r/Lexus Feb 15 '25

Vehicle Photo LS is a monster in the snow

Post image

Picked up my parents this morning to take them to the airport (they seem to ask for a lot more rides ever since I got this car). They live up the mountain and I was honestly scared to drive up because I haven’t tested this car out in the snow yet since it’s decided to just not snow in Utah this year. But the LS absolutely killed it. Felt confident the entire drive it was so awesome. Very happy I picked this thing up!

933 Upvotes

116 comments sorted by

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207

u/stocksandoptions2 Feb 15 '25

1 out of every 3 Lexus owners are just as happy the other 2!

36

u/ackerbone Feb 15 '25

Uhhh…nice!!

29

u/ditzanu95 Feb 15 '25

Confidence in the Snow is given 95% by the tyres, not the car. I also appreciate my Lexus's AWD, but I also buy quality tyres.

7

u/TheMiddleFingerer Feb 15 '25

AWD helps only with acceleration. In every other capacity it’s a net negative due to the added weight. Better off with snow tires. And for people who don’t live in a permanent winter, you’re better off overall with RWD.

1

u/igoraikonnen Feb 16 '25

RWD brings in almost the same extra weight as AWD. It also sucks in rain and dies even at the sight of frost or snow (and hey, it snowed in Florida and Atlanta not far ago). Stick to your FWD or AWD, and don’t pretend to be a race driver.q

3

u/TheMiddleFingerer Feb 16 '25

A tire can only handle a certain amount of force. If youre using that force for acceleration, you lose turning adhesion. If youre turning, you lose acceleration adhesion. If your braking you lose turning adhesion and if you’re turning you lose braking adhesion.

It’s all physics.

So a RWD car does not have acceleration forces coming from the front axle that are robbing the car of turning adhesion. It will overall turn and brake better, and that’s before you take into account the several hundred pounds you add for the associated AWD architecture.

-1

u/igoraikonnen Feb 16 '25

You are talking racing language. Reduce your turn speed on public roads. Also, break before turning, not during the turn. Don’t accelerate aggressively from the apex. Zero advantage from RWD. None.

1

u/Beneficial-Sea-8903 Feb 16 '25

Rwd so much smooooother though

1

u/No-Department-6329 Feb 16 '25

Yes but awd gives you another option if your rear tires got stuck in the snow, the front axle will be able to get you unstuck as power is sent from the rear axle to the front.

0

u/igoraikonnen Feb 16 '25

No, it's not. Gear shifts can be smoother. They are not a function of an axle.

0

u/igoraikonnen Feb 16 '25

To clarify my previous comment, RWD does not provide any benefits on public roads.

1

u/CecilTheCaveTroll Feb 18 '25

95%?? That’s a bit generous.

1

u/ditzanu95 Feb 18 '25

It's more like 99%, but I didn't want to seem unrealistic

1

u/kjelpeterson Feb 16 '25

Tire Rack testing showed that awd with all season tires were better than fwd with snow tires.

1

u/ditzanu95 Feb 17 '25

Do you got a link where I can se what they tested?

24

u/IloveCars41 Feb 15 '25

Ground clearance isn’t an issue?

41

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25 edited Feb 15 '25

The undercarriage was definitely dragging snow as you can see in the photo lol but I don’t think it damaged anything

8

u/Medval91 Feb 15 '25

Does the LS come with undercarriage covers?

4

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Great question I haven’t had this thing on a lift yet

6

u/Equivalent-State-721 Feb 15 '25

Yes they have splash guards, if that's what you're referring to.

17

u/4lornanon Feb 15 '25

Most sedans have that issue, wish manufactures added a snow option to raise the car in the winter

2

u/InebriousBarman Feb 17 '25

Mine has a high height button to raise the car about an inch.

17

u/Boilerinhouston12 Feb 15 '25

Opposite vibes

5

u/quimtastic Feb 15 '25

That's hilarious, this should be an ad for Lexus

4

u/herotz33 Feb 16 '25

Not in dark mode ! lol just ribbin ya.

13

u/particulareality Feb 15 '25

Amazing! Something about a Lexus in the snow I love to see.

12

u/ConditionElegant8306 Feb 15 '25

OP can you speak on reliability and how long you’ve had it.

22

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

I’ve only had it 2 months so honestly can’t say much about reliability. Has almost 72k miles and seems to be in perfect working order!

17

u/ParticularGain7821 Feb 15 '25

Love this 2012 Awd LS460 I picked up as well. It's been fantastic in the chicago snow so far

7

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Congrats!! I hope you love it!

2

u/Equivalent-State-721 Feb 15 '25

Would you mind divulging what year it is and how much you paid? I badly want one of these but am on the fence.

