mikespinto

Hi,

I'm in the market for a newer car. I was going to get a 2014 Maxima for $22k but somehow stumbled across and fell for the LS460. I've been looking and see that 2007/2008 can be had for $25k with about 80k-90k miles.

Would it be realistic to think that I could get a 2007 460L with 70k miles for $20,000?

I'm in Houston by the way and also check San Antonio, Austin and Dallas dealers and CL for cars as well. It's hard to find under 100k miles and under $25k

What is a 2007 with 60k miles going for at Manheim?

I'm in love with Tee's red 460 on those 22" Savini. That's right up my alley.

greekguy66

What options does it have?

qtrung909

I got my 08 460l with the exec seating in the rear for 25k with 77k miles on it. exterior was in rough shape but interior is flawless. im from new orleans area and was planning on going that way to find myself a new car. i stumbled upon this car while looking on autotrader so if youre not in a rush than im sure you could find one in that price range. there was an 07 460l with 66k at the same dealership, they wanted 27900 but thats what they wanted for mine as well.

mikespinto

I'm still learning about the LS460 but so far only option that sounds really cool is the soft shut doors.
That ML stereo system would be nice but not a necessity.

I just want the car to be clean inside and out and be mechanically sound (no $3,500 brake actuator jobs within 6 months of me owning it)

mikespinto

I'm seeing a lot of those as I google.
I don't know the exact condition as I'm only look at online pics but that price you got matches the mileage I am seeing everywhere.

qtrung909

a friend of mine was at the auction same day i went out to buy my car and told me there was an 07 with 95k on it that went for 21k. you gotta remember that its gonna be a 7-8 year old car, make sure they have some kind of service history, every owner treats their cars differently. i almost bought a 2010 ls600hl in cali for 41 but it wouldve been too costly to have it shipped and i wouldnt know the exact condition since i only saw pictures. pictures can be deceiving.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

2007 and 08 models are loosing their value. Considering 06 LS430 can still run you over 20 grand. I would personally be aware of the major mechanical issue due to valve spring and the acceleration problems. Good to check if the work was done. The 07 and 08 are not as well made as the 09 and up.

greekguy66

I understand you want to keep it about $20k. First and foremost spend about 30 minutes playing with all the buttons and features. Don't be rushed. Make sure everything works.

There are some things to consider. Whatever you decide, take the VIN and check it out via http://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home. It is a free website and if service was done at Lexus, then it will show up through the website. Also do ask for the Carfax.

Also you can give the local dealer the VIN and they will be able to tell you if the recalls and/or any Service Bulletins were done. I would personally stay away from a LS460 that show signs of having or still has a trailer hitch installed. You just don't know what they have been towing and may lead to unwanted future transmission work.

If you buying from a used car lot, ask them if they would be willing to have Lexus do a safety check on the car that you are willing to pay and they drive over. That is about one hour labor and you get some peace of mind of what you are getting into. You can do the same with a private party and better yet, possibly see all the invoices of service they want you to see that was done.

OR you can spend a few extra dollars and get a CPO, which does not mean you are getting a lemon or not, but at least you have a warranty where if you have an issue it may be covered under warranty. A CPO has to be six years or less and have under 70K miles.

2007-2009 the LS460 are basically all the same. In 2010 is when it got tweaked. Supposedly the ML sound system is better from 2007-2009 than 2010-2012. I believe they are all built solid as long as it didn't come off the assembly line around Happy Hour on a Friday.

greg3852

Valve spring issue was a preemptive effort by Lexus to address an issue that may or may not ever occur. Reading below it hardly seems like a huge issue.

Quoted from the press release "regarding approximately 138,000 Lexus vehicles, powered by 4.6 and 5.0 liter V8 and 3.5 liter V6 engines in certain 2006, 2007 and 2008 GS, IS and LS models in the U.S." "Lexus estimates that the likelihood of a customer vehicle experiencing this condition is two-tenths of one percent (0.2 %). Lexus has received no reports of accidents or injuries related to this condition."

The valve spring issue is a non issue. And the acceleration problems have been linked to using improper oil during an oil change. And again considering the amount of vehicles sold is a non issue.

The 07 and 08 are LOSING their value. Just like every other car out there. But they are not the mechanical nightmares you continually make them out to be. And I wouldn't buy an 06 LS for 15k never mind over 20K. Its an old outdated design.

Back on track to the OP, check on auto trader or cars.com. You can get a good idea of what people are asking for them. At 20K you will be looking at a lot higher miles than at 25K. But depends on your budget.

Devh

I think what you wrote is very telling. If the one year older model was competitively priced an argument could be made. Apparently not. The difference between a 2007 and 2008 would be much smaller.
So basically we know is what we have always known and that is the 430 lost a great deal of it's value with the current iteration of the LS.
If the newly introduced model was a known lemon then the opposite would be true but it seems to be more of a perpetual myth.

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

Is this fact yet or is it still just a theory ?

thelawnet

As I understand it, the front suspension arms are the big risk with the early LS460s. My car had them replaced at a cost of £3k a year ago (before I purchased), under warranty.

mikespinto

Yeah,

I'm going to have to research this purchase a good bit more.

So far I've hear of:

1) $3,500 brake actuators going bad
2) $5,000 control arms
3) Undetermined amount to re-seal the car to keep howling wind noises out.

And also the valve (spring) problem.

In the M-B CL world the transmissions usually fail before 70k miles and that is a $8k fix