ESorensen

After we got our 2012 Camry XLE (which my wife has claimed for herself), I was so impressed that it got me looking at the Lexus LS series for myself. With $20K to spend, I'm looking for a reliable LS460. I'm not sure I need the "L", but it would be nice. Air suspension sounds nice, too, but I don't want to be repairing that feature while I put 100K miles on the car over the next 8-10 years. I've read a whole lot of information on this and other websites, and it seems by '09 many of the problems have been fixed on the 4th gen LS460. What do you good people think?

Eric.

Doublebase

I think they're all reliable, to be honest. I own an 07 - the one with supposedly all the problems - and I have over a 100k miles on it and it's been perfect. Aside from the recalls the car has given me zero issues. And I drive this thing a lot.

dlbuckls10

LS 460 are known for its reliability and durability. It isn't a perfect automobile but its about as close as you can buy. Low or high mileage, newer or older, have it checked out at a Lexus dealership. It's worth the cost. You can find one is your price range and when you do keep us posted. Lexus the pursuit of perfection.

Ditoe

I would go with an 07. I have over 100k miles and never had a problem. The only thing I would consider getting other than an 07 would be the 2010 460.

Ditoe

I would also suggest checking the suspension before buying it. I got lucky with my 460L but my friend had to spend some money replacing a few worn out parts.

ESorensen

Thanks for the comments. Ditoe, what is better about the 2010 model? - I don't see much difference except I see Air suspension available in the non-L version. And did they do away with the radar cruise control option that year? I understand I might need to replace worn bushings in the suspension - but hopefully that will be only once every 100K miles. The air suspension could be a recurring problem that might get annoying and expensive.

RayLS

Check the service record as well as TSIB/recalls done on the car.
I wouldn't mind buying an older car (with low mileage) that is well maintained and all necessary recalls done.
Check the front control arm bushings and suspension.

roadfrog

My 08 (currently with nearly 100k miles) has been trouble free, except for a water pump and mufflers.

Gbp

The 2010 MY was a slight refresh of the 2007 - 2009 models. Among the differences:

. Memory controls for the front passenger seat (actually added in 2009)
. Driver auto slide-away seat
. Turn signals integrated into the side mirrors
. Bluetooth streaming for music
. USB streaming for music from iPod, iPhone, iPad, smartphone, USB drive
. More reliable Mark Levinson amplifier (although some say it has inferior bass response compared with the 2007 - 2009 ML amp)
. Improved navigation software.
. Slight (very slight, IMO) interior and exterior styling changes
. Some new options, including a sport option and advanced pre-collision/DRCC option (the latter only available on LWB models)

Standard PCS/DRCC is still available on 2010+ models, and is less expensive than on the 2007 - 2009 models

Arguably, 2011 might be more reliable than 2010 because Lexus re-designed the control arms, solving the cracked bushing problem. There were also very few TSIB's issued for 2011, bolstering the increased reliability argument.

For a more comprehensive list of differences, below is the link to the 2010 Product Information Sheet. Changes from 2009 are in boldface:

http://pressroom.lexus.com/article_d...rticle_id=2656

ESorensen

Thanks. I need to study those press releases. I definitely need Bluetooth media streaming. AWD and air suspension are something I probably will avoid.