I remember my father arriving home with his brand new LS400. I was 8 years old. It was like nothing I had ever experienced. Compared to the Fiestas, Escorts and Montegos we were used to back then, it was like it was from another time and space. The level of refinement was mind boggling to me. Something so quiet, so smooth. It was science fiction.
You were a very lucky kid! This is possibly the best car ever made and was certainly over engineered.However, Lexus seemed to drop the ball in car development in much the same way Nissan rested on their laurels with the first Nissan Leaf and allowed the grass to grow under their feet. LEXUS and NISSAN bring back your genius!
One of the more amazing things about it IMO is how well the first LS400 still looks today. It doesn't look like an 80's car, it looks refined and modern still, even if it isn't the style that modern cars have.
Owned 2001 and 2003 LS430s. Now driving a 2008 LS460. Hoping to get to a 2013 perhaps, before retiring with a final purchase of the LS500. Every day sitting in the car is such a joy. A world away from the stresses of outside. Thank you Lexus for making my life that much easier.
@@shawndon7374 hard to say mate. The 430s were basically the same things, as only 2 years apart. The smallest turning circle I’ve ever driven, in any car! Steering was too light, transmission unbelievable, quietness unbelievable, powerful (well, until I started driving the 460 anyways), sound system unbelievable, a joy to drive. Cheap to maintain. The 460’s engine is louder, the sound gets through the cabin a little, although still very quiet. Still a joy to drive, I put it on cruise as much as i can (adaptive in a 2008 car!), very powerful, unbelievable quietness and the sound system divine. Underbody has a lot of issues (shocks, contol arms) maybe because the car is much heavier. But easy to get spares. A joy to drive. Another joy, I have movie nights with my son where we sit in the back and watch movies on the car’s screen that drops from the roof with chips and drinks.
I worked as an apprentice mechanic at a Toyota dealer in the UK when this came out. I had never seen anything quite like it. I was so impressed when a "Lexus Approved Mechanic" took me out for the test drive after servicing the first Lexus we had in for a service. We almost flew on to the motorway, with no sound or vibration whatsoever. I have never liked any Lexus anywhere as near as much as I like / liked this one. Thanks a lot for this jewel of a video.
As an aside, I see more Celsior cars here on the road in Japan now than I have ever seen Lexus LS400s on the road here. No idea why. Most likely there were simply more of them on the road in the first place, and the Lexus LS400 was perhaps not as popular here as the Celsior. That's a guess, though.
@@MudaSHoleProductions That would have been a nice career move. Ending up a Lexus-qualified mech' here in Japan would give me better-paid and considerably more stable job than I have now, that's for sure. I don't even bother with a car now. Motorbikes are better for me for commuting.
@@kylefraser8612 Right? Thanks. That makes it clear why I see so few LS400 cars here, then. The ones I see must be "reverse imports" as some car companies call them.
Though you mention it briefly around the 13 minute mark, the 1st gen LS was a big departure, what was was the dealer service levels. My father who had a habit of buying a new S class every 3 years wandered on to a Lexus forecourt just to check them out, 3 hours later he drove off in a new LS. He was amazed at the service levels of the dealership, he was in the service industry and took customer care very seriously. Every time Lexus would release a new LS my father would get a call from the same salesman (for 20 years) and he would get the first new LS they would receive.
I bought a 2011 LS 460 in 2017, and I'm still amazed at the quiet, effortless power every time I drive it. With only 69k miles on it to date, I could be driving it for many more years.
I bought a 2008 gs350 a year ago, has just over 60000 miles on it and still feels and drives like new, like yours I'm sure I could keep this for many more years with no bills apart from servicing
My grandparents were very early Lexus adopters. They used to have a 1990 LS 400. They sold it after 69420 miles (yes, really, I have the documentation) and, after considering a 740i, bought a 2002 LS 430. That's my car now, and god damn do I love it. It's a marvelous car.
