Rare Lexus GS 460

[Midshipracer]

Presenting my first V8,

I'm sure we've all been there, thinking of the best car we can get for a fixed budget. Started out look at IS250 to replace my daily IS200. The thought life is too short and started looking for a V8.

Had to be a Lexus V8 because of reliability much as i'd love a E39 540 Audi S4. Started out looking at LS430 2004-2006 or GS 430 2005-2007.
However this rare gem came up, very rare GS460. Basically running a slightly detuned engine from the LS 460 4.6 litre with 342bhp, It has the same 8 speed auto as the ISF and the LS460.

Mine is a 2008 currently at 62k
Special order cloth seats, dont think the original buyer liked leather seats.

Edited by Midshipracer on Saturday 17th October 22:14

[Midshipracer]

After a month of ownership, first report.

MPG is surpisingly good, 17-20mpg in town and get this, on a trip from London to Manchester 30mpg+ my record was 34mpg! this is at 70-80mph with a few squeezes here and there.

First modification was to update the rear lights straight from Japan. The fittment of these lights are perfect. coming with sequential indicators











So from this


to this

[samoht]

Wow, wasn't aware the GS had got the 4.6L V8, very nice!

[0a]

Super, I'm very jealous. The 460 engine and cloth. Post on the Smoker Barge thread!

[MuscleSedan]

I've always liked the GS V8 along with the VIP scene. If you can find a nice one in the UK it's a real lot of car for the money.

[Midshipracer]

Thanks guys for the appreciation, its almost sleeper power

I do like the cloths seats too, my other project car has leather, so in hot or cold weather its a race to either turn on the heater or AC not so here. Although leather does look nicer, I think i can live with that if i have more comfort.


I've had it a month and at 62k, the engine is barely broken in. i've done the following
Changed the gearbox oil ( don't belive for life sealed gearboxes, no oil lasts forever)
4 new tyres
Oil and filter change of course
Air filter change
Personalised plate

Just coolant change to do, i bought OEM Toyota pink coolant

[MuscleSedan]

I wonder how many 460's are in the UK, and how did you come across yours ?

[1Toomanycars]

My god, cloth seats!

That must be the only GS460 in the country specced like that.

Great combination though, the 4.6 engine in a Gs so none of the expense and complication of the air suspension of the Ls. We had an LS460 last year and as you say, capable of surprising economy on a run. We still have an LS400 too.

Well found.

[Midshipracer]

MuscleSedan said:

I wonder how many 460's are in the UK, and how did you come across yours ?

They say around 20... I was super lucky finding mine, it was on ebay. I had to beg the seller to hold it for me for almost 2 months because i was away working.

It's the weirdest way I've ever bought a car. Luckily the car was near where my folks lived, so knew the area. i asked him to take the car for a check up at a mechanic i trusted. Was given the all clear.

So yea, quite rare especially in this condition

[Midshipracer]

1Toomanycars said:

My god, cloth seats!

That must be the only GS460 in the country specced like that.

Great combination though, the 4.6 engine in a Gs so none of the expense and complication of the air suspension of the Ls. We had an LS460 last year and as you say, capable of surprising economy on a run. We still have an LS400 too.

Well found.

Didnt know the cloths seats would be such a talking point, i wanted to change them when i got it. That was be i drove back home in them XD

Here are some pictures i screenshotted of them when looking to buy the car, Don't mind how dirt they are, I've since had them cleaned.

[nomank]

The seats are indeed a curio. As far as I can remember you couldn't specify cloth seats. Are you sure they weren't aftermarket? How do the vented seats work with 'cloth'?

Amazing car none the less and very rare to find a facelift '460. Well done!

[Jimmy Recard]

4.6 and cloth! Both of these things make it pretty special for me

[Midshipracer]

nomank said:

The seats are indeed a curio. As far as I can remember you couldn't specify cloth seats. Are you sure they weren't aftermarket? How do the vented seats work with 'cloth'?

Amazing car none the less and very rare to find a facelift '460. Well done!

Thanks bud, yep, these are OEM seats, special order only. Someone told me on the forums Paul Mccartney specced his LS460 with the same cloth seats when he bought one. I can see why, super comfortable.

The cooling function still works fine, tried it out when we had a few day of warm weather the other week.

[Jimmy Recard]

I was told by a Hindu friend that they won't buy any leather product because of the significance of the cow to the religion and culture so I wonder if that's how cars like this get ordered here

[J4CKO]

Jimmy Recard said:

4.6 and cloth! Both of these things make it pretty special for me

Indeed, that is quite a find and the cloth looks very comfy. Bored of leather and dont think its that luxurious in most cars that have it. This is a bit like 70/80s barges when leather wasn't so prevalent but you got nice cloth, rather than the scratchy punishment for not buying leather stuff most cars with cloth have.

And the cherry on top, the big V8, wonder where Lexus nicked the 40 extra BHP from that the LS had, and can it be reinstated.

[Midshipracer]

Jimmy Recard said:

I was told by a Hindu friend that they won't buy any leather product because of the significance of the cow to the religion and culture so I wonder if that's how cars like this get ordered here

This did cross my mind too, either way, i'm not complaining.

[Midshipracer]

J4CKO said:

Indeed, that is quite a find and the cloth looks very comfy. Bored of leather and dont think its that luxurious in most cars that have it. This is a bit like 70/80s barges when leather wasn't so prevalent but you got nice cloth, rather than the scratchy punishment for not buying leather stuff most cars with cloth have.

And the cherry on top, the big V8, wonder where Lexus nicked the 40 extra BHP from that the LS had, and can it be reinstated.

You hit the nail on the head there in regards to leather, just leather looks nicer i guess.

The LS460 has dual intakes and a different manifold to the GS. I do think it sort of balances out with the less weight. The US forums really like to get into modification, there is a "fix" with a new manifold or header as they call it.

One plus with the car is because it shares the same gearbox as the ISF, the gearbox ecu can be interchanged. Giving me faster and more aggressive changes.

These a company called Sector 7 who tune GS460

Check out the results. All this with having a reliable V8 engine

https://youtu.be/qucf2WPods4

[Mij91]

Its because in Japan, velar seats are ranked above leather for that exact reason, comfort. I bloody love this!!!!

[Midshipracer]

Mij91 said:

Its because in Japan, velar seats are ranked above leather for that exact reason, comfort. I bloody love this!!!!

Amen to that, you only need to have a look at the Toyota Century. Leather is meh, wool if you please.

[Ambleton]

Midshipracer said:

Amen to that, you only need to have a look at the Toyota Century. Leather is meh, wool if you please.

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I `think` the Merc 450SEL 6.9 came with leather as standard and velour/corduroy as a high cost option. And it looks substantially more "upmarket" too.