Buying advice - Reliability on high mileage LS460
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 3
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From: Michigan
Buying advice - Reliability on high mileage LS460
I'm looking at purchasing a 2007 LS460L with 234,000 miles. It has every option except what I believe they call the "Executive Seating Package". i.e. no entertainment system and it's still a 5 passenger. Everyone seems to think that I'm crazy, but the vehicle seems to be in good shape considering its age and mileage. I looked at the service history and it looks like the owners kept up on all the maintenance. 20k miles ago the belt and water pump were replaced. The service history is 9 pages long and all the work (as far as I can tell) was done at the Lexus dealership. I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions. Does anyone have an LS with such high miles and are there any problem areas? Probably my biggest concerns would be the air suspension and the transmission.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 390
Likes: 44
From: Texas
If the price is right I wouldn't be afraid of the mileage, like you said I would worry about the air suspension too, but besides that as long as it was well maintained mechanically I don't see anything that would stand out.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 365
From: New Hampshire
Perhaps you can tell us what's been done? I imagine if its been dealer maintained, it's been pretty well taken care of. Then again I never take my car to the dealer and it's been maintained meticulously.
It all depends on the price, like anything else, that is high mileage. And I guess it depends on what you plan on using the car for. Do you plan on driving it 30,000 miles a year? If so you may be on borrowed time and you had better put some money aside for repairs...after 225,000 miles all bets are off.
I think there's been one other member on here with 275,000 miles of his...the thing was used as a limo...he said it runs good and the only repairs were the control arms and valve cover gaskets.
It all depends on the price, like anything else, that is high mileage. And I guess it depends on what you plan on using the car for. Do you plan on driving it 30,000 miles a year? If so you may be on borrowed time and you had better put some money aside for repairs...after 225,000 miles all bets are off.
I think there's been one other member on here with 275,000 miles of his...the thing was used as a limo...he said it runs good and the only repairs were the control arms and valve cover gaskets.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 817
Likes: 21
From: NY
EricCZ, while it's a good idea, realistically unless you're getting it for something like $5,000, AND you plan to use it as a track car (highly modified, etc) you should really walk away.
Not worth the aggravation... unless you're super hands-on, especially with the (likely) shenanigans required to get a car like that through state inspection (the necessity for ODB2 "simulators" if you're getting warning lights, etc).
Not worth the aggravation... unless you're super hands-on, especially with the (likely) shenanigans required to get a car like that through state inspection (the necessity for ODB2 "simulators" if you're getting warning lights, etc).
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 722
Likes: 61
From: Co
Retail book is 10k. I would go that high if it was in great shape. If funds were there I would rather pay 20k and get under 100k miles for the long haul. It will run another hundo or two miles though no question in my mind. Emissions testing isnt required everywhere.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,423
Likes: 103
From: TX
Unless its dirt cheap I would pass on this one. This LS have probably seen better days and its almost ten years old so you can expect problems. Even with an excellent service history some repairs can still cost you thousands. Personally I would fine one with a lot less miles.
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The LS460 is a pretty reliable car. The biggest major issues you are likely to come across are the control arm bushings and air suspension. Transmissions are pretty bullet proof. Expect lots of little things to keep going south on a car with that many miles, though. If you are good at DIY and the price is right, might not be a bad buy.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 758
Likes: 26
From: INACTIVE
An LS can probably roll as many miles as a Tundra (1 million miles). There are a handful of weak spots (control arms, brakes, interior trim). However, the car is as simple as a modern day car could be. The car is diy friendly and recycled components are available. As with any car, beware those that seek to profit from your lack of knowledge or the brand "Lexus" badge.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 348
From: Tennessee
My 2 cents, while I'm pretty sure the car can run a while past 250K, and unless every possible thing that can go wrong has been replaced, I certainly wouldn't buy it. Beyond the stock concerns of control arms, brake actuator, ML amp, melting interior and the like, now you're looking at water pumps, hoses, seals, and stuff I don't even know exist because they're hidden. So, if you pay $5K and have to put $10K into it, you can find an 08 with 130K for roughly $14K (I saw it on cargurus.com).
Anyway, that's just one man's opinion. Good luck.
Anyway, that's just one man's opinion. Good luck.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 667
Likes: 80
From: New Jersey
If the price is right grab it, but be warned that the PARTS are very expensive so having said that, two or three "minor wear" parts can be expensive to replace....... I would pass on the deal and spend more for a "younger car" with less miles. Let's not even talk about a stealership performing the work especially on repairs that are needed to pass inspection......EG: Emissions, electrical, etc.
If you do your own work and have the skills this could be a "win" if you find a twin (wrecked) donor car for parts...... If you can buy for the right price.
If you do your own work and have the skills this could be a "win" if you find a twin (wrecked) donor car for parts...... If you can buy for the right price.
Last edited by Chuckinnj; Jun 18, 2016 at 10:12 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 207
Likes: 9
From: New Jersey
I'm looking at purchasing a 2007 LS460L with 234,000 miles. It has every option except what I believe they call the "Executive Seating Package". i.e. no entertainment system and it's still a 5 passenger. Everyone seems to think that I'm crazy, but the vehicle seems to be in good shape considering its age and mileage. I looked at the service history and it looks like the owners kept up on all the maintenance. 20k miles ago the belt and water pump were replaced. The service history is 9 pages long and all the work (as far as I can tell) was done at the Lexus dealership. I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions. Does anyone have an LS with such high miles and are there any problem areas? Probably my biggest concerns would be the air suspension and the transmission.