OK, I have to ask, how do I know if the engine is smiling? Do I have to open the hood or does a happy face appear on the dashboard screen? LOL

 

Thanks for the info! Can you explain why the lower octane causes elevated exhaust gas temperature? And is this more likely to be a problem during high-performance operation or gentle cruising around town?

Also... doesn't the 460 engine have a knock sensor that adjusts the timing to prevent engine knock?

Take Care,

Mike near Portland, OR

 

I compared the fuel economy between our 2007 Sienna, 2006 LS 430, and 2013 460 over the course of ownership. Initially, it is easy to assume the Sienna gets the best fuel economy. However, the Sienna was driven about 60% City whereas the LS 430 and LS 460 were at 75% and 80% City driving, respectively. When I extrapolate the Sienna's MPG at 80% City, I find that the LS 460 is actually the most fuel efficient if you factor in engine displacement. The LS 430 and LS 460 are almost a wash, 7% displacement delta and ~6% MPG difference. The LS 460 V8 is over 31% larger than the Sienna's yet only loses 7% MPG to the Sienna at 80% City driving! Not to mention the LS 460 is the strongest engine out of all three vehicles, and at 80% City driving it's not even taking full advantage of the 8-speed transmission!

 

Oh, I failed to go into detail. You'll notice the engine smiling when you really get on it and let the engine do it's thing. Take it out on a good long stretch of highway and while you're rolling around 80MPH, let your visor down and look at your face. Notice the smile. That will be the engine producing that smile. LOL !!!

 

Miata to LS does not compute. . .
I've had a Miata for 25+ years as my fun/autocross car and I love it, but WOW that will be a change in NHV and Power between the two. That's like going from a motorcycle to an RV.

 

I don't know what's prettier, the car or the scenery!

Anyway, congrats and I wish you good luck with the car.

BTW, I'll pile on and recommend you use premium, especially Shell, but any premium from a name brand (for the additives).

 

I've been rummaging around the internet and it seems like 2014s to 2016 are running anywhere from $28-42,000 based upon mileage and options. Great discount for an $80-90,000 car.

Does anyone know if the well publicized suspension problems regarding the control arms and bushings on the 2007-2012s were fixed on the 2013-2017 models or is that something I should still be be concerned about?

 

Tristar50

The only thing you should be worried about if you buy a 2014-2016 LS 460 is how you are going to get the @#$%ing grin off your face after you take it on a long road trip.

Dennis

 

Dennis.....haha, thats hilarious, and thats what I'm hoping for!

I'll go ahead and volunteer another thing that I've noticed: for any given year/mileage/configuration a Lexus dealer has an asking price $5-7,000 higher than a non Lexus dealer.

 

That's true, but in my area, every car I found at a non-Lexus dealer had issues. I'm sure you can still find a good deal, but I ended up buying from a Lexus dealer because I knew exactly what I was getting.

 

They have to pay for that $20 million dollar showroom somehow. Do you think those cookies are free?

Dennis

 

I just purchased a 2015 for my wife on 4/7 from a non-Lexus dealer. It had been repaired from a minor accident, had just a little reconditioning, and no extended warranty. It was $3500 less than a similar car (options, mileage) at a local Lexus dealer. I think the car at the Lexus dealer would have been a better deal, but it was purchased a few hours before I could go look at it. It had been sitting at the dealer for 25 days.

 

Thanks for that. I have been monitoring cars.com, autotrader, and cargurus aggressively for the last 10 days or so. It appears that for a 2015 with no damage history 35/35 is a good goal. 35,000 miles for $35,000. Of course, AWD, L, lower miles, ML, and certified add to that.

I've never been a fan of certified before, but I'm thinking it might be a good deal for a Lexus. Greater than 50% tread depth on the tires, new floormats, first 4 services free, and a real inspection as opposed to what lower level car brands do seems like a good value. Especially the inspection.

Does anyone have any thoughts or any advice to provide? I'm hoping the control arms/bushings aren't a problem on the later LS's......there are some higher mileage ones down in the $20,000s.

 

Make no mistake, a used LS is probably the best used automotive purchase you can make.

I bought mine at 8 years old.

If it ever starts to give me problems (???) I'll get a used 460 that old too and think nothing of it.

 

what particular car are you searching for?