09+ AWD LS460 folks, appreciate your comments on:

1. AWD handling in snow
2. Wind noise
3. Any other concerns for a future purchaser

 

1. I am 100% satisfied with the AWD in snow (plus I have a set of snow tires which make a big difference with or without AWD). This past winter we had quite a bit of snow and car handled great. Felt very secure.

2. No wind noise issues in either 460's I have owned

3 See my posts re AWD tranny problems. Thoroughly test drive the vehicle you intend to buy especially on uphills.

 

so the noise and tranny problems only occur on 'some' faulty 460's?

 

There have been numerous posts on this subject. On this board and on the other Lexus owners club board. But, from what I can tell, only a very few (maybe 5 or 10 at most) owners have had a bad enough problem to complain

I contacted a number of AWD owners and many of them were kind enough to try out some specific tests with their own car. From what I heard back there appear to be big differences in vehicles with only a very few exhibiting a severe enough problem to really bother the owner.

Other factors are whether you are the type of driver who really focuses on small noises, vibrations in the car. If you are, a "minor" hesitation will be more noticeable. Plus the terrain you drive in. If you have a lot of hills in your area there is more chance that a "minor problem" car will become one you have a hard time living with.

Personally, I am convinced this 8 speed transmission is overkill and is "too clever for its own good".

My first 2009 460 had so severe a problem the Lexus rep sitting in the back seat said "If this were my car I would be very disappointed in it and want it corrected.' replacing the tranny and torque converter and software did nothing.

The 2011 460 I now have has nothing like the shuddering/shaking of the 2009 but it can, occasionally, on uphills, at certain speeds have a very slight shake. Now this is nothing like the 2009 behavior and perhaps the 2009 problem has made me super sensitive the these particular vibrations. All I can say is that I now love my LS and the positives far, far outweigh any rare, vibration I might feel.

PS Neither of my 460's had a wind noise problem and, I think if you did get one with noise the "jmcraney fix" posted on this board should easily solve it.

 

My '09AWD LS460 has been flawless so far. Also, it goes EXCELLENT in STEEP Pittsburgh hilly snow. As well as our old Explorer and current RX330. And that's without snow tires.