globnot

I am about to buy 1 of 2 cars that I am currently looking at. One is a 2008 LS460 and the other is a 2010 LS460. Both have clean carfaxes and don't appear to have any prior body damage. Here are the details:

2008
93,000 miles
2 owners
$13,000 from private party

2010
101,000 miles
1 owner
$17,400 from Lexus dealer

The private party owner will most likely let his car go for around $12,000 but the Lexus dealer is pretty firm with his price. Thanks for your thoughts.

Benjam1n

2008 is a bargain if in good shape and well taken care of. That won't last.

DJWLDW

Lots of updates with the 2010 with only 8,000 miles difference in mileage.

Dennis

FatherTo1

If the 2010 VIN is after the control arm update then I would get the 2010 over the 2008. The cost of controls arms almost equals the price delta alone (although you can get it done more cheaply with an indy shop). Plus the upgraded styling and streaming BT makes the 2010 more attractive if it was my choice. Please let is know what you ultimately decide on. If you haven't done so already, I would let the dealer know you're between these two choices so that they know you're very serious and ready to pull the trigger. Hopefully that entices them to negotiate on the 2010. At the very least, you can use the control arm issues as a bargaining tool, depending on the VIN. I've attached the VIN cut off range.

SW17LS

I would buy the 2010.

Doublebase

So basically your going to save 5 grand with the 08? That'd be enough for me, both cars are probably going to need control arms anyway, why spend an additional $5,000 for basically the same car, minus Bluetooth? And I'd be willing to bet the 08 could be had for $11,000. Private party guys are used to getting offers, if I listed my car on Craigslist for $13,000 I'd be getting offers for half that, then I'd jump at $11,000.

But I wouldn't buy either car without looking at the vehicle history report. And I wouldn't touch either car if there's been an oil consumption issue; rare as that may be there are some out there and they tend to have problems.

Lexuslsguy

I would get neither. Late 12 model if you like the older style otherwise 2013 and up for the new features and less mechanical issues.

dlbuckls10

Agreed. Carfax isn't always accurate and I can speak from personal experience and I wouldn't buy a vehicle with almost l00K miles

globnot

I should mention that the 2010 version is AWD and the 2008 is RWD. Also, the 2010 was manufactured in June 2010, which I believe is after the control arm issues.

Wandl

I'd to the 2010, there were enough updates and potentially the control arm issue are non-issues to warrant the extra price...

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

If you can afford it, get the 2010. As its being sold by a Lexus dealer you might be able to haggle them down on an extended warranty as a condition of the deal at $17000.

UDel

I would go for the 08 due to it being much less expensive and rwd. For me I would avoid the awd but since you are in MA you may want it, just because it was manufactured after the supposed control arm fix does not mean it will not have suspension issues. I did a service history check on a 2010 after the suspension date upgrade and it still had a control arm issued where they needed to be replaced. Awd models will be much more expensive to deal with suspension issues, if you go aftermarket and diy the money you save with the 08 will more then pay for it but there are some other issues you want to look for with the 08.

roadfrog

Pretty much EXACTLY what I was going to write and post. No AWD for me, and I can do a LOT with 5k dollars - inc adding a Vaistech Bluetooth module.

What color are these cars OP?

FatherTo1

Good point about adding aftermarket BT, Chris. What about the other improvements on the 2010, such as front-passenger seat memory (added in 2009) and the increased trunk space (I believe also after 2009)? Curious what other options the 2010 has because I didn't like how the option packages were configured on 2010+. OP, do both cars have the Mark Levinson upgrade? Also, do both cars have comparable levels of tire wear, battery health, or brake pad life left? Just want to make sure you don't have to spend more to replace tires or do maintenance soon after purchase. These factors could help determine which vehicle is truly the better value.

roadfrog

Good point about the Mark Levinson, fatherto1. THAT would be a deal breaker/maker for me. I could not have an LS without it.