I came from a 2020 GS Fsport. Paid 49k new. Sold for 40k three years later. My upgrade to LS500 cost me 16k more and car had only 3k more miles on it.
Contrast matters for all of us. The LS500 for what I paid (Perceived value) and Coming from a GS was a natural upgrade. Not like I shopped the market.
I was either getting a gently used Macan S or the LS500.
I never drove an LS460. Im sure it lives up to its reputation!

 

It's December and we still haven't seen any new trademarks.
Is it officially dead? Didn't Carmaker1 say they are going to do something with the LS 2025?

 

"LS Discontinued"

Priceless 🤣🤣🤣

 

I drive a 2013 LS460. Dropped it off this weekend and heard from the service rep that the rumor going around was that the LS was going to be discontinued. Surprised me. Came here to search said subject and came across this thread. The LS500 doesn't do it for me, but I would be surprised if they cancelled. I guess time will tell, but that being said the rumor at the dealerships is still out there.

 

obviously you looked to see if we had any additional information to which we really don't. You can see its been discussed and really after 7 years its to be expected. Personally I was surprised they bought it back one more year for 2024!

The LS500 suffers as do many luxury sedans that don't do big volume in China which became a very important market for the Teutonic gods who sell nicely there. They were quite the status symbols. For goodness sake it was also the biggest market for Buicks!!!
Japan build really never did very well in China for many reasons as one who knows history might expect. If not look up "The rape of Nanking".
US markets crave high end luxury SUV's. Things change.
Some of us came from GS350 and take it very personal as that model was discontinued (LOL) and wish they had kept going with it! Some of us are super happy Lexus did continue the LS line and really enjoy the model.
Lexus does show us some very interesting concepts that likely will be hybrid or electric if its to be a flagship type experience.
Funny that Lexus is about the only company that still installs a naturally aspired V8 in their cars (LC and IS) but not the LS!
Your not the first LS460 visitor who are compelled to show your patriotic duty and love your V8 and maybe want to tell us Lexus got "Lazy" or something, then we tell you the LS500 out performs the V8 and blah blah blah.
Then you tell us how your a giant human and don't fit in the back of the LS500 even though your not "Miss Daisy" or have a personal Driver. Maybe your teenage sons don't fit back there and you love them so much you won't make them suffer in a newer LS!
That, and the Touch pad annoys you (but you love the mouse?), then you tell us it looks like the ES, but forget the Lexus of your era all looked similar too! Please note this is a stab at humor and not start any debate over whose car is better or not! There is not right answer.
We get it. Not everyone likes the LS500.
The LS460 is really a nice car. We here in the LS500 Tower of Babel really understand this and many were former owners who do admit they "ride better".
me? its the sound system and massage seats! And the long *** hood style really looks good to ME.
In many ways the LX is the ultimate lux boat that Lexus sells. Lexus is changing with the times. Not everyone likes that.
Curious why you came here to tell us the LS500 does not do it for you?

 

Next up: The virtues of the ES350.

Waiting for it.....

 

Nalod, I did not come here to post that the LS500 doesn't work for me. I thought my original post was clear....I was surprised to hear a "rumor" from service that the LS model was being discontinued. I turned to Google and this was the only board that had any mention of it. After I saw the posts here, my only intent was to mention that the rumor is still alive. That was the reason for my post - nothing less, nothing more.

 

So we get:

TXLS430 heard a rumor from a service guy who heard a rumor.
The LS500 does not float your boat.

No worries, we got it!

 

The LS is going now where as long the market for Mercedes S Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8 exists.

If you look at all these models, and other korean or even chinese wanna be luxury cars, you'll notice that Lexus LS is the only one falling behind when it comes to "cosmetics". I believe the LS will have a big refresh coming up for its exterior and interior to follow the current category design trends. And IMO it is not too difficult to speculate where they're going with their current lineup...

1) Remove V8 > put v6 with turbo-charge > remove the turbo and replace with electric motor to provide sweet torque and quiet city acceleration.
2) Remove touch pad > put touch screen > remove buttons and replace with touch screen control.
3) Replace tiny front grill with huge grill > blend grill with body color, allowing them to go even bigger > make the front fascia huge like BMW 7 series.

The LS is behind in most of those things they're implementing with the rest of their models. So I imagine it will show up one day after two years with a whole new look.

 

The touch screen is now in year two.

I outlined why the German builds do well. Europe and China markets matter.
I think the LS is dead. An electric flagship perhaps? 5 door thing?
If the "S" is for sedan, I might be right.
But a flagship replacement what ever its called I would agree is coming.

 

I could see the LS being replaced with a luxury SUV. Slightly larger than the LX. A lesser off-road capable SUV. Probably a full EV or at least a hybrid.

 

The LS isn't going anywhere as long as the Big manufacturers have a full size luxury sedan. When i look at Audi forums I don't see people saying the A8 will be discontinued. The LC500 isn't selling. I don't see people saying it will be scrapped. The market has changed. It doesn't mean that there's no place for the LS. No one is saying the G90 will be scrapped. It's barely selling too. Can it be improved, absolutely. As an owner of a 2022 LS, I love the car. But I acknowledge it needs improvements. The people who are complaining can just go and lease an S Class or 7 Series and scratch their itch. Go for it. They are great cars. I almost leased a 750i. But Lexus is a brand that I trust. I currently have 60k miles on my LS with air suspension and haven't experienced any problems.

 

I think the problem we are seeing on this forum is that people are confusing American market with the world...

Yes, the LS may get discontinued in the US, but it sure has another market elsewhere in the world. One funny example where Americans confuse themselves with the world is the Toyota Land Cruiser.

When Toyota refreshed the Land Cruiser LC200 with the new generation LC300, they discontinued it in the US. Many car enthusiasts such as Doug Demuro are now calling the Prado LC250, successor of the Prado LC150, as Land Cruiser LC200 successor. This just shows you how some people insist on living inside their bubble.

Back to the LS, personally.. I feel the car is dated but I only feel this because I have been driving it for five years. My next car is going to be a BMW 7 series. It looks huge, it has cool interior lights, and doesn't look like a Camry.

Having that said...

The LS is the absolutely best bang for bucks in the market at the moment. For a full size luxury sedan, there is no other car with such quality, luxury, and features at the same price. In fact, I would argue this is the cheapest full size luxury sedan... even if you disregard the overall value and features that it comes loaded with.

 

@Carmaker1 was right all along. 2025 LS is still here but lack of new trademarks is a telltale sign that it may eventually be canned. So sad they are letting the flagship that brought the brand to success perish like this.

 

'They" aren't killing it. A reaction to consumer taste is. Why invest when the demand is low?