I’m getting ready to buy a used 460 with under 120k. What year should I get? They range from 10-20k in my area.
Should I go for base or L? Any years to shy away from?

 

Lots of threads on this subject but the gist 2007-2010 tend to have more issues (I have a 2007 which has been great), 2010-2012 are the next bunch, 2013-2015 got the upgraded arms (which can be used on 2007-2012 as well which is good news), a facelift, and generally the best are the 2016-2017 with all the refinement and no issues with the zlz recall, brake actuator, etc. I believe all L models have air suspension, which brings on issues for failure as some convert them. If I were you, I would get the newest one possible with the lowest miles. However, I would rather have a higher-mileage older one maintained to a ridiculous degree over a newer, lower-mile one with questionable maintenance. I got lucky that my 2007 had a very good ownership history, which has made my ownership wonderful. I got a bargain because many early ones have questionable ownership history, pushing the entire market down. You have to find that gem.

 

I have a 2012 L with no air suspension. I understand it to be rare, but I have one. Personally I stayed away from AWD and the air suspension. I would also advise any buyer to gain access to the techstream software and scan the car for codes, or have someone very familiar with Toyota/Lexus do an inspection. I bought one last November and I have already had to invest several thousand on repairs.

 

jefthim

I have a 2010 460 L it even has the rear seat upgrade package and it is without the air suspension. They are rare but they are out there. I just turned 117,000 miles.

Dennis

 

I have a 2011 L no air suspension regular maintenance done great ride so far got it with 140K now at 188K.

 

I bought a 2014 Base LS as i didn't want to deal with replacing all the bells and whistles like air suspension, Mark Levinson amp or radio. So far so good.

 

If you not in the hurry, look for 2017 RWD with no air. 2017 is the last year for LS 460 and for these cars age matters. If you see one of these under $10K LS460 deals - run from it no matter what, cheap LS460 will eat your bank account alive. RWD has little bit more power than the AWD and has less stuff to worry about. Same with air suspension, nice option but very expensive WHEN (not if) it goes bad. It is probably going to be short wheel base (standard) but if you find long one, might as well get it. Everything else is optional.

 

This is a good example of a person that avoided 2 of the larger issues warned about here when asking about buying a 460 and still paid thousands in repairs since he bought one last fall. If you buy a 2017 that's still an 8 year old car and you can expect to have some problems, I don't think a person should buy any year 460 if they can't repair anything that might come up with the exception of a windshield or a wheel alignment and if you can afford to take it somewhere for all your repairs you're probably better off to start with a different newer car.

I like my 460 but I'd never buy another one no matter what year, the fact that they cost close to 100k new and range from 10 to 20k now just tells me there's nothing special or rare about them.

 

The only reason why I bought my 2017 LS 460 is the V8. I wanted to have at least one V8 car in my list before they go extinct but I wasn't sure if I could afford to maintain Germans and I don't like turbos. I knew it was the last (possibly ever) V8 sedan made by Lexus and I went for it. I knew that maintaining this kind of car is not the same as ES 350 and hesitated for a long time. Eventually I found the newest with the lowest mileage possible, with warranty and all that. It was expensive to buy and expensive to maintain but I'm happy and so far planning on keeping it for some time.

 

You should get a German, they have been cheaper for me to own than the LSs have been, the LS punishes by being just as complex but more difficult to both work on and with much more expensive parts and WAY less specialist support all on top of offering a totally inferior experience. I still like my 460 but there is a reason it's the wifes daily driver lol!

 

I can't say either way regarding the parts and support but I know for sure you never have to put any Toyota product in service position to work on which imo is a design flaw for the German cars.

 

This.

 

I just got back to driving my 460 since the snow is gone and the road salt/gravel mix has dried up and have to say it's pretty posh after driving my xrs all winter, I did the valley plate last fall and new brakes/rotors earlier this spring. Like Gino said, black cars look better in the shade or in this case at 6:30 am.

 

Gerf

Nice

 

Agreed. A cheap LS is like a cheap German car. They are the automotive equivalent of a free puppy.