Lexus LS (2007 - 2017) 460 SE-L 4.6 V8 4d Auto (2007/07) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Understated class. Not interested in main stream yawn brands or trendy runabouts but good old fashioned big car comfort.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

My neighbour never gives up an opportunity for a trip because he loves the car. Another neighbour love it too and keeps offering to buy it off me albeit for way too little.

Would you buy this car again and why?

I'd probably go down to the GS which is still a big car but adequate for my needs. Or I'd go to their 4x4. But if the right deal came up with the later upgrade of this model I'd have it.

What are you likely to buy next?

Something with a low road tax as my Lexus is top of the band costing me £500 a year. Shame on greed governments. I'm quite interested in electric range extenders like the Vauxhall Ampera or Chevrolet Volt. The latter is already a steal secondhand and when Chevrolet withdraw from Europe soon it will be an even better buy but Vauxhall could do the servicing. If I was practical an estate or 4x4 should be my choice. I like the Hyundai Santa Fe.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£25,000

When did you buy the car?

June 2011

Did you get a good deal and why?

I feel I paid top dollar but felt more comfortable buying from the brand dealership.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

I like a big luxury car. Not interested in speed just comfort and reliability with exceptional standards of finish.

What was the dealer like?

I have never found them to be quite as good as the 'Lexus experience' would have you believe. When I took delivery I found part of the engine cowling unscrewed and flapping about, a dent in the rear bumper and a badly stained driver's mat. Clearly the PDI was not up to scratch. It cost me time and mileage to have sorted. Not the best introduction to a brand. Plus they messed up on the payment. The balance reappeared in my bank account three days after paying it and stayed there for three months until they realised they hadn't been paid. I could go on about the service visits but you get the gist. The product is good the service delivery not there yet and I have no great faith that it will get there.

What's it like to drive?

Comfortable and relaxed. Not a car to throw about as it's a bit of a barge. Journeys just melt away.

What's it like to park?

A pain because spaces seem to be too small these days so I often have to overlap into another space. It has parking sensors and a camera but I've still managed to mark the rear bumper with a rogue concrete post.

Have you had any problems with the car?

The brakes squealed but they could find nothing wrong. Offered to clean the discs for which I paid £126. Stopped the forward braking squeal but then they started squealing when I brake in reverse. Have decided to leave it to the next service. Other than that the car is a joy to own.

What's most practical about your car?

The economy. For a 4.6 V8 it returns 25mpg overall but I have regularly bettered that. And on a motorway cruise it will return in excess of 30mpg which I think is remarkable.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

The hold button on the steering wheel which means I do not have to take it out of drive when I pull up in traffic. Simple but brilliant.