Top of the range. A spec list that would turn a Mercedes S class green with envy. All for just RM120,000. What's the catch?
You've been going out with the same girl for a few years now. She's the same age, equally-educated, and all the boxes tick: Fairly attractive, good career prospects, she'd make a good wife. She's a safe bet.
Then one day, you meet an older woman at a meeting. She's several years your senior but boy is she gorgeous! The chemistry is electric and you admire her because she has none of the emotional tantrums your girlfriend puts you through; maturity has equipped her well to handle the odd bumps in life. But deep down, you know it doesn't make sense: She's too old to have kids, there's a cultural gap, or perhaps you're afraid because at that age, women have seen the puppet show; they know their worth. Still, it could be fun in the short run.
Ask yourself: Current girlfriend or quick dalliance with Monica Bellucci?
Right now, you could pick up a brand new Toyota Altis for RM120,000. It's a sensible option, it's not going to break down anytime soon, and it's respectable enough. Thing is, it's not sexy.
And that's why, at the other corner, is that alluring mature woman, whose index finger curls at you in a hooked position. A year 2007 Lexus LS 460 is an entirely different proposition, but it's an itch you've been dying to scratch.
Perfectly poised at the intersection of luxury and technology, the top of the range Lexus is something you've long admired. It's the choice of Kings and Queens. And not just that. Prime Ministers and Presidents the world over make it their vehicle of choice. But darn it - it was always at the topmost shelf just beyond the reach of your outstretched arms. Until now. For the same RM120,000, it could be yours. But you worry about the maintenance costs of a 9 year old vehicle - a range topper to add to that.
Should you? Here, I consider the pros and cons of ditching the sensible choice in favour of the automotive Monica Bellucci.
When the Lexus LS 460 was launched in 2006, the sheer gadgetry onboard this automotive tour de force left journalists gaping in awe. When the likes of Mercedes and BMW were still wearing diapers and wetting their beds at night, Lexus premiered autonomous braking in the Lexus LS 460. So if you were in a coma, and the car senses that you're about to crash into a pole, tree or dinosaur, the car will actually brake for you. This vehicle also featured the world's first infrared body temperature sensor in an automobile, so if it detects a change in occupant body temperature, it'll adjust the climate control settings automatically (because no Lexus LS 460 driver should have to do a mundane task like pressing a button). Or if you're like my friend who for the life of her just can't hack parallel parking, this car will park itself for you. Autonomous parking? You saw it here first.
Do you remember Tom Ford, formerly a presenter at Fifth Gear? He put up this great review video of the Lexus LS 460 where all of these features are given their 15 minutes of fame, which you'll find here:
The Lexus LS 460 also premiered the world's first 8-speed automatic gearbox. At the time, it was one more than Mercedes and two more than everybody else. The engine block was a 4.6-litre V8 engine that developed 375 bhp, good enough to launch it from standstill to 60mph in 5.7 seconds. As for fuel economy, it returns 19/27 mpg in city/highway driving cycles.
Inside, there's a 450-watt 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system that turns your iPod into a ticket to see your favourite band play at a live performance. GPS is standard too, and this time, it's hard-drive based unit, with 14GB of space thrown in with the car. In other words, if by chance you needed driving maps around Mars or Jupiter, it could fit all that right in along with the highways and roads in your earthly planet. Voice navigation also comes with the package and it controls the climate, sound, audio-visual and vehicle settings. In other words, it'll do everything except mop your floors.
There's all-round electric controls for the seats too. The driver gets a generous 16-way adjustable seat, while the front passenger gets (only) 12-way power seats. And if you want heated/ cooling ventilated seats, that's not an option you need to tick. It comes standard. For the long wheel based Lexus LS 460 L version, an Executive Class Seating Package is something you should consider. It adds an Ottoman-style reclining seat for the rear passengers, with ventilating and - get this - massage functions. It's programmed to know all sorts of massage us men are more than familiar with: Swedish, Balinese, Shiatsu and yes - also the Bangkok Ladyboy Happy Hour special.
So that's the pro-arguments sorted.
Who wouldn't want all that? At just RM120,000 in today's money, the Lexus LS 460, you sigh in relief, is finally within your reach. But does it mean you should? Generally there are no pitfalls with this car. It's designed to run for a million miles and Lexus' no-nonsense, no-shortcut, no-expense spared approach pretty much makes it a safe bet.
But before you call up the dealer, l'lll fill you in with the cons. Not trying to be a party pooper, but you might want to know Ms. Bellucci can be a nightmare too.
Top 3 most expensive repairs on a Lexus LS 460:
1. The Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) system can cause problems. What happens is, if the car is exposed to continuously high rainfall, water can seep into trunk and trickle into the EPB system. The ensuing shortcircuits would jam the car wheels and pretty much cripple it from moving any further. Cost of repair: about RM2,500.
