@@lowrydin Not really, it's more like a bland, slightly more curvy version of the Mercedes S-class of the time. Look at them from the side and you'll see what I mean.
@@dominicvega9267 BMW has the handling, yes. But the reliability and quality? No way. You buy a Lexus as a family heirloom. You turn in your BMW when the lease is due.
This car is ridiculously ahead of its time. It still looks like a nice luxury car today. It just doesn't have quite enough power (or a manual option). If I'm buying an old used car for a daily driver, I'm buying a Lexus LS400.
Definently consider picking one up, I've had my 93 LS400 for a year now and its an amazing car! And 250 is definently enough hp, especially if you wanna get it sideways ;)
For 95% of regular driving, the 250 hp is plenty. Modern Civics and Corollas have 190 hp. I mean, if you want to spin the tires all day that's kinda not the point of a Lexus anyway.
Why would you want a manual in a Lexus LS? It would ruin the experience. This car is all about comfort, plus that V8 is pretty fast, I had a '97 and it would do 250km/h without problem.
This car was light years ahead of competition both German and American especially in reliability department. I still like these, especially the huge wide taillights!
@@dfhhtyu3434 True but it wasn't advertised as a sports car, it was an executive car with a smooth quiet engine and comfy seats with some nifty gadgets. Very conservative, very Japanese and no nonsense. Luxury Sedans being sporty is a relatively new thing, it wasn't the trend in the 90's.
I remember when this car came out and people were like damn that's an Japanese car? The Lexus LS400 was def a head turner back then and def changed the way people looked at Japanese cars from there on out.
+Ronald de Rooij Timeless designs age very well. Modern features aside, this is a large, comfortable, and smooth car that would give even a modern car a run for it's money.
+Big Mike Its the epitome of a luxury sedan. Everything you want with none of the needless technology to distract from the smooth and quiet ride and amazing seats and stereo.
+Big Mike In many yes I agree, it was THE game changer, certainly the most important luxury car of the last 30 years and made BMW and Merc feel old fashioned at the time. Without this (and Honda NSX) the current germans and Italians would not have been as good as they are now. I would buy an early 90's LS 400 with confidence (as long as it was looked after)...but I wouldn't touch an old BMW or Mercedes...
This car totally sent the German and American brands back to the drawing table! Cadillac, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz had to completely re-think their product offerings.
@@rahimi4762 Lincoln continued to build the classic Town Car for another 22 years, only ending production because of EPA regulations. Even with high end Japanese and German cars and their improvements, the classic American land yacht held its own, because of its own unique qualities. Only being ended by heavy handed government action.
@@GDuncan8002 You proved my point. Lincoln was a dead brand the moment the Town Car came to an end. It hasn't had a reason to be around for 11 years. When they put an end to US luxury, there was no reason to keep a dead brand like Lincoln around. It has no place, no purpose. Not anymore.
This car was revolutionary. Many of the features, down to the heated seats are still premium today. This car blazed a trail for all modern sedans today.
"Lexus would become a household word everywhere". I cannot emphasize how accurate this quote is. Lexus didn't arrive until early 1990s yet as of now in 2015 nobody will question you when you mention Lexus in the same sentence as Mercedes or BMW, who's history can be traced back to before WWI. Looking at today's lineup even Acura cannot match Lexus's premium image.
Harrison Edgar Yeah - and Toyota was also ahead of its time with the 1990s Landcruisers. We still have our 1996 Landcruiser - very sought-after car back in the day. I'd say that it drives better than the brand-new Toyota Corolla that I test drove.
Has to be one of the top ten best cars ever made, I was recently in a 2002 s320 diesel and later a friend's 1991 ls400, euro spec sans air suspension and 290k km on the clock, I swear the ls400 was much nicer riding and felt like new inside, the engine was silent and it felt special and modern. The Merc was also a high mileage example and was knackered, of the two I would pick the Lexus everyday and twice on Sunday.
