Thanks for the ideas. Will pull battery later and test and double check how old it is. Just spooked a bit after the windshield tint and water getting behind dash. Will let it dry out today and check it out tomorrow. Will also check door switches....hopefully this is not a big deal, if the brake actuator needs to be replaced I can manage that job but looks like I will have to shell out for the part. I did notice the brakes are bit grabby on first bite, and also seem to have a thud when applying quickly while in reverse (that may be pads shifting) The brakes work well, but I do think feel could be better, and has very very slight feeling like a rotor could be warped, but its minor.

Other than that I really like this car and it is everything I was thinking it would be. Still 100% tight and solid, feel no issues in front end (more on that later) and it just eats up miles on the highway effortlessly. Real pleasure to drive.

Oh and exhaust vents....maybe later down the road but I REALLY like how quiet this car is!!

 

Get a Red Top!

 

Hey all. Well let the car sit with battery out for about 48 hours. tested battery and it showed good, but had bulged sides and it was at least a few years old so I replaced it with a Napa made in USA one. Pulled every door switch and inspected, cleaned and lubed. Fired up, and no issues, after couple long drives all ok. So just a fluke or bad battery. The Group 24 Napa is tool tall for the battery hold down bracket ( and the previous Oreilly's battery that was in the car...I found the bracket in the trunk) so I took that back and found a 65 Napa battery that is shorter, wider and a bit deeper but i think is going to fit well.

Pulling the battery I found the tray had rusted bolts, some leaves and debris under it so that all came out and got cleaned up.

Anyways, back to the car. Reviews of the used car guy were bad, small lot with mobile office on it in Houston...what could go wrong?
When I showed up Joe handed me the keys and walked off to deal with some other customers. For the next hour he didn't once bug me while I went over the car every inch and made sure everything worked, it did) Played a few CD's I brought ( ML stereo is great!) Tried every switch, looked under everywhere I could to make sure car was never exposed to water, it was clean.

When I looked in the trunk, everything was there, looked literally brand new. I don't think anyone ever sat in the back seat, pax seat also like new, very minor wear on the drivers seat.
All the controls and switch gear are very clean with almost no wear, serviced at a Lexus dealer its whole life and after an hour I could tell this car was looked after and not abused. Exterior was in great shape and body was incredibly straight. I knew then that it was what I wanted and I would take it.

I told Joe am going to take it to Clear Choice, he said no problem take your time. Driving it there everything was good, quiet front end, nothing stood out.

I reset the trip meter. Clear choice drove the car on their check 1.6 miles. Ok. Then they came back with a $4000 repair bill and said I should maybe pass on the car.

Among the faults was a loose pax mirror, I noticed it had a tiny bit of play in it...identical to the driver mirror when extended, but no shakes or vibration in glass when you drive it. So why they wrote up the pax mirror and not the driver when they are identical I am not sure, but they seem fine to me. That was $1100 in parts and labor.

They said it needed lower control arms. Uppers were done already. I have not inspected them yet but the front feels tight and solid and no noise. Over $1300 in parts and labor their.

The they said drivers A pillar needs to be replaced...it has a small gouge and stain...one of the only flaws in the interior...but I can clean it up...another $250 there.
Finally high pressure fuel pump gaskets leaking oil, another $900 in p/l. I read the threads on these...and from what I see lots of them leak...I can sort those out easily.

They did say they see a small oil leak from trans where the harness goes in but did not write it up. I will look at that when I put car on a lift next week.

TLDR: Used car guy was pretty straight up and car was good, Indy Lexus place was just as expensive and over exaggerated issues with the car.

Drove home 1400 miles, I aired the Michelin Pilot AS3's to 37 cold....it got 32 mpg on one stretch of 10 going 70 to 75...probably would get 35 mpg if I could stand to drive it at 55....but it just effortlessly cruises at 80.

Car is still rock solid, no rattles or squeaks, awesome mileage and power for what it is and overall I am really happy with it. I have not really got deep into the car yet but just looking over things you can see how well built they are, very high quality and well engineered.

 

Also wanted to add the reason I went with the LS460 instead of a Genesis G80 was the fact there is so much support and DIY know-how here on this forum...and parts seem plentiful and pretty cheap....and I am Japanophile !!

 

Congrats! Glad it all worked out for you.

 

Congrats! Enjoy and post pics when you have a chance.

 

 

Glenns: Funny you mention this forum as one of the reasons you went with an LS460 over a Genesis G80... I traded my 2008 LS600hL in for a new G90 lease last year, and while I really enjoyed the G90 for the most part, one of the things I really missed was the info sharing capability via this forum. The Genesis forum is very "young," with very low participation and way less technical expertise on display. I kept the G90 for a few months, and then sold it back to the dealer (I got lucky and was able to get out of my lease with no penalty due to the incredible deal I got in the first place). I jumped back into an LS460L, and then 2 months later discovered my "dream" LS at a local dealership. So I now own a 2010 LS600hL loaded to the gills with every conceivable option. I have no intention of trading this one anytime soon (I bought a 6-year warranty and intend to get my money's worth for all 6 years).

This is a great forum with some amazing participants!