mikectm2

Hi i'm shopping for a preowned LS460. I want to spend $45k tops. i'd like to get a 2011 or newer. i know that 2010, 2011 and 2012 are 'the same ' . But how is an '08 different? i mean as far as the driver's seat goes. Is a '08 as nice as a '10 ?

Mike T
Newport Beach, CA

lbintab

iTrader: (1)

There were minor changes with the 2010. Cosmetic changes. Some slight changes to the steering wheel and radio. I think if I had to make a decision I would have to same money talks

Tee

I put together a thread to highligh the differences here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...fferences.html

ElliotB

In addition to style differences, there are slight differences in available options.

NobleSpine

Screen is different in 10 and has enform system and no hard disk to rip songs, i believe.

mikectm2

Hi, i appreciate it. Christian at the mission viejo store says that the '12 now has a 'lumbar support' that previous LS s didn't have
I've been scanning the preowned inventory of 10 different stores. westminster, riverside, tustin, LONGO, glendale, torrance, newport, mission viejo, crown and santa monica

I thought originally that i'd have to get a '12 ES350, with less than 20k miles, for around$35k OTD. Now i think i can maybe get a LS. the more money i throw at the car thing, just means the less that will go into Fidelity. $48k, up from 45 i know, will be tops.
I'd love to be able to tell my aunt 'all the reasons' why a LS is superior to a ES. no one wants to cover that 'in a nut shell' , right?
I drove a '10 ES350 with 40k yesterday at Newport. didn't feel so great. a little tired. my '08 Altima with 54k miles feels tighter/newer. ...point is, does a LS wear better than a ES? i need to drive more LS s . plan on going to longo this week. Oh, how much 'wiggle room' is there in these preowned prices? $1,000 at the most?

SW17LS

The BIG difference between a 2010-2012 LS and a 2007-2009 LS to me is the infotainment options. In 2010 they came out with the next generation Nav, Lexus enform, XM Nav Traffic & Weather, and the big one, Streaming Bluetooth audio and iPhone control support.

When I was considering a CPO LS before I got the GS this was the deciding reason why I didn't consider anything older than a 2010 because I already had these features in my 2010 ES and did not want to downgrade out of specifically the streaming Bluetooth audio.

Stylingwise there are some tweaks, but I actually think the 07-09 looks a little more fluid.

As for the LS vs the ES. My Lexus experience began with the LS, my Dad had two, a 98 and an 04. Then I drove nearly 10 years worth of the ES, I had an 03 and a 2010. Just replaced the 2010 with a 2013 GS350 two weeks ago. I've extensively driven the LS460 as well as I seriously considered a CPO 2010 to replace my ES.

The ES is a great car, and in a lot of ways its probably 70% the car the LS is for about 55% of the cost. A lot of value in that car.

HOWEVER, there is a significant difference in interior material quality, ride solidity, noise and harshness isolation, drivetrain refinement, etc between the two, as you would expect with a $30k+ spread in pricing. If you drive the ES day in and day out, you don't really miss that as it is a very nice car to drive, but when you do drive an LS the difference is very apparent. One thing I really liked about my GS is it reminds me a lot of the LS in terms of the refinement of the drivetrain, solidity, refinement, and noise isolation on the highway, etc. Obviously its a firmer, sportier car.

If you're buying used already, I'd go for the LS and get one a couple years older. If you're buying new...well...the LS is a LOT more expensive than the ES...I'll just leave it at that. If you lease we're talking $500 a month more, and if you buy obviously $30k or so. Is it worth that? Hard to make a value argument that it is. Used though I would say a 2010 LS (or even older if you don't care about the infotainment changes) is a better buy than a 2012 ES. When comparing a used LS to a new ES, the issues are lack of leasing options for the used LS, and the new vs used car debate which has always kept me out of one. Used to used though, I'd always opt for the LS.

As for aging ES vs LS, a lot of it has to do with how well the car is cared for, how carefully its driven around potholes, etc. My 2003 ES has 165K on it, still in the family, still rides and drives beautifully. My 2010 ES had 41k on it and still rode and drove like new, but I always take great care of cars. My Dad's 98 had almost 170k and still rode and drove like new, his 04 had about 90k on it, same, All Lexus vehicles take miles very well, but the LS takes miles like no other car I've ever seen. In driving CPO LS460s some felt tired, some felt like new. Depends on its history.

If you're going to keep it a long time the LS retains its panache better since the ES is so common.

You can buy a great 2010 all day long between $42k-$48k.

CJITTY

What Tee said...

lexus600hl

consider a 2008 ls 600hl Hybrid.
Since you are in Ca, no emmission test, because its a hybrid.
gas mileage is no different. city 10% better but normal car is probably better for gas mileage on highway.. if driven sedantarily.. a friend got even 30 mpg hwy at constant 70 mph..

Anyway.. buy the hybrid not for the gas mileage savings but for what you get..
The hybrid retailed in 2008 for around $125,000 and comes with almost all options standard (except executive seating). In the used car pricing, for reasons not understandable by me, there is not much difference in price between 460, 460l and 600 hl. 600 hl would be an amazing buy.. It really is an amazing car!
If you can get hold of 2008 nieman marcus edition - its even better! They come with special wheels (as you can see in my pics).

CJITTY

Getting a CPO 2008 600hL in the low 50s, high 40s is totally possible....most people don't pay that much for a used car, so go ahead and scoop one up. I'm very happy with my 600hL and glad I was talked into getting one by my big bro Tee and others. I won't say YOLO, but you do only have one life..go hard!