Lexus LS600hL - Worth considering.

[ChocolateFrog]

Another car on my radar.

I've owned a 95 LS400 before, which was pretty good and cost me almost nothing. I've also own(ed) Japanese hybrids.

Do they make good used buys? I'd be looking at sub £10k and over 100k mile examples.

I remember when they first came out and being impressed by them, the first production car with full LED headlights among other firsts.

[TheAlastair34]

i think the LS460 is a better buy, yes its not as nice in the back if the 600 has the relaxation pack but its not got a cvt box & its about 4k cheaper

[ChocolateFrog]

TheAlastair34 said:

i think the LS460 is a better buy, yes its not as nice in the back if the 600 has the relaxation pack but its not got a cvt box & its about 4k cheaper

Didn't realise the 600 had a CVT, bugger. I think the boot is significantly smaller too, and it's obviously heavier. Not sure the 460 is actually much cheaper though.

[cedrichn]

Have you tried a CVT gearbox ?
I understand the fear, but it is nicer than you think, especially in a well sound-proof car like the LS.

I was really reluctant to have one CVT, but getting a Lexus Hybrid, I ended up with one. I do got use to it, and the comfort / quietness when cruising full electric at low speed is great...

I advise you to try, if you didn't already. If you did and didn't like, then sorry for this post

[ChocolateFrog]

No I havent, I've just never read good things about them.

I should probably give one a chance.

[TheAlastair34]

ChocolateFrog said:

Didn't realise the 600 had a CVT, bugger. I think the boot is significantly smaller too, and it's obviously heavier. Not sure the 460 is actually much cheaper though.

when ive been looking a decent private 460 is 6k ish ive not seen a 600 with similar milage for less than 10k

[cedrichn]

I don't think it is going to cover the 4k difference, but it would be interesting to also compare the 460 vs 600h in term of:
Tax
Insurance
Consumption
Parking/resident permit
Servicing (+ you will also use less brake, as you get regenerative braking + alloy wheels easier to clean as less brake dust )

Thanks to the hybrid, you can have good (or bad) surprises. And higher re-sale value also...

Edited by cedrichn on Monday 17th February 15:11

[ChocolateFrog]

cedrichn said:

I don't think it is going to cover the 4k difference, but it would be interesting to also compare the 460 vs 600h in term of:
Tax
Insurance
Consumption
Parking/resident permit
Servicing (+ you will also use less brake, as you get regenerative braking + alloy wheels easier to clean as less brake dust )

Thanks to the hybrid, you can have good (or bad) surprises. And higher re-sale value also...

Edited by cedrichn on Monday 17th February 15:11

I think the tax difference is more than £200 a year. The 460 being in the top bracket and the 600 dipping into the bracket below. Worth a couple of tanks of fuel a year I guess. Consumption seems marginally better on the 600 but would I imagine be dependent on use.

Higher resale at the moment but I wonder if the batteries will suffer in years to come. I have a Honda Insight and the battery packs seem to last about 10 years.

The 600's when new were effectively the most expensive of the luxury saloons in their day and way more than the 460's. Much more expensive than something like a 4.2Tdi A8L that is quicker, more economical and probably more desirable. You'd have to go to a 760Li or AMG S Class to find something more expensive.

[TheAlastair34]

I would be buying a A8 4.2 tdi if your spending 10K plus another great car for the money IMO

i liked the 460 @ 6k

[ZX10R NIN]

If you're looking for a 460 also take a look at the Honda Legend.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

GS460

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you want a hybrid then the M35h is worth a (although those blue alloy wheel gators would have to come off before I drove off) look.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...

[ChocolateFrog]

The problem with Legends is they're always £600 quid in my head but decent ones have appreciated significantly in the last 10 years.

[cheeky_chops]

cedrichn said:

Have you tried a CVT gearbox ?
I understand the fear, but it is nicer than you think, especially in a well sound-proof car like the LS.

I was really reluctant to have one CVT, but getting a Lexus Hybrid, I ended up with one. I do got use to it, and the comfort / quietness when cruising full electric at low speed is great...

I advise you to try, if you didn't already. If you did and didn't like, then sorry for this post

Had one in a GS450H - took a bit of getting used to (v strange when nailing it!) but i really liked it for wafting. The "paddles" were a total waste of time mind

[philipbrown123]

My 2007 LS460 is on 205K miles and still drives virtually like new. Averages 27mpg on my 90 mile return commute, mostly busy dual carriageway. Hope this helps. For sale as well for £4500.

[AmitG]

Definitely worth trying an LS600h. In my view they are totally epic. There is nothing quite like them. I would have one over an S-class/7-series/A8, any day.

The e-CVT is not a problem in my view. The car is so quiet that you would not even notice which gearbox it has.

I nearly bought one, but they are a bit unwieldy for the London streets where I live

One thing to check is boot space. The boot on these cars is pretty small because the hybrid batteries are behind the rear seat. And the rear seats do not fold down. So it's not great for 4-up driving holidays. Or tip runs

The newer models (LS500h) put the batteries under the rear seat so you get much better boot space. But they are still 60 grand plus.

The LS is one of the few cars that you can buy at 100k miles with total confidence. Even Lexus main dealers sometimes sell examples with 6 figure mileage.

[0a]

Reheating an old thread here, but any feedback on the LS600hL would be much appreciated.

Sub 100k for around £10k now seems realistic.

Not interested in the 460.

[biggbn]

0a said:

Reheating an old thread here, but any feedback on the LS600hL would be much appreciated.

Sub 100k for around £10k now seems realistic.

Not interested in the 460.

Probably my 'dream' attainable car. I'd also love some info
from anyone who has owned one.

[Gastons_Revenge]

Also would like to hear more about the 600h, one with the RSR pack is on my radar for a road trip next summer!