This guy;
https://www.npsubarudominion.com/use...749732e339.htm

VERY nicely equipped. White. "L". Basically all I want in a car.

There was a slight shudder at 45-50 mph, possibly tires being worn. The car was cold when I started it, and revs hung around 1200-1400 for a little while, and then dropped. That's normal in my Volvo, so I am assuming it's the same in the LS. Also, it seemed to have a slight bit of shift-flare at first. I'm not sure if that's normal or not, maybe for a cold engine? Shifts were smooth and it didn't feel like it was slipping, even as I stepped a little firmer on it.

I am still learning about these cars, but is the transmission something to worry about? Any easy ways to identify various packages? I think the power rear window shades indicate the luxury package, and the HomeLink indicates some convenience package, right? The high/low suspension indicates UltraLuxury?


Other than perusing the forums and reading/learning all I can, is there a definitive Buyer's Guide for the 4th gen LS?

 

The good:

1) That is a rare car. I mean really rare. These options just are very difficult to find.

LL Luxury Package Includes: Semi-Aniline Leather Trimmed Interior & Ecsaine Headliner, Climate-Comfort Rear Seats with Heat/Cool ****, Power Rear Seats with Memory, Rear-Seat Side Airbag
Factory

LR Rear Seat Upgrade Package Includes: Four Zone A/C with Air Purifier Rear-Seat Cool Box & Power Rear-Door Sunshades, Rear-Seat Audio Controls
Factory

MH Mark Levinson/DVD Changer with Hard Disk Drive: Reference Surround Sound Audio System with 19-Speakers, DVD/CD Changer with DVD Audio and DVD Video Playback

PS Lexus Pre-Collision System & Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
Factory

2) The car seems to have been meticulously maintained at the Lexus dealer in San Antonio. Register for a free account at the Lexus Driver's website and check it out.

3) Control arms look to have already been replaced

The bad:

1) The last service entries indicate a possible brake actuator problem. I don't think that's covered any longer under the service campaign but don't hold me to that.

2) There are other possibly unresolved service issues as shown in the history.

3) Air suspension issues are still out there waiting to happen.

4) Price. MMR on that car, adjusted for mileage, CR, region, and color is $10,950 with expected retail of $16,100. I bumped it to a 4.0 CR which raised the MMR $860. With it being a rare car, expect to pay a premium, especially if the Subaru folks know what they have. Ideally, you want to be around $13,500 or less but I suspect you won't get it that cheap. There is no way, and I mean NO WAY, I would consider buying that car without an extended warranty to cover the really expensive items that may be lurking in the future. Brake actuator and air suspension components specifically. Even with a good indy mechanic, you're looking at some real money there.

 

The brake actuator warranty has definitely run out on that car -

This Warranty Enhancement Program provides enhanced coverage to the vehicle’s “New Vehicle Limited Warranty” as
it applies to the Brake Actuator Assembly. The specific condition covered by this program are repairs related to an
internal malfunction of the Brake Actuator Assembly. If the condition is verified, the vehicle will be repaired with a new
Brake Actuator Assembly at no charge under the terms of this Warranty Enhancement Program.
 The Primary Coverage offers warranty enhancement until December 31, 2017, regardless of mileage.
 After the Primary Coverage end, the Secondary Coverage is applicable for 10 years from the date of first use, or
150,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

 

Very much like mine except no radar. Low miles for sure. My brake actuator went out around 100k the previous owner had it done than. Mine does not have air either. Check the panels that get sticky see how it feels. If you get it keep in mind you may have to sink a few dollars into to it but you will have a car for the long haul.

 

Thanks for the great information. Did you get all this out of the Lexus Driver website? I tried signing up, but it says "service is down" when I try, so I'll give it another go this weekend.

I didn't see the coolbox in the back. When I flipped down the arm rest, it had the console, the cup holders poking out the front and the control panel for HVAC stuff and seat adjusters. Was that a removable part? I mean, not that I need it but the righteous indignation of "someone PILFERED PARTS FROM THIS CAR!!" might be good for a lower cost.

I'm a gadget freak so the rear seat upgrade is nice with hot/cold seats and recline/memory functions. Needed? No. I sit in the front.

