Topic: Test Drive: 2013 Lexus LS 460 AWD

[Autos_Editor]

Jeff takes the 2013 Lexus LS460 AWD on a three-hour journey to get his father's opinion on the quiet, comfortable and luxurious flagship.

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[ipolski]

A perfect long distance autobahn stormer.

[JohnM]

And what did this paragon of elegance use in the way of fuel?  A 3 hour trip must have involved some highway cruising unless you were trying to get to work in Toronto.

Cheers,
John M.

[redman]

Nice wheels. My favorite line.... "My test car was fitted with an $11,000 Technology Package option .."

At this level of vehicle most of the packages should be standard.

I've yet to drive a big car that comes anything close to the BMW 7 series.

[DriverJeff]

And what did this paragon of elegance use in the way of fuel?  A 3 hour trip must have involved some highway cruising unless you were trying to get to work in Toronto.

Cheers,
John M.

Good question.  The average for the week was 12.3L / 100 km with probably 2/3 hwy driving.

[aaronk]

I love the understated elegance of the new crop of Lexus interiors. The brushed aluminum control dials, crisp white digital lettering...beautiful.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

This is the only dreadnought class luxury car that I'd get with my own money.

[Northernridge]

I really like the LS and as equipped it must be 40k less than the S Class making it one of the best automotive value propositions for me.

If I have a good run in the shop over the next couple years and can budget the 100k price segment I'd start my search with this LS. I know I'd want an E63 but for day-to-day driving I'd be happier with the boost in luxury vs. horsepower.

I wish they'd push exterior styling a little more and not make all Lexus sedans look the same but they are finding a soul for the brand...just pick up the pace a bit by 2015 please. 

[johngenx]

I agree.  The LS is the only flagship I'd ever think about buying as a financial "mortal."  It's the only car i the class that correlates price to build quality and reliability.

Maybe I'm getting old, but for my long-distance cruisers, I am siding with soft riders.  The Highlander has been a real treat on trips, so much more comfortable than the Forester.  Hey, I still love big days (have a 1500km two day trip planned for the Miata) in the sports machine, wind blasting, etc, but for trips where the destination is the objective, a smooth ride and comfort is pretty sweet.

[mixmanmash]

I agree.  The LS is the only flagship I'd ever think about buying as a financial "mortal."  It's the only car i the class that correlates price to build quality and reliability.

Maybe I'm getting old, but for my long-distance cruisers, I am siding with soft riders.  The Highlander has been a real treat on trips, so much more comfortable than the Forester.  Hey, I still love big days (have a 1500km two day trip planned for the Miata) in the sports machine, wind blasting, etc, but for trips where the destination is the objective, a smooth ride and comfort is pretty sweet.

Not true.  Porsche is up there and Mercedes Benz has been climbing in the rankings.  http://autos.jdpower.com/ratings/dependability-press-release.htm

[johngenx]

Not true.  Porsche is up there and Mercedes Benz has been climbing in the rankings.  http://autos.jdpower.com/ratings/dependability-press-release.htm

I'm not a JD Power fan, but even at that, that's for the brand, not specific models.  The flagship class cars are loaded with new tech that is typically untested and not particularly reliable.

Looking at CR's data for the S-Class, most years are not valid, and those that are look much worse than the Lexus LS.  The BMW 7-series is worse yet.  Again, though, most years are not shown as there's not a sufficient sample size.  I doubt anyone is collecting good data on these low volume sellers.  Going to brand forums shows S-Class and 7-series cars to be very expensive long term ownership experiences.

[Northernridge]

Not true.  Porsche is up there and Mercedes Benz has been climbing in the rankings.  http://autos.jdpower.com/ratings/dependability-press-release.htm

I'm not a JD Power fan, but even at that, that's for the brand, not specific models.  The flagship class cars are loaded with new tech that is typically untested and not particularly reliable.

Looking at CR's data for the S-Class, most years are not valid, and those that are look much worse than the Lexus LS.  The BMW 7-series is worse yet.  Again, though, most years are not shown as there's not a sufficient sample size.  I doubt anyone is collecting good data on these low volume sellers.  Going to brand forums shows S-Class and 7-series cars to be very expensive long term ownership experiences.

Further, Mercedes is about to release a completely redesigned S Class so the cycle will reset as well (buggie systems are introduced then improved over the lifecycle). My own experience with Mercedes technology has been relatively poor performance of first generation systems (rather than the systems outright breaking)...they just haven't worked as promised. However, I've also experienced substantial performance improvement with second generation systems. My lesson is to not buy a first generation Mercedes Benz...wait a couple years until the bugs are worked out...they will be.

[JRM]

Nice car, but, as an Accountant I couldn't justify paying $100,000.00 for a vehicle that will end up in a scrap yard eventually, like all the rest.  It makes for a poor cost benefit analysis.

[aaronk]

Nice car, but, as an Accountant I couldn't justify paying $100,000.00 for a vehicle that will end up in a scrap yard eventually, like all the rest.  It makes for a poor cost benefit analysis.

That argument could be made for just about any new car purchase - what's the average first year depreciation, like 20% or more? Most of these vehicles are leased, so it's just another expense like clothing or entertainment.

[johngenx]

Generally speaking, the more expensive the car, the larger the depreciation will be. For many cars, it's the highest cost of operation.

The best way to minimize this expense is to buy used, or at the economy end of the scale, or both.

We bought our Corolla new, so we are taking the largest depreciation hit the car will have, but even as the original owners, we've only lost $8-9K in five years. That's crazy cheap for a new car. A flagship luxury car loses more than that the first time the transmission is put in gear. But, that Lexus sure is nicer to drive than a Corolla. Just a LOT more expensive to own.

Personally, I just couldn't drop that much money on depreciation. I ate $35K over the 11 years I owned the C230 and still sting from that. Over the next year I anticipate the Miata will depreciate very little, the Corolla $1500 or so, maybe less, the Highlander $1000 or so.  Heck, someone offered me $1000 more than I paid for the HL!  Maybe it's appreciating!

[Fobroader]

While the MB S63 would be my dream battleship class car, this Lexus is a beautiful machine. Flying along at 130-140 through Saskatchewan to Manitoba, this would be the ticket, just float along.

[2JDM]

Truly a stress free vehicle.

How much are parts for the LS? When it does break, are the problems as complicated to fix as ze Germans?

[BMW_fan]

Nice car, but, as an Accountant I couldn't justify paying $100,000.00 for a vehicle that will end up in a scrap yard eventually, like all the rest.  It makes for a poor cost benefit analysis.

I tend to agree. Usually at 5 years a car is worth 50% of its original new value. Keep in mind, it's the feeling the ownership of such a vehicle gives to its owner that is what Lexus wants you to believe. Through rational thinking out the window. In any case, if you are fortunate to make a very high wage, the cost of the LS is probably negligible.

Comparing it to German luxury, I would bet the LS is worry free driving.

[rrocket]

Truly a stress free vehicle.

How much are parts for the LS? When it does break, are the problems as complicated to fix as ze Germans?

I had the discussion with someone here once before.  Many parts are shared with other Lexus...some going back to the 90s.  For example, someone asked how much the auto-levelling motor was for the LS460 because the one on their FGC had broke and was going to cost them $$$$.  As it happens, the motor was the exact same one used on the 1998 GS400.  So the cost was next to nothing in comparison.

[tenpenny]

Nice car, but, as an Accountant I couldn't justify paying $100,000.00 for a vehicle that will end up in a scrap yard eventually, like all the rest.  It makes for a poor cost benefit analysis.

Using that logic, you couldn't justify anything.  Buying food is a waste, it ends up in the sewer.


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