Good solid Lexus cruiser
04-17-20, 03:50 AM
#136
Imo the cheapest lexus car to maintain that are reliable and not complicated to do DIY after year 2000 imo would be the 2007-2011 GS350. The engines and trans are bulletproof except the water pump that takes 1.5 hours to replace every 100k miles. No timing belt to mess with and front end suspension parts are easy to change. Still looks modern and have back up cam, heated and ventilated seats.
After that model I would go with the 2004-2006 LS430. Suspension parts may be a bit pricey. But change it once and you'll get 130,000 miles before it needs to be changed again. Just get the model without air suspension or get one with it and change it to regular suspension. The only downside is timing belt every 100k and I believe the starter usually goes around 130k.
I know you mentioned newer cars are harder to diy but the 2011-2016 ES350 and 2012-2015 GS350 won't need any diy apart from the usual suspension wear and tear.
I didnt mention the IS since it's small which I dont think you want.
After that model I would go with the 2004-2006 LS430. Suspension parts may be a bit pricey. But change it once and you'll get 130,000 miles before it needs to be changed again. Just get the model without air suspension or get one with it and change it to regular suspension. The only downside is timing belt every 100k and I believe the starter usually goes around 130k.
I know you mentioned newer cars are harder to diy but the 2011-2016 ES350 and 2012-2015 GS350 won't need any diy apart from the usual suspension wear and tear.
I didnt mention the IS since it's small which I dont think you want.
04-17-20, 10:20 AM
#137
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04-18-20, 07:32 AM
#138
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I drove my first Lexus - RX330, 2005 - for 6 years with no issues other than basic maintenance. Great car, nice ride, very reliable. My current car is a 2014 ES300h, 2014 and my wife drives a 2014 CT200h, and they have both been great so far. One piece of advice - do not buy the first year after a major redesign of a model. We also have a 2007 ES350 and I pray God will hit that POS with lightning. Airbag problem, intermittent headlight problem, transmission shift problem when cold, and a dashboard that is currently dripping onto the carpet. We bought this one as a favor to a friend.
04-18-20, 02:29 PM
#139
Pole Position
I didn't know about the starter location when I bought my 2001 V8 Tundra, but even if I did, it wouldn't have been a deal breaker. Since then, I purchased a 2008 SC430, knowing about the dumb starter placement. On the up side, Toyota/Lexus must have engineered the V8 starters very well and designed the engines to start-up immediately upon turning the key, as I haven't had issues with either yet. When I do, I have the shop manuals and know how to do the work, so I'm not losing sleep over it. I've certainly heard of worse engineering/maintenance blunders by other manufactures, which are deal breakers!
04-18-20, 02:40 PM
#140
Pole Position
One piece of advice - do not buy the first year after a major redesign of a model. We also have a 2007 ES350 and I pray God will hit that POS with lightning. Airbag problem, intermittent headlight problem, transmission shift problem when cold, and a dashboard that is currently dripping onto the carpet. We bought this one as a favor to a friend.
04-18-20, 03:39 PM
#141
Lexus Fanatic
I didn't know about the starter location when I bought my 2001 V8 Tundra, but even if I did, it wouldn't have been a deal breaker. Since then, I purchased a 2008 SC430, knowing about the dumb starter placement. On the up side, Toyota/Lexus must have engineered the V8 starters very well and designed the engines to start-up immediately upon turning the key, as I haven't had issues with either yet. When I do, I have the shop manuals and know how to do the work, so I'm not losing sleep over it. I've certainly heard of worse engineering/maintenance blunders by other manufactures, which are deal breakers!
04-18-20, 03:59 PM
#142
Pole Position
How many miles did you have on your LS400 when the starter started to have problems? How much was your quote for repair? Dealer or indy?
04-18-20, 04:33 PM
#143
Lexus Fanatic
04-18-20, 06:27 PM
#144
Driver School Candidate
Agreed, not buying the first year after a redesign of any make/model is imperative! Sorry to hear you have had such a terrible experience with your ES. My wife's 2011 (same gen) has been extremely reliable, but I'm extremely conscientious with the preventive maintenance. Regardless, after reading your horror story, maybe it is time to start shopping around again?
