First I need Bluetooth and it is my understanding that the 2010 models of both introduced Bluetooth.

That being said I am looking for the most comfortable quietest ride. So quiet that when I'm on the interstate going 80mph i dont hear a single whistle of wind noise.

2nd is reliability. Most likely im looking for a high mileage car upwards of 200k miles as my cash budget is up to $9000

I also am looking for a great audio system with loud tight bass. I understand that both cars have this capability.


Bluetooth and quiet ride are my requirements. That being said which car is the better choice in reliability, noise, comfort?

 

LS460 is not for you, with 200k miles you are going to be doing repairs and maintenance missed by previous owners. It is going to cost thousands if the car was not taken care of. With such mileage, door seals are going to be worn causing wind and road noise, replacing the seals might not fix the issue.

 

I think that at 200k an Avalon would be in a similar need of repair, but more affordable and different issues.

 

You guys are raising my anxiety levels. I thought toyota and Lexus were just breaking in at 150k and could break 200k with no sweat or issues. I was hoping to get at least 400k out of them with proper routine maintenance of course

 

Yes, with proper maintenance, but majority of LS460 owners skip on expensive maintenance and repair when cars go out of warranty. It is rare to find a high mileage LS460 that was maintained and repaired when necessary. LS460 is in its own class due to suspension issues, coolant and oil leaks, ABS problems. You are far better off with ES350, GS350 or Avalon if it was maintained properly.

 

Read the FAQ at top of page. Sure the engine and trans are good for high miles when properly maintained. There are things like air suspension, suspension arms, brake accumulator. If some of these items have been maintained and replaced several times, OK. But what can happen is a $9k car can have repairs of $4-5k for one issue. As long as you can make the repairs, it'll run to 330k or more.

 

So basically look at the avalon is what I am hearing.

So is the avalon just as quiet as the LS?

 

Toyota doesn't make an equivalent to LS. Avalon is often compared to ES350. It's a reasonable comparison but I'd get the ES for more refinements.

 

LS460 all the way if you want that great ride quality, quietness, smooth RWD V8 power. An Avalon will ride nicely, but nowhere near the comfort of any LS.

I will say though that the older generation Lexus ES300-330 are very comfortable, quiet driving cars. They drive and run smoother than the 2007-2012 ES350’s IMO. They lack power that the ES350 has, but the overall quality, fit n finish, and smoothness almost reminds me of my LS460 to a certain extent.

The styling is pretty bland and old lady like on the ES300-330’s, but they are also bulletproof and can run hundreds of thousands of miles without major problems if well maintained of course. So you might want to look into an older ES if possible.

 

No.

I believe the 2010 ES350 was based on the Camry frame and starting in 2012, the ES starting using the Avalon frame. I don't know how quite a 2010 Avalon is/was but I know my previous 2017 ES ultra luxury was quieter than a same year Avalon (same frame). I just sold the ES and bought a 2014 LS and the LS is significantly quieter. Plus I love prefer the 460 power curve over the ES350.

 

The LS460 totally outclasses the Avalon and ES but costs more to upkeep, you are the one who needs to decide if it is worth it for you

 

Unless you are okay with 4 figure repair bills, you should get the Avalon. The LS is a complex flagship car, and thus its expensive to work on, has expensive parts, just not something for anybody who doesn't have the ability or the desire to maintain it. A car with 200k miles can easily cost you another $5,000+ just to get it sorted.

The Avalon is a comparatively basic car, its a stretched Camry with inexpensive strut suspension, cheap components and brakes. Much cheaper to work on. Its not nearly as nice a car as the LS, but an LS with 200k on it is not a cheap or easy car to maintain, and one that you are unusure of the maintenance history? Not a good idea.

 

$9000 is not much of a budget and certainly insufficient for an LS 460 that won't bleed you. However, you might find a good LS 430 in that range.

Suggest you find the best car possible for a bit less than $9000 and outfit it with an aftermarket system with Bluetooth.

 

I think the OP is gone from this thread.

 

Yup! Just for clarification, the 2010 ES was a Camry. It shifted over to the Avalon platform in 2013.