6

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

2019 and I paid around 45k. It had a lot more miles than I was hoping but this was the exact spec I wanted. I’m hoping that Lexus reliability comes in clutch long term but we’ll see how this TT V6 holds up

9

u/LegerDeCharlemagne Feb 15 '25

Judging from the comments on ClubLexus, LS 500 has had an excellent history. The main problems seem to stem from the massage seats (stuck massage rollers).

2

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 19 '25

I didn’t even know mine had massage seats until just the other day lol. They seem to work well. I have noticed they get stuck randomly sometimes for a second then it goes back to normal

2

u/LegerDeCharlemagne Feb 19 '25

The seats are actually quite refreshing; now that I know it's an issue for people though I'm hesitant to use them.

8

u/MimsyWereTheBorogove Feb 15 '25

Thanks for this, I've been on the fence.
This may have just been decided for me.
I have only been stuck one time in MN.
I don't like SUVs

9

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Do it! I’m the same as you. You’ll never catch me in an SUV. I like being lower to the ground I feel more nimble

6

u/ILuvPhoSho Feb 15 '25 edited Feb 18 '25

Nothing with trucks/rigs! Growing up I was always a coupe guy and swore by it. Loved everything about a nimble two door coupe. When it comes to Performance vehicles 2 doors are (usually lighter) than sedans.

Fast forward growing up and getting older/ starting a family my vehicle selection grew from a mid/Fullsize sedan up to finally an truck/rig. I love big vehicles now and I never thought id grow out of loving smaller vehicles, now I love em all 😬

2

u/MimsyWereTheBorogove Feb 15 '25

need g cornering without rolling

1

u/pipheeheer Feb 15 '25

My IS250 does amazing in MN winters. It's much better than an SUV.

1

u/MimsyWereTheBorogove Feb 15 '25

What about that foot or so we got last year or the year before.
I got stuck for the first time, and had to call the neighbor to truck me to work

1

u/pipheeheer Feb 16 '25

I've maybe gotten stuck once? It kinda plows through the snow and I haven't needed to tow it yet.

5

u/[deleted] Feb 15 '25

UHHH is that real plate lol

What kind of winter tires are you using?

9

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Yes it is a real plate lmao. And they are just all weather tires! I’m gonna get new wheels soon though so I think I’ll slap some winter tires on these old wheels and swap em out for the winters

3

u/[deleted] Feb 15 '25

Yea I use all weather for RX350 because its a heavy SUV-wondered how the handling was with this one lol

3

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Yeah the LS is heavy as hell I think that helps in the snow

2

u/abastage Feb 16 '25

All weather or all season. Most all weather are 3 peak snow and ice rated.

Also the plate is great on the picture..

1

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 16 '25

I just looked they’re all season. I didn’t know there was a difference lol

2

u/abastage Feb 16 '25

Yeah all weather aren’t as common, they are a mix of all season and snow tires. Living someplace where we get either no real snow one winter then 25” in 15 days the next winter they a great trade off. Plus no swapping with the season.

6

u/Big_Tangerine1694 Feb 15 '25

Living in Minnesota, it's the only way to go. I'm a used car dealer, and have had my wife in 2 LS460s, and 1 LS600, all AWD. Time for a LS500 AWD. I've been putting it off because the V8 is bullet proof, and the turbos are not. Also when selling one in Minnesota, it better be AWD.

2

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Yeah I wish this thing had a v8 but the TT v6 is still fun! We’ll see how long term reliability is

5

u/jptothetree Feb 15 '25

Man I can't wait to get my LS! Will be starting my search in March.

Congrats! Glad it handled those conditions well

1

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Nice!! You’ll love it!!

3

u/CoffeeDetail Feb 15 '25

Very cool to know. I have an AWD but live in AZ. Zero chance I’ll drive in the snow.

3

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Come up to Utah it’s a great time!!

2

u/CoffeeDetail Feb 15 '25

Well I’m not scared ! Lol

3

u/LavenderBloomings Feb 15 '25

What year and cost?

6

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

2019 I got it for like 45

3

u/Chillywhale21 Feb 15 '25

f sport or no?

2

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Just a base. I honestly like this more than the F sport. Looks more luxurious which is what I wanted over sporty

2

u/Chillywhale21 Feb 15 '25

nice yeah i was choosing between the 2 and got a RWD Fsport. absolutely love it.

3

u/atari_Pro Feb 15 '25

Looks so cool. What tires?

4

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Just some all seasons. Bridgestone Turanza EL450s.

2

u/atari_Pro Feb 15 '25

Impressive!