The LS has always been one of my favourite all time cars. Love the design, quality, engineering and attention to detail. Dream car remains the epic LFA though.
Just get an LS400, theyre dirt cheap, can almost get around LFA top speeds, about 40 mph less than the LFA and of course slower acceleration, but the LS400 is much more comfortable and cheaper to own.
can the LS also be fitted or installed with a 5.0 V12 from the Toyota Century limo too? it could have been better if it happened back then, And call it the "LS500"
Well researched, produced and extremely interesting. The back story you've skillfully put together about the rise of Lexus is really fascinating and shows Japanese ingenuity at its best. Ten out of ten and thanks for sharing this brilliant history.
Fantastic. I owned one. Bought it in the Gold coast in Australia. 1 owner from new. Was 25 years old when i bought it. It took my family of 5 the whole way across Australia in air conditioned luxury and i was never in doubt that it would make it. Fantastically engineered car. Comfortable, very smooth and reasonably fast
I remember my uncle getting a Lexus when they first came out, ans him explaining to my dad that it was both better and cheaper than a big Mercedes. My dad the brand snob was dubious.
In engineering terms, it was almost on par with the W140 but it ha a lot more tech, but little image and it wasn't good going to test drive one with a Corolla next to it. It was also very 'soft' to drive.
The most impressive thing I ever read, was the review of the LS400: "It feels like some new Mercedes; some new Mercedes that Mercedes hasn't gotten around to building yet". Says it all. Over the next year, a dozen of the doctors I knew had traded in their Mercs, BMW's, and Audis, for LS400s.
Was not a doctor, I was a humble valet driver at our local Airport when the LS came out, but I can tell you this. I drove all those new Mercedes and the new BMWs and they didn't come close to the quality of those Lexuses to my young and untrained mind.
@@eriktempelman2097 I worked in emergency rooms from the age of 14 as a volunteer, until I retired last year. So yes, I've known a whole lot of doctors! Some nicely offered to sell me their cars when they got new ones, and I did get a lovely 1986 Porsche 928, the nicest car I've ever owned. Picked up a 300E for the wife years later. So yes, it definitely does help to make friends!
My mother had a 1993 model. It was controversial in our family: my brother was a Mercedes person, my father fought in the Pacific. But she was right, it was a magnificent car. She gave it to me before she passed away. Might be still driving it if it hadn't been t-boned. You should do a video on the RX series, they've filled up American suburbs.
It is amazing that the Japanese were so very careful at pouring all their effort into building the best car they ever could! Such details that Lexus had paid attention to might be neglected by other car manufacturers, but in a world where dominating German luxury cars are present, Lexus proved that Japan could step up and keep those BMWs and Mercs on their toes
This was simply one of the best videos I've seen on this channel. I never knew much about Lexus other than that they were successful in the US, but not really understanding why and how they got popular seemingly out of nowhere. When you explained that they spent $1bn R&D on the project and the level of market research they did, it all clicked together in my head (amongst many other amazing facts in this video). I also enjoyed watching the "extras" video which complemented this main one. Thanks so much, this must have taken a lot of time and effort to put together.
The first 3 generations are arguably the best, a big part of what made these cars extremely successful is the engine itself. Definitely look into the UZ engine family you can find them in a few other Lexus models too which is neat. Except the SC430, that thing should never have been created.
@@crs0176 The SC430 is a very good car and beautiful to drive, It is a Cruiser not a bruiser, extremely comfortable and has a truly beautiful interior of wood by Yamaha and genuine leather everywhere. The 3UZfe motor is silky smooth and has good power. The car reeks of Lexus quality and can do huge mileage with reasonable maintenance. How do l know, I own one and I guess you are basing your comments from the attention seeking dills on Top Gear who have been debunked many times over.. I often go for a cruise on my local country roads with the top down, the body has no movement and no noises and I regularly get home and then drive a bit further because it is so good to drive.
