I downgraded "BIGTIME"
#16
Edmunds true-cost-to-own of an older LS460 vs new Avalon is a difference of about $3K/year. Not huge but if that much affects your budget, neither car should be for you.
My rule of thumb on car costs is no more than 10% take home pay. An older LS460 would be about $1000/month TCTO so not warranted unless you had $10,000/month take home pay. Lots of people pay more than the 10% rule and get in over their head. At the very least, they end up giving up a lot of other productive uses for cash, including long term investment, just for a car that does nothing more than any other car at the end of the day.
My rule of thumb on car costs is no more than 10% take home pay. An older LS460 would be about $1000/month TCTO so not warranted unless you had $10,000/month take home pay. Lots of people pay more than the 10% rule and get in over their head. At the very least, they end up giving up a lot of other productive uses for cash, including long term investment, just for a car that does nothing more than any other car at the end of the day.
#17
As You all prolly know I had a 2007 Lexus LS460L that was loaded with more features and tech then I ever dreamed. I recently traded my dream car in for a 2013 toyota avalon hybrid ltd. I traded it because my budget didn't allow for me to get a warranty or to come out of pocket with the cost it would take to maintain such an extravagant and luxurious piece of art. :sad......rolleyes:
#18
Driver School Candidate
Maintenance Cost
I'll probably get slammed for this but maybe it will help someone. I'm a 51-year-old woman so I'm not doing any work on the car myself (other than detailing it). I find the cost is affordable because I take it to the Toyota dealership to get the maintenance done. If I take it to Lexus, it costs at least twice as much. So it's not more expensive than keeping a Toyota. The tires are very expensive, but those get replaced about every 5 years. I bought a 2009 LS 460 and it's a dream in every way. I bought it as a lease end, so I paid half as much, and it was certified so there's bumper to bumper for three years. I still have another year left and I won't be buying additional warranty. Why? This is known as the No. 1 most reliable car there is. My sister and mother both have Lexus cars and have never had a single problem. So after the warranty, if it's bad luck and I need something fix, it'll be done at Toyota. So, my long story to say that if you do some things differently, you can afford this work of art...
The same reasons you let your LS460 go are the reasons I'm hesitating buying one when my budget allows me to purchase a used 2008 - 2010 model. It's been emphasized here and elsewhere that unless you do a lot of the maintenance yourself, a used luxury car, even a reliable one bought after it's depreciated a lot, will still have a luxury car price when it comes to maintenance, even for routine items.
There's something compelling about upgrading to a top of-the-line, quality used luxury vehicle at a bargain price, yet for one who has generally made frugal financial decisions, I really can't make the case for an LS460. The relatively high prices for a used LS460 says a lot about how fantastic the car is compared with other luxury makes; the question for me is whether the enjoyment I think I'd get from the car is worth it.
I'll continue to search for my ideal LS460 at a great price and have found this forum to be incredibly helpful. I just don't know yet whether I'll take advantage of the opportunity should it arise. Sorry for rambling, but the OP's thread really resonated with me.
There's something compelling about upgrading to a top of-the-line, quality used luxury vehicle at a bargain price, yet for one who has generally made frugal financial decisions, I really can't make the case for an LS460. The relatively high prices for a used LS460 says a lot about how fantastic the car is compared with other luxury makes; the question for me is whether the enjoyment I think I'd get from the car is worth it.
I'll continue to search for my ideal LS460 at a great price and have found this forum to be incredibly helpful. I just don't know yet whether I'll take advantage of the opportunity should it arise. Sorry for rambling, but the OP's thread really resonated with me.
#19
I'll probably get slammed for this but maybe it will help someone. I'm a 51-year-old woman so I'm not doing any work on the car myself (other than detailing it). I find the cost is affordable because I take it to the Toyota dealership to get the maintenance done. If I take it to Lexus, it costs at least twice as much. So it's not more expensive than keeping a Toyota. The tires are very expensive, but those get replaced about every 5 years. I bought a 2009 LS 460 and it's a dream in every way. I bought it as a lease end, so I paid half as much, and it was certified so there's bumper to bumper for three years. I still have another year left and I won't be buying additional warranty. Why? This is known as the No. 1 most reliable car there is. My sister and mother both have Lexus cars and have never had a single problem. So after the warranty, if it's bad luck and I need something fix, it'll be done at Toyota. So, my long story to say that if you do some things differently, you can afford this work of art...
#20
Agreed.
