Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 32.00

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  Lexus LS400, the perfect budget luxury car. - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By Will - August 9 - 1:38 am

  The Lexus ls400 was the car that paved the way for the Japanese luxury car industry. And it was for a good reason. The car took over four years to develop since its start in 1985, and cost over a billion dollars to engineer at the time which is equivalent to well over 2 billion dollars today. It was the first car ever to sport GPS navigation in 1992. It was among the first vehicles to have a telescopic steering wheel with an airbag in 1990. Over the years, the LS400 just keep getting better. It went through 4 generations until 1998, when the final ls400 model was produced. In my humble opinion, the last generation of the ls400 was the best Lexus ever made in terms of overall quality and performance. It’s the perfect balance of quality and reliability. It has good power, and with the same amount of horsepower as its heavier older brother, can hit 60 mph in under six seconds. This might not sound like much, but it feels faster considering how torquey it is. The sport mode button raises the shift rates, and since the last generation has variable valve timing, the power feels very gradual, until it kicks in. It feels a lot livelier than its older brother, the ls430. This isn’t to say that the ls400 isn’t a luxury car to the core. It’s still heavy, torquey, smooth and refined. It has power, but it feels just so effortless, and gradual. The low range feels torquey enough to cruise everywhere at half throttle to save gas. The acceleration isn’t the only thing that feels effortless. The transmission shifts effortlessly and cruises effortlessly on the highway at around 2000 rpms. In fact, it’s geared so that in the fifth gear (that’s added to the 1998 model as well), it is able to hit 156 miles per hour. The steering feel is effortless. It isn’t direct like a newer car, it feels numb in the center, but it is very capable. The Akebono 4 piston calipers in the front of the newer model provide more braking power than the car would ever need, and it does so smoothly with a somewhat soft but responsive brake pedal. The suspension rides very smoothly. I’ve ridden in a 2004 Mercedes s class, and it honestly was on par. The cabin is so quiet that you can’t hear the motor run. The ls400 isn’t the type of car you buy for looks. I’m not saying it’s an ugly car, but it could be mistaken for a 90s Camry from someone who isn’t aware of what an ls400 is. The facelift model looks a little better in the front with its self-leveling HID headlights but when you get around to the rear, it looks like a 1992 accord again. The interior makes up for it though. There are cool features here and there that are just impressive for a car that was designed in the 80s. Even the early models had power headrests, lumbar support, and power mirrors. Most of them came with a beautiful wide electric sunroof that rolls open with the rest of the windows at the push of a button as an air out feature. The sunroof and the rear ashtrays make it the perfect hotbox car if you’re into that sort of thing. Whether you end up with the pioneer or the nakamichi stereo, the stock system is amazing for something that came out of the 90s. There’s a built-in amp and subwoofer along with a 6-cd changer in the dash. The cup holders work beautifully and the rear seats are so plush, it’s practically a sofa back there. If you haven’t driven a Lexus LS400, you should. I believe that the LS400 is truly Toyota at its very best, at least for the North American market. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. As soon as you get in it, it will make you think “Wow, this is a ‘90s car?”. Even more so when you start to drive it around. It’s so effortless and pleasant to drive. How can you not want one when you can find even a last generation that has been driven by an old guy for under 5 grand in amazing shape? With their build quality, it’s not uncommon to see them drive over 300 thousand miles if well maintained. Matt Farrah even drove one a million miles.

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  Quality,quality and boring - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By mid-lifer - November 12 - 2:00 am

  The quality of this car is outstanding. In many ways better than its German rivals. I have had no problems at all with car. The dealer is the best I have come across. The down side is it is a bore to drive. After a drive up the Oregon coast I turned to my wife and said Im selling the car.

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  Excellent, comfortable car - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By micahberry - November 11 - 5:25 pm

  Excels on the interstate, where it absorbs pavement irregularities superbly. It is a comfortable traveling car for my family. This is not a back road burner – the LS400 features a lot of body roll, which is to be expected as part of the design. You will be hard pressed to find a more comfortable long-range cruising car. I purchased this car with 113k miles. As of this writing, it has 140k. I have had to replace the starter, which I have learned through owner’s forums is a wearable item. In addition, rubber suspension bushings on the car should be replaced to keep the incredible Lexus ride. Thankfully, they don’t need to be replaced but once every 10 years or so!

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  99 LS400 - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By Richard Corder - August 19 - 11:56 pm

  My 3rd Lexus, the most reliable brand I have even owned. Zero problems with the car, strong performance, highway mileage is in excess of 27 mpg. Dealer service is outstanding, follow up from the manufacturer is excellent.

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  Mercedes S Class vs LS 400 - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By james r - November 4 - 2:00 am

  The Mercedes seats are bigger.You cant get the Lexus seat to go parallel like the mercedes seat.The Lexus will reach 130 like you are going 90 but the mercedes feels safer and you dont feel a detached from the road. I like the Mercedes larger steering wheel which makes a real difference at hgh speeds. the LS 400 is virtually maintenance free The interior of S class is much nicer.The cheap sun visors of the LS 400 and head linner are pretty sorry when you look at Merceds even 20yrs.ago The fuel economy in the Lexus is averaging 18-19mpg/city 24-26.9 hwy @75- 85mph The omputer of the Lexus is always off 1-1.5mpg. I still want a newer S class class

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  Super Car - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By Mike - September 13 - 10:30 am

  I bought the LS 400 certified pre-owned. The car is now almost 8 years old and it rides beautifully to this day. I had one minor mechanical issue early on fixed under warranty. Overall I am very happy.