2007 LS460L
So around August of this year, I purchased what thought would be my future luxury build to have for the next 4 years or so, but so far this car has sadly been a different type of project than I originally expected. Here's my story!

Late August: fixing oil leak that caused all my the lights on the dash to come on was about $1,600 (mechanic told me other than this issue the car looks great and shouldn't have any other issues once it's taken care of)
09/05: Replacing Alternator & wear on 2 tires $1,812
09/15: Replacing starter $1,147
10/16: Replaced radiator (pretty much exploded)+ upper & lower hoses $1,134

My original goal for the LS was the VIP style while still making it look EOM & a little modern. I planned on replacing the current wheels with 2018 LS500 F sport wheels, and maybe black out the chrome trim on the door handles and around the window then call it a day, but it's been hard to find the courage to make big purchases for a car that's already given me this much trouble. I've had 2 IS250s, an older LS, & now currently the RC350 and LS460 - so I'm not new to the Lexus brand. On top of all the problems thus far....I was quoted $5,430 to fix the control arms lol . At this point I am in need of words of wisdom from current and former LS owners, should I keep going or do I call it quits? Keep in mind this vehicle has around 144K miles which we all consider relatively low in the Toyota/ Lexus community. I look forward to hearing from you all, and hopefully I can learn some ways to cut costs so this build is more desirable!

 

I am over $5k in repairs in 2 months of ownership. I have put brand new front suspension, all of it - control arms, sway bar links and bushing, ball joints, air struts and front bearings. I have replaced the front left axle as well. Also I had to deal with leaking fuel pump seals, valley plate leak, and ton of other random stuff. Plus, I had to purchase some tools making life much easier. And I did all my work on my own and still got a big bill. I might have to replace rear air struts soon...

 

Hi boogie,

I have an 07 that I bought with about 100,000 miles on it two years ago for $11,000

I now have spent an additional $9000 and it has 130,000 on it now

complete front and rear ALL suspension components
new radiator, thermostat, hoses, fluid, etc new starter, alternator, front and rear brake rotors
transmission drain and fill, differential fluid change, complete brake flush
brake actuator, both front wheel bearings

I could keep going but you get the picture, and I had no idea a car with only 100k miles
when I bought it would need such extensive and expensive required repairs

so, I suppose I could have bought a new KIA or something for the $20,000 I have into it
but I could then have an inferior car compared

I am retired now and I fortunate I have the money to pay for all the maintenance
I now believe everything possible is new, replace, repaired and I am good for many more miles
It is worth it to me, a BIG car easy for my 70 year old body to get in and out of
a smooth supple ride with a powerful motor and lots of luxury touches
so to me spending all that money IS worth it

 

Anfanger thanks for sharing, apparently I didn't do enough research before purchasing this car. I just assumed it would only be routine oil and tire changes like my previous Lexus owned vehicles lol. I guess hearing other people going through the same problems is both encouraging and scary at the same time.

 

Colfax,

Thank you sir, I think what it comes down to is what's "worth it" to you. Assuming that most people here are car guys, putting money into a vehicle that is worth less than the repairs is just part of the thrill which I totally expected going into the purchase just not this much lol. From your experience would you say that once all the major issues are fixed, that it's pretty much smooth sailing at least for another 100K miles or so? I've heard different stories on how long control arms last etc. that's the only thing that really gets me.

 

Front struts can fail as early as 30k after replacement. Same can happen with control arms but not necessary. OEM brake rotors need replacement every 20-30k miles. Starter, water pump, radiator and hoses, thermostat, and alternator will need replacement eventually. In some cases, front axles and driveshafts need replacement. And all kinds of electronics can go wrong...

 

130.000 problem free miles on my 2013 Ls600hL. The control arm failure only happens with cars driven hard.

 

Boogie, yes, I believe that I will have smooth sailing for the next 100,000 miles now

 

She's 14 years old buddy. Big, complex flagship car thats 14 years old you're going to have expenses like this, Its not a Camry. None of your issues are surprising at all for any car of that age and miles. In 2 years it can get a drivers license and drive itself, perspective is important.

With that said, you need to find other avenues to get this work done. $5,000 for control arms is absurd, with a good independent that job is much, much cheaper than that.

This is not a car you buy for cheap, easy transportation. You buy this car because you love it and its the type of driving and car experience you're looking for, and the money you spend on repairs is worth it to you because you couldn't or don't want to otherwise pay for a car of the same caliber new or much newer.

Does it make financial sense to keep putting money into it? No. If you're looking for the financial answer its get a much newer Camry. You have to want the car for what it is to make it worth it to you.

 

I must ask, where oh where did you get your radiator replaced for $1,134 dollars?? Honestly, that’s a $150 dollar radiator and a 1.5 hour install. Hoses, coolant, radiator, labor..shouldn’t run you more than $500 at an independent shop.

$1,147 for a starter?? And 2 grand for two tires and an alternator? No wonder this guy wants to charge you $5,400 for control arms. Wonder what he charges for a transmission? 50 grand?

Now it is an expensive car...expensive to maintain, expensive to buy...parts are expensive. BUT labor shouldn’t be anywhere near that expensive. No way. Those control arms are a three hour job for an experienced tech, tops. Aftermarket control arms will run you $600 - you shouldn’t be paying more than $1,000 bucks for those control arms. No way.

Be careful where you get a car like this fixed. Or sell it, because it’s 13 years old and it’s nit going to get any better.

 

Yeah, getting killed on those prices. Those look like dealer prices.

 

Yes, except for the starter (it's not just the part but the labor is at least 6 hours and maybe more) those prices are high. Find a good independent in your area.

Since you've already invested so much money in the car, I would say keep it. Otherwise you are going to take a loss on the sale of the car and some lucky person is going to get a car that needs nothing, except the control arms.

 

SW,

Ya man understood that going into it as well, but it being the oldest car I've ever owned the repairs are kind of new to me. Also I hate to admit lol, but yes I took the car to the Toyota dealership for all the repairs except for the radiator one, that was done at a local Lexus/Toyota specialized shop near me because I figured it would be cheaper even though I'm sure the price would've been the same. When I drove the car off the lot I was totally aware of the control arms going bad and the guy at the dealer told me to just bring it up there and they'd fix it for like no more than $600, BUT I did some research and saw that replacing the control arms with non OEM is just buying you a couples months or a year max before having to get new ones. So with that information I was a bit skeptical and kinda just told myself if I'm going to get them fixed I might as well just do it the "right" way, but please believe I am open to any suggestions as to what brands you guys have bought that aren't OEM and if they held up. I think moving forward I'll probably take it to a mom and pop shop.