Hello all,
First time poster here. After saving up for my first Lexus (used, I'll never buy any car new) I'm ready to actually go out and purchase and as such desperately need a little guidance from you fine ladies/gentleman. In my price range (15k-max) for my next used vehicle, I centered my sights on Lexus, more specifically the 2013-up GS350-AWD or 2010-up LS460-AWD. My requirements are fairly simple, outside of it being either of these two models, which is AWD, being I live in a potentially snowy area during the winter months. I don't plan on modding these machines (unless it's fairly simple and considered a must have) and I'm looking for what is going to last me the longest? I'm a person who drives his vehicles to the ground before switching and therefore I want something that is going to last and provide the most comfort and functionality without killing me on repair bills. So if you could pick one would you go 2013-up GS350 AWD or 2010-up LS460 AWD? Is there a certain year I should try to find or stay away from? Is there anything I should specifically look at when viewing the vehicle etc etc? Thanks so much, in advance, for any help you may be able to give me.

-T 😁

 

You don't need AWD, you need good tires more than anything. If you want a 460 get a 2013 or newer since the ones before that have issues with many things relative to the 430 and post refresh 460

 

In general, the GS is a sportier car, the LS is luxury. GS is 6 cyl with plenty of acceleration, the LS is 8 cyl with highway performance. They're both rear wheel drive. AWD is a personal preference. I've owned a LS460 and loved it but it was too large to fit in my new condo's garage, otherwise I would have kept it. I like luxury, cushy rides. A couple of warranty type issues that wouldn't affect you being a used car buyer and those issues would be resolved by now. That's another good reason to buy a used car, all the bugs are worked out, though Lexus in general are low trouble/maintenance cars. You have picked two nice models.

 

I live in central IL so we get plenty of snow. Keep good tires on the 430 and you wont have a problem. Its heavy, long and very forgiving with the snow mode flipped on. I've driven through icy, blowing white out storms for a hundred miles, never once did I have a close call. 5 winters so far and about 80k miles on the car.

 

You would have more options within your budget going with the GS. You can get an LS for 15k but your going to have to do your homework on those cars. You would probably be looking at 460s approaching 100k in miles and if the control arms have not been done yet you would most likely have to do them soon. There's no aftermarket options for the front lower arms on the AWD cars so you would have to buy OEM arms and I don't think you would want to get into that unless you can turn a wrench. I don't know much about the 4th gen 350s but the 3rd gen has been mostly trouble free for me other than the sticky rear calipers that is a real issue with that gen. All that being said I would steer you towards the 350 because of your max budget. This is the 430 forum, not the 460 forum so I'm sure you will get many recommendations for that car since you can get one in the best shape with your budget even though you did not list it as an option.

 

If you are looking to spend $15K max and then not have to spend much money for next few years then GS350 it the right choice.

LS460 will be a better car but AWD LS460 like mentioned above brings additional expensive risk. LS460 may (or may not) come up up with some surprise repairs costing potentially thousands of dollars even if you can DIY.
Having said that, I just recently bought LS460. I bought it cash and have cash to repair if I have to. I will bit_ch and mo_an about any additional costs but will be able to absorb them.
If you can as well then great, buy LS460. If not, GS350 is still a solid choice. I had considered buying it but my wife didn't want to 'downgrade' from my previous LS460 to GS350.

 

From this forum, I heard to go 2013+ on a LS460. Today, that's easily affordable, it wasn't in 2016 (hey 3.5 years of depreciation). imho these tidbits (such as you want a 5.5 L S63 AMG not the 6.2 L where if you know nothing, 6.2 > 5.5 and NA) are like jack and the beanstalk. I always think about Jack coming home with the beans and his mom throwing them out the window. We want to learn from others' experience, not defy it, as a general rule.

Just me, I don't think the GS cuts the mustard for its segment (what does it do well at all?), so I would stick with the LS460.

 

There's another post that is wrapping up about a guy looking for LS 460 with $25k budget. They're out there but even more selection with a $30k budget. The front end repair mentioned here is on older 460 models and became well known rather quickly because it happened at low miles. Chances are you won't find one that hasn't been already repaired under warranty. Once repaired it's not going to go bad again. The parts have been upgraded. But worth watching out for, you never know. But OP's budget($15k) is only going to get him an LS 430, an older, but terrific car or a GS. He hasn't said if he prefers a full size luxury ride or a mid size sportier ride which IMHO the main difference between the two. I'd say we've all given him a lot of info and he needs to speak up and address this info before I can offer more help.

 

He won't find a 13+ with his budget anytime soon, even at 20k he'll still be looking for a while. My 3rd gen GS is a pretty solid car whether it's good at anything is personal preference. My wife loves it and was not trying to hear about upgrading to the 4th gen when I asked her. She has a 70 mile commute everyday. Usually I would recommend the LS but not with his budget and I assume that he would want many trouble free miles after that which the LS would probably give him.

 

GS if you want any type of sporty feel daily driving

LS if you prefer pure comfort and will never have the need for speed

you cannot get sporty out of the LS but the GS is somewhat comfortable

I went with the GS but I see why you want the LS so did I

 

Depends on the amount of snow you get, If I lived in Michigan to denver id probably go AWD just for less stress. In Cincinnati where I live the LS 430 has done just fine in the amounts of snow we get. However if theres ice under that snow then AWD will still help, even though nothing does good on ice AWD does still help get going from a stop.

 

The way I see it is AWD is practical for almost everyone. I don't want it, but I guess I am atypical. We all have seen the debates where RWD elitists say RWD and 4 snows and they'll drive circles around AWD on all-seasons. I have 2 RWD cars with 4 snows, and no, they are not as good as AWD cars in the snow lol These days there are multiple sets of truths, we all know that...

The disadvantage with AWD is the weight, complexity, and steering. For one, it necessarily adds more weight to the front. Two, it affects the steering. Three, it's simply more weight, more complexity, more expensive.

But for the average driver, they want it. I'm one of those who would order a 992.5 with a stick, and RWD. Even Porsche finds that config to be a PITA. What if you back out? The car is basically unsaleable. So I am "out there." 95% would get automatic, and AWD.

 

Fair, I was so doubtful of a RWD in snow even with great tires that I kept my Jeep around and intentionally drove the 430 in the worst weather I could to see what it's limits are. What sealed it for me was I parked on a 25 degree slope at the apartment my parents are at while the house is being renovated and it held. My Jeep slid back to the bottom 3 times when I moved the 430 and put it in that spot, my dads truck also slide twice until he parked it with the fronts past the ice. We all laughed a lot at that!

For what I encounter and what the 430 can do I don't see any reason for AWD anymore in my area. Even in unplowed roads near the shop it does perfectly, there is an infamous hill people crash on or can't get up all the time that I was very concerned about but it went up it at normal speed with no signs of traction loss. I also passed four people going 25-35 on the roads leading to that point since they were visibly sliding around bends, I had no issue and could literally drive as normal.