lexus600hl

I am seeking advice - whether to sell or not, one of my cars.
I have two 2008 LS 600 HLs. Car1 has 42,000 miles and car2 has 61,000 miles.
Both are Nieman Marcus editions.

I don't use car1 much. I won't be putting much miles on it in the near future either. Probably 3000 miles/year.

How ever, my wife puts about 15,000 miles +/year on car2.

I saw the pictures of the 2013 LS. Exterior styling, albeit different, does not seem to be far different from my LS (major being the front grille of course). I am not too excited about the new front grille either. While I have not yet seen the car, I would probably not buy it.. Depends on what they offer.

I have a couple of thoughts, on which I would like to seek advice on - regarding the financial portion..

KBB says car1 is worth $50,000 and that car2 is worth $45,000.

Anyway, I am wondering if I should sell car2.

That't the background.

Here is the bottomline:

If I used the car for another 2 years + 30,000 miles - it would be like a 2006 car today (approximately).. kbb gives a trade in value of 2006 LS 430 as $18,000.

The cost of using this car2 for two more years is therefore, $45,000 - $18,000 = $27,000 - about $1100/month + maintenance/repairs (?).

Basically, it seems to me that it is not that much cheaper to keep using this car - Vs just trading it in for a new LS or jaguar XJ.

I have owned a 2007 LS 460L and these 600HLs are really very special cars. Being the "launch edition" Nieman marcus cars, they have unique wheels and they look very nice, inside and out.

I know the local lexus dealer quite well. They would give me a good price and they are very fair to me - becauseI bought 18 Lexuses from them, in 23 years. I am going to price out the Jaguar XJ awd, lease. I am tempted to trade in for the Jaguar xj.. but I am reluctant to forgo my 600HL.. because it is such an amazing car!

I am seeking advice and comments on my situation. What would you do? Sell/trade in? Or keep for another 2 years?

CJITTY

For starters, the fact you have two is mind boggling to me lol...but that is awesome. I say dump the one with more miles, and get a 2014 600hL in late 2013..let them work out the 2013 bugs after the 3000 new parts they put on the new gen.

Two 600s? Gaaaaaaaadammm son!

lexus600hl

They reall are amazing cars, aren't they? I am really sad about having to lose one.. I am leaning towards the jaguar xj.

Luxofreak

I don't think you will be happy with the XJ coming from the LS. Take a look at the XJ forums to know what owners think. Yes, it's a beautiful car, but it's already obsolete in their electronics and major roof popping issues, battery drainage issues, rough idle on supercharged models, abound. Not to mention the horrible customer service you'll have to deal with at Jag dealers. They are light years behind from what you're used to from owning LS cars.

Cars eventually go to zero value and junk yard, but Lexus cars seem to be the last ones to reach those destinations.

I am somewhat in the same boat, because I REALLY like the XJ design. But if I ever buy one, it will be to add it to my garage as a second, temperamental and fragile car. I will keep my LS for when I need to make sure I'll make it to my destination. So, for the wife that needs a reliable car and can't be bothered by car issues, I'd keep the 600h. If you want to have fun because life is short so what the heck, go for the XJ -- but be prepared to be frustrated with pesky problems and absent customer service.

Helmar

I've been toying with the idea of replacing my LS600hL as well.

Since I need AWD, and I no longer need such a large car, I've been considering an Audi A7.

It seems to have most of the features I've enjoyed in my LS...Probabily not as quiet though.

HBH

Nospinzone

If I used the car for another 2 years + 30,000 miles - it would be like a 2006 car today (approximately).. kbb gives a trade in value of 2006 LS 430 as $18,000.

The cost of using this car 2 for two more years is therefore, $45,000 - $18,000 = $27,000 - about $1100/month + maintenance/repairs (?).

That's not a proper extrapolation. You won't lose that much in 2 years. Regardless of what the depreciation is, it won't be nearly as much as the depreciation on an XJ for 2 years.

Shibumi1

i agree with LUXOFREAK... i have a few customers with the XJ (2 of whom have already sold them due too issues and service) if your not going to the new LS.. then look into the Audi A8L or S8 if u can find one

aypues

The Neiman Marcus launch editions are super rare. I would only consider that or a Pebble Beach edition since they were the only model prior to 2010 that had the Advanced Pre Collision System available....i have to have that in my next LS.

AKoch

I just got off an Audi having owned the last one of 5 years... trust me, you won't be happy in an Audi after any LS. But after a LS600h...

Helmar

I value your opinion.

What specifically won't I like? The noise level? The ride? Features? Reliability?

Thanks.

HBH

lbintab

iTrader: (1)

I say wait for a 2014 LS600HL F-Sport and give up which ever car has lower miles. Do you have the luggage set that came with both your cars? That could be a good bargaining tool.

mike171333

Came off five audis to 460 awd ....I believe Lexus slightly quieter, especially ambient noise and road noise ....much less road noise. ...wind noise equal.
Lexus softer and more comfortable....audi comfortable ...but firmer, in a Germanic way.
Audi more communicative as a drivers car. ..and more fun to drive a bit more aggressively . I prefer audis dsg transmission .

Prefer Lexus Mark levinson to Audi BOSE. ...I have no experience with b & o s ystem.

Prefer Audi"s latest gen nav .

Interiors a wash. ...diff style. ..I. like both.

Reliability .....very few and minor problems with Audi. ...about equal on my cpo lexus.

Summary. ...Lexus a bit more luxury. .Audi a bit more s porting. ....pretty much what most reviews say.

I’d still test drive both of looking now
Interestingly ,just got back from 3 weeks in Austria, Switzerland ,Italy. I think I saw 1000 Audi to each lexus . Drove vw 2.0 diesel with dsg ...touran model. ..2000 miles. ...40.5 mpg .....quiet and drove very nicely,

lexus600hl

How much do you think I would lose in 2 years? I would lease the XJ.

lexus600hl

I got both cars used. I never got the luggage set. I would never buy 600 new. Look at how they depreciate. The only way to buy a 600, is used! The 600 is not worth the $40,000 over the 460L in list price, because in 3 years, they are only about $4000 apart in used market.

lexus600hl

I agree!.. the nieman marcus editions are rare and look even better than the normal 600 - because they have very special factory wheels - with dark chrome.. I have always disliked Lexus wheels ( I have owned 8 LS cars over the past 23 years! - My first 1990 LS 400 was an amazing car - paid $32,000 for it, new, in 1989). In fact, I think Lexus has the worst of the wheel designs, as compared to its peers.

What kind of wheels does the pebble beach edition have? Do the nieman marcus edition or the pebble beach edition have different interiors? I thought the difference was only that the nieman marcus edition came with special wheels and a luggage set. Whats a pebble beach edition?

The normal 600s don't have advanced pre collision? Really? I would think that they would be fully equiped.. Are you sure they don't have A P C S?