04-22-20, 04:05 AM
#145
Driver School Candidate
Wow I tryed to sell mine 1993 LS400 186000 miles good trans a/c works , engine runs. great faded paint gold and forget bottom color( flaking clear coat) cracked egr pipe and lcd gone in climate control. oh and bad power antenna NO rust AZ car for $3500 and no takers. I'll keep it. Love it I all so have a parts 1994 LS400 good motor,168000miles, bad tranz( may just be low on fluid) hit a deer front right hood and grill gone. I pulled dash components thinking I had a speedo problem in my 93 I was wrong. pulled drivers out side door handle and window switches for 93. make me an offer for the 94 I need it gone color is white with gray.
04-24-20, 12:44 PM
#146
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If price is not a big deal, then I would suggest skipping all the way to the 2013 LS460, then work your way up newer, until you find the sweet spot. Used is a great way to get the options you would have never been willing to pay for new....
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing
With the LS430, mileage is not significant if it's a 200k car all day long and probably a 300k car. Those who own the 460 will have to say if that holds true as well. If so, 35k, 55k 75k, it really doesn't matter. the odds are slim of taking it to 300k, how many miles can a person even drive? Today nearly 0 per month.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing
With the LS430, mileage is not significant if it's a 200k car all day long and probably a 300k car. Those who own the 460 will have to say if that holds true as well. If so, 35k, 55k 75k, it really doesn't matter. the odds are slim of taking it to 300k, how many miles can a person even drive? Today nearly 0 per month.
Here's what I've done. Regular maintenance stuff which you can have with any car - timing belt/water pump. (yes 100k is the recommendation OR 9 years). Some people forget the OR part of that. Brakes (with rust proof new rotors). Tires. Always change oil-filter regularly with full synthetic and replace air/cabin filters as needed. Change coolant...
Non maintenance - replaced passenger side power lock. New starter ($750 at my mechanic with OEM starter). New stereo system with bluetooth blah blah. New AC compressor.
Seriously, that's not that much stuff. Only the non maintenance items are any issue and there is not much there $ wise for 16 years. And if needed, I can spend some on my maintenance and repairs since I don't have a car payment.
Lastly repainted recently not that is all that bad but it got dinged at my mechanics so decided to get all the scratches and dings because I plan on driving this car awhile and I'm particular.
Can something go wrong. well sure. But I take care of my vehicles. I believe in preventative maintenance and I don't drive it like I stole it... But I also don't mind using the 320 foot #s of torque from time to time.
Now here's the thing with mileage. My wife has a 01 Highlander. If she wanted to get 200k, she would have to take 60k off of it. at 260k it's not missing a beat. The Lexus should easily out do this but at 7500 miles per year, when I give it up 5-10 years down the road, it will still be under 150k. I recently read an article a guy who drives a lot bought a 430 with 890k miles on it, in good shape. Yes sir, 890k miles. He wanted to see if he could make 1 million. 2 years later he hit 1 million miles and according to him it still ran and rode great! There is such a remote chance of this vehicle not making 300k, one would nearly need to abuse it intentionally or not even know an engine has oil to replace or change.
I couldn't ask for a better comfy ride. Yeah I'm a grandpa and perhaps this is a grandpa car. But I'm a happy camper with it and plan to be for many more years to come!
Last edited by RussL; 04-24-20 at 12:48 PM.
04-24-20, 04:20 PM
#148
Lexus Fanatic
The issue is finding an LS430 like that today. It’s great you’ve had yours and taken care of it, but a car like that on the market is very rare.
04-24-20, 05:22 PM
#149
Lexus Fanatic
Yeah...its a wonderful feeling with no payments 
It's like Freedom 55
Back then they had a 2 row and 3-row option. Does your wife have the 2 row version?
All the maintenance stuff and repairs is just the cost of doing business. Lexus and Toyota cars and trucks last longer than anything else out there.
Non maintenance - replaced passenger side power lock. New starter ($750 at my mechanic with OEM starter). New stereo system with bluetooth blah blah. New AC compressor.
Seriously, that's not that much stuff. Only the non maintenance items are any issue and there is not much there $ wise for 16 years. And if needed, I can spend some on my maintenance and repairs since I don't have a car payment.
Have you had to do any service to the air ride or adaptive variable suspension components?
It's like Freedom 55
I have an 04 430. 95% as new. maybe better. 90k miles. Looks like new, rides like a cloud. No payment and not looking for one. I've had it nearly 5 years. Do I care if it doesn't look the 20/21 models? Not the slightest. It's a great car! Did I mention no payment and looks new? Interior cannot be distinguished from new.... Even the headlights are clear as clear can be.