This is such a fantastic car, just knowing how much effort Toyota put into development of this car is already a step above many other manufacturers. This car, especially those with the UZ engines (89’-06’) really stand out from anything of their time and still hold up today. It’s definitely getting to be older now but to anyone who’s looking to get one, take care of this car and it will run as long as you need it to. I can say from experience as far as working on cars goes, this one is pretty pleasant. This car is really well built inside and out.
I have seen a few reviews of old ones of these with high mileages and they just take it in their stride and everything still works - not something you can expect from most German luxury cars
I just hit 220k today in my 02 430, it has the occasional old car problem like any car it's age, but never have I had it not start, or not able to safely be driven to a mechanic for any repairs. Love my LS! All I have left to do now is find a clean 400 for weekend duty ...
You can absolutely expect the same from the Big Germans provided that you look after them. The biggest issue is that due to high depreciation, they are often bought by people, who have no means of servicing them they way they should be. The LS are incredible cars but you still do need to give them plenty of love and care. They definitely aren't cheap to own. Luckily for the brand, they are purchased by a different sort of people.
@@trizvanov It's true that first and second generation Lexus LS400s and Toyota Celsiors are still older cars with problems, but it seems that the equivalent Mercedes at the time, the W140, did have a quality downturn and complexity increase compared to the older models of S class too. As to the modern day models, the BMW twin-turbo V8 of the early 2010's is notoriously problematic, so I'm not sure I would be as confident as yourself in choosing a 2012 750i over a 2012 LS500 as a used vehicle purchase! "Looking after" the 750i seems to involve replacing both the turbos and the entire engine at somewhat regular intervals...
@@TassieLorenzo The W140 was a very high quality car. Extremely expensive, yes but still very well engineered with parts to match. The W220 that followed it however took a nose dive in terms of quality of the parts from the OEMs. As for the modern Germans, the turbo replacements aren't done on a regular intervals and a sign that the previous owners neglected basic maintenance items, such as timely oil change. See my earlier comments regarding the type of people, who buy them. I'd still pick the LS over S-class and 7-series but that's just my personal preference rather than relying on anecdotes about mythical bulletproof reliability, as they can and do fail if left unchecked.
A very interesting history of Lexus, thank you. I was fortunate to have numerous luxury cars with my business, but was always disappointed with their reliability. New Jaguars were appalling! Then, when I retired I heard about Lexus reliability from one of my customers, and ,having bought an Ls430, never looked back. Not only bullet proof but a joy to drive. Not unlike a Bentley from the 70s. Quiet, comfortable,quick, economical for 4.3 litres and so dependable. I still have it today and will never part with it.
Great video. Thanks! My wife's Lexus which was recently written off in an accident is by far the best quality car we've ever owned. Absolutely nothing went wrong with it in 140 thousand kilometres.
Id still love to have a 90s LS for my daily commute. Save my main car for other purposes. I think the 90s LS is a handsome looking car as long as its in a good color.
I live in Miami, there's a couple running around here. They put nice wheels on them (Classic BBS style) and drop them. They look dope af. Classy elegant design that will look good forever.
Thanks for the high quality and well researched video. Once LS400 was released in Hong Kong back in early 1990s, it was one of the most stolen cars because of its popularity across the boundary. The original LS is far from being the most beautiful car in the world, yet it’s certainly a classic now, a statement to Toyota’s engineering prowess.
