For the 460 I prefer SWB but it does look better in LWB, air helps a lot but the system Lexus uses is not very well made and is not end user rebuildable nor durable.

LWB is nice but the LS needs all the help it can get performance wise and that just detracts from it...the F-sport version at least gets real brakes and better air tuning.

 

I just want it to be a big soft comfy cruiser, and the LWB to me delivered that in spades. SWB does too, but not quite to the same level.

 

I think when comparing the models "whatever floats your boat" is literal.

 

Longer wheelbase cars generally ride smoother vs short wheelbase vehicles that can sorta drive like a pogo stick. Very twitchy and rough.

In all reality it’s kinda strange calling the LS460 121inch wheelbase a long wheel base car considering back in the days that would have been considered “short”.

Anything that is a 123 inches and above is truly considered a LWB car.

 

Not really...one has a longer wheelbase, one has a shorter wheelbase. Hence, one is long and one is short. Best not to overthink it. The SWB LS460 doesn't have a wheelbase that one would call "short" either.

A Cadillac Fleetwood only has a wheelbase of 121 inches, Town Cars from the 90s were 117 inches...those cars aren't long wheelbase cars?

 

How much more expensive is an L without air in terms of maintenance (like the control arms) and other things? If an L comes up with all my other specs, I'm sure I'd take it. My wife said the back seat was like a living room and was excessive for what I need. She couldn't go on the test drive, as we had our 3 year old son with us, and I wasn't moving a car seat for a 10 min drive. Don't want AWD either. Don't need it in the South and don't want another differential to worry about. These cars have enough issues as it is, so I'm opting for the most reliable version but do want the amenities like the ML and 19" wheels. No ML is definitely a deal breaker no matter what. I don't have to have anything else option wise. It will be awhile before one comes up to buy. My nationwide search alerts aren't bringing much at all. I even have gray and silver as alternate exterior colors to consider. People just don't sell these, and I guess when they do, they get snatched up quickly. I guess it all depends on the area of the country. These will show up the most in South Florida, DFW, Southern California; maybe Chicago and New York metros, but I don't want a Northern car. Virginia seems to be a good source for Lexus vehicles; that's where I bought my current ES.

I'd rather buy from an individual or small dealership and not deal with the big box store BS. I'm long over that; however, my local Lexus dealership seems to be nice. They were great in dealing with a recall on my wife's GX; the salesperson with the LS wasn't pushy at all. Their service rates weren't out of line with the Toyota dealership that I hate near my house. I figured they might be able to find me one through existing customers.

 

There wouldn't be any additional cost of maintenance with an L without air suspension. Its the same car, just 4 inches longer.

 

I agree an L rides nicer. But, if you're mostly doing short drives as opposed to multi hour commutes, you may not fully appreciate the L if a standard size comes available first with the options you want. Based on posts, it's hard to find a nice LS460. This is all subjective...

 

It's been extremely difficult. I've had a saved search on all the major platforms for months. Also, prices are still sky high. I'm taking my time and will wait to find the right one and just keep saving more each month in the process. Not financing one and then dealing with the major expenses that come up on these. When my ES is about done (already at 183k), I might just go back to a Corolla for a commuter instead of running the LS into the ground. I'll keep the LS for weekends and maybe 1 day a week here and there to drive to the office. Lots of construction going on here, and I've been touching up stone chips on the ES, so I don't want to ruin a nice car.

I figured the L would just be a PITA to park, especially with all the huge SUVs around and tight spaces. I measured 204" in my garage last night, and man, that'll be an extremely tight fit.

 

Living in a city I appreciate my car even on short rides. It just feels so isolated from the mayhem happening on the road, which is really relaxing. Not the most isolated car I've ever driven, but 90% of the way there.

That said, it's definitely subjective, or at least very personal. Some of my friends wouldn't notice a difference in ride/isolation between a Land Cruiser and LS, let alone SWB/LWB.

 

It’s not hard to park at all. I felt no difference in park-ability between the two, and I drive and park in urban DC, and now drive an even bigger car with an even longer wheelbase.

 

The 460 is very easy to park and maneuver, shockingly so for a large car and is better than your ES due to steering angle afforded by RWD

 

I agree that it is quite easy to park and maneuver. In San Diego where land is at a premium, many parking lots have narrow spaces, some are short and narrow. In my 60s, I can't suck my gut in enough to exit the car in a narrow spot. LOL. Parallel parking is quite easy in the LS.

 

Those years surprisingly are downsized years compared to the TRUE full sized Cads, Imperial, and Lincs from the 1950’s-70’s.

1970’s regular Cadillacs have a 130 inch wheelbase (Fleetwoods had a 133 inch) and Lincoln Continentals having a 127 inch wheelbase where one of the longest wheelbases ever on a full size (non limo) luxury sedan .Having driven multiple different year Cadillacs and Lincoln’s over the years, the 70’s years are by far the ultimate luxury cars for riding smoothness and isolation, and they still are till this day, The Lincoln’s riding smoother than Cadillacs.

I guess for modern day standards, a 121 inch wheelbase is considered long for a sedan. But the 2023 S-Class (126.6) WB, even the 2023 G90 has a 125.2 inch wheelbase which both are truly considered a long wheelbase sedan IMO.

 

You’re right parking is a premium here
in SD. Especially in downtown, uptown areas and the beach communities where it’s very dense and tight. The parking spots do tend to be super small, and aren’t designed for large cars but more like smart cars and those lame *** mopeds. 🤣