I sold real estate in this era and saw a lot of "Near Luxury" and "Luxury" automobiles owned by coworkers. IMO the car that started it all was the Toyota Cressida that came out in '85. It was smooth. quiet, refined and comfortable, with a High level of luxury appointments available. I remember being surprised at how nice it was when I rode in it. Then came the Acura Legend in '87. The 1988 Cressida was a direct competitor to the Legend in every way, except the "Luxury" nameplate. The Legend was a very nice car at the time, but the Cressida was as well. When Acura started there was a lot of skepticism as to whether Honda's luxury name badge business model would succeed. When Lexuses came out in the fall summer of '89 they were a big hit. The cars were so good compared to other brands that they Literally sent other car makers back to the drawing board. They were refined and quiet compared to other luxury brands. Once people found out that they were nearly 100% reliable as well, they couldn't make them fast enough. There was nothing like the LS 400 when it came out. They were most often compared with Mercedes and faired better in most key areas. Sizewise the Lexus LS slotted in between the Mercedes S class and E class, but my local lexus dealer had so many S class trade ins they didn't know what to do with them all. Some of the paint colors looked dull on cloudy days, but there was nothing wrong with the paint. The paint on the early Lexus's proved to hold up very well over time. I still own a 1992 and even though it's been stored outside for years, it's paint is not peeling and has a nice gloss to it. I'm lucky my car with the cloth interior, because it has held up extremely well, compared to the leather Lexus used at the time. IMO the short lifespan leather was the biggest flaw in the early cars. The leather used in Cadillacs and Mercedes at the time was much better. In all other areas, I still marvel at how well made and carefully designed my '92 lexus is. I also have a '91 mercedes that is very good, but falls short of Lexus refinement. For instance the AC in my lexus cools the car rapidly with barely a whisper while my Mercedes AC roars at me, while only cooling half as well.
CarLuvrSD My Lexus is a 95 model LS400 and the leather has held up better than any leather in any car I've seen considering its age. Lexus is known to use some of highest quality leather and went though 24 different types to get the best. But maybe some earlier ones weren't as good in their leather? I wasn't aware. But anyway, very nice write up man. Well said.
I have a 1992 Lexus with flawless leather, treated with Leatherique for its entire life. I also have a 1978 Mercedes 450SEL with flawless leather, also treated with Leatherique. So much of a car's condition rests on its unique ownership, that I think it is a mistake to make generalizations . . . except BMW's hideously thin leather dyes.
Hey I'm a 18 year old senior in High School and I drive a 1992 ls400 with 210,532 miles on it, my mom gave it to me after it had been sitting for a year, I replaced the serpentine belt and got a tune up and changed the air filter and fuel filter and got front brakes, now she drives like a champ, she has black and chrome 20" inch rims with falken low profile tires, the windows are tinted a little purple by a professional with quality film, I pulled up to a gas station and a brand new lexus pulled beside me I was comparing both cars while I was pumping gas, and I didn't see where the new lexus was so better than mine, it may have more technology but not more character. I'm grateful for my first car, she's a looker and she is a reliable quite smooth ride, plus I love a Big full sized classic luxury, I thank my mother for giving me Lexi
stroock6394 Yeah kid, exactly what he's saying. Wheels from a LS 430 should match perfectly with that and give you better ride and handling, especially in an emergency.
Mercedes and BMW accused Toyota of underpricing the car. They said there was no way Toyota made any money on these because of how cheap they sold it. They were actually planning on suing Toyota for price fixing.
@@dariog36th Oh yeah I remember that controversy from the German automakers who were the ones most in the sights of this new beast. We interpreted their complaints as compliments.
Had a chance to drive this car last week, although a 1991 model. 24-25 years old, and the car still feels modern! I don't think there's another can that old quite like it. An Acura Legend is almost there though
I own a 1993 LS 400 original paint with 274,00 past down from the original owner my dad. Still runs great. Also own a 2011 GS 350 great cars no issues.
Popsiclestick27 I can! Coming from a person who has experienced both cars, the Cadillac was the target of Lexus, and the Fleetwood had no lack of engineering mind you. But yes, the Lexus was more appealing and modern looking, so Cadillac stepped up their game in 1991 with the new sport sedan and coupe releases.
@@McBeamer94 Cadillac had always been a little wishy-washy with the Fleetwood name. In 1985, when the front wheel drive G-bodies came out, the Fleetwood was put on the G-body while the Brougham was kept on the D-body rear drive chassis. Prior to 1985 the Fleetwood Brougham was all the same car. Those front drive Cadillacs were just awful cars. Dowdy looking, handled like wet, sloppy noodles, and were slow as molasses with the pathetic HT4100 engine. When Lexus came out withe the LS400 it was so far ahead of Cadillac, even the Brougham rear driver, that it wasn't even funny. Seriously it was almost a death nail into the skull of Cadillac. GM didn't know what to do. Those "new" for 1991-1993 Northstar equipped Caddy's? Still lacked refinement and quality of Lexus.
I completely agree with you. The clean lines and uncluttered front and rear design will never look dated. Look at the LSs from the last 10 years with that awful trapezoidal warped grille. Lexus designers put too much wasabi on their sushi.
The classic ad of the time asked how a $35,000 car could be better than a $70,000 Mercedes S Class. And it could. The Germans had to reevaluate their products, although now they decided that disposability was preferable to reliability.
@@karlsmith4160 I kinda get the feeling when your Dad left your Mom, never to be seen again he was driving your mom's toyota. You cant be a day over 12 years old because you really really suck at trolling!!!!
