Close to buying a 2011 GS450h with 50k miles.
04-12-17, 09:29 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Close to buying a 2011 GS450h with 50k miles.
Hi all,
I've been a fan of the GS line since gen 1, but never took the plunge. I'm finally on the verge of purchasing a 2011 GS450h. It has about 50k miles and is in great condition. Any tips, warnings, congratulations, ...threats?
Recently I'm getting a little scared, reading about issues with the hybrid system failing, and the dealer wanting like eight grand to put a new battery in. Since it's a 2011, I should have a year or so left on the hybrid warranty, but still. I was looking forward to being relatively free of reliability concerns (coming from owning only German cars up until now).
I see a lot of 450hs for sale around the 90k-100k range. Is this because people are getting out before the warranty expires?
I've been a fan of the GS line since gen 1, but never took the plunge. I'm finally on the verge of purchasing a 2011 GS450h. It has about 50k miles and is in great condition. Any tips, warnings, congratulations, ...threats?
Recently I'm getting a little scared, reading about issues with the hybrid system failing, and the dealer wanting like eight grand to put a new battery in. Since it's a 2011, I should have a year or so left on the hybrid warranty, but still. I was looking forward to being relatively free of reliability concerns (coming from owning only German cars up until now).
I see a lot of 450hs for sale around the 90k-100k range. Is this because people are getting out before the warranty expires?
04-12-17, 09:44 PM
#2
Hi all,
I've been a fan of the GS line since gen 1, but never took the plunge. I'm finally on the verge of purchasing a 2011 GS450h. It has about 50k miles and is in great condition. Any tips, warnings, congratulations, ...threats?
Recently I'm getting a little scared, reading about issues with the hybrid system failing, and the dealer wanting like eight grand to put a new battery in. Since it's a 2011, I should have a year or so left on the hybrid warranty, but still. I was looking forward to being relatively free of reliability concerns (coming from owning only German cars up until now).
I see a lot of 450hs for sale around the 90k-100k range. Is this because people are getting out before the warranty expires?
I've been a fan of the GS line since gen 1, but never took the plunge. I'm finally on the verge of purchasing a 2011 GS450h. It has about 50k miles and is in great condition. Any tips, warnings, congratulations, ...threats?
Recently I'm getting a little scared, reading about issues with the hybrid system failing, and the dealer wanting like eight grand to put a new battery in. Since it's a 2011, I should have a year or so left on the hybrid warranty, but still. I was looking forward to being relatively free of reliability concerns (coming from owning only German cars up until now).
I see a lot of 450hs for sale around the 90k-100k range. Is this because people are getting out before the warranty expires?
If you are coming from German cars you will find it odd to only pay for oil and brakes as maintenance. Luckily this car is light on the brake pad wear as it uses one of the electric motors to regenerate electricity. If you do decide to go in and get it you will be one of 5,055 units that were sent to North America. Go test drive the car! You might find that it is the slowest feeling quick car you have driven.
As far as the used market for the 450h...I think that most are afraid of their battery going bad so they are jumping ship. It truly is a rare car so I hardly ever see another one. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hyb...of-energy.html
I say go for it! It is an awesome car. (and you can make it better!)
Last edited by rl9010; 04-12-17 at 10:01 PM.
04-13-17, 10:51 AM
#3
Driver
Thread Starter
Thank you for the welcome!
I also like that it is relatively rare. I actually don't see that many GSs in general anymore it seems, let alone 3rd gen hybrids. 2nd gens used to be everywhere.
If my car was manufactured in late 2010, would I only have until late 2018 on the hybrid warranty? I can confirm with the dealer when I have it checked out next week (before buying). But I guess I should hope for the battery to fail while I can still get a fresh one under warranty.
I also like that it is relatively rare. I actually don't see that many GSs in general anymore it seems, let alone 3rd gen hybrids. 2nd gens used to be everywhere.
If my car was manufactured in late 2010, would I only have until late 2018 on the hybrid warranty? I can confirm with the dealer when I have it checked out next week (before buying). But I guess I should hope for the battery to fail while I can still get a fresh one under warranty.
04-13-17, 05:44 PM
#4
Thank you for the welcome!
I also like that it is relatively rare. I actually don't see that many GSs in general anymore it seems, let alone 3rd gen hybrids. 2nd gens used to be everywhere.