2. It has been reported the suspension on the Lexus LS 460 is not as robust as the Lexus LS 430 it replaced. In this car, Lexus redesigned the front and rear multilink suspension from the ground up. But rather than use the more durable PVC for bushings, they opted for tough plastics instead... which didn't prove all that tough. These things can overheat overtime, causing a breakdown in the suspension geometry. Cost of repair: about RM5,000... per suspension. If all four sides break down? Be prepared to sustain yourself on bread and water for the rest of the year.
3. The transmission heat exchanger in the radiator has been reported to overheat on numerous occasions. Without further attention, it can destroy the entire transmission. And that 8-speed transmission we talked about earlier? Ahem... the cost of repair is RM30,000 for the entirely new set of transmission, heat exchanger and radiator.
Last but not least, bear in mind that our Ms. Bellucci is a technological marvel with more acronyms than the average can of Campbell alphabet soup. I won't bother explaining what all these acronyms stand for because firstly, you already know what they mean; secondly, it'll be boring; and thirdly I don't know what they do to be honest!! But in nutshell, the Lexus LS 460 is equipped with GPS, AFS, VSC, VSEC, ABS, EPS, EPB, Individual door ECMS, tilt and telescoping modules, ETPMS, HVAC and HIV.
I made the last one up.
Still, you get the drift. If one, or a set of these electronic modules surrenders on you, be prepared because it will cost big. Thing is, when it's all working, you have quite possibly snagged yourself the greatest basement bargain OF THE CENTURY. A fully loaded Lexus LS 460 with all the gizmos of Starship Enterprise at a fraction of the list price. It's the sweetest thing on wheels, bar none.
But when it rains, it pours. As befits the high-end status of Lexus top of the range model, the cost to repair it lives up to the original manufacturer sticker price. Yes, although you can now buy it at a bargain, you can't repair it on the cheap. Everything about the Lexus LS 460 is expensive - the technology, the image, even the smell. Did I mention the road tax will set you back RM9,366 per year?
So, a RM120,000 bargain? On paper, yes that's how it looks. In reality, no no... run far, far away from it. In short: Sorry Monica Bellucci, you're not worth the problems. Think I'll stick to my current girlfriend.
What do you think? Did I make the right conclusion?
Cheers!
All Lexus
Then one day, you meet an older woman at a meeting. She's several years your senior but boy is she gorgeous! The chemistry is electric and you admire her because she has none of the emotional tantrums your girlfriend puts you through; maturity has equipped her well to handle the odd bumps in life. But deep down, you know it doesn't make sense: She's too old to have kids, there's a cultural gap, or perhaps you're afraid because at that age, women have seen the puppet show; they know their worth. Still, it could be fun in the short run.
Ask yourself: Current girlfriend or quick dalliance with Monica Bellucci?
Right now, you could pick up a brand new Toyota Altis for RM120,000. It's a sensible option, it's not going to break down anytime soon, and it's respectable enough. Thing is, it's not sexy.
And that's why, at the other corner, is that alluring mature woman, whose index finger curls at you in a hooked position. A year 2007 Lexus LS 460 is an entirely different proposition, but it's an itch you've been dying to scratch.
Perfectly poised at the intersection of luxury and technology, the top of the range Lexus is something you've long admired. It's the choice of Kings and Queens. And not just that. Prime Ministers and Presidents the world over make it their vehicle of choice. But darn it - it was always at the topmost shelf just beyond the reach of your outstretched arms. Until now. For the same RM120,000, it could be yours. But you worry about the maintenance costs of a 9 year old vehicle - a range topper to add to that.
Should you? Here, I consider the pros and cons of ditching the sensible choice in favour of the automotive Monica Bellucci.
When the Lexus LS 460 was launched in 2006, the sheer gadgetry onboard this automotive tour de force left journalists gaping in awe. When the likes of Mercedes and BMW were still wearing diapers and wetting their beds at night, Lexus premiered autonomous braking in the Lexus LS 460. So if you were in a coma, and the car senses that you're about to crash into a pole, tree or dinosaur, the car will actually brake for you. This vehicle also featured the world's first infrared body temperature sensor in an automobile, so if it detects a change in occupant body temperature, it'll adjust the climate control settings automatically (because no Lexus LS 460 driver should have to do a mundane task like pressing a button). Or if you're like my friend who for the life of her just can't hack parallel parking, this car will park itself for you. Autonomous parking? You saw it here first.
