Jlacck

I know there is a 460 thread on this forum but I actually wanted to post this here since I always wanted to know how much of a leap the 460 is over the LS 400. In any case, I'm pretty sure some of you have probably already checked it out by now (a few of you probably even own one). But here are my thoughts:

I always wanted to check the out the ls460 because I did test drive a 2005 ls430 and I honestly didn't like the car. Something about the ride/drive/car felt incredibly boring and bland to me. I didn't get any sense of being "King on the road". On top of that, driving the car didn't feel a whole lot different from the LS400 except that it obviously had newer technology. Needless to say, I ended passing on the car and just getting a 1998 ls400 instead.

The 2007 LS460 on the other hand is a completely different beast! The luxury features stand out more compared to the ls430 (and certainly much more than the ls400). The most surprising thing was how incredibly smooth and quiet the car was. I now see what people mean when they say it feels like you are riding on a cloud. Literally the car had complete road isolation. In fact in some ways the 460 was so smooth that it literally felt like it was automated... I would describe it as it seems like "it makes the turn FOR YOU rather than you turning the car yourself". I personally thought the 460 was leaps and bounds better than the 430 however, when I got back into my 400, I didn't feel like I took a tremendous step down.

Don't get me wrong, I plan to get a 460 without a doubt, but I would definitely keep the LS400 as well. I think its a strong testament to how well built and engineered our 400s are particularly the 98-2000 models.

Anyone else have any similar experience when checking out the 460 and comparing it to the 400? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on this as well.

Kansas

I test drove a new 2012 LS460L AWD and a new 2012 Hyundai Equus (RWD) on the Veterans Day 2011 holiday - both cars had air suspension. Yes, the LS460L ride was "cloud-like" to say the least - I've never felt so isolated from the driving experience. It seemed huge compared to my 2000 LS400 and I did not like the view from the driver seat - the windows seemed compressed in height - particularly the rear window. No backing up one of these without a rear camera! It was like steering a cruise ship. I cut the test drive short since I wasn't enjoying myself. The LS460L was certainly nice and I liked its roomy rear seat with lots of legroom. I remember how relieved I was when I got back into my LS400 and drove away. It was weird. Maybe I should have tried a short wheelbase LS460 without air suspension.

The Hyundai Equus was fun to drive and seemed a lot smaller than the LS460L. I flung it into curves and around traffic circles. I found later when I checked the specs that the Equus was bigger than the LS460L. I gave serious thought to buying an Equus but I had already been thinking that I want what may be my final vehicle to have all-wheel drive.

So ... I'm still thinking 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited AWD with the Advanced Technology Package (Adaptive Cruise Control and Pre-Collision System). The more I haul stuff in my wife's Prius v wagon, the more I want my next vehicle to be a hatchback. Maybe I just don't get all that excited about cars anymore - unless my wife would let me buy my favorite hatchback: Porsche Panamera

Jlacck

Its funny that you mentioned the LS460 seemed huge. I told the dealer the same thing when it asked my opinions on the car. I told him for some reason the car seems really big.. especially compared to my LS400. He asked me what other cars was I checking out, and I told him a 7 series. Now that car was actually fun to drive. :-D

I haven't test drove an Equus yet, but those are some really nice looking cars. They remind me a little bit of the Jaguar XJ. Now that's a beautiful car.

Regardless, I think the thing here is to say that even though our 400s are older cars, I think they are aging very beautifully. I don't get in my car and feel like I'm in an "old car". I'm not suggesting that its the best car ever built nor am I even saying that its better than the ls460. Rather I'm just saying I felt like the separation is not as great as I thought it was. :-)