I am on the hunt for a 2010-2012 LS460 and it seems like 80 percent of them are AWD. Why can't I find any RWD? The same goes for GS350. I would consider one of those also but it's AWD everywhere I look. What the heck! Did Lexus make a lot more AWD? I can't imagine why.

 

Try looking in the South where they were sold new.

 

I do see a few here and there in Georgia, Florida and Texas. I was hoping to find one in the mid-atlantic. But that does make sense that it would be a regional thing. People in the south do not need AWD as much as folks up north.

 

California is another state I did find lots of RWD when I was looking into purchase. I suppose Lexus holds a premium value in CA, thus price negotiations are bit difficult. I had good luck with FL.

 

Totally depends on where you live. If you live north of say NC on the east coast you won't find any RWD.

 

now i found out about this melting dash issue and a lot of the cars in the south are affected by it. Toyota has not fixed many of them yet either. And yes I am in Richmond VA and it is all AWD here. I went to look at a really nice ISF the other day and the salesman told me that he has buyers for the clean LS460's that come in. They either go to a rental company or guys who export them to the middle east. He said his LS460's never make it to the lot and he has one of the nicest lots in the city, lots of clean late model cars. I am finding this everywhere in my area. There are none on the dealer lots. If and when I do find them they either have ugly tan interior, high miles 75K+, they are northern cars that came from an auction, AWD , had accident history, poor cosmetic condition and the list goes on. I do see some 07-09 from time to time but clean 2010-2012 without tan interior are impossible to find. I went through the same thing 3-4 years ago when I was looking for a nice LS430. I am so frustrated right now.

 

Like many others have said RWD is plentiful in the south.

 

RWD also plentiful here in the Pacific Northwest. AWD is harder to find. I think I've only seen one AWD LS since I've owned mine. Eastern Canada has tons because of the weather they get back there.

 

Plenty of RWD in central NC. RWD:AWD here is about 10:1 so not sure why you aren't finding any 100 miles north of us?

 

He's not looking down that far

 

I've checked cars.com and auto trader not to mention craigslist in NC and have found very little. Where are you seeing them?

 

Having owned two RWD LS sedans and one AWD LS sedan in the mid atlantic in the snow, I wouldn't even consider skipping the AWD living here. The AWD LS is excellent in the snow, and the peace of mind having it and knowing that I can get out without having to worry about winter tires or weight in the trunk is well worth it. Thats why dealers only stock AWD cars here.

Obviously you can't drive it in 18" of snow, its too low, but it will get through 6-7 inches of snow no problem. My RWD LS430 and LS400 were hilariously undrivable.

 

It is annoying how you get restricted as to what you can purchase by your region. For instance if you search for a '15 GS in Atomic silver in the Northeast you'll be lucky to see one. Change to a California zip code you get so many hits.

 

why would you want to drive such a nice car in the snow? Exactly why I don't want a northern car that has driven through salt covered roads. I have found a few 07-8's but I'd really prefer the newer NAVI. What frustrates me the most is how many tan interior cars there are. Lexus could have gotten it right and used a nice tan or even saddle but instead they used a hideous golden tan

 

I'll take a RWD car with snow tires over AWD with all seasons any day. Had a RWD 3 series BMW few years ago and it was awesome in snow with the right tires.