Anyone changed from an IS F to an LS?

Irish ISF · October 31

Hi all, I’m thinking of moving on my 2008 IS F. I’ve had it 5 years which is the longest I’ve held a car. I’ve put some expensive mods on it although I haven’t done anything with the exterior to get it the way I want it. I could but of course that means extra money which I could probably use right now for my house.

I'm somewhat bored of it right now as I don’t get much use out of it and to be honest it’s not particularly fun to chuck around a small country road in comparison to something smaller and lighter like a Fiesta ST or GR Yaris.

We recently bought a 2015 RX450 as a family car and I love it. It’s a nice place to be and just cruise around.

That’s got me thinking about more luxurious cars. I can get a 2007 1 owner lS460 with 70,000 miles for about €8k here. It has mainly a full service histor and looks to be a good car, being sold by a guy who used to service it for the main dealer. What would be the consensus on how good a buy that would be? Preferably I would buy a 2013+ ls600h but they are extremely rare here.

I’ve done the fast v8 sports saloon but I’ve never had a top of the range luxury car. Very interested in it. Just wondering if anyone else has made the switch?

Malc1 · October 31

Diarmuid hi ……. there’s good vids from the CarCareNut somewhere here about the Ls460 ……. Big Big NO NO compared to buying the Ls430 …… Ls460 a likely potential Moneypit …… the Ls600 might also be a tad challenging, ……. there’s a few good people here that have them and be happy to comment on their experiences I’m sure

Nothing quite like the Ls400 tho’ 😄👍

Malc

Irish ISF · October 31

Hi Malcolm, yes I have been binging on his videos. He is a real fountain of knowledge. I’ve heard that the 400/430 is bulletproof but they are quite scarce over here. In comparison a lot of the 460/600 were sold in 2007/2008. I’ve read they are the more problematic alright but I suppose how problematic they are is the question. The air suspension scares me a bit especially at that age. I’d imagine wear and tear on bushes shouldn’t be too much of an issue at that mileage even though it is old and rubber does perish.

My dad took a Landcruiser 100 series to 526,000 miles and it’s still going with its new owner. I always picture the 100 series and the LS as the pinnacle of Japanese engineering.

Malc1 · October 31

But the Ls460 does appear to be supremely expensively problematical for many owners

August 2023 I had the itch to buy another big car and explored the Ls600 offerings and nearly bought an import as they are supremely good cars on balance …….. BUT it seemed to me that whatever I did it would never be free of some Japanese hieroglyphics, buttons whatever remaining ……. so I just abandoned that thought and luckily discovered my 91 J reg Ls400 from a Member here …….. replicates my first one from some 26 years ago, colour and all 😄

So I now have it and it’s wonderful but with bodywork niggles and blemishes but then she is 33 years and 101k miles young ……. and of course drives impeccably

On balance I’m sure you’ll enjoy a Ls 👍

Malc

Yingyz · November 1

I have a LS600h, it’s a 2012 so is the 2nd facelift of the 4th gen LS.

Reliability wise has been great and haven’t caused me problems excluding age related issues. Suspension bushings needed replacement due to wear and I had the catalytic converters stolen but that’s not a fault of the car.

You just have to remember while it is more reliable, servicing and maintenance isn’t cheap because the car has 8 front control arms, needs 10 litres of engine oil etc etc and Lexus OEM parts are not cheap at all.

Oh and the suspension is very floaty, mine weighs 2475kg and it feels like it, same era A8L with the 6.3L W12 weighed ‘only’ 2165kg so definitely not something you can throw around.

BMCWP · November 3

I very nearly went down the LS600 or 460 road but after a bit of research decided to stick to my 2005/6 LS430 (built December 05 registered January 06) it was actually an original Irish car (complete with K/PH speedo) and I think the last owner (who bought it from new) sold it as it was getting on a bit and an almost 2000 Euro a year tax bill was a bit much. When I got it I had to change the speedo over to M/PH (as I am in the North) and then set about doing all the little bits that need done (as recommended here) ie Radiator and timing belt etc. I still have an eye on a LS600 but simply for the hybrid bit but I think my sensible head has won the battle and as decent LS430's are getting like hens teeth I think I'll just stick to what I have. (but I could be very tempted back into a Range Rover again as I miss my old one)

Malc1 · November 3

6 hours ago, BMCWP said:

I very nearly went down the LS600 or 460 road but after a bit of research decided to stick to my 2005/6 LS430 (built December 05 registered January 06) it was actually an original Irish car (complete with K/PH speedo) and I think the last owner (who bought it from new) sold it as it was getting on a bit and an almost 2000 Euro a year tax bill was a bit much. When I got it I had to change the speedo over to M/PH (as I am in the North) and then set about doing all the little bits that need done (as recommended here) ie Radiator and timing belt etc. I still have an eye on a LS600 but simply for the hybrid bit but I think my sensible head has won the battle and as decent LS430's are getting like hens teeth I think I'll just stick to what I have. (but I could be very tempted back into a Range Rover again as I miss my old one)

Brian hi, my nephew has a Range Rover with HUGE bills to match …… he loves his car too and thankfully has enuf income to accept the inevitable 😂

Malc

Irish ISF · November 3

9 hours ago, BMCWP said:

I very nearly went down the LS600 or 460 road but after a bit of research decided to stick to my 2005/6 LS430 (built December 05 registered January 06) it was actually an original Irish car (complete with K/PH speedo) and I think the last owner (who bought it from new) sold it as it was getting on a bit and an almost 2000 Euro a year tax bill was a bit much. When I got it I had to change the speedo over to M/PH (as I am in the North) and then set about doing all the little bits that need done (as recommended here) ie Radiator and timing belt etc. I still have an eye on a LS600 but simply for the hybrid bit but I think my sensible head has won the battle and as decent LS430's are getting like hens teeth I think I'll just stick to what I have. (but I could be very tempted back into a Range Rover again as I miss my old one)

You are a brave man to consider a Range Rover. A guy looking at my IS F came in a 2015 RR Sport and the car alarm started acting up as he arrived. He said it hadn’t happened before. He had to pull out of the IS F purchase because the air suspension on it failed and he was left with a €8,000 bill and rising. 🙈

There appear to be a lot of Japanese import 400 celsiors on DoneDeal at the moment. Very few 430s ever appear though. I can’t imagine many of them sold here.

BMCWP · November 4

RR sports are not "proper" Range Rovers 🙂 ( I would be talking about the L322 or "Full Fat" RR's) I had one before, and it was actually reliable and never once let me down (it was well looked after all its life) the only reason I sold it was due to some family members having difficulty getting in and out of it as it was too high off the ground for them. The thing about RR ownership is knowing it can (and probably will) do something negative but the owners club and a good mechanic meant I never had any major issues to deal with. I always wanted a Citroen CX, XM or C6 but the closest mechanic to me that knows enough about them is a 100 mile round trip away so that's why none of them ended up with me. No, the LS has been perfect and despite having the 7 year itch I know in my head that its the sensible option. (if a 4.3L V8 petrol as a daily drive could be described as sensible) 🤣