Forget a new Camry—this full-size luxury sedan now costs less

Visit Toyota’s website and you’ll find that the 2025 Camry starts at $28,700. The ninth-generation model, now hybrid-only, delivers an impressive 51 mpg combined.

But what if we told you that one of the best full-size luxury sedans ever built could cost less than a new Camry? Sounds crazy, but hear us out.

The Camry is efficient and reliable, but its versatility has shrunk with the disappearance of the V-6 and non-hybrid models. That leaves one size – and a pricey one – so perhaps a slightly older Lexus LS could offer a smarter, more luxurious deal.

In order to provide you with the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, data used to prepare this article was obtained from Lexus and other authoritative sources, including Kelley Blue Book and TopSpeed.

Skip the Camry and say hello to Lexus

2013 Lexus LS 460 Performance Specs

It’s amazing how many high-quality used Lexus models you can find for less than $28,700. At this price point, the options are virtually endless.

If you’re looking for the best value, it makes sense to start with the cream of the crop. In our books, there’s no better Lexus sedan than the brand’s flagship LS.

Sure, it sounds crazy to recommend a used Mercedes S-Class over a new Camry, but a slightly older Lexus LS might actually make more sense. The tricky thing is, there are five generations of the LS – so which one should you choose?

Why a used fourth-generation Lexus LS is a great value

If you’re shopping for $30,000 or less, the fourth-generation Lexus LS (2007-2017) is our top pick. During its run, it went through two facelifts – a minor facelift in 2010 and a major update in 2013 that gave the flagship a bolder look.

2013 and later models are the most desirable, debuting Lexus’ signature “spindle” grille. Even so, you can still grab one, with the current KBB fair purchase price of around $16,465, which is significantly less than the new Camry.

A 2013 LS 460 costs $72,900 new, so you’re effectively getting a top-shelf luxury sedan for next to nothing. This value is hard to beat.

Key Disadvantages of Buying a Used Lexus LS

A used Lexus flagship sedan can offer incredible value, but there’s one big problem: availability.

Judging from sales history, the 2013 LS model with its spindle-shaped grille facelift was the last year when sales exceeded 10,000. Since then, numbers have steadily declined, reaching an all-time low of just 2,163 vehicles in 2024.

Even taking into account that 2024 is Lexus’ best year ever, only the LC and RC coupes will sell less. The used market reflects this scarcity, so for every ten GS or IS sedans, you’ll find about one LS – keep this in mind when shopping.

Why is the Toyota Camry so expensive now?

We’ve said it before: New cars are expensive, and MSRP can be misleading. But that alone doesn’t explain why the Toyota Camry is so expensive.

Once the Volkswagen sedan champion, the Camry now rivals some luxury cars in price. This change didn’t happen overnight, so let’s take a quick look at how its price has soared over the past few decades.

Just a decade ago, the 2015 Camry LE started at $22,970, with the hybrid LE starting at $26,790 and the range-topping V-6 model starting at $31,370. Go back another decade, and the least expensive 2005 Camry (with STD manual transmission) costs $18,195, while the premium XLE V-6 costs $25,555.

The humble Camry now costs as much as a luxury Lexus LS

Back in 2005, an entry-level Camry cost under $20,000, but its base price has increased by about $5,000 every decade. At the same time, most people’s wages haven’t changed much, leaving many people with expensive cars but not enough cash to buy them.

Once upon a time, $30,000 was considered the starting price for a premium or luxury car. Just a decade ago, affordable new cars priced under $20,000 were common, but as of March 2025, the average price of a new car is a whopping $48,641, a ridiculous number for any vehicle, let alone an “average” vehicle.

That’s why buying a new car today often feels crazy. Most people are taking out huge loans for depreciating assets, but dealers are still closing deals every day, proving that the American dream has become one fueled by debt and financial stress.

Financing, Used Cars and Deals in 2025

With prices on new Camrys and other cars reaching sky-high prices, savvy buyers are looking for alternatives. Luckily, the used market offers nearly endless options at much lower prices.

Although “crazy” pricing has become commonplace since 2020, you still have a much better chance of buying a used car than a new one. Cash is still king, and if you have around $30,000 to spend, your options are wide open.

The 2017 Lexus LS 460 is the final year of its fourth generation, so prices are typically the highest of the generation. KBB lists a fair purchase price of $23,821, but our research into current availability tells a slightly different story.

One option that immediately caught our attention was a brand-new 2016 Lexus LS 460 with 71,238 miles on sale for $15,900. Does the 2025 Camry come with a gorgeous dashboard-centered analog clock? No.

Even more impressive is the 2016 LS, which has just 42,211 miles and sells for $41,950 — more expensive, sure, but surprisingly low mileage.

The $25,000 range seems to be the sweet spot, with multiple clean examples available with around 70,000 to 90,000 miles.

With prices under $20,000 and most LS sedans averaging over 100,000 miles, there are still great deals to be had. When a new Camry costs over $30,000, it makes sense to buy a top-shelf luxury sedan like the Lexus LS for less than $25,000.