If you absolutely MUST drive the LS in the snow (not sure why you would want to) or if the LS is your only car, then of course get AWD.

I agree with those above ^ drive another car those days or get a beater. heck i had an 06 Landcruiser that could handle anything as a daily and I STILL bought a beater cuz ppl drive like maniacs around here, esp in the snow. The nice cars never leave the garage. I worry about all the other drivers speeding in a snowstorm, drinking coffee, and talking on the cell at the same time

 

You forgot to mention "Entering new destinations on the NAV".

I'm sorry, I had to get that in

 

I myself also live in very snowy weather (Rochester, NY). However, I couldn't justify spending 12-13K extra on the AWD. I bought an extra pair of rims on Ebay and will put top of the line snow tires on them and switch them out from December to March.

However, I also have a AWD SUV for the real bad days and I commute no more than 20-25 miles each way to work. By the way I paid 63K for my LS460 with ML, Comfort, etc...

I was quoted 75K for the 09 AWD version. It's not worth 13K more. For gods sake you can buy another used car for that price for the bad days.

 

It sounds like you want to save some money with the '08, but you are worried about snow. With enough snow, anything can get stuck AWD, FWD, or RWD (especially), but you obviously want AWD since it will give you the best chance of making it through safely.

Besides just costing more, you also have to factor that fuel mileage will probably be 2-3 mpg lower perhaps, along with additional maintenance.

I'm a person who buys based on "what if" scenarios, what if it snows really hard when I need to go pick up my kids from daycare (may happen once in five years), what if I come upon a steep hill and can't climb it with RWD, etc. so I would wait for the AWD.

 

.....or take the 2009 model with likely less depreciation due to AWD in Pittsburgh.

The depreciation on the '09 will exceed the depreciation on the '08. The '08 has already taken the depreciation hit. The '09 won't take it until after you buy it.

 

Thread starter is a Lexus Sales Manager : https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho....php?p=3703846
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I live in Southern California so an improved snow driving is not a huge issue for me (except for a rare excursion into the mountains in the winter). Are there other benefits for an AWD over a RWD? Some of the drawbacks include reduced fuel economy, reduced turn radius (which my LS430 excels at the occasional street u-turns), etc.

 

in your case (my case also), no, i don't see any point for awd. every time i see gs350awd ad is250awd i am kind of inclined to ask those people if they actually use the awd

 

I find that I can be a little less precise on off camber turns over 140mph with the AWD.

Oh, and if we get snow here in South Florida before you do in Saudia Arabia, I'll chime in about how my AWD is doing on the Lexus.

 

I agree with the above. I have an 08 ML/SWB and was thinking of selling and moving into AWD. However, I purchased an 08 Pilot for the bad days and drive the LS otherwise. Frankly I don't like the way AWD feels compared to RWD and don't want to have the LS out on the days when all weather is lousy and people are going crazy and likely to hit you because they can't drive. For the difference in price you can get an 08LS for close to invoice and pick up a great GX470 which has incentives on it and drive anytime, anyplace in complete Lexus comfort. I love the GX470 for everyday (so when you are in it you won't miss your LS) and it cannot be beat for bad weather driving. Enjoy and good luck.

 

So, it's past the July deadline. What did you buy - can you update us?

--------------------------
2007 LS600hL, 5 seat
2000 LX470 (traded)

Mercedes SL500 AMG (sun)
Mercedes SLK 230 (wife)
Suzuki Grand Vitara (rain & runaround)

 

I want to thank everyone here helping me decide.

I took the buy the 08 and flip for a low cost 4x4/AWD advice. Although in my research it seems that the car with snow tires would be comparable to a 4x4/AWD with all seasons. I will probably try to see how the car does before committing to a low cost AWD.

I bought a smoky granite 08 SWB LS460 and black interior with Nav, comfort, preferred accesory, wood wheel..basically most options minus ML for a just under $60k which was a great price locally in Pittsburgh. MSRP would be $69025 today..I got a slightly earlier build which was about $1400 less due to the weakness of the Dollar on the markets..the base price increased throughout 2008 to compensate. My car was delivered before much of the increase took place.

I am looking for ome rims about $400 or less each. There are nice rims on this forum but they appear to be >$1000 each and those will be chewed up by the streets here in Pittsburgh even in the nonwinter months. I'd like to stick to nice rims without lowering the car..am I stuck with 18" or can I go larger without lowering the can and keeping things looking proportionate.

Thanks all

 

I live in Pittsburgh also. Forget the snow tires. It STILL won't go. Get the cheap, used SUV. You can find a decent Explorer...2-3 years old....for under $15K