I am thinking about purchasing 2018 LS500. Any recommendations? Planning to trade or sell my 2021 ES350 + cash. My local Lexus dealership offered me really good money for my es350. Thanks in advance.

 

There should be a warranty and services guide that came with your car.
Make sure all scheduled service has been performed according to age and mileage. Lexus parts and service can be pricey.
Since you are buying from a Lexus dealer everything should be up to date, filters, fluid changes, spark plugs,etc.
Also of course go over the entire body and undercarriage checking for any signs of paint, body work. Put the car on a rack and inspect the chassis, suspension components, etc.
I bought my 2020 LCertified, but it was only 2 years old. This is an 8 year old car.

 

Think twice. The infotainment on this car is not convertible to enable apple car play, and although wireless adapters are available they aren't a seamless experience. Without the car play option, you'll find the navigation system wanting.

 

I just did a quick search on auto tempest and it seems like the aftermarket value of both of these cars is about equal with the LS probably +$500-$800. Of course that is without knowing the trim level of the cars, but they should be close. I would also get a Carfax report on it, it’s best not to have surprises down the road. I would probably stay away from the F sport because a lot of folks on this forum say the seats are not as comfortable as the standard LS. I agree with the Sajack, list that’s all good stuff. I went from an ES to LS as well, with a RX in between (hated the RX). The ES is a really nice car but the LS is a great car. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

Thank you guys for great input. I was thinking about getting the 2018 ls500, non f sport, with 45k, clean title, and with one owners. Can anyone tell me if all the ls500 comes with air suspension? I would like to stay away from it.

 

The 2018 LS can be either. After 2024 I believe they are all air, but don’t quote me on that. I have a 2023 with air suspension and love it. No problems whatsoever with it so far. If it does become an issue later on I understand it can be changed over to coils for considerably less money than replacing the air struts. Well just see how it goes.

 

You can upgrade to wired Apple CarPlay for $200 at a Lexus dealership. You can buy a wireless dongle that plugs into the console UBS port to make CarPlay wireless. I have not had any issues with mine.

 

My experience test driving LS500s, '21 and above have a bit better ride. Was told they ajusted the shock valving, changed sway bars and bushings.
Happy test driving!!!

 

I didn’t mention the runflats tires. Lexus dealer probably put a new set on it. I would probably ride them out then go ahead and replace them with a good normal tire. Michelin and Bridgestone are popular on the LS500. So that’s $1,500 you will need to spend.
It should have had spark plugs replaced at 40,000 miles. Lexus says this keeps emissions system under warranty. Plug replacement at a dealer will run around $500. Oil and filter changes every 10,000 miles max. with 0w20 full synthetic. Check coolant levels. Passenger side reservoir is engine coolant. Driver side reservoir is intercooler coolant. Water pump is visible at upper front of engine on passenger side. My car needed a new pump at 38,000 miles. Pump had pink residue on it from a leak.
I would pressure the dealer for a free 4 wheel alignment as a final bargaining point if everything else is okay.
Hope you enjoy it. Post some pictures.

 

MY personal thing is rarely if ever buy a first year build. This is why I have a 2019. Not to say 2018's are bad.
Then find the level of equipment you want. For me, no Air suspension. I wanted AWD.
I don't love panoramic roofs, and since I rarely have passangers the luxury package with rear recliner seats was not important.
Lowest car mileage in the budget and a color combo priority I want. Two or three choices.
For me it did not have to be a CPO if the car was low miles and had good service history.

Got mine iwth 28k miles on it, Upgrade leather, Mark Levinson, wood package, door sills.

No doubt refresh rides better. But I had a budget and my paraemeters and 3 years ago it would have exceeded the budget. I paid cash.
Three years later just tires replaced to non ruflats and I carry a Modern Spare. No issues or repairs. Brakes are still good. I drive about 10k miles a year. Might be going up a bit but at 55k this car is still tippy top and Im super content with it all. She is a magnficiant machine. Atomic silver with black interior was my first choice and I hit it. It was bought at a very respectable Ferrari/Bentley/Masserati/Porche dealer with 4 months left on the 36 mo warranty. They have 7 year/70 k drive train warranty.

I had found a car at Lexus that was going thru CPO and had just been traded in. It was a mess. Wheels were abused, cheap *** non matching tires, and they could not give me a service record. Big mistake showing me the car before it was cleaned up. Filthy interior. It had luxury package and air suspension and they were going to sell it for the price I paid for mine. It had about 8k more miles on it. Funny story, someone had a deposit on my silver car but ran over to look at the CPO car. I am a patient person so I did not jump on it. The dude released the Silver car to buy the CPO car. He was all about the "free" amenities he told the salesman who called me to say I could come over and take it for a spin. I dont' know how that car faired out but the whole thing came together and I was super happy to have a well serviced car even if it was not the greatest price. It was a fair price for what I wanted and there is value in that. For me
The dirty car would have bothered me. Like dropping a toothbursh in the toliet. Once you know it happend you can't forget. I suspect it was a bit abused.

Most of us will recommend/advocate for what we have. There are not wrong answers. The 2018's seem to be solid. You talking about Toyota's flagship and other thenn the century its and honor for employees to work at that LS500 plant and build it.

 

 

Buy the Moroney label and be sure. https://monroneylabels.com/

 

A bit of trivia re the Monroney Label:
it originated in 1958. Oklahoma Senator Mike Monroney introduced legislation to bring transparency to new car prices. Prior to that new cars did not have factory price stickers.