Hi guys,

I am currently looking to buy either a pre-owned 2018 LS500 or 2019/2020 ES350. Both lands up in a same bracket pre-owned. I personally like LS more with its features and striking looks. However, I am scared of buying it because of all the issues I heard online about LS. Please share any of your experience, and advice.

Thanks in advance for participating.

 

There are some gremlins in the early model LS. I would Google every TSB/LSB and have it performed under warranty even if car is not exhibing symptoms. Also, change out the run flat times to regular tires. The ES is tride and true with it's corporate 3.5 and I believe it rides smoother when I received the ES as loaner. The LS feels more sold, more power, and aesthetically easily outclasses the ES.

 

I’ve had my ‘18 LS for just over two years, I’m trading it in for a new ES. Drive both and see but for reliability the LS does not beat the ES350.

I had the seat massage break twice. The air suspension sat weird so I scrape the dip in the road on my street, etc. I worry about the turbos in the real long run. LS has nicer materials but the ES will have less issues in its lifetime. I was amazed at how well the Ultra Luxury suspension rode on the ES, it was superb.

i even had a Lexus salesman mistake my LS for an ES when I was there so yeah…

 

I believe 2019+ LS are the years you want. The consensus out there is Lexus fixed reliability issues with the 2018 model. My 2019 has been flawless just normal dealer maintenance.

 

Don't know maybe I'm the select few that haven't had many issues with my LS. I think I've maybe one or two issues come up that were not that major. Other than that I've got about 44K on the odometer and its a 2018.

 

the LS is highly complex and cost to repair will be higher than ES. You get a lot more car with the LS at a great price. Most of the discussed issues are on older models.

 

I have owned 3 LS models and all were used. My 2018 LS I bought in March. All issues related to factory recalls etc were taken care of by Lexus. This model is nice but the ES is Lexus work horse and any true Lexus service person will tell you it is a solid car. I almost bought it 2020 over my 18 LS. Leg room for me was equal but the back seat leg room was a no go on the ES. We are a real family over 6'. I have had only one issue with my LS. It would struggled to connect to my Android when using Alexa with the Lexus app. That got solved under a reboot and software update so other than that zero issues. I figure after 4v years the ones Owner that had mine took care of it and kept it up. I like my car. The ES luxury addition is really a nice car in the newer 2019 or 2020.