High Mileage 2008 LS600hl

[anoldls]

Well folks, looking for some advice on the above. I am intending to look at a high mileage car later this week at auction.

The car has 345,000km/ 215,000miles - not ideal but if the money is right I would be planning to hold onto the car long term.

• I have 2 main concerns, the first being the mileage and how this might affect remaining Battery life. I've read a lot of the previous posts here but not sure how high mileage cars have faired with the hybrid Battery. And if it fails, it it possible to recondition etc? Or would it need a replacement, obviously this would probably be prohibitive with the value of the car.

 

• My second concern is on this particular car. While it does claim to have a 10 stamp service history and just 3 previous owners my concern is the following:

- The 'Check VGRS System' light seems to be on. Some have said they have had to do a steering rack change, others have stated a system reset has cleared the fault. Should I just walk away?

- The Zeetex tyres and silly font on the number plate make me wonder if the car was run on a budget by the last owner which does make me concerned but given its a Lexus with a service history maybe not a deal breaker.

 

Obviously buying from the auction I can't drive the car but will be able to start it and check the SH when I view it. Link to the auction ad here.

I've had 2 IS250s previous which I loved, besides the annoyingly high seating position, but have always wanted a nice LS. Do I run or take a punt?

[Malc1]

Why’s it in the auction and who’s placing it there ?  Reserve price and current MOT and have you verified the service history ? 
 

you must have very deep pockets or totally barmy UNLESS someone has professionally advised you that this is a sensible car to buy at ……. what price ? 

Auctions very very soon 

 

good luck 

Malc 

[The-Acre]

1 hour ago, anoldls said:

Well folks, looking for some advice on the above. I am intending to look at a high mileage car later this week at auction.

The car has 345,000km/ 215,000miles - not ideal but if the money is right I would be planning to hold onto the car long term.

• I have 2 main concerns, the first being the mileage and how this might affect remaining battery life. I've read a lot of the previous posts here but not sure how high mileage cars have faired with the hybrid battery. And if it fails, it it possible to recondition etc? Or would it need a replacement, obviously this would probably be prohibitive with the value of the car.

 

• My second concern is on this particular car. While it does claim to have a 10 stamp service history and just 3 previous owners my concern is the following:

- The 'Check VGRS System' light seems to be on. Some have said they have had to do a steering rack change, others have stated a system reset has cleared the fault. Should I just walk away?

- The Zeetex tyres and silly font on the number plate make me wonder if the car was run on a budget by the last owner which does make me concerned but given its a Lexus with a service history maybe not a deal breaker.

 

Obviously buying from the auction I can't drive the car but will be able to start it and check the SH when I view it. Link to the auction ad here.

I've had 2 IS250s previous which I loved, besides the annoyingly high seating position, but have always wanted a nice LS. Do I run or take a punt?

The hybrid batteries can be reconditioned at a fraction of the cost of replacement. Still a risky buy though!

[Pauly C]

I have to ask - how long is holding onto such a car 'long term'?  If it's already done 215,000 miles then your definition of 'long term' is different to mine, my friend😉 Any car, no matter what make it is, will be staring big big bills in the face at 215K miles plus😉

[Malc1]

6 minutes ago, Pauly C said:

I have to ask - how long is holding onto such a car 'long term'?  If it's already done 215,000 miles then your definition of 'long term' is different to mine, my friend😉 Any car, no matter what make it is, will be staring big big bills in the face at 215K miles plus😉

Especially, probably the Ls600 🤔

Malc 

[anoldls]

I think this is the convincing I needed.

 

It is a pity, they rarely come up for sale here, those that do are crazy money so thought originally this may be worth a punt. Realistically it wouldn't be sellable down the line so I think I will have to accept all of your better judgement folks. 

 

There is also a 2008 GS450h up for auction the same day with just over 100,000km so I may take a look at that instead. Hard to fall for it after looking at an LS 😄

[The-Acre]

11 hours ago, anoldls said:

I think this is the convincing I needed.

 

It is a pity, they rarely come up for sale here, those that do are crazy money so thought originally this may be worth a punt. Realistically it wouldn't be sellable down the line so I think I will have to accept all of your better judgement folks. 

 

There is also a 2008 GS450h up for auction the same day with just over 100,000km so I may take a look at that instead. Hard to fall for it after looking at an LS 😄

You will love the pulling power of the GS450h!!

[JoshW]

I’d echo the above really on the LS600h, superb, reliable pieces of engineering when they have been maintained. But that comes at a cost, with the vehicle being nigh on £100k when it was new, the parts are often astronomical and in low supply with almost no aftermarket here in the UK. Something I’m experiencing with a Toyota Soarer that I’m restoring, parts are rare and almost everything is expensive 😀.

As you’ve rightly pointed out it’ll be very much gambling with a few K, budget tyres aren’t a good start, nor is a VGRS error. The GS450h is a good compromise though and a well trodden track with known issues etc like shocks, inverters, transmission pump. Pretty much anything that is wrong you’ll likely find somebody else has experienced and resolved the same thing here or on the US forums.