Problem was the VH45DE equipped Nissan and Infiniti where riddled with electronic and general engine issues for a decade and a half. I almost bought one of the more uncommon '03 - '04 M45's but bailed after doing my research.
I still have my 93 ls400 in 2018 with 130,000 miles. I❤lexus. I used to own a 92 Infiniti q45 before that and like the Lexus, i was surprised with all the hi tech stuff it had. Way ahead of their time
ThisIsMyName Of course the Lexus is quite a feat of engineering, but my 1993 Cadillac DeVille still looks like it has that classic styling, while having modern features. Therefore, the Lexus may look more modern than the Cadillac, but the Cadillac will always have that retained evolved styling!
I have owned two LS400s over the years, one was a 1991 and the other a 1990. Top notch build quality... loved them both, but were getting well over 200k miles and rather costly to maintain, but still ran like tops. Very well built cars, I wouldn't mind having another someday.
Didn't the Cadillac and Lincoln models sell some decent numbers still, since they were pitched right at their target market (old, wealthy) so well though? And they're ALL now kinda cool, including the Lexus, in their own sorts of ways too!
ZIGZAG! Around that time, yes. Cadillac DeVilles were practically ubiquitous and many people in their 40’s were getting into their first Lincoln, Cadillac or Chrysler product. The Audi 5000 was around this time and they were a bit more off-beat and were in the same circles as the Volvo and Saab sedans of their day. Mercedes and BMW were signs of wealth, but were starting to get into the hands of those with high disposable income. Jaguar was for a distinguished palette, but my Father knew a guy with one and he said it was a nightmare in regard to build quality and dependability. The wealthy people I knew drove Volvo, Saab or something below their means like a used Ford, Chevy or Dodge.
I remember cars that were on the road in 1990 including BMW, Merc, Audi. LS400 looked like it was from the future. Every time I saw one on road, it was a treat. It still looks glorious to this date
This car was the reinvention of the automobile. The tech, comfort, styling and not to mention reliability. Look at that body still look better than half the crap on the road today. People were trading Bentleys and rolls Royce for this as those cars were so outdated
Grabbed my uncle's LS400 when it was brand-new did a top end run on the highway and when i pulled off the road, i opened the hood the intake was cool to the touch and i could balance a coin on the intake. Smooth power.
Carston Johnson You young FKS don't remember when this was the style. Plus, we remember how great they felt digging into your back. You'll never know, there's your LOL right there.
I was about 5 years old when these cars came out and still remember how popular they were. I remember white metallic with a taupe interior being really popular, with the gold badging and trim. I usually don't like gold trim, but it actually looked really good on this car.
This car still to this day looks fucking incredible .and it seems newer sedans are going back to this boxier meaner more serious look. I love this car its gorgeous
Toyota set the luxury benchmark with this car in the last 25 years in so much so, it made the European luxury car brands go back in the engineering department to rethink everything! I still want one to this day.
Say what you want about the 'bland' styling.... but when you see one of these early LS on the road today (and there are still quite a few of them out there), it's hard to believe you're looking at a 25 year old car.
Don't have one of these but got a 2000 model Toyota Avalon at Xmas of 2023. 188k miles. Bench seat and NO Sunroof. Column shift. Amazing. $500 because it has intermittent misfire and leaky valve covers. Been driving it like it is since then. It's amazing. Wish I could have bought it new and enjoyed it since 2000. What a sweet solid car!!! So good and simply generic that it's boring. Love it.
LFiers And no lexus is the Mercedes E class it tries to imitate (to the point that MT would reccomend it over the E class for being "A cheaper E class"). At least Infiniti is an original product not a euro-imitation :P
Dragon Butt E Class!? Nope. Not even close. LS is top end and was far superior to all top end rivals such as S-Class. It outdid every rival when it came out & is an upmarket vehicle that delivers the best of the best there is to offer. You seem to have mistaken the LS for a GS or IS. It's all good though you're not the first to make that mistake. They're 100% different cars through & through. E-Class is entry level. More similar to the 3 series & GS. LS is in a different league & is a far different beast that rivals 5 & 7 series & S class & considered among the greatest vehicles ever built. This is a fact. Where are you getting your information from? Infiniti never even comes into the discussion of greatest cars made nor has it garnered anywhere near Lexus' reputation for build quality & engineering. Come on man, I love Infiniti too but let's be serious. Sorry, but you couldn't be more factually flawed. I could provide more details but is their any point trying to explain it to you when you already seem to have made up their mind? Maybe do some research before making false assumptions next time. Go have a read or watch some car documentaries & you'll learn that everything I've said is fact. Heck Mercedes and BMW stole heaps of ideas from the LS as it was superior & made them all afraid & made them go back to the drawing board. I advise you to read up about what happened to Mercedes CEO Wolfgang Peterson when the LS came out.
