To be fair though, you have made repairs that if somebody had to use a mechanic to do would have cost them thousands of dollars. You've replaced all the struts, control arms, brakes, thats just off the top of my head. You sourced parts and did all the work, but even at an independent garage thats $3,000 worth of work right there at the absolute very least.

Thats the point, yes they are reliable but anything old will need some level of repairs, and you just have to understand that and be prepared for that if you buy a car like this.

 

To be even MORE fair though, I only NEEDED to replace one strut and one control arm and one ball joint. I only replaced everything, cuz I had some extra money kicking around, and thought, "what the heck...lets do it ALL". But I get the gist. Still....my point is, I could have had to do these repairs on any other car (and have), and it wouldn't have been much, if any cheaper.

 

I fully understand people must stick up for their cars. So I’m not going to go tick for tac on what the car doesn’t have. Congrats on the purchase. Let me say this again. It’s basically 2018 people. That’s like comparing Window 98 to Window 2013. There is a difference. Is the car nice? Yes but I wouldn’t have purchase it for my family. A nice suv would have been more sufficient. As for me I would have hold out until I can purchase something newer off a dealer lot.

My car drives better than most newer cars (blah blah) really... So your old Lexus drives better than the new S550 or LS500 or 750. That's what the LS430 guys are saying also.

 

If it were my car I'd have had to replace all 4 struts too lol

Point is though, you wouldn't have to do those repairs on a much newer car.

I haven't driven a new LS500 clearly, but I would say the LS460 drives remarkably similarly to a new S550 or 750 which I have driven. Thats impressive for my new LS460, and even more impressive that one could drive a brand new $100k 750 and get into an LS460 they paid $15,000 for and it drives pretty darn close (the older LS460s are pretty similar to mine, thus if mine drives pretty close to as well as those cars so does an older LS460). These flagship cars haven't changed a whole lot, and they all have a similar ride and feel on the road.

The point is not to compare it to new cars of the same caliber though. A brand new LS460 isn't as nice as a new S550 or 750. The LS500 will be a nicer better car for sure, The point is an old LS definitely drives way nicer than a new Camry, or Avalon, or Accord, or even a new Lexus ES. Thats the point people are making when they say that.

My LS is worth about what a loaded brand new ES350 costs now, would I trade it even swap for a brand new loaded UL ES350? Not a chance. If I were spending $50,000 and had a choice between a new loaded UL ES350 or a used 2015 LS460, would I choose the ES350? Yes, because I don't like used cars unless they've been used by me.

 

You were not talking about a new S550, LS500, or 750, compared to a used LS460 in the original statement, you were talking about a new non luxury car vs a older LS460 in which a LS460 is nicer in every way compared to a new non luxury car aside from maybe a few new apps for low quality audio, prettier nav screen, silly lane keep assist, and a few more things most people don't care about. A LS460 is not at all like comparing Windows 98 to Windows 2013 when talking about non luxury cars or even entry level luxury cars, in many ways a used LS460 is more advanced then a brand new non luxury car. If you are comparing the LS460 to a brand new S550 then of course the S550 is going to be much nicer and more modern, it is also a 100K+ car compared to spending $15-25K for a used 2008-2011 LS460 and even then I don't think a new S class is over $75-85K nicer then a used LS to many people.

 

"That’s like comparing Window 98 to Window 2013".

Yeah that statement cracked me up. The LS460 is more like a 2008 Sony Bravia LCD flatscreen that cost $6000 back in the day with high quality materials & surround sound speakers, compared to a new modern looking LED TV with "clock radio speakers" that goes for $500 new

 

Precisely. There are friends with brand new or very near new cars/trucks that hold nothing in comparison to my 10 year old LS, even tech related....let alone luxury. Often, their remarks are, "wow, they had THAT in 2007?", or, "I wish my car had that".

 

Update:

As expected for a car of this age I needed to spend some money to get it the way I want. Here is the cost so far.
Overall no buyers remorse yet. Parts + Labor if needed are short money.

Leather dye section of door panel : $30, (perfect color match)
Serpentine belt $45, (Old belt had slight squeal at start up. Belt was in good shape though)
Philips 6000K HID bulbs $170. (One bulb went out, replaced with used one, decided on new set on sale)
Mevotech Sway links, $70+ $50 labor. (Old original ones in good shape, couldn't get one off! My family mechanic charged me $30, +$20 tip)
Denzo Radiator $150,+ labor $0. Damn overflow tube broke off changing the belt, even when reading to beware! Seemed like it was glued on.
Revised door corner trim $45.
: BeatSonic DVD bypass $125. (NAV Screen does not need to come out)
-(4) Front upper control arms (Bushing cracked, parts are around $170, easy install.
Buffed and wet sanded hood.
Trunk lock latch fix $300, easy install
Differential fluid change (2qts)
- 19 inch spoke wheels and tires $1500,
Nav Surround trim $240.
Tint $300
Hood lift support $50

 

Funny.....I just posted this warning on another post. Don't feel bad....many of us have suffered this mishap.

