from road bumps, and comfortable seat to minimize back pain. I have no aspirations to a sporty ride etc.

My price limit is $50K, ideally $45K or under, so that is limiting me to thinking new ES versus Pre-Owned LS. Certainly, on test drives, the LS is more comfortable for sure . Of course there are pros and cons with going with an older car than a new. I have my own independent mechanic who I have been using for my current ES (a former Lexus Master Technician now with his own shop), so I dont have to get a CPO, it can be a non-CPO from anywhere, even a private party if they let me have car checked out by my mechanic.

The question I suppose is this - if I am going to get an LS460 with 50Kish miles on it, I would want to keep it for a while. When your LS460s have reached up to the 150K-200K mileage range, does maintenance become an issue/major cost factor? I would also worry about worsening shock absorption etc as the car ages. Comments?

-Boston Snowboarder (not in Boston anymore, now in the car-friendly world of southern california)
05 ES330

CJITTY

You lost me right at the subject line of the title with the ES vs LS comparison. I personally don't care what year the ES is, the LS is a superior vehicle and the ES isn't even in the same arena, let alone sport. Just my two cents. A newer ES may have more tech,but the ride and experience is night and day despite the age gap

roadfrog

Ditto what CJITTY stated. No comparison. Add to that the fact that the ES is front wheel drive which removes it from any consideration I would have.

There's no reason the LS can't go the distance (and some have reached that 200k mile hurdle already.

bostonsnow

thanks. I had a feeling I would get this answer on this thread!

SW17LS

This is a tough one only because the ES is new and the LS is used.

The LS is hands down the superior vehicle in every way, its smoother, quieter, more refined, more substantial feeling, better built, more comfortable.

BUT...if you're buying a new car with a 5 year car loan, buying an already 3-5 year old LS with 50k miles where once its paid for it would be 8-10 years old with 130k miles is a little scary, thats what kept me in new ES's in 2003 and 2010 when what I really wanted was an LS.

A used LS is a great buy, they age really well and they're pretty reliable, but making payments on anything 7+ years old and with 100k+ miles is a little daunting to me. Great buy if you can pay cash, or finance on a short term, or don't drive a ton, etc.

So...I would choose the new ES.

R Z

For $50k I'd certainly take a look at a 2013 LS460. I've seen several under that price with under 50k miles. I'm sure a new ES has peace of mind. My friend had a 2012 Es and every time he rides in my 08, he says: "I could probably use a bigger car like your LS." There has to be the right LS deal with CPO out there for you.

Good luck.

bostonsnow

Yes, I will need a loan either way, which complicates things. Your points are well taken. On the other hand, I see from other threads that Lexus has started back the option to lease a CPO. So that would be an intriguing angle - find a CPO LS460 priced around $50K, and take a lease on it......... perhaps not the most financially wise decision, but intriguing......

silly question that I never thought about until now - but I wonder if one leases a CPO, does the lease agreement require going to the dealer for maintenance during the lease?...or perhaps not so silly

SW17LS

Heres the thing...the LS460 is bigger than his 2012 ES350, but not a 13-16 ES350. The 6ES is on the Avalon platform and is actually bigger inside than the SWB LS.

You could do that. A 3 year lease on a vehicle like that would be somewhere around $750 a month. Just FYI but a lease on a loaded $50k ES is probably $500 tops, so still a lot more money.

No, you don't have to use the dealer on any lease.

bostonsnow

Yes, the salesperson did warn me that the money factor etc are much less competitive on the CPOs than on a new. ALso, $750 a month is then not that far off from the current lease offer on a NEW LS460 of $819 a month for 24 months with $6K down........

and yes, ES leases are way lower. A pretty well loaded ES300h lease promotion is now $389 a month for 36 months. That is quite a good lease deal

SW17LS

Well, $6k down is a lot and that doesn't include taxes or any of the other drive off costs, and that's probably a 7,500 mile lease. $7k or so out of pocket is a lot, that payment on the CPO one is nothing down and 15k miles. Comparably a new LS460 is about $1,000 a month.

Rhambler

I would honestly just spend less at Starbucks and lease the new. You'll thank me later. There's nothing like driving around a brand new virgin car, and the LS is definitely the king of new cars.

The price difference isn't worth it IMO. Plus, I honestly think you can haggle more off of the new then used. Aim for at least $5k off MSRP. Forget the payment as it will take care of itself. You can also inquire about multiple security deposits, which are refundable, to really lower your payment.

Good luck and enjoy the ride!

Kennyr44

If your looking for the smoothest riding car buy a 2005 low miles LS 430. Low price and very reliable. The LS 460 rides rougher for sure.

SW17LS

I've had both, I don't agree that the LS460 "rides rougher", especially if its a 05 or 06 430 on 18" wheels, then I think the 460 actually rides better. My 430 was an 04 UL with air suspension and 17" wheels, it probably rode a little bit better than my 460 on 18s and standard suspension but that difference isn't dramatic. Of course mine is a 2015 but I wouldn't expect it to ride much different than any other 460.

Gotta drink a lot of Starbucks to save $5-600 a month vs an ES or $250-$300 a month vs a CPO LS lol

Rhambler

Hey, some people spend $10+ a day at that place. My ex-wife use to spend $20 a day there, going back multiple times, lol.

If you think about it, that's a car payment in itself and most people never keep track of that. I consider that stuff discretionary spending and while it doesn't seem like a lot, it ADDS UP.

And yeah, I didn't get a divorce because of her Starbucks bill, lol, I use to go there daily too, although one cup a day. Now, I just drink coffee at home and pocket that money.

SW17LS

True, it does add up.