I've searched through the forums and read a few posts about the differences, and I'm stuck. Right now I'm looking at a 2009 gs350 with ~67k miles and a 2008 gs460 with ~75k miles.

I find I really want the exclusivity of the 460 but it's exclusivity is what's scares me too. Parts will be harder to source etc. But it is a very impressive vehicle in power and in cruising.

The 350 makes slightly more sense as it gets to 60 in about the same time, has 1 mpg better mileage, and since it's more common it would be easier to source parts for it.

Since there doesn't appear to be many 460's there might not be too much info on it, but ultimately I'm scared of the motor or the transmission having issues. I'd like to think that the transmission is the same as the ls460's transmission and then it should be more up to the task as the gs460 loses horsepower and torque compared to the ls460.

Anyone know of any problems with the gs460? I admit the vehicle overall impresses me, but there is a bit of fear of something failing at this point as since it's so exclusive we're looking at a lot of money for any repair.

Thanks in advance.

 

I don't think you have anything to worry about going to the 460. (Correct me if I'm wrong guys) I think some of the early 07-09 460's in LS and GS had some kind of recall for valve spring retainers? If that's been done, or the car didn't fall under that recall you should be good. The GS460 is a very very nice car. I wouldn't say you are sacrificing any reliability going with the 460 over the 350.

 

I have to hand it to Lexus, their service record option online is sweet. I was able to confirm that both vehicles have had the valve spring and the fuel component recall done already. The gs460 unfortunately had the valve spring break at 15k, and it was replaced. Then a few months later had the recall done.

 

I wouldn't focus on the "parts will be harder to source" aspect, simply because you won't have to source any...because the GS460 won't break.

 

Thank you that's reassuring.

 

My 460 has been bulletproof *knock on wood* so far. I drive it pretty hard through all the hills here in WA, and the only issue I've had is a slightly warped brake rotor, which is pretty common in a lot of cars. Plenty of kick when you want to punch it, and it handles like a dream with sport and power mode on when driving through the curvy mountain roads. I'm still sitting at under 30k on my '08, but it's been an amazing car thus far. Definitely doesn't feel as solid as my old SC400, but hey, not many new cars do I was looking at the 350's, and they were definitely nice, but something just didn't feel/sound right to me when accelerating and hearing a V6 :/ Not to say it's a bad motor, in fact, they're incredible motors; but the 4.6L has proven itself to be a great replacement for the 4.0 and 4.3L. Not to ramble on, but the 8-speed is very, VERY nice! I averaged 28+ MPG on my 300 mile road trip last spring, and a good 1/3 of that trip was entirely uphill as I was going through the mountain passes. Go with the 460

 

Agreed, TRD_Power. Sitting right under 90k on mine and have done nothing but routine maintenance. I love this car.

 

I have an 08 GS 460. N It's been solid. All maint to date from lexus. The only BIG problem that you may have is the suspension. I had to replace all 4 struts at 50k miles. My cousin who has a gs450h same issue. Lexus stepped up and paid for half the repairs 1300 out of pocket on both cars. Not a bad deal.

Get the GS 460.

 

What were the symptoms of the struts going? When I test drove it I didn't hear any thuds etc, but I'll admit I was a bit excited.

 

Rides reallyyyyyyy rough. Lots of bounce.

 

If you're on the fence, I think you'll prefer the GS350.

The first problem of the GS460 is that the best version of it -- 2010+ for bluetooth streaming plus a few other minor changes -- is very hard to find. These were special order only after 2008, which led to less than 50 cars/year coming to the US from 2009-2011. I watched the 2010+ GS460 market for 7 months before buying mine, there were never more than 5 for sale at any one time. Right now, there are zero.

The second problem is that due to this rarity/value, the insurance is surprisingly expensive. As in more expensive than my lifted/armored FJ Cruiser (that drives over Colorado mountains) and more expensive than my Honda S2000 (that drives around Colorado mountains). This fact surprised me the most about the GS460.

I own a GS460 because I loved my IS350, but it was too small. And I loved the powertrain from the LS460 -- 29 highway MPG in a V8 -- but the car was too big. So when you put the best powertrain in the middle chassis, you end up with something fantastic...that nobody bought.

If you aren't thoroughly convinced that the GS460 is the car for you, then just get the GS350. The GS350 is a fine car, it's much cheaper to insure, and they sold a ton of them so parts/maintenance will be cheaper.

 

i dont no the gs350 looks pretty fast

 

Well still looking at this vehicle. The owner took it into lexus for a water pump, transmission flush, and new lexus battery. I had a chance to take a look at the body a little better, and there is some normal wear and tear and some rock chips, which definitely does drop the condition a bit.

What I found most troubling was when they had the engine cover off I noticed that the plastic housing that the wiring goes through above the intake manifold was taped together with black duct tape. Lexus to their credit noted that it was probably cracked when they did the valve spring recall, but when I asked them if they cracked it would they have used duct tape? they couldn't answer that.

It's been a while since I've held together things with duct tape in a vehicle, but it worries me. In my head if lexus cracked it they would have replaced it. If they didn't crack it then has someone else been in the engine? Mylexus shows quite a bit of maintenance done at Lexus, but it definitely worries me.

 

Pay lexus to do a full inspection on the car if your sketchy about it, also as a tech to see if its ever been in an accident.

 

carfax notes 3 owners thus far, no accidents, and a lot of maintenance from Lexus. When the car was in with Lexus they did an inspection and found no glaring items. I went to go look at it in person twice in two days and looked around for leaks etc and didn't really see anything glaring either.

Just duct tape...

I makes me worry what else has been touched...