9000revs

Just wanted to know. Not a fan of the spindle grill, so I would be looking for one of these. Unless the spindle ones are significantly better and more reliable. Thanks.

riknchar

Most of the early "bugs" had been worked out of the LS460 by the time the 2011/2012 model year cars were produced. The 2013+ cars do have some additional cosmetic upgrades that many appreciate, but I don't know that they will prove to be significantly more reliable over time than the 2011/2012 models. So I'd say it's mostly up to you which style you prefer. Of course, the price will be significantly lower on the 2011/12 models, which can help with any additional repairs that may be required simply due to the added age of these cars. Good luck in your hunt!

DedBirdDog

Like you, I'm not a fan at all of the spindle grille. Check out this thread though. It may help you in making your decision If you can go 2013+,i think you should.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-4th-gen-2007-2017/907919-good-looking-grills-for-2013-ls.html

NotFasty

I ended up in a 2012 (instead of a 2013) because the price difference was pretty high (like maybe $7000). I know it's a newer car but I like my 2012 plenty...

LS430FL

I don't necessarily think all the bugs from first generation 2007-2009 LS's have been worked out by the 2010-2012 generation. I just don't think the 2010-2012's were old enough yet to know unlike the earlier models were when the issues started popping up. Every issue that the 2007's had that drove me to get a 2011 have now all happened on my 2011 460L. I have had the brake actuator replaced, I have had the control arms replaced, my entire interior melted and was replaced. All of these are well known issues from the 2007-2009 models and they have all happened to my car and they all occurred somewhere between the 50-60,000 mile area. I am also not the only one on this forum with a 2010-2012 model LS460 that has had these issues. Don't get me wrong I absolutely love the car it's just now these cars are getting to the age when the 2007-2009 generation's issues started popping up and now I am starting to see the 2010-2012 generation may still have a lot of those issues.

9000revs

I am sorry to hear about some of these issues. I was expecting better reliability. I have a 2000 LS400 that is now 19 yrs old and has 116K miles on it and I have not done anything to it except maintenance and power steering pump. I guess, I may be naive to expect that kind of reliability for newer cars due to the increase in electronics and complexity. I am trying to set expectations so I dont get disappointed once I own it. I will do more research on the various MYs. Any more info you can post would be appreciated.

9000revs

You are right, painting the center section really makes it look a lot better. So, with the spindle model, which model would you recommend? I like the V8s, dont think V6 turbo suites the class of this car.

DedBirdDog

All of the 2013-2017 cars can be painted like I did mine. 2018+ are full spindles and there's nothing you can do about it. The 2013+ cars seem to be more immune to the issues that the earlier cars had although that jury is still out somewhat. Only time will tell. If you can make the jump to a 2013+ car, I think it's worth it. Values on these things are dropping like a rock right now and there are some really good values out there.

UZ214

one thing you need to look out and its not often talked about here is (regardless of the ls460 years) is the rubber seal around the.sunroof (cracking). when I was thinking of getting a 2013 + pretty much 2 out of 4 cars I saw has the seal aging really bad.

jdanielca

R Z

As you said, the difference in the 400 and 460 is the tremendous amount of electronics involved. I would have confidence in a 2011 or 2012. My neighbor has a 2011 and he never had a lick of trouble. He upgraded to a 2016 in December, but he claims that 2011 was as solid as a rock. You can find problems with any car if you look hard enough. The best thing is to pick a car, do the research on the Lexus site as well as pay a professional to look the car over top to bottom. Jump in!

USNVET

I had a Lexus 350 FWD traded in in before my first oil change for a Lexus 350 AWD and it was a good car But lacked pick up and was not that much fun to drive so less then a year later I traded it in for a 2011 LS 460 L AWD and it was better then I ever expect in the snow or tight curves at 90 MPH a fun car to drive and v exceptionally comfortable and the most reliable car (next to Subaru) I ever owned

As usual I got bored with the LS and decided to buy a BMW 750 I L X drive as my 2nd car

Having driven the Lexus $87,500 with most of the available options and the BMW $108,000 I can say the Lexus is so much more dependable, handles the curves as well as the Beemer and the seats in the Lexus passenger and driver are much more comfortable

Both the Lexus LS 460 and BMW 750 put the Mercedes to shame in comfort tight turns and all around fun driving experience. The only reason I did not not trade in my LS is the new grill is hideous at best and the V-8 is not a slouch even compared to the Turbo V 8 the BMW has .

The BMW electronics are a nightmare to get used to and customer support is not as decent as Lexus

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

I know my car can hug some corner, especially since it has the air suspension but better than a BMW???? I'll have to take your word for it though.

USNVET

See the classy look on both cars
I bought a Lexus ES 350 2010 FWD and hated it so before I even had my first oil change I bought a Lexus GS 350 AWD 2010 good car but lacked power and was not fun to drive so I traded it in for a Lexus 2011 LS 460 L AWD which was a lot more to my liking in "Sport mode" and a lot of fun to drive and much more dependable and comfortable then the Mercedes

Lexus put the ugly grill and even thought I wanted a second car there was no way would I buy a car with that hideous grill so I ended up keeping the 2011 LS with 21,450 miles on it and bought BMW 750 IL in 2014 . The Lexus is a lot more user friendly, much more dependable then the Beemer and a lot cheaper but I just could not see buying a car with such a ugly grill