 

Apologies for resurrecting an almost 3 month old thread, but holy smokes was that an amazing initial purchase price on yours JLAWS. While mine had slightly less miles, was one owner, and has and still does have a complete dealer service history, it is an SWB and lacks the self parking. Mine also had a dent on the trunk lid that has since been fixed. I paid $16,500 private party.

I purchased my car private party in Charlotte and has and since lived its entire life well south of the rust belt. A year on, I still absolutely adore it and needless to say own it outright and can say quite confidently it drives and looks far better than many cars those are spending a small fortune in lease or car payments.

I was just looking at another thread questioning the logic of purchasing an 2007-2009 LS460 and I remain baffled as I know many people of means who are still rocking their LS430's purchased new and even what are they really lacking?

Until the sad day when internal combustion becomes a thing of the past, provided essential safety systems like airbags and ABS are there, there really have not been many if any sea changes in quite some time. I remain bummed the LS 500 appears not to ever going to offer that lovely V8 from the LC that shares the same underpinnings. Turbos for long term ownership give me the *******,

 

It's shocking we see some compares like this. My mother in-law came in my car, she owns a 2016 Camry (very nice car for what it is), she thinks my 2007 LS is the quietest car she has ever been in. This is NOT the first time I have heard this in 9 months I have owned the car.....

Still would rather drive a 10 year old LS than a newer model mid line car. Value for the dollar, the LS is far better buy but, as long as you can plan for possible repairs if needed.

 

Thanks, yeah $16K for a 2008 with 90K miles from a small dealership was a steal. I found out I have the comfort/luxury package with rear reclining seats, soft door close and leather wrapped door handles which makes it an even better deal. I still look once in a while to see if I can top the deal and nothing comes close to what I paid. I installed the Trunk latch for $300 (Amazon purchase) & 4 upper control arms (Dorman) $170 parts. I replaced the left lower ball joint rubber boot $10. I greased the hell out of the ball joint before putting on the boot . It seemed to cure my mysterious light knocking sound. I initially thought I would need to replace the strut mount or strut. I am pretty much done for now

I've done several summer family road trips of around 150 miles round trip and it is the best cruiser I have ever driven. So much smoother than my previous 2007 Gs350 and more powerful that my LS430. I really enjoy driving this car. There is really nothing out there for $16000 that will match the LS460. I could have gotten something newer but it would have been something very inferior.

NO REGRETS !

 

Ya did good! At least in the South, the average asking price of sub 100k LS's is $19,012 and the many are listed with salvage titles and other horrors to drop the avg price down. Almost a year ago when I purchased mine, the bulk were around $20,000.

While I was certainly not thrilled with the dent on the trunk lid on mine when first purchased, it literally having zero holes in the service history replete with full synthetic oil changes every 5k and no accident history combined with no rust concerns made it a no brainer. He is a VP at Wells Fargo and replaced it with the new 7 Series. I got $500 off and the guy literally showed me dozens of texts of offers. I was literally the first person who called and showed up within 2 days.

The black paint has been a bit of a battle. I accepted defeat and it is actually getting wet sanded and fully detailed and the scrapes on the bumper from where he hoisted suitcases is finally being addressed.

Aside from the brake actuator which was blessedly covered, it has been flawless.

 

If your car is the SWB, you actually have the Conmfort Plus package. Nice car, good deal, especially since you did most of the repairs yourself.

At that time, your car was considered feature-laden and one of top luxury cars, better in most ways (including technology) than the Mercedes, BMW, and Audi offerings in the same class. It's still a great car as you have found out. A belated congrats!

 

A couple years ago I considered selling my LS, drove a couple new cars and decided against it. Took my brother in law's new Accord for a ride...figured these things have all the new tech and get 36mpg...well the thing sounded and felt like a tin can. And no power. I can live without some of the tech. Then I took out a new ES350 at the dealer, I turned to the sale's guy and said, you've got to be kidding me?! This thing has less power than an Accord, I'm not driving this. Now granted neither of these cars are in the LS class, but both were ten years newer and loaded, I'd consider both huge steps down from a ten year old LS460.

So with 160,000 miles I pur up and down the highway 100 miles a day totally happy knowing my car is paid for and happy I'm not in a Honda Accord.