Hey CL! New member here.

I am looking into purchasing a 2007-2011 LS460, wanted to get the facelift but the price those are commanding just doesn't make financial sense for me atm, so unfortunately sticking with the older ones.

I recently saw a 07 LS460, ~75k miles, nicely equipped with the ML, soft close doors etc, and thankfully no air suspension. I like the color combo as well, black sapphire over cashmere I believe. Interior is minty. The car is for sale at $12k USD, I plan to keep it for a pretty long time.

There are a few things that kinda worries me tho and I want to ask you guys for some advice:

1. 2 accident claims with no claim value on Carfax, seller said previous owner had minor fender benders and didn't go through insurance, is that usually the case?

2. I can see pretty clearly that the rear bumper was repainted on the left side, seller also pointed that out without me telling him about it. What worries me is that it's pretty apparent, which kinda makes sense if it was done without going through insurance? You can't really tell repainted parts on my parents' car that went to a good paint/bodyshop through insurance.

3. Rearview camera is not working, doesn't switch when I put it into reverse (no black screen either). Maybe it's connected to the rear accident? Idk. I guess it could be many things, but any idea of the ball park of how much this would cost to fix? Can I put a Vline/Grom CarPlay piggyback infotainment system in and connect an aftermarket rear camera? Would that be cheaper than the OEM option?

4. Rear trunk touch sensitive button not working, interior and remote trunk release works fine. Again maybe related to the accident? When I felt the button, the texture doesn't seem right, almost seems like it was melted at one point? How much would that cost to replace? I guess I could live with this one but it would nice to fix it.

5. The car was serviced from new till around late 2021 at Lexus dealers, the odometer was at ~35k miles at that time. When the 2nd owner bought it, he ran the car for another 40k miles over 2 years, with pretty much no record on the Carfax regarding servicing, so I assume he serviced it at an indy, I am worried about the level of care he gave the car over the 2 years with that many miles per year and all the issues I've stated above.

Everything else works fine, I think the price is not too bad either, and I like the options/lack of air suspension/color combo etc and the relative low miles. The engine sounded fine, and the transmission shifted smoothly.

The seller agreed to have the car taken to a Lexus dealer to do a pre purchase inspection, but from what I've heard, they basically just hook it up to a code reader, and do some minor visual inspection of the tires, brakes, suspension etc, better than nothing I guess.

So what do you guys recommend that I do? Do you think with all the problems, the car is worth the price, keeping in mind of the current market (I recently moved back from abroad, so I don't have car right now)

Hopefully I can get some answers to the questions I have listed above as well.

Sorry for the looong first post. Thanks you guys so much in advance!

 

The issues you list are pretty minor and won't affect driving/use. getting a PPI is smart. I'd recommend going to an indy shop that specializes in Lexus instead of dealer. Talk/pay to them for a more thorough inspection of everything and identifying the severity of accidents, though they sound minor. The car is pretty complex with lots of computers, so the trunk and camera could be as simple as a new button or camera or more. Look for signs of sticky dash and interior panels (google the terms). Go to Lexus drivers website, sign up, enter VIN and review the dealer services done. It more comprehensive than Carfax. Overall, sounds like a decent find

 

If possible, try to find a 2011. Better tech.

 

Thanks! I will check the Lexus Driver's site for sure. I think the dash should be okay as it is a colder climate car, but I will check nonetheless the next time I go see the car and get it inspected.

I wanted to bring the car to an indy shop but the seller's location is a bit remote and the closest Lexus dealer is about 30 miles away, so unfortunately I don't think a Lexus specialist would be an option. I guess I'll have to do with whatever codes or no codes they pull at the dealership, along with the visual inspection, I will ask specifically about the control arms.

I want a newer one too, especially with bluetooth streaming as I can probably skip vline/grom setup if it has that feature. But it seems like those newer models are usually a couple of grand more expensive and usually has higher miles

 

That's great to hear! I will def check out the Drive Lexus site for the dealer service info.

As for a Lexus specialist, the location is a bit remote as the closest Lexus dealer was 30 miles away lol, so I don't think an indy tech could be an option, especially during the weekend when we both have time to get the car checked out.

I looked up the sticky dash issue and see that there is a Lexus recall/extended warranty on it, I am in a colder climate so I don't think that would be an issue but I will check it when I see the car again this weekend, thanks!

I wanted a newer car as well, with bluetooth music streaming I can probably forgo the vline/grom and save some $$, but unfortunately the newer cars are quite a bit more expensive

 

If I had bought a 2010-2012 when I found my 08, I may still be driving that car today. The few grand more would be worth it.

 

Mikemc12, it sounds like you've got a good plan based on your needs, budget, location, etc. Even adding GROM Vline will likely be $700 plus install, less money than a newer year car. BTW, some sellers are smart enough to know that if they erase codes, they may not be detected the first 100 miles of driving. But if you're a good judge of character, you'll know if the seller is capable of this deception. Hope things go well and you buy a nice car.

 

I was thinking the same thing when I was looking for my LS and then finally decided on a 2013.

 

Right. I bought a 14 F Sport after I sold my 08 to a friend. Did not like it and that's why I drive what I have today.

 

Welcome to Club Lexus!

As the original, and current, owner of a 2007 LS460, I'll offer my perspective.

1. Have someone inspect the car if you like, but I wouldn't be concerned about minor accidents on a 15 year old car.

2. If I was buying a 2 or 3 year old car, I would not like a substandard repaint job, but a 15 year old car? Nope.

3. I don't know how much it would cost to fix the original, but there are aftermarket kits at a reasonable price.

4. May not be due to the accident. My switch has gotten very brittle over time (I should have lubricated it regularly). Mine works, but I have to use pressure to get it to work.

5. It's easy for me to say, but frankly I wouldn't worry about it, particularly if the price is right. It's hard to do any significant damage to these cars, even if the oil isn't changed regularly.

Good luck and let us know what you do.

 

If I had a bit more cash on hand atm I'd spring for the newer model as well haha, but with the uncertainty of the current market, and the fact that I am saving up for a house, probably within the next 5 years, I need to be a bit more thrifty with my cash. I figure I could always trade up to a newer model in a few years if my current financial situation improves, and I probably wouldn't take too much of a financial hit.

Thanks for the welcome! I have always wanted one of these, I don't know why but I've gravitated towards these full size luxury cars over sports cars someone even as a teenager, so now that I finally moved back to North America with no ridiculous tax on engine displacement etc I could finally afford to own one!

 

So a quick new development....the seller msged me and told me that the VSC lights came on, and then went off again. He said he didn't want any surprises for me when I get there on the weekend.

From Seller:


I went through the forums and saw things ranging from gas fuel cap, to new o2 sensor etc, to potentially the brake actuator. But from the research that I've done, I think the brake actuator should be like the pic from below, so I shouldn't be as worried?

From Google:



Anyway the best way to scan it with a code scanner I think, but I just want to know if what the seller sent me could be something very serious like the brake actuator/brake pump accumulator? I don't think I felt any brake clicking/sticking feel when I test drove the car the last time...

 

You're right, it could be a range of issues. Dash lights are a general indicator that shouldn't be ignored. Get the OBD scanner hooked up. It could be the brake system, just not to the point of making noises, but still failing in smaller increments. This could be a $2-4k repair or it could be a wheel speed sensor $300.

 

Why do those 2 photos show VERY different odometer readings?

 

Nice to see an honest person. Props to them. If you really want the car, I would negotiate another $2K off the price and take it as is. If you want to gamble on the issue, go for it. Without knowing what it is, either roll the dice, as for a discount, or best option, take it to a local mechanic who can connect a computer and see what's up. Good luck.