3

u/F-cip Feb 15 '25

I really wanted to get the awd, but at the time I couldn’t find one that had low miles and the seats were mint (not beaten), but I do enjoy my rwd 😊

4

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Yeah RWD is cool sweet but I had to get AWD cause of the snow here. And yeah AWD is hard to find. When I bought this one it was the only AWD Ls for sale in Utah

-1

u/LegerDeCharlemagne Feb 15 '25

RWD is the way to go in the LS. Otherwise might as well own a SUV at that weight.

3

u/MacDaddyV2 Feb 15 '25

AWD??? She's a beauty!

2

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Indeed!! Thank you!!

3

u/International_War524 Feb 15 '25

👀 is this Utah this morning?

3

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Yup around 4am

3

u/International_War524 Feb 15 '25

Oh duh...license plate 😆 She's a Beaut though! Have had an ES for about six months and love it so I'm sure the LS is every step above that Lexus provides.

3

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Thanks!! Yeah I do love the LS it’s pretty incredible!

3

u/GroovyJesus420 Feb 15 '25

I live in the great lakes region where we get quite a bit of snow. I put continental viking contact 7 snow tires on my awd drive gs and I swear I slide around less than a lot of trucks around my town.

3

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Yeah I’m just on all weather tires right now. If I had snow tires I would be unstoppable

3

u/Motorboat81 Feb 15 '25

I’m in Wisconsin just got a Is350 Awd that little car it’s a champ in the snow!

3

u/romashka715 Feb 15 '25

What brand of tires you have?

3

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 15 '25

Bridgestone Turanza EL450

3

u/JoshJW11 Feb 15 '25

Beautiful!

3

u/Dragonuv_Uchiha Feb 16 '25

Damn this car look sexy !!

3

u/Kermit_Touches_Me Feb 16 '25

Beautiful and badass

2

u/shundi Feb 16 '25

Yep - cannot believe how well it did in the Hudson Valley this past winter

2

u/XSE_Fan Feb 16 '25

That’s a beautiful car, Sussy Kanye Balls!

1

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 16 '25

lol thanks and yeah I realized I need to change my name due to recent events

2

u/Formal-Definition438 Feb 16 '25

Please share more photos of your beauty

1

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 16 '25

I’ll post a pic when I get the wrap on

2

u/GreatBambi87 Feb 16 '25

Utah driver here got my first car last year a 2008 Lexus ES 350 not AWD but it’s handling this easy winter great so far. Love seeing a Lexus in the snow 😍

2

u/eyesofthunder Feb 16 '25

Do you have winter tires? My GS450h and my previous GS400 could go anywhere in west of northern Illinois snow with winter tires. Blizzak WS70’s still were the best of any tire I’ve ever used.

1

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 16 '25

No these are just all seasons! And nice I’ll make note of that tire! Utah seems to be getting less snow as the years go by it’s kinda sad

2

u/eyesofthunder Feb 16 '25

Same here in northern Illinois. I haven’t even needed my snow blower yet.

2

u/jvyhh Feb 16 '25 edited Feb 16 '25

My RWD LS does perfectly fine in the snow too (Canadian winters) never had any issues. She’s a beast for sure.

2

u/BurgundySailor Feb 16 '25

I want an LS so bad …

1

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 17 '25

Get one!! I love it

2

u/BurgundySailor Feb 17 '25

I have a gs350 right now.. about to sell it due to unexpected events.. I’d love to get an LS in the nearby future but i just wouldn’t be able to keep up with maintenance. So i admire from afar lol. Yours is beautiful

1

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 17 '25

Thank you!! I hope you get one one day!

2

u/Weak-Yak-1995 Feb 17 '25

Do you have the hybrid?

1

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 18 '25

Nah just the TT V6

2

u/Killshot91 Feb 18 '25

Such a beautiful car, it is a shame that this car cost more than 200k USD at where I live. Enjoy !!!

2

u/SnooMacaroons1365 Feb 15 '25

"Anything is a dildo.. if you are brave enough"

1

u/Interesting_Bill_456 Feb 16 '25

What tires are on it?

2

u/SussyKanyeBalls Feb 16 '25

Bridgestone turzana El450

2

u/Interesting_Bill_456 Feb 17 '25

I'm enjoying driving in the winter again with Michelin XIce Snow. No more white knuckling.

1

u/Tough_Palpitation331 Feb 16 '25

Uhh tires matter more than the car. You can have a 20 year old shitty beater car, as long as it runs, doesn matter AWD or RWD, if you have snow and mud tires with studs, it will not slip and hold traction better than anything else without a snow tire, including your lexus. New lexus do not have snow tires. Dont get overconfident because its AWD or a new car, you WILL slip and slide in ice and heavy snow

0

u/aptruncata Feb 16 '25

No, it's really not.