dgilk1

Hey,
I'm new to this forum and having been searching the internet for information about this car. I haven't really seen much information just a bit. I'm really interested in buying 2008-2010 LS600hL with about 80k on them. I'm really wanting to know what the differences are between the 2008, 2009, and 2010. I'm also wondering what the chances are the chances of the hybrid battery failure? Toyota has had major success with the Prius so I don't understand why the top of the line would be any different if not better. I was looking at some newer LS460L also but felt like it wouldn't really compare to the LS600hL. I've driven an 08 LS600hL and thought it was amazing. I'm just looking for what are common issues you guys have, should I be afraid of one with over 80k with around 100k. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

greg3852

Read this thread

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...rid-story.html

another
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...y-failure.html

Personally I would look at a 460L before I looked at a 600 unless it was under warranty that specifically covered hybrid battery failure.

Ls600hl60

roadfrog

Agreed. If the price is right, it wouldn't stop me. In addition, I anticipate that prices of these batteries will continue to drop.

UDel

I would avoid it, ten years old or so means there is a good possibility the batteries are on their way out and that is a huge repair bill. Batteries may be getting more affordable but it is still going to cost several thousand dollars for the batteries and likely at least a thousand dollars if not much more to install them. Other hybrid components can go wrong too, it eats into trunk space, it is so much heavier, no quicker, barely any more fuel efficient if any the way most people drive.

roadfrog

interestingly, the price of install is included in the cost of the battery from everything I found. They even come out to your home to do the job. Price I saw was 2749 dollars all in.

Ls600hl60

caha14

I beg to differ on the "no quicker" part... Zero-60 is close, but it's a very misleading stat for this car. Between the CVT, which can extract peak torque from the V8 at any speed, and the electric motor, the 600 pulls - at any speed -
in a way that the 460 cannot.

Fuel economy is not stellar, but the original breed of Lexus hybrids, especially RX400h and sedans like GS450h and LS600hL, were designed with enhanced power in mind, not Prius fuel economy. You do get better fuel economy than you'd get from a non-hybrid vehicle of similar power, but that's where it ends. Emissions are lower, and that did draw some folks (Hollywood types) to the 600, but nobody bought/buys a 600 for better mpg.

riknchar

Chris - that's a great price for the LS600 battery pack (installed)! That could be a "game-changer" for many people who are on the fence about buying a 600 vs a 460L.

I tend to agree with CaHa and the others who are praising the LS600 model. I owned a 2008 for 3 years and found it to be the nicest Lexus I had ever driven. The batteries do add weight/heft to the car, but that's a plus in my book. I made the switch to a Genesis G90 36-month lease, but could definitely see myself jumping back into a nice 2013-2015 LS600 when my lease is up, especially with the cost of the battery packs coming down.

Nospinzone

A couple years ago I semi-seriously considered getting out of my LS460 and getting a LS600hL but decided against it. Then I read CJITTY's thread and thought to myself "good move". However, after reading some of these posts, I may consider it just like Rick. I drove the car and it is really, really nice.

Dolph1

I purchased a 2013 460l a few weeks ago. I did consider the 600 but couldn’t give up all that trunk space as I plan on using the car for road trips and have a young family. The trunk cargo space you Lose on the 08 to about 10 is really severe. I believe in 11 it gets less severe but still a lot. This loss of trunk space is the same reason I avoided a car with the rear seat air conditioning package because this 2nd ac unit is in the trunk and will reduce your 18 cubic feet of cargo space too.

FatherTo1

Hmm, I should go test drive a 600 just to experience this on-demand "pull". On the other hand, it may be better that I don't know what the 600 is like or else I may be tempted to upgrade from our 460, lol.

Congratulations, Dolph1! We have a 2013 SWB UltraLux and I agree with you. While we do utilize the 4-zone climate control and the power side-sunshades, we don't really take advantage of the reclining rear seats. I was very concerned about the limited trunk space when I test drove our car and didn't even consider it at first because of trunk space concerns. Fortunately, I learned the 2013 LS trunk was still able to fit the same amount of luggage (with jogging stroller) as our LS 430 because the 460's trunk is taller to offset the lack of depth when you have the rear seat upgrade. Of course, I would still prefer more trunk and rear legroom. If I were to do it again, I would get a 2013+ 460L without the rear-seat upgrade...scratch that, I may still keep the rear-seat upgrade (assuming it's that easy to find a used LS optioned exactly the way you want, which it isn't easy to do). I lament the loss of trunk space but can't quite let go of the reclining rear seat feature despite the fact that I will never enjoy that function myself, lol. The feature is just so unique and adds to the aura of the LS. At the very least, I would get the L if there was a next time. You made a fine choice, Dolph, drive it in good health.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ml#post9775759, post #94, shows a comparison of LS 430 and LS 460 trunk utilization.