2018 Lexus LS Revealed!!
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
I also had one of the dreaded 2007 460's. In my few years of ownership, I had a slight rattle in the back, a few major oil changes, and I even had to do a complete tear down of the tires which included replacing them. One time I even had to completely replace my brakes. FRONT AND REAR. It was terrible. Cost me hundreds. Couldn't believe the dealership didn't do these things for me and made me do them myself. /sarcasm
Seriously while I did have a warranty, I didnt need it. I would have no issue owning this car out of warranty. It is the easiest car I've worked on recently. The only thing easier was an old 1978 Ford F150.
As far as having a bad car, it happens. I'm sure there was a 430 out there that was horrible and the owner swore to never buy another Lexus again. And I'm also sure the techs hated the 430 when it came out vs the 400 they knew. Cmon folks.
Seriously while I did have a warranty, I didnt need it. I would have no issue owning this car out of warranty. It is the easiest car I've worked on recently. The only thing easier was an old 1978 Ford F150.
As far as having a bad car, it happens. I'm sure there was a 430 out there that was horrible and the owner swore to never buy another Lexus again. And I'm also sure the techs hated the 430 when it came out vs the 400 they knew. Cmon folks.
Perhaps my years of BMW ownership (including their "flagship" 7 series), has left me appreciating what reliability means and what it's like to "drive on eggshells", waiting for something else to break or light to go off on my dash. I'm still waiting for a light to go off on my LS. Not holding my breath.
I'll echo your comments about servicing this car. No unicorn dust required to do anything on this car. Everything is straightforward and parts relatively easy to obtain for cheap. No special tools either so far....unlike my BMW's which needed special tools for proprietary fasteners, clips, clamps, etc. Just brutal.
Last edited by roadfrog; Feb 2, 2017 at 09:29 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 88
From: SoFlo
Originally Posted by roadfrog
Best post ever! Clearly, my car has been far less reliable. I had to replace my mufflers and water pump! The horror......
Perhaps my years of BMW ownership (including their "flagship" 7 series), has left me appreciating what reliability means and what it's like to "drive on eggshells", waiting for something else to break or light to go off on my dash. I'm still waiting for a light to go off on my LS. Not holding my breath.
I'll echo your comments about servicing this car. No unicorn dust required to do anything on this car. Everything is straightforward and parts relatively easy to obtain for cheap. No special tools either so far....unlike my BMW's which needed special tools for proprietary fasteners, clips, clamps, etc. Just brutal.
Perhaps my years of BMW ownership (including their "flagship" 7 series), has left me appreciating what reliability means and what it's like to "drive on eggshells", waiting for something else to break or light to go off on my dash. I'm still waiting for a light to go off on my LS. Not holding my breath.
I'll echo your comments about servicing this car. No unicorn dust required to do anything on this car. Everything is straightforward and parts relatively easy to obtain for cheap. No special tools either so far....unlike my BMW's which needed special tools for proprietary fasteners, clips, clamps, etc. Just brutal.
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 722
Likes: 61
From: Co
Amen. The one thing I will agree about the prior poster's unfortunate experience is that the 460 was/is a clean slate. A tabula rasa if you will. Coupled with vastly different requirements from everything from pedestrian safety, fuel economy, emissions, on and on, the 460 represented a break both aesthetically and mechanically.
That said, looking at everywhere from Consumer Reports to a myriad of other sites where long term ownership is judged, the 460 holds up. Look at Edmunds as there are 100s scattered over the production years and the score remains quite high.
It is not for nothing that a 2007 LS460 generally costs more than even the massively improved 2007+ Mercedes S Class (when comparing the same years) There are going to be lemons. No manufacturer is immune, but again just do a search of sub 100,000 mile 2007-2009 460's on Autotrader nationwide and the average price is over $20,000.
For a 10 year old car, that is excellent. Moreover, even with the forthcoming LS500, prices will stabilize as they do on all older Lexii.
