LS460L, how well does it drive?
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 437
Likes: 2
From: Maine
LS460L, how well does it drive?
To any LS460L owners: How does the LWB version drive compared to the SWB version? Does it seem overly large at times? Is parking an issue? How's the handling?
HBH
HBH
Pole Position
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I have the L with the touring package so it handles like a much smaller car. I came out of a BMW 7 and this car out handles it and out powers it. I find no problems with the LWB what so ever in the handling dept. I only test drove a standard wheel base but felt no difference.
I through this car in turns and it handles incredibly well. Again I have adjustable suspension but in standard mode it kicks butt.
The question you have to ask yourself is if you like or need the extra room. There is no difference in handling to me anyway, just price
I through this car in turns and it handles incredibly well. Again I have adjustable suspension but in standard mode it kicks butt.
The question you have to ask yourself is if you like or need the extra room. There is no difference in handling to me anyway, just price
The LWB does NOT feel overly large. It's quite manueverable in tight places and turns. It's turning radius is amazing for the car of its size. Parking is never an issue because of the Park Assist (not the parallel parking thing, but the distance sensors help a LOT) and other aids such as tilting side mirrors.
Handling is "cushy" at best, as the LS is not a sports-performance-handling kind of car. But for a 4500 lb monster, the suspension does tame this Titanic of a car. I have tried to push the car like the IS, but various bells alarm, seatbelts tighten, and VDIM kicks in. Just as long as you don't expect the LS to handle like a Porsche or Bimmer, you'll find its handling quite satisfying.
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
The LWB is a Touch smoother the the RWB ...... But, you'de have to drive the two of them side by side for months in order to feel the difference. The only other difference beside the room inside is the Turning circle ( radius ) the LS 460 L is 36' and the LS 460 is 35.4'
There both extarodinarily Fine vehicles and It really boils down to do you need the space in the back or not????
There both extarodinarily Fine vehicles and It really boils down to do you need the space in the back or not????
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 437
Likes: 2
From: Maine
An important reason for the LS600hL is the AWD.
I would assume that under most driving conditions, it would handle and drive the same as a 460L.
HBH
The 600h is a very different monster. AWD, more power, different suspension, far advanced driving dymanics, CVT tranny, almost electric power only in first gear, and the car is 750 lbs heavier than the 460L!!!
You need to ride it to feel it...
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I don't particularly like or need the extra room, but I'll be getting an LS600hL in August, so I have no choice but the long version.
An important reason for the LS600hL is the AWD.
I would assume that under most driving conditions, it would handle and drive the same as a 460L.
HBH
An important reason for the LS600hL is the AWD.
I would assume that under most driving conditions, it would handle and drive the same as a 460L.
HBH
Except your LS 600hL is going to have a WHOLE lot MORE giddie-up!!!
Trending Topics
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,277
Likes: 354
From: Canada
... and don't forget the LS600hL comes with the Active Stabilizer Suspension System (****), it's going to corner better than the LS460L.
I think a couple reviews mention that the LS600hL actually feels more agile than the LS460L which is hundreds of pounds lighter.
I think a couple reviews mention that the LS600hL actually feels more agile than the LS460L which is hundreds of pounds lighter.
that's what i was going to say, the ****, if present, is going to help handling quite a bit. in any case, i don't own the car, but of the swb and lwb that i have driven, they feel the same
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,184
Likes: 1
From: MA
to handle better. I have driven the AWD and RWD variants of the 3GS
quite a few times and the difference is very noticeable in feel around
curves.
I read in one of the car mags that Lexus claims the AWD was for
handling purposes and not power distribution purposes as I had
originally believed...
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 437
Likes: 2
From: Maine
Be careful of that assumption.
The 600h is a very different monster. AWD, more power, different suspension, far advanced driving dymanics, CVT tranny, almost electric power only in first gear, and the car is 750 lbs heavier than the 460L!!!
You need to ride it to feel it...
The 600h is a very different monster. AWD, more power, different suspension, far advanced driving dymanics, CVT tranny, almost electric power only in first gear, and the car is 750 lbs heavier than the 460L!!!
You need to ride it to feel it...
I'll be interesting to see how the 600hL is different.
The only negative in both the 460 and 460L was the same complaint I had in my '03 LS430. When you're going around 30-40 mph, and press the accelerator to the floor (passing, or on an on-ramp) there's a 1-2 second hesitation before downshifting, which is very disconcerting.
HBH
HBH
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 1
From: The Bay Area, CA, USA
According Jay Shoemaker, the editor of The Truth About Cars, the LS460L with Touring Package drives worlds better than the LS460.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=3708
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=3708
Originally Posted by The Truth About Cars
Having thoroughly dissed the LS’ driving experience in my last LS review, I have a shocking revelation: the touring edition is fun to drive. It’s almost as engaging as the latest Mercedes S Class.
Starting out with the suspension in comfort mode reminded me why I don’t like Japanese luxury sedans: they tend to wallow only slightly less than late ‘70’s American luxobarges. A quick switch to the sport mode neatly transformed the LS into a European-like sedan. The ride quality became firm yet absorbent. The dynamic capabilities ascended from one-handed yachtsmanship to two-handed Teutonic corner carver.
The tweaked LS’ steering now has something approximating heft; you can [even] sense what the front tires are doing during cornering. I don’t get what Lexus are talking about with their “high friction brakes,” but the anchors are plenty powerful and easy to modulate.
Starting out with the suspension in comfort mode reminded me why I don’t like Japanese luxury sedans: they tend to wallow only slightly less than late ‘70’s American luxobarges. A quick switch to the sport mode neatly transformed the LS into a European-like sedan. The ride quality became firm yet absorbent. The dynamic capabilities ascended from one-handed yachtsmanship to two-handed Teutonic corner carver.
The tweaked LS’ steering now has something approximating heft; you can [even] sense what the front tires are doing during cornering. I don’t get what Lexus are talking about with their “high friction brakes,” but the anchors are plenty powerful and easy to modulate.
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,277
Likes: 354
From: Canada
I don't have a LS460 yet, I have driven it however, but not the 600hL of course. Unless you have driven a 600hL yourself, you won't know how it compares to the 460 either right ? I am saying some reviewers who have driven both think the 600hL drives better than the 460, but of course that's their opinions too . . . I won't be surprised though with the **** . . .
CL Community Team
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,264
Likes: 481
From: MA
According Jay Shoemaker, the editor of The Truth About Cars, the LS460L with Touring Package drives worlds better than the LS460.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=3708
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=3708
Shoemaker just writes about cars, he doesn't actually know how to drive them.
