After driving the '04 LS430 for 8 years now, I'm looking to upgrade. I like to buy cars for around the 30k mark with a lot of options and generally drive them 5-6 years.

I'm torn between 3 cars.

Car 1: 2008 LS600HL, 75k miles, $33,500. Flint Mica with black interior. Has the rear entertainment system + dynamic laser cruise. Seller is from a Lexus dealer and the carfax shows 1 minor accident years ago. Car is all AWD I believe.

Car 2: 2008 LS460 Executive package. 98k miles, black ext/black int. 2 owner clean carfax. I have him down to $27,750 cash. Black on black. This car does have some rock chips on the hood, a door ding, scratch on the windshield, only 1 key. It is the executive version with the ottoman and all the goodies including radar cruise / PCS. Private seller who's been very upfront and honest with all the defects.

Car 3: 2007 LS 460L - 51k miles, flint mica ext / light int. No rear entertainment package, but does have the rear cooler, air suspension, ML stereo (plus Viastech ipod connector) and does have the radar cruise control. Seller states it's in "mint" condition and was a CPO car in 2011.

While I really, really wanted the rear entertainment for the kids, should I just go for car #3 and be done with it? The mileage on car 1 scares others but not myself as my own LS430 has 163k on it and purrs like a kitten.

Thoughts?

 

I'd take car 3 since you have kids and the 600 has no trunk space, the 4 seat option has limited trunk and rear space with the 4 seated option/ Take 3 it has the least miles.

 

Since you "really, really" want the entertainment package, then your choice is between 1 and 2. It's hard for me to say without seeing them, but it would lean towards the 600. Do you do a lot of city driving? The 600 may help offset the increased cost.

 

Since all of the cars you're considering are beyond a "warrantable" point (for a Lexus warranty), I'd want to know if any of them have had the common, costly repairs done already. Upper and Lower Control Arms seem to fail and need replacement on many of the 2007/2008 models -- at a cost of ~$3,000. You'll want to make sure the cars have had the appropriate recalls done (Valve Springs, Brake Actuators, etc.).

I'd be somewhat nervous owning an LS without any sort of warranty. They are amazingly reliable cars, but are very expensive to repair when something does fail (which happens to all cars eventually). You'll need to budget for the potential for repairs in your calculations.

If you stretch just a bit higher on your budget, you should be able to find a 2008 LS that can be Certified by Lexus (with the 3 year warranty included and an even longer warranty available).

I wouldn't recommend you compromise on your desire for the rear seat entertainment system. I have a 6 year old, and trips would be quite a bit less fun if he wasn't able to watch his movies using the wireless headphones while my wife and I enjoy "our" music through the Mark Levinson system.

I've had the LS460 and now own a LS600hL -- for what it's worth, I like the 600 quite a bit more than the 460...

Good luck!

 

I agree with LXurious! Stick with the Car #3.

Your going to have better highway mileage than the 600, and slightly better acceleration as well. As fantastic as the 600 is, you get a heavier car, potentially expensive batteries, and executive class package trunk space. the obvious benefits are the around town mileage, and the leather stitched dash. Since it's an '08 you don't get the TFT display for the gauges or the leather stitched steering wheel.

As for the executive package 460 those miles absolutely kill it in my opinion. there are more buttons features and functions that can fail with that package, and with those miles you may run into issues very soon. you also have the tiny trunk which is hopeless when traveling away with luggage, speaking from experience.

let us know what you jump on and be sure to post pix of your new ride!

 

The executive seat package is nice but it's pretty much a novelty thing if you yourself aren't being driven around in it. Rear entertainment can be done on the aftermarket. I have read rest on order for mine. I say go for car 3

 

And another for car 3 depending on price and work done to it of course. My 460 SWB had 50k miles on it when I bought it. It is basically a new car with the bugs and depreciation worked out for me. My only regret is not getting the L version, and not having adaptive cruise control.

My advice is to get the VIN and look on Lexus Drivers to see what work has been done.

 

Car 3 is my pick.

 

Sparky, are you just going to go along with the crowd, or listen to me?

Actually, lbintab made a good point. Aftermarket entertainment systems can be easily had and some might even be better than stock.

 

The answer is Threeve. Seriously, option 3 looks good and as they stated, aftermarket DVD systems and iPad solutions for headrests/seatbacks are way better than the OEM setup..WAYYY Better

 

Option #3..."lbintab" and I bought out headrest DVD, link it tot he navi and by passed it to play DVD for under $500. You didn't post the price for #3...I'm assuming it is lower then the rest.

 

Well guys I was almost too embarrassed to come back to this thread. Just typing Cars 1 and 2 compared to #3 was really a no brainer.

I sold my beloved 04 LS430 tonight with 165,007 miles. For $7k cash.

I made the mistake? of driving a IS F tonight - the 400 + HP beast. That's my next car. The kids already have DVD players in Mom's minivan, which has 3 rows of seats and kills it for space anyway.

I turned 40 last year - this really is a mid-life crisis car, but I'll be damned if it's not a blast opening that engine up and going around corners.

That LS430 was the best car I've ever owned. I was genuinely sad seeing her pull away for the last time.

Shawn

 

HAHAHA Good for you! You'll enjoy that.

 

I picked this one up tomorrow - test drove it yesterday and all is well..

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...stingId=0&mmt=[LEXUS[ISF[]][]]&listingId=369749652&Log=0

 

Ha, they already removed the listing. Once you pick it up you at least owe us a few pics on this forum for all the time you caused us to waste on you!

Good luck with your new ride!