The ML and HD storage - cool, I wouldn't need to rely on the aux in all that much, and someone mentioned a bluetooth module that would allow me to connect the phone for audio (or trick the existing bluetooth to allow audio streaming too?).
Pre-collision and dynamic cruise is very nice. The park-assist/auto-park thing seems nice, but is necessary is it with a backup camera? I'm ok with backing up trailers and stuff so maybe not?

I'm basically trying to narrow down what I'd really want and what I can pass on when I'm looking to pull the trigger on one. $17K is a little too salty for me, though I could walk in and say "I'll give you $13K" and see if they call me.

I didn't see a "hi/low" setting for the suspension, and I thought that was there if it had air suspension, or did the luxury package have an air suspension without adjustment?

Brake actuator - is this info part of the Driver Website? I'm curious why they'd note it and not fix it. Same with some of the other issues. I suppose a warranty is a good idea, so depending on cost. It might be $13K and I have to pay $2K for a 2 year warranty or something. I don't know, but definitely something to think about. I am also not a fan of the low miles. That makes me think stop&go traffic, which is bad for the engine.

The car has also been parked outside judging by the fade on the emblem and headlamps.

Does the driver website decode the VIN so I know what packages the car shipped with? That would help me in the future when I look at these cars.

Thanks for the detailed info!

 

I took very few pictures because it was dark, but it actually looks like it has air suspension. I guess I didn't remember the "height" button on the center console.

Pictures: imgur.com/a/YWjYLCk

Heated steering wheel, auto-turn-down rearview when yuo put in in reverse (I think that button on the left of the steering wheel is).

 

Everything is on the Lexus site so once you are able to register an account you should be able to see it. That brake clicking sound seems to be very closely related to an actuator failure. I can't help but wonder if the P/O decided to trade out of it as soon as it became a possibility. That's exactly what I would have done. Assuming you can get in the price ballpark, it'd be worth paying the $250 or so to have a Lexus PPI done on that car at minimum.

 

I finally got in on the Lexus site. What a wealth of information!

Yeah, clicking brakes. The shift-flare into 2nd gear when cold was a concern too, so not just in my head. AC not cooling properly - leak?

All door panels replaced along with dash and knee bolster.
Recent battery. Front bumper repaint.
All control arms in the front done in 2016.

The hard shifting and hunting for gears started in 2016 and might have gone away but subsequent service couldn't duplicate it.


The car also seems to eat batteries.

You're right - not a chance I'd get this car unless I had a warranty on it! The trans worries me. The battery would annoy me.

 

Generally, the consensus is to try and avoid the 07-09 models. The '10's are a mixed bag and the 11-12 cars are the better ones with most of the bugs worked out. The 13+ cars don't seem to have nearly the problems (at least not yet). Of course, the newer they are, the more $$$ you're going to have to dump on the table to drive off.

Mileage, more than anything else, affects the values of these cars. Higher miles mean drastically reduced monetary value. That said, I personally think that the mileage can be largely irrelevant provided that the car was serviced properly. Everyone chases the low-mileage cars and they really pay a premium for it. There are plenty of phenomenal higher mile cars out there at far better prices. I know. I bought one of them.

 

That's what it looks like. 2011+ is where the sweet spot is (though the prices reflect it). I've been entering VINs in the Driver Website and looking at service histories and the cars seem to be a lot less needy in the 2011+ years.

I found a 2010 in Austin that's had the rear air suspension done and all control arms in the front and generally all the bad stuff has been replaced, but there are still niggling issues with pulsating brakes etc. (might just be wear and driving style!) . As for mileage, I think I'd be far more inclined to pick up a high-mileage one cheap (hwy miles are good, stop & go is bad) rather than a low mileage one at a premium. Besides, road warriors tend to be more diligent with maintenance.

 

For what it's worth, I needed a road warrior car because I drive a lot. I bought my 2013 out of the auction (something that isn't available to everyone) for $18,900 in October of last year. Ultra-Luxury SWB (also very rare) with a perfect service history. One owner, every 5k since new. 139k when I bought it and all highway miles between Milwaukee and the Chicago 'burbs. I talked to the P/O afterwards and he said he wished he hadn't traded that car for a new ES. I've put almost 10K on it since I bought it with zero issues. Car drives perfectly. Having the ability to check the service history is solid gold with these things. Find a well-maintained car with higher mileage and you'll find a true bargain. Once these cars go over 75k miles, value drops through the floor. It's ridiculous but for the savvy buyer, a real opportunity.