While my ownership time with a 430 was relatively brief, mine was a 2005 that was as mechanically sound as any out there and was an Ultra Luxury to boot (I know some are scared off by the air suspension, but the PO had an extended service contract and all shocks were replaced) and it just was not for me. It had around 90,000 miles and was immaculate, and I regretted selling my LX470 within a week.
When I got into the 460, it just clicked for me personally. Greatly prefer the way it looks, greatly prefer the powertrain, and the stereo is of a whole other magnitude better. Do I wish the control arms was not an issue I will most likely confront in the future? Of course. That said, many owners of long term cars neglect replacing suspension components regardless instead focusing almost entirely on the drivetrain. Any car that has gone a good deal past 100,000 miles will greatly benefit from new shocks, control arms, et al.
While mine just hit 90,000 miles, so far the arms look fine and the car drives great. It might be that the PO living in Charlotte, NC and being a very conscientious owner helped. Especially the lack of any real snow or ice generally and the attendant corrosive chemicals and what it does to the roads themselves no doubt makes a difference.
While Knoxville is slightly colder, it is far indeed from the rust belt.
That said, looking at everywhere from Consumer Reports to a myriad of other sites where long term ownership is judged, the 460 holds up. Look at Edmunds as there are 100s scattered over the production years and the score remains quite high.
It is not for nothing that a 2007 LS460 generally costs more than even the massively improved 2007+ Mercedes S Class (when comparing the same years) There are going to be lemons. No manufacturer is immune, but again just do a search of sub 100,000 mile 2007-2009 460's on Autotrader nationwide and the average price is over $20,000.
For a 10 year old car, that is excellent. Moreover, even with the forthcoming LS500, prices will stabilize as they do on all older Lexii.
While my ownership time with a 430 was relatively brief, mine was a 2005 that was as mechanically sound as any out there and was an Ultra Luxury to boot (I know some are scared off by the air suspension, but the PO had an extended service contract and all shocks were replaced) and it just was not for me. It had around 90,000 miles and was immaculate, and I regretted selling my LX470 within a week.
When I got into the 460, it just clicked for me personally. Greatly prefer the way it looks, greatly prefer the powertrain, and the stereo is of a whole other magnitude better. Do I wish the control arms was not an issue I will most likely confront in the future? Of course. That said, many owners of long term cars neglect replacing suspension components regardless instead focusing almost entirely on the drivetrain. Any car that has gone a good deal past 100,000 miles will greatly benefit from new shocks, control arms, et al.
While mine just hit 90,000 miles, so far the arms look fine and the car drives great. It might be that the PO living in Charlotte, NC and being a very conscientious owner helped. Especially the lack of any real snow or ice generally and the attendant corrosive chemicals and what it does to the roads themselves no doubt makes a difference.
While Knoxville is slightly colder, it is far indeed from the rust belt.
My control arms were fine when I replaced them at 87,000 miles. Even when I got them out they looked real good up close. They were never done previously. I just changed them for an adventure. My interior is pristine also. This notion that a LS460 is not a reliable car is pure bunk. The few recalls don't sit well with the Lexus techs that got stuck doing them though so they will diss the car. Pulling the motor for the Valve springs and dealing with the fuel rails is a scar they won't forget.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,826
Likes: 4,103
From: Maryland
I prefer the other wheels. That also shows you what it looks like with tinted windows.
I know others have mentioned this, but the way the base of the window line tips down halfway in the middle of the rear door doesn't appeal to me...
I know others have mentioned this, but the way the base of the window line tips down halfway in the middle of the rear door doesn't appeal to me...
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 300
From: Missouri
Steve, so you are coming around to seeing why people are having issues with that rear window 
I think the frameless windows are pretty cool. It will be very interesting to see how they managed (engineered) that look without compromising on wind noise.
I think the frameless windows are pretty cool. It will be very interesting to see how they managed (engineered) that look without compromising on wind noise.
Last edited by comotiger; Feb 6, 2017 at 09:20 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 5,371
Likes: 526
From: BC Canada
That grill is hideous. And the interior? Red seats with the black dash would have been less "in your face". And those tufted door panels? Yikes. What happened? The rest of the car looks fine and maintains classic lines.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 706
Likes: 8
From: Texas