Here's what I've done. Regular maintenance stuff which you can have with any car - timing belt/water pump. (yes 100k is the recommendation OR 9 years). Some people forget the OR part of that. Brakes (with rust proof new rotors). Tires. Always change oil-filter regularly with full synthetic and replace air/cabin filters as needed. Change coolant...
Non maintenance - replaced passenger side power lock. New starter ($750 at my mechanic with OEM starter). New stereo system with bluetooth blah blah. New AC compressor.
Seriously, that's not that much stuff. Only the non maintenance items are any issue and there is not much there $ wise for 16 years. And if needed, I can spend some on my maintenance and repairs since I don't have a car payment.
Lastly repainted recently not that is all that bad but it got dinged at my mechanics so decided to get all the scratches and dings because I plan on driving this car awhile and I'm particular.
Can something go wrong. well sure. But I take care of my vehicles. I believe in preventative maintenance and I don't drive it like I stole it... But I also don't mind using the 320 foot #s of torque from time to time.
Now here's the thing with mileage. My wife has a 01 Highlander. If she wanted to get 200k, she would have to take 60k off of it. at 260k it's not missing a beat. The Lexus should easily out do this but at 7500 miles per year, when I give it up 5-10 years down the road, it will still be under 150k. I recently read an article a guy who drives a lot bought a 430 with 890k miles on it, in good shape. Yes sir, 890k miles. He wanted to see if he could make 1 million. 2 years later he hit 1 million miles and according to him it still ran and rode great! There is such a remote chance of this vehicle not making 300k, one would nearly need to abuse it intentionally or not even know an engine has oil to replace or change.
I couldn't ask for a better comfy ride. Yeah I'm a grandpa and perhaps this is a grandpa car. But I'm a happy camper with it and plan to be for many more years to come!
Here's what I've done. Regular maintenance stuff which you can have with any car - timing belt/water pump. (yes 100k is the recommendation OR 9 years). Some people forget the OR part of that. Brakes (with rust proof new rotors). Tires. Always change oil-filter regularly with full synthetic and replace air/cabin filters as needed. Change coolant...
Non maintenance - replaced passenger side power lock. New starter ($750 at my mechanic with OEM starter). New stereo system with bluetooth blah blah. New AC compressor.
Seriously, that's not that much stuff. Only the non maintenance items are any issue and there is not much there $ wise for 16 years. And if needed, I can spend some on my maintenance and repairs since I don't have a car payment.
Lastly repainted recently not that is all that bad but it got dinged at my mechanics so decided to get all the scratches and dings because I plan on driving this car awhile and I'm particular.
Can something go wrong. well sure. But I take care of my vehicles. I believe in preventative maintenance and I don't drive it like I stole it... But I also don't mind using the 320 foot #s of torque from time to time.
Now here's the thing with mileage. My wife has a 01 Highlander. If she wanted to get 200k, she would have to take 60k off of it. at 260k it's not missing a beat. The Lexus should easily out do this but at 7500 miles per year, when I give it up 5-10 years down the road, it will still be under 150k. I recently read an article a guy who drives a lot bought a 430 with 890k miles on it, in good shape. Yes sir, 890k miles. He wanted to see if he could make 1 million. 2 years later he hit 1 million miles and according to him it still ran and rode great! There is such a remote chance of this vehicle not making 300k, one would nearly need to abuse it intentionally or not even know an engine has oil to replace or change.
I couldn't ask for a better comfy ride. Yeah I'm a grandpa and perhaps this is a grandpa car. But I'm a happy camper with it and plan to be for many more years to come!
Non maintenance - replaced passenger side power lock. New starter ($750 at my mechanic with OEM starter). New stereo system with bluetooth blah blah. New AC compressor.
Seriously, that's not that much stuff. Only the non maintenance items are any issue and there is not much there $ wise for 16 years. And if needed, I can spend some on my maintenance and repairs since I don't have a car payment.
05-20-20, 12:16 PM
#150
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two seater.
No, have not had to do any suspension items on the Lexus.
don't know what the future holds there.
but it helps if you don't hit curbs and try to avoid at least some of the potholes...
No, have not had to do any suspension items on the Lexus.
don't know what the future holds there.
but it helps if you don't hit curbs and try to avoid at least some of the potholes...