tambo916

Does anyone know if any of the late in the model year have updated control arms? Would I be better with a 2010 with 20k miles vs a 2012 with 45k miles. Identical cars other then year. Difference in price difference is roughly 5k more for the 2012.

SW17LS

The control arms were supposedly redone in 2011. I would make sure to budget for replacement on a 2010 compared to a 2011 or 2012.

I'd buy the 2012 for sure.

sdwtchlvr

iTrader: (1)

I'd go with the 2012 too. But perhaps the 2010 has had the arms done. Have you checked the Lexus service history?

caha14

All else equal, I would also lean towards the '12, but just in case...

The TSIB for control arms (L-SB-0021-12) was not issued by Lexus until early 2012. The redesigned components had, however, been around for some time. Repairs on my '08 were done with updated parts way before the bulletin.

The last model year affected (included in TSIB) is indeed 2010, though not all 2010s are impacted (e.g., my 600 is off the list... I checked before purchasing.). In the event you're seriously interested in the 2010 car, here is the VIN cutoff for the production change. If VIN is higher than the corresponding cutoff, the vehicle should already have updated parts from the factory.

2WD
LS 460 JTHBL5EF#A#098437
LS 460L JTHGL5EF#A#040325

AWD
LS 460 JTHCL5EF#A#007434
LS 460L JTHDL5EF#A#002131
LS 600hL JTHDU1EF#A#012577

tambo916

Thanks this is super helpful. I appreciate probably going to pull the trigger today on the 2012. Although I may wait for the spread between the 2012s and 2013s to narrow. Seems like the residuals were .55 back in 2013 which means off lease cars should be selling in the mid 40s but all the certified cars are still in the mid 50s.

SW17LS

The residuals have nothing to do with the CPO values, so I wouldn't put any stock in that. The LS is conservatively residualed, which means often at lease end they are worth more than the residual. The GS for instance is aggressively residualed so they are commonly worth less. That doesn't effect their CPO price either.

tambo916

Thanks for the information. This is very helpful and will help narrow my decision. Do you think a certified 2013 with 40k will be in the mid 40s anytime soon. As right now 2012 certified with similar miles are in 38-42. For the extra money I would probably step up.

SW17LS

Its going to be a while probably...

superdenso

I would buy the 2010 for the low miles and stay away from the 2013+ due to the controversial fascia embellishments. Control arms can be changed, but front end design or higher miles may be a bit more complex

SW17LS

Unless you happen to like the fascia embellishments which he does.

Taking out the front end controversy, the 2013+ is a big upgrade in the interior alone.

superdenso

My opinion of the fascia embellishments of the 2013 is they are a bit "controversial" and could be tougher to unload at sale date. The interior accoutrements are satisfactory in all years but they have strong (i.e. wood trim) and weak points(i.e. b-pillar).

SW17LS

We already have plenty of used car sales data for the 2013+ though and it's done just fine. Lexus new car sales with the spindle are up, not down, so I don't think it's an issue.

superdenso

4th gen avg sales is 13,700 units. What is goin' on?

year - units
2012 - 8,400
2013 - 10,700
2014 - 8,600
2015 - 7,200 (estimated)

http://left-lane.com/us-car-sales-data/lexus/lexus-ls/

SW17LS

The issue is that the car is really old, and there are much newer cars out there competing, and that's why those cars are getting bought over the LS.