And I'll add, I've never been around a woman that took the initiative to clean up her car. I'm strangely excited at the image of that. The Warden treats her vehicle like a mobile trash can, which is a major sour point for me.
And I'll add, I've never been around a woman that took the initiative to clean up her car. I'm strangely excited at the image of that. The Warden treats her vehicle like a mobile trash can, which is a major sour point for me.
#21
Lexus Champion
@jzrodrigue: I also appreciate the logic in your approach to acquiring and maintaining your LS460.
@Soldier76: Please report back your impressions of your Avalon Hybrid compared to your LS460. Thanks!
@Soldier76: Please report back your impressions of your Avalon Hybrid compared to your LS460. Thanks!
#22
Lexus Fanatic
100%
I use Toyota exclusively for any services I choose not to do myself and also buy my parts (oil, filters, etc) from them. FAR cheaper than Lexus. Basically, they charge me the same prices as I would pay if I owned a Camry or Tundra. They have Techstream, approved fluids, approved parts and so on. The only exception would be those with Lexus warranties, and for recalls.
Also, any service work done at Toyota shows up on Lexus' service reports in their database.
I use Toyota exclusively for any services I choose not to do myself and also buy my parts (oil, filters, etc) from them. FAR cheaper than Lexus. Basically, they charge me the same prices as I would pay if I owned a Camry or Tundra. They have Techstream, approved fluids, approved parts and so on. The only exception would be those with Lexus warranties, and for recalls.
Also, any service work done at Toyota shows up on Lexus' service reports in their database.
#23
100%
I use Toyota exclusively for any services I choose not to do myself and also buy my parts (oil, filters, etc) from them. FAR cheaper than Lexus. Basically, they charge me the same prices as I would pay if I owned a Camry or Tundra. They have Techstream, approved fluids, approved parts and so on. The only exception would be those with Lexus warranties, and for recalls.
Also, any service work done at Toyota shows up on Lexus' service reports in their database.
I use Toyota exclusively for any services I choose not to do myself and also buy my parts (oil, filters, etc) from them. FAR cheaper than Lexus. Basically, they charge me the same prices as I would pay if I owned a Camry or Tundra. They have Techstream, approved fluids, approved parts and so on. The only exception would be those with Lexus warranties, and for recalls.
Also, any service work done at Toyota shows up on Lexus' service reports in their database.
#24
Lexus Test Driver
jzrodrigue:
I doubt anyone will slam you for your logic. Its very informing and is a plan for success in anyone book if I may say so! This will be the route I plan to follow for anything i don't/cant DIY. And may I also add that's it's great you tend to and take care of your vehicle!
Roadfrog:
I was not aware of this fact! Great to know! I wondered about that, simply because if there was ever an issue where I wanted to take the car to Lexus and the question of me keeping up with regular maint. became an issue, would there be a paper trail of any and all maint. if i had been taking it to Toyota. I planned to develop a folder which will keep all maint. paperwork anyways, but its nice to know things will be kept in a database.
+1 here..
My wife isn't horrible, but I do wish she'd take a little better car of her 2012 Pilot. Every 5-6 weeks I do a thorough clean-up: empty out, vacuum and wipe down. I thought it was just me but its been confirmed by a few people that speak with as well as here that their wives are the same. I thought something was wrong with me and I was being overly **** while mumbling to myself in curiosity and frustration while cleaning out the car. Its a sour point for me as well. I communicate my concerns but they only seem to resonate briefly before its back to Messy Time! But I wouldn't rather clean up behind anyone else!
I doubt anyone will slam you for your logic. Its very informing and is a plan for success in anyone book if I may say so! This will be the route I plan to follow for anything i don't/cant DIY. And may I also add that's it's great you tend to and take care of your vehicle!
Roadfrog:
I was not aware of this fact! Great to know! I wondered about that, simply because if there was ever an issue where I wanted to take the car to Lexus and the question of me keeping up with regular maint. became an issue, would there be a paper trail of any and all maint. if i had been taking it to Toyota. I planned to develop a folder which will keep all maint. paperwork anyways, but its nice to know things will be kept in a database.
My wife isn't horrible, but I do wish she'd take a little better car of her 2012 Pilot. Every 5-6 weeks I do a thorough clean-up: empty out, vacuum and wipe down. I thought it was just me but its been confirmed by a few people that speak with as well as here that their wives are the same. I thought something was wrong with me and I was being overly **** while mumbling to myself in curiosity and frustration while cleaning out the car. Its a sour point for me as well. I communicate my concerns but they only seem to resonate briefly before its back to Messy Time! But I wouldn't rather clean up behind anyone else!
