Hi,

I am thinking of buying a mint '08 LS 460 -RWD Sedan I really do like a lot, with only 28K miles, New tries and breaks, and certified by Lexus..., and
I am wondering how you find your LS 460 handles in snow and ice in winter?

I live in CT/Mass/ NY area.

Also Is $33,000 a reasonable price for this 2008, LS 460 RWD, as a Lexus certified car in truly great condition?

Thanks for your help? T.

 

What is the mileage and options?

 

I just love my 07 LS with ML audio.
But in snow this car is a cow on ice - you really need to feel the car.
Btw I live in NY metro and this winter was brutal - exploring an option of having a second AWD car.

 

I live in Mass. and never had snow tires on my LS. I had Pirelli P Zero Nero tires and they were excellent on wet pavement and acceptable in snow. I mistakenly changed to Continental Pure Contact tires. They are not as good on wet pavement and absolutely useless in snow. I've driven in snow all my life so I know how to drive in it. If you get an extra set of wheels with snow tires mounted on them you should be fine.

As to the price of the car, plug all the specifics in Edmunds, KBB and NADA, average the three and that should give you a good idea of what you should be paying.

 

28,000 miles ago, that car cost over $75,000! If it drives nice and looks nice and you are buying from a Lexus dealer with a CPO warranty, I say go for it. Rear wheel drive cars aren't the best in the snow (and nothing does well on ice) but with a careful driver and the various computerized traction controls, you should be fine.

 

Im in Toronto, we had a lot of snow this year. I ran a set of Bridgestone Blizzak and the car handled great. I did not get stuck once but did have a few scares on the highway trying to accelerate in deep snow. Felt like the rear was kicking out to the right but the traction control helped put the car back straight.

 

Does it mean you swap your tires twice a year?
Can you drive Blizzaks all year around?

 

You have to SWAP, you will not want to ride on snow's all year around. I have an 08 SWB with GoodYear snows, I live in the mid-Atlantic and had several occasions where I had to drive on snow covered roads. I was fine with the snows and adjusting to the road conditions. I swapped them out in March when snow was much less likely.

 

I've not had an LS460, but I have had the LS430 and the LS400...both were absolutely terrible in the snow on all season tires. Absolutely terrible. No reason to expect a 460 would be better.

If you must drive it in the snow you will need winter tires or a better snow vehicle.

FWIW, if you can find a 2009 LS with AWD (I think '09 was the first year for AWD), my 2013 GS with the same AWD system is really excellent in the snow. Like better than my Jeep excellent. I was very surprised.

 

With dedicated snows mine is a Panzer tank! Had a GS300 AWD with all seasons and the LS is as good. If you drive the Snow tires one season in warm weather you will kill them.

 

I bought a 2007 18 months ago Certified with 60,000 miles for $32,000. Dealers recently offered me about $20,000 as a a trade in with 80,000 miles. I think $32,000 is too high but it's practically new--plan on keeping it a long time. I use Cooper snow tires and only problem I had was getting up my slight incline driveway in deep snow. Need snow tires with any rear wheel drive car in New England. Costs $200 every year to have Lexus dealers mount put snows on and off every year. My previous certified LS430 I bought from a Chicago Lexus dealer and they shipped it to CT for $700 but they were dishonest with the condition of the paint but did rebate me $500. Have you searched AutoTrader nationwide and seen what others are selling a similar milage car for.?

 

That 2008 is the lowest priced certified in country with under 30,000 miles! Get it!

 

Swap is a must. If you use the winter tires in +5 degrees and above weather they burn 50% faster due to the compound of the tire. I just put the winter tires on the original wheels and use 22" for the summer. I have a set of OEM 18's with summers as well.