If my car was manufactured in late 2010, would I only have until late 2018 on the hybrid warranty? I can confirm with the dealer when I have it checked out next week (before buying). But I guess I should hope for the battery to fail while I can still get a fresh one under warranty.
I also like that it is relatively rare. I actually don't see that many GSs in general anymore it seems, let alone 3rd gen hybrids. 2nd gens used to be everywhere.
If my car was manufactured in late 2010, would I only have until late 2018 on the hybrid warranty? I can confirm with the dealer when I have it checked out next week (before buying). But I guess I should hope for the battery to fail while I can still get a fresh one under warranty.
04-30-17, 04:34 PM
#5
Driver
Thread Starter
So I did end up buying it. Lexus dealer said the in-service date is 8/11, and that my hybrid warranty expires 8/19. So that gives me a couple years of peace of mind. I guess I may try to unload it in the first half of 2019 if the battery hasn't died by then. 
I like the car a lot so far. One bad thing, though: when I brake firmly, the car wants to swerve unless I hold the steering wheel tight. It's a peculiar and unpleasant feeling. I'll have it checked out at my next service, but curious if anyone has felt this, and whether it's somehow related to the regenerative braking or awful run-flats?
[Edit]: This sounds close to what I have: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ng-solved.html . So maybe it is just the tires. Gotta get rid of these things soon...
I like the car a lot so far. One bad thing, though: when I brake firmly, the car wants to swerve unless I hold the steering wheel tight. It's a peculiar and unpleasant feeling. I'll have it checked out at my next service, but curious if anyone has felt this, and whether it's somehow related to the regenerative braking or awful run-flats?
[Edit]: This sounds close to what I have: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ng-solved.html . So maybe it is just the tires. Gotta get rid of these things soon...
Last edited by Compass; 04-30-17 at 05:03 PM.
05-01-17, 11:38 PM
#6
So I did end up buying it. Lexus dealer said the in-service date is 8/11, and that my hybrid warranty expires 8/19. So that gives me a couple years of peace of mind. I guess I may try to unload it in the first half of 2019 if the battery hasn't died by then.
I like the car a lot so far. One bad thing, though: when I brake firmly, the car wants to swerve unless I hold the steering wheel tight. It's a peculiar and unpleasant feeling. I'll have it checked out at my next service, but curious if anyone has felt this, and whether it's somehow related to the regenerative braking or awful run-flats?
[Edit]: This sounds close to what I have: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ng-solved.html . So maybe it is just the tires. Gotta get rid of these things soon...
I like the car a lot so far. One bad thing, though: when I brake firmly, the car wants to swerve unless I hold the steering wheel tight. It's a peculiar and unpleasant feeling. I'll have it checked out at my next service, but curious if anyone has felt this, and whether it's somehow related to the regenerative braking or awful run-flats?
[Edit]: This sounds close to what I have: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...ng-solved.html . So maybe it is just the tires. Gotta get rid of these things soon...
To add a little to what you are experiencing.. I don't think it is your tires. I agree that the tire to some extent can cause this but think of it this way... Your tires are the only thing that keeps the car on the road surface and thus is rotating 100% of the time when the car is in motion. If this is your problem, it should be there no matter what; not just at braking.
To get to your issue, it depends on what you mean when you saw swerve. Is it a shaking causing the car to feel like it is swerving left and right? Is it literally swerving to one side? etc.. In point, it sounds more like a brake line/slider pin issue or possible warped/bad brake pads since this is only happening when braking. So, if you can give us a little more insight, we might be able to help you narrow it down a bit. But if you have already got it looked at and diagnosed, let us know.
05-02-17, 09:49 PM
#7
Driver
Thread Starter
Thanks for the feedback and congrats.
To answer your question, yes, it's swerving to one side when braking, and no, it's not shaking. I should say it's far more severe under heavy braking, but pretty sure I have similar symptoms while just driving. It feels like my alignment is changing on the fly, corresponding with conditions of the road. I don't think that's literally happening, but that's what it feels like. The car will pull right, then I'll hit a slight bump, and it will straighten, then I'll go over some rough road and it will start to pull left, etc.
