LANewsboy

Howdy all, and thanks in advance for your advice.

I'm currently driving a 2001 LS 430 that I dearly love. But I plan to upgrade to a 2008 LS 460 in the next year or so.

One of the fundamental questions for me is whether the navigation system is an option I need. I've read lots of reviews here, on the 430 board and on Edmunds that were very critical of the nav system. Many owners recommended passing on the nav system.

What do you all think, and how difficult will it be to find an '08 without navigation?

Tnx.

jlawr

You will want the Mark Levinson Music System. I don't think you can get that without the NAV System. The NAV System is not bad, although Garmin and others are way better. Mark Levinson is wonderful!

If you get NAV you'll want the Prestigious Sociey NAV Override so you can use your NAV, DVD and Phone while moving. Otherwise the standard Lexus NAV locks you out while the car is in motion.

I have a 2008 LS 460 and I use my NAV all the time. Try to get the latest version maps and POI's - version 11.1 if possible.

Good Luck

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i don't think i will get another car without nav. i know 3rd party is better, but i don't like anything hanging around. factory ones do the job well for me so far. and yes, you need nav for ml i think, and ml is such a must imho, especially if you plan to just stay with factory setup.

with that said, i think it's going to be extremely hard to find a ls460 without nav. not to mention it probably would hurt the resale down the road too

datplayaz

iTrader: (9)

I think navi is a must on a car like the LS, although I don't ever use my navi because it's out of date, I usually use my phone instead, but the backup camera and the ML sound system is nice. There's a 07 LS460 without navi here locally for sale with 15k miles and they are asking 39k.

LANewsboy

Thanks for the advice.

Three follow=up questions:

1) How can you determine which version of navi a particular car has?

2) Would the dealer upgrade the nav system as part of the deal?

3) Where and how do you get the override system?

CJITTY

Gotta do NAV on the Lexus flagship!! I was shocked when I first heard that NAV wasn't standard!!

cheez80

iTrader: (1)

i don't know guys, the lexus nav is leaps and bounds more user friendly than the ones in the 2011 s-class and 2007 audi a8 also parked at home...

rominl

iTrader: (4)

1) i think you can click info / setup and then go to dvd to see the version
2) you can always negotiate, it costs about 300 bucks?
3) you can email chung@prestigioussociety.com, around 300 bucks i think

for sure, it beats my s550 like that. but it doesn't have 3d, and some aftermarket ones like garmin, or even the iphone/droid, they are pretty darn good and updated. not to mention they have free traffic info, same with bmw and 07-09 s550, and lexus you need xm subscription. pros and cons i guess

bsl888

I've never seen one without NAV, at least here in CA.

ALeX300

iTrader: (3)

there's no way in hell i'd jump in an LS and stare at this....

CJITTY

That is the most depressing picture I have seen in a long time #LSdisrespected

rominl

iTrader: (4)

my goodness that's beyond horrible... it actually got a new gs grille right there in the center console

JFNash

The navigation system and Mark Levinson are must haves.

If you don't include these two options peacefully in your purchase decision, expect to have a lot of thoughts about doing major, costly upgrades.

I don't know why Lexus is keeping them as options. To me it's like offering cloth seats on the LS460.

daryll40

The NAV is the worst feature of the car. I use my super-easy-to-use TOMTOM app on my iPhone. That being said, you are almost certainly not going to find a used LS without NAV. Because even for people who don't want it, it would be like buying a car without A/C. It's just standard stuff required by the resale market. So suck that minor negative up and get with the otherwise best-car-ever-built program!

Mikey100

Personally ........ I think many others have already said it best.

Get the NAV feature. It looks kewl, the dash, with a NAV system, is a WHOLE lot better looking, it makes ya feel important, and if ya love country music like we do, you can know what songs and artists are being played on XM radio or a disk loaded with MP3's.

And THEN: for $ 120.00, go buy a Garmin Nuvi 1350 GPS, so when ya wanna get somewhere, you can do it in style. And actually get there without fumbling around for days trying to program your "NAV" or never getting there because the in-dash unit "Can't find your location."

Per your last question, IF you are planning on buying a CPO car, they will almost ALWAYS update the in-car NAV system to the latest software version as simply part of their in-house pre-CPO stuff. Sorry to use the word 'stuff' but I got tongue-tied.

Oh ! And by the way, if ya come to depend on your $120 Garmin, when everyone else is bi**hing about having to pay $300-$400 to "Update/upgrade the NAV system to the last just-released software version" (that after they've paid the money and had the work completed, it STILL will NOT locate the street outside their residence that's been in existence for the past 5 years - Yes..It's true......This forum is full of stories like this) ........ you can simply lay back, smile, get a cold beverage and realize how much SMARTER you are than many peoples.

<Hopefully at this point at least 1 or 2 people are smiling ..... Is that gun aimed at me ?>

Wishing you great success locating one of the greatest driving pleasures you'll ever enjoy, your NEW LS460,

Mikey Lulejian
Lake Oconee, GA