#25
+1 here..
My wife isn't horrible, but I do wish she'd take a little better car of her 2012 Pilot. Every 5-6 weeks I do a thorough clean-up: empty out, vacuum and wipe down. I thought it was just me but its been confirmed by a few people that speak with as well as here that their wives are the same. I thought something was wrong with me and I was being overly **** while mumbling to myself in curiosity and frustration while cleaning out the car. Its a sour point for me as well. I communicate my concerns but they only seem to resonate briefly before its back to Messy Time! But I wouldn't rather clean up behind anyone else!
My wife isn't horrible, but I do wish she'd take a little better car of her 2012 Pilot. Every 5-6 weeks I do a thorough clean-up: empty out, vacuum and wipe down. I thought it was just me but its been confirmed by a few people that speak with as well as here that their wives are the same. I thought something was wrong with me and I was being overly **** while mumbling to myself in curiosity and frustration while cleaning out the car. Its a sour point for me as well. I communicate my concerns but they only seem to resonate briefly before its back to Messy Time! But I wouldn't rather clean up behind anyone else!
#26
Pole Position
Simple. When the warranty runs out trade it in. End of story.
#27
Driver
Thread Starter
Edmunds true-cost-to-own of an older LS460 vs new Avalon is a difference of about $3K/year. Not huge but if that much affects your budget, neither car should be for you.
My rule of thumb on car costs is no more than 10% take home pay. An older LS460 would be about $1000/month TCTO so not warranted unless you had $10,000/month take home pay. Lots of people pay more than the 10% rule and get in over their head. At the very least, they end up giving up a lot of other productive uses for cash, including long term investment, just for a car that does nothing more than any other car at the end of the day.
My rule of thumb on car costs is no more than 10% take home pay. An older LS460 would be about $1000/month TCTO so not warranted unless you had $10,000/month take home pay. Lots of people pay more than the 10% rule and get in over their head. At the very least, they end up giving up a lot of other productive uses for cash, including long term investment, just for a car that does nothing more than any other car at the end of the day.
#28
Driver
Thread Starter
The same reasons you let your LS460 go are the reasons I'm hesitating buying one when my budget allows me to purchase a used 2008 - 2010 model. It's been emphasized here and elsewhere that unless you do a lot of the maintenance yourself, a used luxury car, even a reliable one bought after it's depreciated a lot, will still have a luxury car price when it comes to maintenance, even for routine items.
There's something compelling about upgrading to a top of-the-line, quality used luxury vehicle at a bargain price, yet for one who has generally made frugal financial decisions, I really can't make the case for an LS460. The relatively high prices for a used LS460 says a lot about how fantastic the car is compared with other luxury makes; the question for me is whether the enjoyment I think I'd get from the car is worth it.
I'll continue to search for my ideal LS460 at a great price and have found this forum to be incredibly helpful. I just don't know yet whether I'll take advantage of the opportunity should it arise. Sorry for rambling, but the OP's thread really resonated with me.
There's something compelling about upgrading to a top of-the-line, quality used luxury vehicle at a bargain price, yet for one who has generally made frugal financial decisions, I really can't make the case for an LS460. The relatively high prices for a used LS460 says a lot about how fantastic the car is compared with other luxury makes; the question for me is whether the enjoyment I think I'd get from the car is worth it.
I'll continue to search for my ideal LS460 at a great price and have found this forum to be incredibly helpful. I just don't know yet whether I'll take advantage of the opportunity should it arise. Sorry for rambling, but the OP's thread really resonated with me.
#29
Driver
Thread Starter
That's what the salesman told me he's doing with his 460 next year when his warranty runs out. I just was thinking long term as in keeping the car, because I'm truly tired of trading cars. Since 2000 I purchased 16 cars and only owned 2. I financed all except for my 2011 Hyundai genesis 4.6 which was a lease. So I guess my Avalon is my forever on out car (I say the same thing like every year) "MUUHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAA"!!!!.........."DOH"!!!
#30
Lexus Test Driver
I looked at Avalon's before I bought my 460. I would have bought one but just couldn't find one in my area when I was looking. Then I started looking for a 460.
I wouldn't consider it a downgrade. Its a different car. It is a huge upgrade to some, so be happy you are there.
I wouldn't consider it a downgrade. Its a different car. It is a huge upgrade to some, so be happy you are there.