Ask the Car People.SM


Lexus LS 460/LS 460L News, Views and Opinions

877 messages,  Last post on Nov 02, 2012 at 10:59 AM

You are in the Lexus LS 460/460L Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus LS 460, Sedan

Messages Page 86 of 88

#848 of 877 Lowering prices -- good news!! by gteach26

Mar 27, 2008 (8:29 am)

Great news traube!
 
Lexus has spoiled me into thinking of the LS as being "fairly priced" in the high 50's, low 60's. Dealers have been trying to take advantage of the "ALL NEW LS!!" to "mercederize" their prices but I think that party is now coming to a close.
 
Aside from the greater HP, the difference between the 430 (selling at near invoice its last few years here in South Fla.) and the 460 just doesn't seem like enough to justify the price jumps dealers have been trying to sustain. The LS went from mid to high 50K "real world" sale prices to 70K on the 460. Lease prices jumped from 700 to 800 per month for 36 months to well over $1000 per month.
 
That's one of the problems with achieving near perfection -- what else can they do or add to these cars to make them pricier yet still appear to be a good value? The self parking gimmick was cute, but who really wants that and is willing to pay a premium for it?
 
I know this is totally subjective, but in my mind the LS has always been, and always should be, the nicer looking, more reliable, and much less expensive S class alternative.
 
Now that the newness is wearing off the 460 and the early adopters have had their fun, perhaps the car will now become more accessible to us regular folks.
 
In other words, perhaps my wife will let me get one now!

#849 of 877 Re: Wind Noise Problem [sierra7] by maloof

Mar 30, 2008 (7:27 am)

Replying to: sierra7 (Feb 10, 2008 4:49 pm)
Did you have any luck with the duck tape? I have the same car/same problem.The dealer did the TSB fix and it did not help. It is a crosswind problem I think. I added some masking tape to a few suspect areas today to see if I get any relief. Let me know what you found out.
Thanks

#850 of 877 Is the Mark Levenson system worth it? by jim9921

Apr 01, 2008 (3:39 pm)

I'm in the final stages of leasing a LS460 but am having a problem finding the color I want (Obsidian w/black) in a car with the ML system. There are a couple cars out there with Nav, but not the ML, plus they are about $4k cheaper since they also opt for the comfort pkg instead of the comfort plus, which has no value for me. I've always had the ML system in my previous cars and it's been fine, but in the car I either use the radio or home made CD's and I wonder if the difference is that big a deal.
I'd appreciate any feedback from those that have experience with both.

#851 of 877 Re: Is the Mark Levenson system worth it? [jim9921] by gteach26

Apr 02, 2008 (8:07 am)

Replying to: jim9921 (Apr 01, 2008 3:39 pm)
I've been exposed to three Lexus radio systems -- Mark Levinson, Lexus Premium Sound System (I think this is their basic radio) and Nackamichi (spelled wrong, I know).
 
I am not an audiophile by any means. I generally listen to contemporary, jazz, and 80,90's pop with the volume at around 30-40% of full strength.
 
To me, all three systems sound the same.
 
Better trained ears will beg to differ, I'm sure.

#852 of 877 Re: Is the Mark Levenson system worth it? [gteach26] by sidgriggs

Apr 02, 2008 (8:59 am)

Replying to: gteach26 (Apr 02, 2008 8:07 am)
Without the Levinson, you cannot watch DVD's. I purchased an 07 LS460 with Nav, but no Levinson. Then installed a Nav bypass kit so I could use the Nav even when driving. This kit would also allow use of the DVD while in motion, but I don't have Levinson, so I can't watch movies while I drive.

#853 of 877 I'm sorta glad... by gteach26

Apr 02, 2008 (10:12 am)

...that you can't watch movies while you drive!
 
That nav bypass kit will come in handy -- don't know why Lexus lawyers don't allow full access even if it senses a person in the passenger seat.
 
Jim 9921... your best bet is to try out the stereos at the dealer and let your ears decide. Under normal listening conditions I really think that unless you have an affinity for pristine audiophonics you won't be able to tell much difference, if any. Perhaps if you load up a cd with lots of orchestral strings, guitars, etc. you might be able to hear a richer, crisper sound on the ML.
 
Let us know what you decide....

#854 of 877 Re: Is the Mark Levenson system worth it? [jim9921] by carnaught

Apr 02, 2008 (5:37 pm)

Replying to: jim9921 (Apr 01, 2008 3:39 pm)
The ML is definitely better in sound quality and amentities but the base unit is pretty good imho. Let YOUR ears decide if it's worth the price differential..

#855 of 877 Re: Is the Mark Levenson system worth it? [gteach26] by markl2

Apr 13, 2008 (4:13 pm)

Replying to: gteach26 (Apr 02, 2008 8:07 am)
Self destructive Lexus/Mark Levinson amplifier
I am a longtime Lexus LS400 & LS430 owner ever since Toyota made the Lexus brand. I bought my second Lexus because of the Mark Levinson system. It is supposed to be the top of the line audio equipment.
However, I just had a very scary experience recently. When I started my LS430 (with the Mark Levinson system), there were a lot of loud popping sounds like gun shots. The radio came on very loud in between the popping sound. I tried to lower the volume and turn off the radio but neither one worked. I had to roll down the windows to avoid hurting my ears and stop the car. I started and stopped the car several times and finally the popping sound was gone. The Mark Levinson radio/CD system was completely dead.
My car has only 52,000 miles driven when this thing happened.
I took the car to the Lexus dealer for inspection. The technician wrote on the inspection report: 'Mark Levinson amplifier malfunctioning internally'.
To get my radio back to work, I paid $500.00 for a new Mark Levinson amplifier and $148.00 to install. Needless to say, I am very, very disappointed. I have been very proud of owning the top of the line Mark Levinson system but not any more.

#856 of 877 Analysis of Long wheel base vs. short LS 460 cost by bobcat63

May 02, 2008 (8:02 am)

Can anyone share an analysis of the advantages of buying the Long wheel base version of the LS460? I have seen a couple of posts that there are certain standard features on the long wheel base that offset much of the increase in price.

#857 of 877 2007 vs 2008 LS 460 fuel economy by wabends

May 11, 2008 (1:43 pm)

Just saw on the following data at Cars.com:
 
2007 460 SWB
Fuel economy city 18-19 miles
Fuel economy Highway 27 miles
 
2008 460 SWB
Fuel economy city 16 miles
Fuel economy Highway 24 miles
 
Is this true? Any reason for this drop in fuel economy?
 
Wabends

Messages Page 86 of 88

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement