Used Lexus
Country & Base – Japan – Toyota City
Key Models:
- CT200h [hybrid family hatch]
- IS [compact executive saloon and convertible]
- GS [executive saloon]
- LS [luxury saloon]
- RX [large 4x4]
RAC Cars Need To Know:
Are you risk averse? Do you hate that feeling of feeling financially exposed or that you're flying by the seat of your pants a bit? If you prefer the assurance that all the t's are crossed and i's dotted, that there's a Plan B, C, and D and that every eventuality is covered, there's really only one place for you to go used car shopping. Lexus.
Put simply, you can't buy more reliability than that delivered by this luxury arm of Toyota. That's not to say that running costs will necessarily be chicken feed. These are high end cars and come with requisite day to day bills, but you won't be treated to too many of the sort of surprises that can keep used car buyers up at night.
The best value is probably in the used Lexus GS and LS models at the moment, market demand for the smaller CT and IS cars keeping prices buoyant. The new Lexus RX400h and RX450h hybrid SUVs also command strong money. The fact that the GS was never offered with a diesel engine put a huge dent in sales, but a GS450h hybrid is a wonderfully civilised way to travel, offers 341bhp of petrol/electric power yet can return a combined 36.7mpg. A 2007 model year car with sensible mileage on the clock can be yours for £12,500. We’re struggling to see the downsides of that buying decision.
There's not much that can touch the mighty used Lexus LS600h for hushed refinement, and although £35,000 is a hefty chunk to drop on a 2008 car, it's money well spent. This thing is built to last and new ones retail at over £90,000. It's the biggest true luxury car bargain on the market.