Our 2007 ES350 just got totaled by a drunk or sleeping driver (he ran off so not sure which.) In shopping around I found a 2008 LS460 that looks every bit as nice as my ES350 was. I haven't checked it out. The add says "bullet proof engine" and "runs great" and "in great condition" etc. The price is good but I know nothing of this car. I loved our ES350 and was just getting to know it.

Can anyone share their experiences with a high mileage LS? Thank y'all in advance.

IMHO, way too many miles to even consider a car with such mileage. They're very expensive cars to have repaired.

I know that. I had just done repairs on my ES350.

Unless you have a reserve of cash available to begin repairing/replacing parts on a high mileage car, it's better to take that money and put it towards a lower mileage vehicle. If you loved your ES, then look for a newer model which should be much less than a same year LS. Good luck.

I've been doing that. There are none at this time LOL. That's why I'm asking.

I already share the high mileage opinions of both of you. What I really want to know is if folks have high mileage rides and how they're doing after all these miles. It is entirely possible that this high mileage ride has been meticulously maintained and in perfect shape. I don't know yet since I haven't looked at it.

The only way to know is to look at any info you can find on line. You can go to the my lexus site and enter the vin. High mileage is something I personally am not interested in. I don't want to keep spending on repairs.

Most of LS owners run cars to the ground and sell them off. Either bring the car to a trusted mechanic with knowledge of LS460 or use a local dealer. Check service records, suspension, radiator and hoses, oil leaks, transmission, road noise and vibrations. Scan the ECU for frozen and current errors. Ask about the brake actuator, if brake fluid was never replaced just walk away. There is a number of posts going in more details what to look for.

If you are on budget for any reason, just walk away. It is not a car you want/need.

I appreciate the input but I already know all of this. I'm nearly 60 and have owned many cars. I know how to buy a car. I know how to check out a car. I know how to maintain a car (been doing it since I was 14). I'm not asking for advice on how to buy a car. I'm not asking for opinions on "what you would do if you were me."

All I want to know is folks experiences with high mileage LS's. That's all.

Ok. Best of luck to you.

It’s got to be frustrating to ask a question and get non-answers.

It's not too bad. Everyone means well and I'm sure I do it myself without knowing.

I know a guy at a half mil on a 7th gen Accord. He's a delivery guy (cross country deliveries) and is always replacing something worn out but he claims his car runs like a top. His goal is to hit a million miles.

I agree with you on maintenance. I have no problem with a high mileage rig if it has been maintained. I'm mostly wondering if people start having problems with the engine and trans (oil leaks, broken Johnson Rods, etc.) My ES350 was at 165k miles and I had just replaced axles and engine mounts. Then some drunk plowed into the rear and totaled it. I'm having a hard time finding another ES350. This 460 has been on CL for a while now. I'm not really excited about it but I thought I'd ask.

I bought a 2014 LS460 RWD a few months back with 185k miles for one of the lowest prices in the country on a 2013+. I buy foreclosures for a living so I'm not afraid of high miles in a car, especially if it's been maintained. I did spend a few bucks and had my nearest Lexus Dealer go over it top to bottom. They came up with about $6k in recommended work. I bought the parts and did everything myself for $1400 and would now put up my LS with the same with 50k miles any day. Everything that was needed was typical wear items that I've seen happen on the same car with 60k-80k on it. The first LS car I ever bought was a 1998 with 225k miles. Same typical items that were common for that year...suspension, starter, etc. I drove it to 337k when someone plowed into me and totaled the car. I also bought a 2004 LS430 a few months ago with over 300k. That was was NOT maintained and it still is in good condition with typical problems that I see reported here all the time. In my case I do have a third car (truck) that I can fall back on if I need to work on the others. I love finding a great deal but still choose wisely. Many other, probably the majority on the forum follow the rule of getting the lowest mile car with the best maintenance history and then throwing a warranty on top of that. Have you driven a 460 to compare to your ES? Perhaps that's a good starting point to see if you like it as they are very different cars. Then, you can go into maintenance history and inspection. Good luck with your search, and sorry to hear about your ES350.

Thanks Gum LOL (hope you don't mind me calling you Gum). That's what I'm looking for. If it weren't for my ES350 I wouldn't even consider a high mileage rig. But I have to say that I was impressed with my first Lexus. it did not have a single oil leak anywhere and I bought it at 150,000 miles. Not a drip and it didn't burn oil. I've never owned anything I could say that about. It's the only reason I might consider an LS.

I'm like you, get the best deal I can. I don't really even care much about exterior looks but mechanical is a different story. So how do I get into buying foreclosures? You've piqued my interest.

In the event that it might be helpful:
- My 1993 LS400 (but, this is a different era, and is perhaps not close to comparable) was crushed by a tree at around 170k, and was pretty much bullet proof.
- My 2004 RX330 is at 214k and is now fine as a local driver...replaced driver side axle at 212k, gonna replace the passenger side axle soon...it's tolerable, and fine, but, not perfect, and I want a smooth ride again.
- My 2007 ES350 is currently at 258k, and has had a pretty good track record. The only item that's been annoying has been replacing (2 times) a headlight-system ballast (I had to take off the bumper, pull the headlight assembly, etc....lots of time...part price is low, low, low on Amazon)
Each of these vehicles is less complicated than a 2007 LS460. Also, when I think about the cost of repairs and maintenance over the various lifetimes of these vehicles (and to the extent that I can recall), it's been pretty good in my book!!!

High mileage 460s will need the entire suspensions, brake actuator (over $1500 DIY for both) and a chance of other issues like trans problems, leaks, audio failure, interior melting away on pre 13s, wind noise, oil leaks from the direct injection pumps and valve covers, valley coolant plate leak, and VVTi-E actuator failure all come to mind off hand as things that happen regularly enough that I have noted them. The last one is not very common at all but the part is nearly a grand.

If you want a 460 set aside $3000 for when something breaks