How reliable is the 2013+ LS?
07-19-18, 11:42 AM
#17
Instructor
I honestly think you'll be very happy with either a 2013 or a 2010-12 LS460. They are 90-95% the same car, but as you noted, the earlier ones can be had for half the cost of a 2013. Really, the car you buy should be driven by how much you're able (or willing) to spend. If you can part with $30-35K, definitely get a 2013. If you'd like to stay around $20k, you'll find quite a few 2009-2011s with decent miles in that price range.
If, on the other hand, you have the affliction many of us have, where we buy one nice car, and then continue to look at CarGurs/AutoTrader/etc. until we find an even nicer car for less money, you probably won't be happy with whatever you buy...
If, on the other hand, you have the affliction many of us have, where we buy one nice car, and then continue to look at CarGurs/AutoTrader/etc. until we find an even nicer car for less money, you probably won't be happy with whatever you buy...
07-19-18, 12:28 PM
#18
Pole Position
Thread Starter
I honestly think you'll be very happy with either a 2013 or a 2010-12 LS460. They are 90-95% the same car, but as you noted, the earlier ones can be had for half the cost of a 2013. Really, the car you buy should be driven by how much you're able (or willing) to spend. If you can part with $30-35K, definitely get a 2013. If you'd like to stay around $20k, you'll find quite a few 2009-2011s with decent miles in that price range.
If, on the other hand, you have the affliction many of us have, where we buy one nice car, and then continue to look at CarGurs/AutoTrader/etc. until we find an even nicer car for less money, you probably won't be happy with whatever you buy...
If, on the other hand, you have the affliction many of us have, where we buy one nice car, and then continue to look at CarGurs/AutoTrader/etc. until we find an even nicer car for less money, you probably won't be happy with whatever you buy...
07-19-18, 05:58 PM
#19
Pole Position
07-19-18, 07:16 PM
#20
Pole Position
Thread Starter
not yet. I’m afraid to test drive it then I’m going to fall in love. Only if I decide to go that route wil I start test driving. Otherwise I’m going to get impatient. I tend to be impulsive lol. So it looks like the lowest a 2013+ LS can be had for is like $30,000 right?
07-20-18, 01:35 AM
#21
Driver School Candidate
Rofl, that sounds exactly like me!
07-20-18, 01:44 AM
#22
Driver School Candidate
I’ve been reading through these LS thread. It’s a matter of perspective when it comes to repair cost. My other car is a Mercedes S550. It has had suspension parts replaced. It is a heavy car like the LS. Spending $2-$4k a year is not a big deal for a luxury car. That is the price for being in the club. Just be thankful you don’t own a Ferrari. I’ve heard oil changes cost as much as a used Hyundai. That said I’m looking for a unicorn LS460. LS600h would be awesome. Gold with the premium rear seat package, radar cruise, and advanced parking guidance. She’s out there somewhere.
07-20-18, 05:14 AM
#23
I’ve been reading through these LS thread. It’s a matter of perspective when it comes to repair cost. My other car is a Mercedes S550. It has had suspension parts replaced. It is a heavy car like the LS. Spending $2-$4k a year is not a big deal for a luxury car. That is the price for being in the club. Just be thankful you don’t own a Ferrari. I’ve heard oil changes cost as much as a used Hyundai. That said I’m looking for a unicorn LS460. LS600h would be awesome. Gold with the premium rear seat package, radar cruise, and advanced parking guidance. She’s out there somewhere.
07-20-18, 06:14 AM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
On an LS outside of the usual suspects there isn’t anything like that.
07-25-18, 04:08 PM
#26
Driver School Candidate
air suspension strut (both front)
air suspension compressor
engine mounts
transmission mounts
flex disks front and rear
radiator - leak
lower control arms (can't press in new bushing like Lexus, have to replace whole arm) - was creaking like a cheap hotel mattress
sway bar
oil cooler
starter battery
...all that plus the fluid changes and preventive maintenance will easily add up to average of $2K-$4K a year. The S550 is a heavy car and complicated so I have come to expect the high maintenance cost.
As someone who is looking at a 4LS, it's actually refreshing to see that the LS is low maintenance, relatively.
