2007 Lexus LS 460 Offers Top Value For Luxury Car Buyers

Others say value means a lot no matter the category. That's probably why Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine has identified its valued luxury car -- the Lexus LS400.

The Lexus LS400 was introduced 18 years ago as a less expensive alternative to the German luxury cars who were dominating the market at that. And within the last few years the Lexus has been outselling the Mercedes-Benz and BMW at the number one seller in the luxury car market below the exotics. Still, that was always something about the Mercedes and the BMW. Call it the allure.

Well, that the allure may be shifting to the Lexus.

The Kiplinger staff like the looks of the all-new LS 460 -- new profile, stunning fit and finish, high quality materials inside the cabin. The 4.6 liter, 380 hps V-8 with its eight-speed transmission offers good fuel economy  -- 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. And it offers technology and safety features galore:  voice command, knee airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, a pre-collision system, anti-skid stability control and -- of course -- the self-parking system. And the price? $61,715, or $25,000 less than the Mercedes-Benz top-of-the-line S550.

However, that's the base price. A navigation system is an extra $3,115 and that the parking guidance feature is an extra $1,200. You can also select a model with a longer wheelbase which adds 5-inches to the length and $10,000 to the price finally, you can choose the hybrid version -- the LS 600h L. Currently Lexus is the only luxury car  maker offering such a option though BMW and Mercedes-Benz are hot on its heels...er...tires

Our take? Luxury? You bet! Value? Uh, with our income, some of us are still still in the Corolla generation when it comes to value.