The LS400 - Are they really that good?

Mr Benevolent

Been doing a bit of research on these behemoths over the past few days, and I can't find many people with a bad word to say about them. This makes me suspicious. Surely they're not better than our Bangernomics favourite, the much vaunted W124? Ignoring the tax situation naturally.

So, does anyone have one or has driven one? Are they really as good as people say?

They're a class or two above a W124, they age better and they do 150mph plus. No comparison really.

CharlieCroker

They're pretty good alright. All that scares most people is the tax and economy! The only thing I've heard going on them regularly is the LCD screen for the climate control. Everything is electric so just make sure everything works! Cheap as chips too!

unkel

Behemoth is the right word

Are they really that good? Well back in '89 or so when it was launched, the LS400 was more refined, better built, more reliable, quieter and had a better sound system than any of the competition, including the king of the segment, the Mercedes S-class

That was a long time ago though and even way back then it wasn't a good drivers car at all. Audi, BMW and Mercedes have moved up a few steps since then and I'm not sure if the Lexus have kept the same pace of improvement. And the LS has never scored more than a 3 out of 10 in the style department, not that any of its buyers cared

Saab Ed

From what I know about them they are pretty much faultless......but who cares because it looks like a Camry

Possibly the worst best car ever.

Mr Benevolent

From what I've read they improved the LS400 through Mark I-IV before they moved onto the 430. BHP and torque rose a fair bit between marks, as did spec, and handling was improved too. Apparently a Dynamic Handling Pack was an option, it seriously reduced body roll and improved handling at the expense of a slightly stiffer ride. All in all they do seem to be close to the perfect car for their day. Handling doesn't bother me really, comfort is the priority. 0-60mph in 6.9 seconds is nice though!

Yeah, the styling is awful though.

Saab Ed

Confab wrote: »

From what I've read there's 4 marks of Ls400 before they moved onto the 430. BHP and torque rose a fair bit between models, as did spec and handling was improved too. Apparently a Dynamic Handling Pack was an option, it seriously reduced body roll and improved handling at the expense of a slightly stiffer ride. All in all they do seem to be close to the perfect car for their day.

Atlantic Dawn

Yes been looking at these myself, not much bad words said about them anywhere, but my conclusion on purchase of one was if your going to spend €1600 odd a year in road tax you should go the extra and buy an LS430, much better spec car and some examples coming in or around €5000.

bazz26

V8 goes forever, they are bit of a barge in the handling department but overall a very comfy armchair on wheels. Aim for a post 1995 Series 2 model.

Bangernomics territory: http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201035199398160

Gatster

There's a few 2001 LS430's on carzone for around €7k, not sure how much you'd get one for with cash but may be worth a look if you can stretch to it.

mullingar

Yes the Mark 1 set the new bench-mark and gave Merc/BMW a run for their money in terms of equipment/reliability/smoothness.

The only thing to let it down was is blandness.

The V8 is legendary in its reliability.

The Mark 3, LS430, removed a lot of the blandness but it was still bland. These cars can clock up star-ship mileage very easily.

This link explains all the generations/face-lifts/options

http://www.lexls.com/info/lsgenerations.html

mickdw

Have never sat in an LS but if the GS is anything to go by, they just dont quite know how to make a premium segment car. Its just little things that have way too much of the avensis about them.
If the LS is the same, it would be terribly disappointing

skyhighflyer

I think the 1998 facelift model is the one to go for. They got a five speed box and a re-jigged engine with VVTi which means more power and economy.

-Corkie-

They are a lovley machine and very cheap aswell. The mate got a 07 460 last year for 29k. That would make the 400 very cheap. The tax is the killer though.

Mr Benevolent

-Corkie- wrote: »

The tax is the killer though.

Bah I say! That or a poxy Golf (or Golf clone). Which one is worth driving?

Eoin

-Corkie- wrote: »

The tax is the killer though.

If the tax wasn't a killer, then it wouldn't be as cheap to buy.

-Corkie-

eoin wrote: »

If the tax wasn't a killer, then it wouldn't be as cheap to buy.

Thats true. I reackon you would be better of finding a 5 or 6 litre car then. At least you would be getting better value than the fella with the 4 litre!!!

Eoin

-Corkie- wrote: »

Thats true. I reackon you would be better of finding a 5 or 6 litre car then. At least you would be getting better value than the fella with the 4 litre!!!

You really may as well go as big as you can, once you get over the 3 litre mark (in the old tax bracket) - tax is the same, and I'd say running costs probably aren't much higher.

-Corkie-

eoin wrote: »

You really may as well go as big as you can, once you get over the 3 litre mark (in the old tax bracket) - tax is the same, and I'd say running costs probably aren't much higher.

Thats true. Im mad to buy a cheap Luxobarge but she wont let me...:mad:. I think even taxing it for 3 months and then drive it for 3 months would be a cheap way around it. The only play car I have now is a 1 litre polo I bought last week. Dont think I will be going to the motors meet in that...:o:o

cabrwab

I've being in a couple of ls and I thought the comfort was unbelievable.

The engine had a bit of go sure the 7 series would be more sporty but the Lexus was comfort.

My brother had the Lexus jeep with the gx 430 and ran up 160,000 miles and was still going strong when he sold it.

Nice drive, all boring but nice cruiser.

Mr Benevolent

I've just realised that by the time I have enough NCD to insure an LS400 cheaply, a LS430 will be under 4k.

Bumpstop

How about a Jaguar xj6. the 1995 to 1997 model is the best buy. 3.2 or 4 litre. Very reliable, fast, reasonably up to date styling.

I love the look of them, At the moment they are going for around about 1800 Euro, but I have seen one or two sub 1000 Euro.

I think they look better than the LS, and handle much better on the twisty bits. The XJ6 is startlingly nimble on country bends, considering it weighs 2 tons.

For some reason they don't freak out insurance companies, I guess it's the old man image, and for a fast car after a while it sort of soothes you and you start just wafting around.

The interior of the XJ makes the interior of the LS look like a Hiace.

The low slung style of the Xj is not to everyones taste, but I am not a fan of todays cars beefed up slab sided look.

My 2 cents.