07-25-18, 06:30 PM
#28
Racer
I learned this the hard way. Bought a well-cared for 2006 LS 430 with 48K miles for $17K because I didn't want to spend more on a 460. Eleven months later I paid more than twice that for a 2013, lol. Not all is lost though as my Dad took the 2006 LS 430 since he preferred that style and it was going to be pretty hard to find another 430 in as good of condition.
I debated between different model years and will admit a 2013 is not worth twice the price of 2007-2012 models, but I don't regret the purchase. Like riknchar said, if you don't get what you really want then you'll find yourself always looking for something else. I am still on cargurus, mostly scoping out the potential next car for my wife, and I have not found anything else that even remotely tempts me to replace our 2013 LS...except maybe an L version, lol. If I had chosen a 2012, I almost guarantee you I would be looking to upgrade again. I occasionally wonder would I be happier with our 2013 SWB Ultra Luxury or a 2012 460L, and I made the right choice with the 2013. I like the exterior/interior updates and the 2013+ still feels fresher and less outdated. Even though our LS was four years old at the time we bought, our neighbor thought it was a brand new car.
I do get a lot of compliments about our LS, even from a person driving a light blue 2008 600hL! We were both pumping gas at Costco and I noticed he spilled gas all over the car and himself, poor guy. He drove away and I was minding my own business while filling my tank and I turn around and the 600 owner is standing right by me. Where did he come from?!? He just came over to compliment the Nebula Gray. Nice guy. I also test drove a 2010 600hL a few months ago and as nice as the LWB and hybrid powertrain is, the rest of the car felt dated and obviously from a different era. That is not to put down any year LS, just that the 2013+ looks more modern inside and out. Only you can decide if the price difference is worth it. For me, I didn't want to keep replacing cars and figured I'd be happier longer in the 2013. So far, that's been the case. Good luck to you and enjoy the search. I had so much anxiety searching for an LS and members here put up with a great deal of angst and grief from me. In hindsight, I should have found more enjoyment in scouting LSes.
I debated between different model years and will admit a 2013 is not worth twice the price of 2007-2012 models, but I don't regret the purchase. Like riknchar said, if you don't get what you really want then you'll find yourself always looking for something else. I am still on cargurus, mostly scoping out the potential next car for my wife, and I have not found anything else that even remotely tempts me to replace our 2013 LS...except maybe an L version, lol. If I had chosen a 2012, I almost guarantee you I would be looking to upgrade again. I occasionally wonder would I be happier with our 2013 SWB Ultra Luxury or a 2012 460L, and I made the right choice with the 2013. I like the exterior/interior updates and the 2013+ still feels fresher and less outdated. Even though our LS was four years old at the time we bought, our neighbor thought it was a brand new car.
I do get a lot of compliments about our LS, even from a person driving a light blue 2008 600hL! We were both pumping gas at Costco and I noticed he spilled gas all over the car and himself, poor guy. He drove away and I was minding my own business while filling my tank and I turn around and the 600 owner is standing right by me. Where did he come from?!? He just came over to compliment the Nebula Gray. Nice guy. I also test drove a 2010 600hL a few months ago and as nice as the LWB and hybrid powertrain is, the rest of the car felt dated and obviously from a different era. That is not to put down any year LS, just that the 2013+ looks more modern inside and out. Only you can decide if the price difference is worth it. For me, I didn't want to keep replacing cars and figured I'd be happier longer in the 2013. So far, that's been the case. Good luck to you and enjoy the search. I had so much anxiety searching for an LS and members here put up with a great deal of angst and grief from me. In hindsight, I should have found more enjoyment in scouting LSes.
07-25-18, 06:37 PM
#29
Racer
Also very true, UDel. If it is within your means and you're choosing between what you really want versus saving some money and getting "last year's model" then I would say get what you really want or save up and get what you really want. Otherwise you really do waste money by having buyer's remorse and still spending a decent sum of money only to be half fulfilled.
07-26-18, 01:02 AM
#30
Get the '13+.... You won't regret it ….. Went through the same process when shopping for a 2011 or 2012 and the upgrade to the interior was worth it. We ended up with a '14 (in Oct of '15) and it has been real good so far... Largest expense so far was replacing the OEM tires that only lasted 30K miles....