To answer your question, yes, it's swerving to one side when braking, and no, it's not shaking. I should say it's far more severe under heavy braking, but pretty sure I have similar symptoms while just driving. It feels like my alignment is changing on the fly, corresponding with conditions of the road. I don't think that's literally happening, but that's what it feels like. The car will pull right, then I'll hit a slight bump, and it will straighten, then I'll go over some rough road and it will start to pull left, etc.
Trending Topics
05-03-17, 07:12 PM
#8
Thanks for the feedback and congrats.
To answer your question, yes, it's swerving to one side when braking, and no, it's not shaking. I should say it's far more severe under heavy braking, but pretty sure I have similar symptoms while just driving. It feels like my alignment is changing on the fly, corresponding with conditions of the road. I don't think that's literally happening, but that's what it feels like. The car will pull right, then I'll hit a slight bump, and it will straighten, then I'll go over some rough road and it will start to pull left, etc.
To answer your question, yes, it's swerving to one side when braking, and no, it's not shaking. I should say it's far more severe under heavy braking, but pretty sure I have similar symptoms while just driving. It feels like my alignment is changing on the fly, corresponding with conditions of the road. I don't think that's literally happening, but that's what it feels like. The car will pull right, then I'll hit a slight bump, and it will straighten, then I'll go over some rough road and it will start to pull left, etc.
05-08-17, 11:49 AM
#10
Driver School Candidate
I love my GS450h. The batteries started dying at 98,000 miles so I had Lexus give me all new ones under the warranty. Saved a fortune and now have that peace of mind. Other than that it has been great.
05-08-17, 07:06 PM
#11
Thanks for the feedback and congrats.
To answer your question, yes, it's swerving to one side when braking, and no, it's not shaking. I should say it's far more severe under heavy braking, but pretty sure I have similar symptoms while just driving. It feels like my alignment is changing on the fly, corresponding with conditions of the road. I don't think that's literally happening, but that's what it feels like. The car will pull right, then I'll hit a slight bump, and it will straighten, then I'll go over some rough road and it will start to pull left, etc.
To answer your question, yes, it's swerving to one side when braking, and no, it's not shaking. I should say it's far more severe under heavy braking, but pretty sure I have similar symptoms while just driving. It feels like my alignment is changing on the fly, corresponding with conditions of the road. I don't think that's literally happening, but that's what it feels like. The car will pull right, then I'll hit a slight bump, and it will straighten, then I'll go over some rough road and it will start to pull left, etc.
06-11-22, 03:50 PM
#12
Driver
Thread Starter
I know nobody cares, but apparently I never followed up on this to confirm it was indeed my tires. I changed all four several years ago and the problem hasn't been back since.
06-11-22, 07:35 PM
#14
Driver
Thread Starter
It's been great! I work from home (even back when I bought the car in 2017), so I don't put many miles on, but no significant complaints at all.
If I didn't have the imminent hybrid battery failure hanging over my head I'd be more at ease. That's the one thing that might make me turn this one in for a newer GS model within the next couple years, even though I never did warm to the spindle grill. I know if I "upgrade" to 4th gen, a part of me will be jealous of 3rd gen owners when I see them...
If I didn't have the imminent hybrid battery failure hanging over my head I'd be more at ease. That's the one thing that might make me turn this one in for a newer GS model within the next couple years, even though I never did warm to the spindle grill. I know if I "upgrade" to 4th gen, a part of me will be jealous of 3rd gen owners when I see them...
The following users liked this post:
doitup (06-12-22)
06-11-22, 10:40 PM
#15
It's been great! I work from home (even back when I bought the car in 2017), so I don't put many miles on, but no significant complaints at all.
If I didn't have the imminent hybrid battery failure hanging over my head I'd be more at ease. That's the one thing that might make me turn this one in for a newer GS model within the next couple years, even though I never did warm to the spindle grill. I know if I "upgrade" to 4th gen, a part of me will be jealous of 3rd gen owners when I see them...
If I didn't have the imminent hybrid battery failure hanging over my head I'd be more at ease. That's the one thing that might make me turn this one in for a newer GS model within the next couple years, even though I never did warm to the spindle grill. I know if I "upgrade" to 4th gen, a part of me will be jealous of 3rd gen owners when I see them...
The 13-15 GS has the half-spindle look if that helps. It's not the full effect, which I believe is the ugliest design in the history of automobiles.