Do you remember Tom Ford, formerly a presenter at Fifth Gear? He put up this great review video of the Lexus LS 460 where all of these features are given their 15 minutes of fame, which you'll find here:
The Lexus LS 460 also premiered the world's first 8-speed automatic gearbox. At the time, it was one more than Mercedes and two more than everybody else. The engine block was a 4.6-litre V8 engine that developed 375 bhp, good enough to launch it from standstill to 60mph in 5.7 seconds. As for fuel economy, it returns 19/27 mpg in city/highway driving cycles.
Inside, there's a 450-watt 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system that turns your iPod into a ticket to see your favourite band play at a live performance. GPS is standard too, and this time, it's hard-drive based unit, with 14GB of space thrown in with the car. In other words, if by chance you needed driving maps around Mars or Jupiter, it could fit all that right in along with the highways and roads in your earthly planet. Voice navigation also comes with the package and it controls the climate, sound, audio-visual and vehicle settings. In other words, it'll do everything except mop your floors.
There's all-round electric controls for the seats too. The driver gets a generous 16-way adjustable seat, while the front passenger gets (only) 12-way power seats. And if you want heated/ cooling ventilated seats, that's not an option you need to tick. It comes standard. For the long wheel based Lexus LS 460 L version, an Executive Class Seating Package is something you should consider. It adds an Ottoman-style reclining seat for the rear passengers, with ventilating and - get this - massage functions. It's programmed to know all sorts of massage us men are more than familiar with: Swedish, Balinese, Shiatsu and yes - also the Bangkok Ladyboy Happy Hour special.
So that's the pro-arguments sorted.
Who wouldn't want all that? At just RM120,000 in today's money, the Lexus LS 460, you sigh in relief, is finally within your reach. But does it mean you should? Generally there are no pitfalls with this car. It's designed to run for a million miles and Lexus' no-nonsense, no-shortcut, no-expense spared approach pretty much makes it a safe bet.
But before you call up the dealer, l'lll fill you in with the cons. Not trying to be a party pooper, but you might want to know Ms. Bellucci can be a nightmare too.
Top 3 most expensive repairs on a Lexus LS 460:
1. The Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) system can cause problems. What happens is, if the car is exposed to continuously high rainfall, water can seep into trunk and trickle into the EPB system. The ensuing shortcircuits would jam the car wheels and pretty much cripple it from moving any further. Cost of repair: about RM2,500.
2. It has been reported the suspension on the Lexus LS 460 is not as robust as the Lexus LS 430 it replaced. In this car, Lexus redesigned the front and rear multilink suspension from the ground up. But rather than use the more durable PVC for bushings, they opted for tough plastics instead... which didn't prove all that tough. These things can overheat overtime, causing a breakdown in the suspension geometry. Cost of repair: about RM5,000... per suspension. If all four sides break down? Be prepared to sustain yourself on bread and water for the rest of the year.
3. The transmission heat exchanger in the radiator has been reported to overheat on numerous occasions. Without further attention, it can destroy the entire transmission. And that 8-speed transmission we talked about earlier? Ahem... the cost of repair is RM30,000 for the entirely new set of transmission, heat exchanger and radiator.
Last but not least, bear in mind that our Ms. Bellucci is a technological marvel with more acronyms than the average can of Campbell alphabet soup. I won't bother explaining what all these acronyms stand for because firstly, you already know what they mean; secondly, it'll be boring; and thirdly I don't know what they do to be honest!! But in nutshell, the Lexus LS 460 is equipped with GPS, AFS, VSC, VSEC, ABS, EPS, EPB, Individual door ECMS, tilt and telescoping modules, ETPMS, HVAC and HIV.
I made the last one up.
Still, you get the drift. If one, or a set of these electronic modules surrenders on you, be prepared because it will cost big. Thing is, when it's all working, you have quite possibly snagged yourself the greatest basement bargain OF THE CENTURY. A fully loaded Lexus LS 460 with all the gizmos of Starship Enterprise at a fraction of the list price. It's the sweetest thing on wheels, bar none.
But when it rains, it pours. As befits the high-end status of Lexus top of the range model, the cost to repair it lives up to the original manufacturer sticker price. Yes, although you can now buy it at a bargain, you can't repair it on the cheap. Everything about the Lexus LS 460 is expensive - the technology, the image, even the smell. Did I mention the road tax will set you back RM9,366 per year?
So, a RM120,000 bargain? On paper, yes that's how it looks. In reality, no no... run far, far away from it. In short: Sorry Monica Bellucci, you're not worth the problems. Think I'll stick to my current girlfriend.
What do you think? Did I make the right conclusion?
Cheers!
All Lexus
I drive a LS460 and confirm it is one of the best cars ever. Not sure about those repair price but so far the Lexus has been very reliable.
ReplyDeleteYou've been lucky. Is your key chain by any coincidence a rabbit's foot? ;-)
ReplyDelete