My local Lexus dealer has a black 2017 with 54k miles on it that I drove yesterday, and wow, these are amazing! I’ve been on a search for awhile and can’t find my exact color combo with options, but I’d previously driven an 07 and an 11. I wanted to drive the updated 13-17 with the changes since that’s the year range I want. There just haven’t been that many come up around here.

This particular car was an L with air ride, and tan interior, none of which I want, (have to have black interior). It had a bad tire or something in the front causing a horrible vibration on the interstate that ruined some of the driving experience. It also made a roaring sound. I mentioned it to the salesperson to let management know they need to run it back through the shop as there’s definitely something wrong. I’m surprised a Lexus dealer didn’t address that before putting it out on the lot.

This also had the ML, which is an absolute requirement for me. I have it in my ES, and it sounds even better in this car, extremely crisp and clear. I connected my music app with lossless quality (well, as best as possible using Bluetooth) and tested some songs from my “audiophile” playlist. Wow! Superb!

Other than the tire vibration, it’s smooth as butter turning and braking; just a well put together car. It felt “dripping with expensive” and was an overall pleasure to drive. It just floats along wherever you want to go. As I knew it would from other posts, it drives about the same as the 07-11, but I really like the 13-17 updates.

Anyway, the search continues, but that was my highlight of yesterday.

 

This year, model, and spec is peak LS.

What were they asking? General location?

 

https://www.lexusofmobile.com/invent...l5ef8h5057916/

Priced exactly the same as this one 4 years older...

https://www.lexusofcalgary.com/used/...id12306085.htm

 

Yep, that’s it. I live between Mobile and Pensacola. It has an accident on the carfax, so I’d pass anyway. I don’t dislike the L but I don’t want air suspension or the extra costs on control arms and other things with the L being a heavier car. SWB, RWD, no air suspension, black on black, ML, under 100k and clean carfax, non-northern car with those 19” wheels. I have plenty of time to wait for the right one.

That one I drove had some wheel scuffs and some marks on the headliner. Overall decent condition, but it only had 54k miles.

I did give the salesperson my wish list and said to notify me if someone had one in their customer database and was looking to trade. I have a nationwide search saved on the major websites, but with a car that sophisticated, it would probably be better to buy a local one to put my hands on and have inspected than to try to arrange that out of town and rely on someone else’s opinion, even if it means I pay more. I’ll go where I have to, though.

 

Having had the SWB on no air and the LWB on air, I would choose the LWB and the air every time, certainly the LWB. Makes the car feel much more special.

I have never seen any correlation between LWB vs SWB and lifespan of anything.

 

I too like the 13-17 updated styling a lot vs the more bland 07-12 models. The one you’re looking at is very clean. I can’t believe how expensive the 13-17 models are still.

Owning an 07 LS460 LWB with air with other nice options, I too have to agree with SW17LS that owning an L model that’s loaded or semi loaded, does feel like a more special car. It’s executive feeling that you don’t get with the standard models.

Honestly Lexus should have just made the L model the “standard” model especially since it was competing directly with the other flagship sedan models from the Germans. I simply never understood it.

After test driving the SWB models before deciding to buy my LWB LS, the SWB models doesn’t ride as nicely and feels kinda like an ES350 in terms of interior space.

I’m a black on black kinda guy myself, always like darker colored cars, but sometimes when you’ve been searching forever for your dream LS460, and the right color combo and options you’re looking for in the car never seems to come around, you have to settle for what’s your 2nd best option.

Which could be a LS460 in a color combo you don’t really like, but the car has low mileage and is fully loaded to the gills with every option imaginable and is a LWB with Air. In this market it’s hard to be picky, For example I messed up and passed on potentially being able to buy a set of really nicely used OEM chrome LS460 18 inch rims for like $400 locally several months ago.

Now I can’t find a used chrome set anywhere in my hometown. These cars look the best on chrome OEM wheels IMO. I personally don’t like the stock aluminum finish wheels, they’re too plain Jane for me.

Tough decision for sure, especially for that kind of money.

 

The LWB makes it truly feel like a peer to the S Class, 7 Series etc. It’s hard to describe the difference, but I was always a little disappointed in my SWB car, but the LWB one was zero disappointments.

 

I wonder if people that prefer the LWB model have a fantasy about being a chauffeur, pretty sure I read that one in playboy forum many years ago.

 

No, the car just feels grander and different in the LWB, the proportions and styling look better too, when you get used to looking at the LWB the SWB looks kind of stubby. The rear seat room also draws comments from everybody who gets into it. If you're looking for that big, imposing flagship car feel the LWB is the only way to go.

 

I have that color combo in a 2016 base SWB/RWD no air suspension. I know folks think the air suspension makes a big difference but I opted not to go with it as I want maximum reliability. Love the car and probably the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned in 55 years of owning and driving cars.

 

The air suspension does make a big difference, but it is also a big increase in maintenance cost should it go bad. For me its worth it, may not be for everybody.

 

I've driven 2 of them while looking for mine, just felt clunky and awkward to me.

Coming from 20 yrs in a ls400 which was a reliable car but had zero handling and poor braking plus hardly any power the swb 460 is good enough. All the good stuff is located in the rear for the lwb which makes no sense to me as a driver. While an extra 4" is impressive in some areas in a car it's kinda meh.

 

Just offering my experience having owned both for about the same length of time, enjoyed the LWB much more.

 

I know and I appreciate that.

 

LWB was the way to go for me. It takes bumps better and the added dual-paned glass in the rear makes it night-and-day quieter.