I was watching and he called out the LS 460 as a questionable car to own because it's pricey to fix. But he also praises the LS 430! If the Ls 460 is expensive to fix, why isn't the LS 430 also expensive? Many people argue that a $70k car (even when depreciated to < $20k), will have the maintenance cost of a $70k car, but shouldn't that be true for the LS 430 also?

 

I bought my 2011 in December 2017 and have spent $888.17 on it since then.

 

Its because the LS460 is a lot more sophisticated and complex compared to the LS430. Its a lot more like a Mercedes...multi-link front suspension, the engine is a lot more complex, the very early implementation of electronic brake booster, the addition of AWD and the impact that has to access for repairs, etc. Its also a much better car with a better suspension that gives you better handling without a ride tradeoff, it makes much more power, etc.

 

the 2006 LS 430 had an MSRP of $56k, and the 2007 LS 460 had an MSRP of $61k. So if the 430 was really comparatively so simple, what were people paying for lol?

 

I bought my 2010 LS 460L (non air) in June of 2014 when It came off of lease with 19,000 miles on the clock. As of today I have 104,567 miles on it. Since June of 2014 I have replaced the brake pads and rotors once at about 60,000 miles. I had the spark plugs replaced at the required 60K mark. I have done all the normal maintenance at the suggested intervals and other than normal maintenance have not spent a dime on the LS not even a light bulb replaced. I am on my 3rd set of 245/45R19 tires. It had a new set of Michelin Eagle ( I believe) tires on it when I bought it and I am on my 2nd set of P7's. I am on my 3rd battery. The first one was a Lexus battery that had been installed before I bought the car and went south after about 3 years and Lexus prorated it and gave me a new one. That one lasted about 5 years and went south and I replaced it with a Duracell AGM battery which is still in the car. The LS has been the most repair free car I have ever owned. Lexus replaced the dash, door panels, most of the front dash panel as well for free. That's my story and I am sticking to it.

Dennis

PS: I did have the TPMS's replaced 2 years ago by Discount Tires

 

What you want to focus on is the technology in the Gen 3 from 2000 to 2006 (90's technology) and the technology on the Gen 4 2007 to 2012 (early 2000's technology)
We cannot base it on the list price of 2 different generations of cars.

 

Seems like a lot of people have hit-or-miss experiences with this car. I'm personally looking for the F-type which has the air suspension, so I'm a bit worried about that failing. But otherwise that's great to hear nothing else failed on your car! Hopefully whatever I end up getting will also be just as reliable!

But most of the failures I've heard about were for mechanical components, not technology related to all the motors and sensors. The LS 430 also had air suspension so I'm curious why nobody whines about that as much as they whine about the LS 460 air suspensions.

 

Its a difference in design philosophy between the two cars. Lexus decided to step up the LS when they came out with the 460 and really make it something very comparable to the S Class. That has benefits and tradeoffs. Complexity and cost to repair are the tradeoffs.

Mechanically the 460 is a lot more complex as I explained.

LS430 air struts fail too, its no different.

 

My 430 has had more issues/annoyances overall than my 460 but the 460 suspension design doesn't hide an issue as well as a similarly worn double A-arm setup, the only " real" issue the 460 has is the brake actuator if you fail to maintain it properly. The valley plate leak is a thing as well but so are timing belts on 430s so it's a wash, what is not a wash however is cam seal issues on the LS430. That is a pain to deal with.

Any air strut will fail given time and usage, both LSs suck since they use a poor design unlike the Germans.

 

Yeah the german air struts are rebuildable which is a huge benefit

 

For sure, and the basic housing is metal/far less prone to damages and like you said it's possible to DIY rebuild them at home if you want to. Even if you don't you can get a pair redone for $650

 

I love The Car Care Nut channel. Great guy and very thorough. After lots of research, it seems that if you buy a SWB, RWD, no air suspension, you alleviate most of the issues. There are still the big 3 -- control arm bushings, brake actuator, and coolant valley leaks. I think a lot of that has to do with maintenance and where you live. The L is a heavier so, so it will wear out the suspension faster. Also, I'm in Alabama, not Michigan, so our roads are not near as terrible---another factor that is easier on the suspension. Brake flushes and coolant flushes probably prolong the other issues. Seems like the 2013-2017s don't have as many problems.

Like he says, they can be good cars, but if you buy one that's totally been neglected its whole life, you could be in for a nightmare.

 

It is more expensive to maintain when compared to other Lexus vehicles but cheaper than any European car in the same class. Buying a second hand LS460 is a gamble, so pre-purchase inspection and maintenance history are a must.

 

It's not a maintenance thing with the valley plate, it WILL happen no matter what you do. Same with the control arms. The newer ones only appear to have less issues because they are newer, there are no mechanical differences between an 07 and a 17

 

Eh......that really REALLY depends. So far my LS have been far most costly than my D4s with parts being worse by 30% and labor being much more difficult. Still probably more resistant to idiot owners than a German but if I have to do the same things on both the German is easier and parts are cheaper.