This is a little long winded, but hang with me. I purchased a used 08' LS460L at the beginning of the year with 100k on the odometer for 10k. The first think I did was have the timing belt replaced. The CD player is not functional but the radio (ML) works and sounds amazing. The UCA's need replaced and one of the front air struts was shot. I replaced both struts with aftermarket air struts which set me back $1500 total. I drove my car to Wisconsin from Colorado and when I left I got a warning to check my brake system, ABS and VSC. When I got to my destination I took the car to Lexus and they quoted me a 13k repair bill for the UCA's, ABS actuator, rack and pinion and alignment. I declined services. The next day drove through about 12-15" flood water on my way to a tourist attraction with my family. While pulling into the parking spot my power steering gave out. I then took the car to a mechanic that my family recommended locally. They agreed with what the dealer told me and admitted that the dealer did a good job at not telling me frivolous things the car needed. I'm going through insurance to see if the car is eligible to be totaled out due to flooding. I suspect the high water is responsible for making the vehicle malfunction in the manner in which it did. My conundrum is do I total out the car or put the money into it and do the repairs? I cannot find another LS for under 20k and if I get a 2013 (which eliminated the UCA and rack and pinion issue) that price goes up to $25k+. I was able to find aftermarket control arms for $600ish and I can install myself. From what I have researched, the brake actuator is still a known issue to date. What are your thoughts and recommendations? Thanks for the read and advice.

 

Someone sold you a bill of goods as LS 460 models do not have a timing belt.

Have the car totaled and move on.

 

yup, it is a chain and not a belt
I bought my 07 460 for $11,000 two years ago with 100,000 miles on it
it needed all new and I mean all new suspension components, dealer quoted $6500
I had my trust local guy do it all for $3000 and you should be able to do that too
the other stuff is not that terrible expensive, it is such a great car when all this stuff is done to keep it

 

I also got a GX470 when I got the LS, guess I confused the two and did the belt on the GX.