Hello,

I am looking to finalize a new buy on a 2021 LS 500 AWD this weekend. It will be a trade in for my loaded X7 50i (crazy trade in I know, but I really had a Lexus in the past and looking forward to get back to lexus).

Is their anything I really need to know or avoid? Since i did not buy yet, should I instead look at the LS500H or is the LS500 AWD the best option? I think the regular body looks good and luxurious enough than F-Sport.

Please share with me any advise. How good is 2.0 Lexus Safety System? Am I loosing a lot compared to 2.5? Does it do well in lane keep assist?

 

Congrats on the pending deal. Don't consider the hybrid, it drives like a big Prius, and there's just more stuff to break. Why do you want AWD? Unless you need to drive in snow/ice, I'd avoid that too. Just more cost and weight and more stuff to break. It also degrades the steering feel (to what little extent the LS has any steering feel). F-sport is best to avoid as well. The LS is not a performance vehicle, it's a fast, quiet and smooth luxury cruiser. The F-sport is counter to the car's entire design brief/gestalt. The LS is fun to drive, but on its own terms. I almost always drive in "Custom" mode, with the suspension in comfort, and the powertrain in sport. That combo results in the engine and tranny being very responsive and lively, and the suspension being nice and cushy. The safety stuff you mention is all marketing BS. I turn it all off because it's just too intrusive and annoying. The only feature that's really helpful is the rear cross-traffic alert, for when you're backing out from a parking spot. I leave that one on.

Good luck on the deal. Try offering $5K less than you think is reasonable. The LS is not moving that well, and you may get lucky!

 

The lane keep assist on my '18 LS was pretty good. Not as good as my Tesla Autopilot but decent. I feel the lane keep assist in my '22 ESh is even better. The difference is negligible for most driving, so don't sweat 2.0 vs 2.5.

If I was buying an LS again, I'd go for the hybrid version because Toyota is king when it comes to hybrid systems. The power delivery of the turbo engine is not as linear and smooth as I expected, lots of people like the engine and trans, but I do not, it's not really smooth like older LS's.

I would recommend less features is better in the LS when it comes to longevity. I had to have the massaging seat bladder replaced twice in 2 years on my LS due to hissing (air leaks). The air suspension sometimes sat uneven so I would avoid that too if I had the option. If you don't need AWD don't get it.

I don't think any trade-in is crazy, I traded in a Model S P100D for a RAV4 Prime because of horrible quality and even the dealership looked at me like WTF why would you trade in a Tesla?

 

Thank you both for they very useful feedback.

Just quick answers to your notes:

• AWD: this is a must have for me, as I live in an area with a ton of snow, and a lot of days with slippery roads at a temp reaching sub-zero close to -20degF and lower sometimes.
• HYBRID: I don't think for us who pay that much of a car really care about 2-3 MPG difference, so I want to avoid it if that is all the difference and enjoy a true transmission gears. I have CVT.
• Try offering 5K less: They are already offering at at 7K less than KBB fair purchase price so they refused to move a single penny
• Safety system 2.0: This is a must have feature for me and it better be really awesome. I am coming from BMW X7 and the drive lane keep assist is sharp. I am hopping this newer lexus 2021 with 2.0 got some upgrades and has good system or at least as good as newer BMW or Mbenz 2018-2020 models.
• Crazy trade: Yeah the dealer sales GM was kinda silly when he asked me wondering why am i moving from an SUV like X7 to the LS 500. I mean this is non of your business. And then he went even further and started to wonder about why I have so many visits to BMW service and if am just trying to get out of it. That was super silly move and I had a good response to shut him up. I do not care about personal, if I like the car, it will digest it. but some people need to understand that consumers some of them buy and sell cars just for the fun of it, not necessarily based on needs or size!

 

My LS500 had AWD but I had all season tires year round. It was terrible on snow and ice. My '22 ESh is FWD and I put proper winter studded tires, it is a tank in winter now, much, MUCH better than my LS500 with AWD and all seasons. Tires mean a lot more than AWD does. I am in Canada so we get many months of winter each year.

Good news, the LS500 hybrid has a traditional style 4 speed transmission, no CVT for you! There is nothing wrong with the Toyota e-CVT in the hybrids anyway. It's more efficient and essentially bulletproof forever.

 

I understand, but I still think AWD (with winter tires) would be even better than RWD only. Anyway I am in the pre-owned market so I really do not have a choice here other than to consider what is available and what not.

 

Good plan. I also bought used but the spec I wanted came up for sale a few hours away so I jumped on it. The LS500 is best (value) when bought used haha.

 

We all come from different places and opinions.
I agree if you in Idaho and there is snow, getting AWD and swapping winter tires as such is a great choice FOR YOU.
In SoCal, perhaps not.
Im in NC and we don’t get much winter, but it happens. Logically I don’t need AWD as wife has a good quattro audi but there are some pros besides the weight and slight MPG penalty. Only thing I don’t like about my LS is no rear fold down seat as the my 5 series had, or ski pass thru as my GS did.
I agree (For me) less is more. AWD, Leather upgrade, and ML is all I wanted. No air suspension. Im looking at it this way:
I bought my GS350 AWD and liked it was a car with a big trunk that could do 90% of what a CUV with AWD could do but drive much better. New, Paid 49k before covid with a 59MSRP. 3 years later sold for 40k with 24k miles. For 16k more I got same mile car but theLS500. Im thrilled with this car and my decsion. MPG is not great, but its like a premium SUV but drives much better. Im not going off road like a tv comercial thru streams or camping. Wifes Allroad can do stuff like that. We won’t though.

Having read every review written in the last few years of this LS checks all the boxes FOR THE MONEY and I don’t care its not (most compare this to A8, 7 series or S Class). I want the Lexus/toyota statistical probability of reliability. I drive about 10k miles a year and I am in possession of the title. It has 27k miles.
Thus, repairs and gas are NOT worrisome the way I have this set up. If I was laying out $1,000 a month and exposed to repairs that is another story.
The new Toyota Crown was considered but I say the interior left me underwhelmed. A fully done up version will be over 50k. I won’t lie, hybrid is attractive. Since I don’t drive a ton, that won’t equate on my LS.
I can go on jusitfying my purchase as can most of us with our own value proposition which makes giving advice not important. For some AWD is a must for what ever reason. While the RWD has a fun quotient for the FSport crowd, AWD does offer some grip perfomance that does aid in the twisties. This car really is quite capable in its handling but makes little fuss of it. The ML is so nice in this car why rush anywhere!! LOL
To each his own.
I’d rather drive a luxury car than a luxury SUV! I agree with the OP.