Having own Toyota/Lexus for the past 20 years, I must say between 1995-2005 they had best quality, where as anything in the past 5 years have gone down a lot in quality. In fact if you read Toyota USA documents (over the use of cheap parts and unintended acceleration) you too will come to the same conclusion.

I still have a 95 Previa SC All Trac, 95 LS400, and 96 LS400 that hardly rattles (and runs great with 150K+ miles perspectively). Where as my 07 Prius rattles like a death trap (but I still drive and love it because of MPG). I also think LS460 and current ES look too much alike. So if I am to upgrade I will go for a 2006 LS430 or a 2000 LS400; they were truly beneficiary of evolution, being the last model year(s), and all bugs worked out. They also look stately (more stodgy) than the sportier looking LS460.

Speaking of not getting stuck on snow. I too was in DC during this year's multiple blizzards (Arlington and Rockville), and was totally amazed that my 07 Prius on Michelin MXV4 plowed through a lot of hard/soft snow and banks, when many AWD's were getting stranded. While Prius has very low clearance and it's light, it actually has good weight distribution, has narrow tires that cut through snow, and it's short wheelbase (so it does not get caught up in a snow bank).

Fortunately we don't get this kind of snow in DC often, but if you plan to drive on snow in any heavier, long wheel base cars (AWD or not), make sure you carry momentum through any soft looking snow, and don't venture into any deep stuff. Very easy for long wheel base cars to get stuck regardless of what tires are on.

 

You're joking, right? Yeah, you must be...

Is it because they both have four wheels?

 

WOW! First I heard it looks like the ES, some thinks it looks like a big Camery. IMO ithe LS looks like nothing else on the road but it just my thoughts.

 

An LS 460 is an LS460 and a ES is an ES all day!!! Driving both is all needed to be done to tell anyone that. Digirno's Pizza may taste as good as Domino's or Pizza Hut but, it isn't Pizza Hut or Dominos!!! I do respect the opinions who say it looks the same because everyone should be respected when it comes to how they feel. That said, in the words of the great Katt Williams("Money Mike" from "Friday after Next") comedian who said,"you may have a Chrysler 300 and it looks like a Phantom, until a real Phantom show up". L.G.N.M

 

I dont think Stever500 is sure. WHY? He said he wants every car but the LS. ANd the only reason is cost, which I respect and understand but, I just hope he isn't going to end up miserable but, not reveal it days,weeks,months after his purchase. I know, I know ladies/gents, its his decision and I respect that humbly but, hate to see a person do what they really dont want to.

I hate to say it but, I wish he could just buy what he really wants because being miserable is hard to deal with and heck, theres nothing wrong with liking what you like and he seems to really dig European cars. They do look good and drive good and heck, they have issues but, that the tradeoff of owning them. I really hope you love Lexus Stever500 and become a Lexus supporter as we are from our hearts. ALL THE BEST Stever500!!! L.G.N.M

 

"Here's my dilemma. I have owned my 96 911 C4S for 7 years. I love this car and am really attached to it but it's been averaging about $2500 to $3k a yr for maintenance."

Why does it cost this much or what does these cars require to have them cost so much in maintenance/year?

 

Why does it cost this much? Because everything that stops working or breaks on it simply costs A LOT to fix. Parts are very expensive for this car. I just had to have the Check Engine Light problem fixed. It had been on for 4 years and the ports needed to be cleaned. It was a secondary air injection problem. $800. The spoiler wall needed replacing as it was old (the inside rubber part that goes up and down with the spoiler at speed) - $185. Fix the rattle in the shifter that's been rattling horribly for a year - $100 plus a new shifter, etc, etc.

$1565 for this one service. It's not even 1/2 way through the year. Some years are $4k plus for services, last year I lucked out and it was just $700 total for the 911.

Not cheap cars, but very rewarding.

I still want the Lexus though. One day, when something big breaks on one of my 2 cars, they're both going bye bye and Lexus hear I come!

 

Steve buddy! We will come to decision eventually, I got your back!