07 and 08 common issues

ML Amp probably already repaired
Water pump normal for any car with high miles plus its easy and cheap to address since not mounted in the timing belt area
control arms no big deal aftermarket
all recalls should already be done
wind noise most likely already done
brake modulator most likely already done or now in special warranty

Compared to most cars out there at any price point I would say this is pretty good. A dealer serviced 07 or 08 is the way to go on a budget.

 

On AT there are currently 4 in excess of 200,000 mild

 

The 08 460L seems to check out so far on both AutoCheck and Carfax. Three owners, originally leased, offered as CPO in Feb 2011. My only concern is the "excluded odometer rollback calculation" from AutoCheck, as well as the relative high miles on this vehicle.

 

No reported accidents but I personally thought the passenger rear bumper seam wasn't as flush as on the driver's side. See how the contact gap is tighter near the bottom than it is on the rest of the curve?

Also, where the hood meets the rubber liner, above the headlights, seemed ever so slightly slanted -- undetectable to the casual observer but I thought it wasn't perfectly straight. Perhaps both issues are common on any older LS . Minor issues, I suppose.

The more immediate question is if the engine is healthy or not since it does seem rather loud/raucous, like the 3.5L from our former 2007 Sienna. This 08 didn't have the refined, subdued V8 sound like when I would give the 430 a good step on the throttle. However, I just got off the phone with my mechanic (he hasn't seen the car yet) but says that sound is similar across the 460, IS, and even GSM, due to the timing chain and high pressure fuel pumps sitting on top. Scheduled a PPI for Monday.

 

CRowe, I recall a post of yours last year mentioning that the 460 power steering is electric. On my test drive of the 08, I immediately noticed the heavy steering. Is that normal. I had to use my actual hands because I had become accustomed to steering by finger on the 430.

Probably nothing is wrong with the 08 level of steering effort since I understand Lexus was trying to dial in more sportiness to the 460. Just thought I'd ask since I haven't had a chance to test drive another 460 yet, nor have I found any others that have piqued my interest yet.

 

The LS460 is indeed electric steering. That said, on my 08 I can turn the wheel with one finger.

 

I wouldn't worry about the gap in the panels, mine has some minor panel gap issues and I was thinking the worst, then I started closely looking at orher peoples 460's that live near me and they all seem to have it some small degree

 

Thank you, roadfrog, and good to know!

I also remember now on the test drive I felt a distinct vibration in the steering wheel when stopped at a light. I will definitely have my mechanic double-check this because my 430 steering wheel is completely vibration-free.

 

The steering on the 460 is electric, but it does feel heavier than the steering in the 430 or the 400. Its all part of them making the 460 a little more dynamic. Once you get used to it you won't even notice anymore.

 

I agree, nothing to lose sleep over. It is very likely that the bumpers have been removed and re-installed, but that's probably the case for a large number of 460s out there, including my car. Minor spacing gaps can arise when the bumper is not re-installed perfectly.

 

I must say I've noticed two things you've said about the car that are definitely not normal....first you said that after letting off the gas it doesn't roll well, like it wants to slow down. That is not normal, no way. These cars love to roll. I can go half a mile without touching the gas pedal on some roads,mthey roll great. And the steering - the steering on these cars is as effortless as you'll ever find. So that's two things that I'd consider not normal on the car you're looking at.

Id think the reason it's not rolling well is the huge amount of rust on the rotors and the chance that it has probably sat for a while on the lot. As for the steering, you said the car needed to be jump started, perhaps the battery voltage was a little low and it caused a drag on the electric steering motor. Sounds like the car needs to be driven a bit before you can get a real feel for the way it should perform - this is pretty normal for cars that have been sitting for a while - things stick, fluids haven't moved, tires develop flat spots, brakes get rusted, battery voltage gets low...etc.

 

Thanks, Doublebase, that is all very helpful. The 08 definitely didn't coast too well and can be due to all the reasons you pointed out. The heavier steering and steering wheel vibration was unexpected because the car had idled for 8-10 minutes before we took it out on the road and temp sensor was registering a little below the halfway mark (so definitely warmed up). I appreciate everyone offering up their insight as to what is considered normal operation. Hope to get an official report from the mechanic on Monday. I also emailed Lexus of Roseville with the VIN to see if all recalls and TSBs have been applied. Is the dealer's records any different than what is available from the LexusDrivers site?

 

Sorry if these aspects have already been mentioned:

1. Have you looked up the online service history for the vehicle? If it's been serviced at a Lexus or Toyota dealer, that will show much more detail than Carfax or similar services. The site is here:

https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/

If you haven't already done so, you'll need to register. You can add the vehicle using its VIN.

Actually, I was curious, so I temporarily added the vehicle to my profile, saved the printed report to a PDF, and attached it here. I'm removing the vehicle from my profile so you can access the information if you wish.

2. If you like the car, pay for a pre-purchase inspection from a competent independent Lexus mechanic or from a Lexus dealer (not the selling dealer, if applicable).

 

Gbp, thank you so much for taking the steps to attach the Lexus service history. I do have an account with the Lexus driver's site but had not surveyed this particular VIN yet. Thank you again for your help, especially since the report revealed a wealth of curious information! (Before I forget, I love that red on your LS! There are few reds to begin with and the ones I've seen are dull, not vibrant like yours. Yours would be my top color choice, with the light gray/black wood interior.)

Back to topic, looks like quite a bit of repairs were performed in the past two years between 100k-120k miles:
1. LCAs replaced (good thing)
2. Brake actuator replaced (another good thing)
3. Water pump replaced (good so far)
4. Rotors machined but there was a mention of possibly warped rotors that never got addressed.
5. Some safety recall was applied.
6. The main kicker though is why was the motor replaced with a "supplied motor" at 98,141 miles (8/28/2014)?!?! Does this not constitute a salvage vehicle maybe??

 

Excellent work, Gbp, for posting the service history. Engine was replaced at 98000 miles. Wow, what's with that?? That could be the reason for the sluggishness the OP was feeling on test drive. Run away from the car! There are plenty of good vehicles out there. This car is not worth the risk.