LS Lexus LS400 - A history of the supreme Japanese luxury car

[Monster]

Mercedes had nightmare cause of this? How many LS were sold and how many S W140?

From an engineering stand point, the attention to detail and the level of refinement probably did cause some worry for the MB and BMW engineers.

 

[Merc1]

You have to understand somethings about the LS400 and when it was introduced in America. It was for the 1990 model year and by then the W126 S-Class was on it's last legs. The LS400's competitor, the 420SEL was really a 10 year old car by then and was relatively easy pickings, after it had been designed in the late 70's. Secondly the full size, V8 LS400 started at nearly the same price as a 190E 2.6, right around 35K. That more than anything made this car sell like hotcakes. Then you have to factor in the dealerships Lexus built from the ground up. German car dealerships varied too much back them, some sucked and some were great. ALL Lexus dealerships were great, they all had the same seamless service befitting of a luxury car brand. Even today owning my Lexus is a lot less hassle than my BMW or any Benz I've ever owned as far as service is concerned. That said I haven't owned a new Benz yet to get that treatment from a Benz dealer. The LS was the franchise, but now it is the ES and the RX, repackaged Toyotas. Sure they sell, but they aren't of any worry to the German brands, the LS was. The current LS you ask? It lost the battle with the S-Class back in 2007 and has been an also ran every since. Nice car, but doesn't compare to the S, new 7 or A8.

I'm really curious to see what the new LS will be like because they have so much catching up to do in this segment.

M

 

[Monster]

Even today owning my Lexus is a lot less hassle than my BMW or any Benz I've ever owned as far as service is concerned. That said I haven't owned a new Benz yet to get that treatment from a Benz dealer.

I kept forgetting you have an IS 250, how did you come about having that car?

 

[Merc1]

I kept forgetting you have an IS 250, how did you come about having that car?

I inherited it due to a death in the family.

M

 

[Rolf]

How is the reliability on your Lexus IS? I am sure it must have been flawless up to now.

 

[Merc1]

How is the reliability on your Lexus IS? I am sure it must have been flawless up to now.

Utter perfection. One dash rattle early on and they snuffed that out really quick. Not a single issue.

M

 

[Rolf]

Wow cant believe the last time we posted on the LS400 was just about 10 years ago!

Here is a retro test of the 1995 2nd Generation LS400.

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[Yaz]

Still remember a friend's LS400 that was stolen.

 

[Centurion]

I had my first proper luxury experience in this car. My strongest memory is how quiet it was inside the cabin.

 

[Rolf]

I had my first proper luxury experience in this car. My strongest memory is how quiet it was inside the cabin.

I have never been in a LS400 and I am so keen and very curious to be able to go in one for a drive to experience its refinement. It was a benchmark for quiteness when it debuted in 1989/1990. The magazines at the time were raving about it as it was setting new standards for engine and gearchange refinement the likes that Mercedes and BMW had no rival to at the time, until the V12 S600 came in 1991.

 

[Merc1]

The original LS400 also had the gift of timing. The W126 was old by 1990 and 5 and 7 Series had no V8 yet. The LS gave a big shock. Its base price was that of a 190E 2.6! The car was smooth and quiet but had very little road feel and unlike a Benz of the day, the faster you went the less composed it was. Still tho at 40K loaded it was a death value blow. The situation has long corrected itself and the Lexus LS will be lucky to see another generation.

M

 

[Centurion]

The original LS400 also had the gift of timing. The W126 was old by 1990 and 5 and 7 Series had no V8 yet. The LS gave a big shock. Its base price was that of a 190E 2.6! The car was smooth and quiet but had very little road feel and unlike a Benz of the day, the faster you went the less composed it was. Still tho at 40K loaded it was a death value blow. The situation has long corrected itself and the Lexus LS will be lucky to see another generation.

M

Interesting I didn’t know that. When I got a ride in it I was around 8-12 years old. Quite a big difference in experience from the shit boxes that I was a passenger in.

I would love to own one day to scratch by barge itch. Either that or a Toyota Century.