It's an 8/11 build. Even though it has lived in a warm climate (presumably without potholes everywhere), the control arm bushings were diagnosed as bad in 8/16 at 67,000 miles.

 

Were they replaced then? Did any issues with the control arms come up in your inspection?

 

Owner has no record of replacement and said the spouse (now ex) took care of things. If not fixed, the Lexus inspection later this week will no doubt so indicate.

 

It not what people have said that scares me, it's reading service histories!

$1400 for a timing belt is a known and expected expense. $3500 for a brake actuator is not. Maybe it's my point of reference - in 47 years of driving, the biggest single automotive repair cost ever incurred was $700 and that was more than 30 years ago.

Sure, LS 430s have their weak points too, but they seem to be far less expensive ones.

 

I mean...I drive new cars and I've had repair bills higher than $700...and $700 was a lot of money 30 years ago. $700 won't buy you a set of tires...or a set of brakes at a Lexus dealer. With the 430 like I said you have a $1,400 timing belt job you know it will need at 90k miles or every 10 years. They have issues also with ML amps, issues with air suspension, AC Compressors, these are older cars and they aren't perfect, people replace control arms and bushings and ball joints etc

A $3,500 brake actuator is only a $3,500 brake actuator at a Lexus dealer. I have never heard of a brake actuator failing on a 2010+ LS460 that I can recall. Control arms are about the cost of doing your timing belt, and again thats predominately an early car problem. Sticky dashes, again thats a pre 2010 issue from everything that I've seen. The ML system was detuned in 2010, and again in 2013 to extend amp life, so thats primarily a 07-09 issue.

 

That car was one month away from being stamped as a 2012. Odds are very good that you won't have many of the issues you were concerned about. I'm not a DIY guy or a mechanic, but I think there's a substantial difference between bushings being bad vs. the entire control arm setup needing to be replaced. You're doing the right thing by getting it inspected - again, I think the price is a bit high, but if you could get the price right and it's the right color, condition, options, etc. I'd buy it. Knowing it's such a late model 2011 should alleviate some stress.

 

So, is the 2013+ ML system not quite as good since it was detuned? I'm not a big audiophile but I'm pretty happy with the stock ML system in my LS430. Since you've had several years of the LS how is the sound on the ML in the 2013+ compared to older models?

 

No, the ML system Is "better" in the 07-09 cars, but you have the prevalence of amp failures.

The ML in my 17 is excellent, better than the ML in my 04.

 

The inspection of the '11 revealed no real problems or surprises. However, for several reasons (some of which are outlined in earlier posts), I passed on it. If the seller comes off a bit on price, it should be a good buy for someone.

 

Nice job being patient - that typically pays off. Keep us posted on what you end up buying. I'm guessing you're going to start looking at 2013+..?

 

Yes, have been looking at 2013s and 2014s. Might initiate a price check thread on one soon.

If ever I was going to buy an '07 to '12, it was a few weeks back when I passed on a unicorn LS 600h L.

 

.Greetings.. I am a Chilean man.. Apologies for my English.. I want tell You my experience in relationship with the thread...

I understand to You, too good, but 3 years ago, my mistake was change my beauty beast Ls460 rwd 2013, 19K miles, zero faults, for a new Rx 350 F 2016... Huge mistake!!! And I am a LS widow yet....
Yes, am a Fool, I know, but actually I corrected that mistake with a Lx570 2018.. No chance of a second brain malfunction..

However, I wish a big Ls... And I look a LS 2012 600h with 48k miles, the problem, in your money us 29800. The Lexus deales says : the Ud market and the Chilean market are diferent for the company, yours problems and recalls, here no existe, and apparently is true (brake actuators, arma, etc)
Your opinions?

Option#1
https://www.chileautos.cl/vehiculos/detalles/2012-Lexus-LS-50-600H-L-Auto-4WD/CL-AD-8375719?pageSource=details&id=CL-AD-8375719



Option 2

https://www.chileautos.cl/vehiculos/detalles/2013-Lexus-Ls-46-460L/CL-AD-8436443?pageSource=details&id=CL-AD-8436443

Option #3
https://www.chileautos.cl/vehiculos/detalles/2014-Lexus-Ls-46-460L/CL-AD-8096654?pageSource=details&id=CL-AD-8096654


And Option #4

https://www.chileautos.cl/vehiculos/detalles/2011-Lexus-Ls-50-600H-L-4X4-Auto/CL-AD-10519887?pageSource=details&id=CL-AD-10519887