Outstanding automotive historical presentation as usual! I remember when the Lexus LS400 came out, and thought it certainly seemed like an upstart at the time, the street cred it quickly achieved was amazing. Knowing about the Century and a level of exclusiveness unheard of (and probably illegal) in the US where it is by invitation only, the LS400 had plenty going for it, and they certainly hit the proverbial home run (Japanese AND American baseball term!). I had to laugh, "Call you local congressman!" The Japanese hit the US market at its sweet spot of vulnerability: riding on a wave of success contributed to an attitude of arrogance, coupled with trying to tell the consumer what they wanted instead of the reverse (that's how VW got a foothold by tapping into that sensible, utilitatian transport segment of the market). But as well, an increasing crescendo of safety and emissions regulations benchmarks from about 1968 and well into the 1970s meant that the annual model year refreshes were now a luxury as styling budgets and engineering budgets had to focus more on things that the customer did not see or derive any enjoyment from: seat belts, 5-mile and hour bumpers, catalytic converters, etc. That all cost a fortune, but were unsexy. Of course the fuel crisis "put the pedal to the metal" by adding the additional burden of engineering cars that not only were fuel efficient to meet government standards, but also just fuel efficient to satisfy the buying requirements of the 1970s. Although the Lexus always looked like a "poor man's S-Class" mainly due to its styling, I see it as a classic now. Hyundai seems to be following the same formula with its Genesis line, though the results have yet to come in. Very Bentley or Porsche-esque design in many ways, though the verdict will come through the quality, reliability, and durability over several more years.
What a great video. I have always admired the LS400 and the fact that Lexus has always stayed true to the core of engineering excellence and prowess whereas the German brands used to be pinnacles of engineering but these days they sell rip off laptops on wheels at vast premiums and are shadows of their former selves by lowering standards to sell to the masses (think the utterly tragic A-Class and 1 Series) - all in the pursuit of profit instead of quality.
Possibly the best car ever made! Certainly over engineered in a good way with so many firsts.However,Lexus took its eye of the ball in much the same way Nissan rested on their first Nissan Leaf laurels and allowed the grass to grow under their feet and the competition to race ahead.Come on Lexus and Nissan and reclaim your Japanese genius.
@@wholeNwon totally agree. The last 2 LS generations were disappointing. Over priced and not as luxurious as the prior generation w its loud and claustrophobic interior and rough ride.
One of my favourite brands. Apparently it was so good that Mercedes used the LS as a benchmark for their 90s S-Class. You might need to check the source for that as I got that from Wikipedia. You know, next year marks 20 years since the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren was released. It's one of my top 5 favourite cars. I hope you can do a video about it. It was a fantastic car that had a problematic split personality due to it being the fruit of a troubled marriage. Thanks for the video of the LS and I can't wait to see your next one.
“The fruit of a troubled marriage?” How eloquent and spot on. I absolutely LOVE my 2002 Lexus LS430 118k I’m the 2d owner since April 27, 2018. It is the base model as the narcissistic husband of my bff refused to spend the extra $ on his wife’s daily driver/my bff (RIP) on a fully loaded one. At the 6 year mark, he sold it to me. Dealer serviced most of the time with only 37k miles on it. My SilverCloud aka La Mafiosa never saw snow and never went to Vegas under their ownership. It was used for picking up the kiddies to/from school and soccer practice and thousands of Costco runs. This car is special to me as my bff raised 3 kids in it so when baby #4 came along, I bought it cash on the spot and she graduated to a 2009 LX 570 with all the bells and whistles. We got gas one day and upon placing the new behemoth in park, the silver beauty chassis lowered itself automatically (?!). Classy and I had the BIGGEST smile on my face as my beautiful bff deserved top of the line! Finally! Oh and btw, my LS430 may be 20 years old chronologically but she looks and drives so so exceptionally well. She’s a keeper. Trust.
The japanese beahve like a plague. First they copy, steal and cheat what europeans invent. Then they go and study in europeans universitiesm they the japs try to destroy what civilised them. What a race of manlet scumbags
The LS400 was definitely one of the best cars you could buy. We ran a 2000MY LS for over 13 years. It was a fantastic thing to travel in. We tried the newer versions, 430, and 460, but could never justify the cost to change. They were not significantly better cars even with all the extra toys. I really hope Lexus can produce something as market leading and, indeed, remarkable as the original LS soon. Excellent video, thank.
I remember driving one of the first LS400's in the UK (1990). It was pearl white & I was astonished by the smoothness of the engine & the relaxed way it made me feel when driving it. In my opinion it looked better than the future generation LS's, Simple, nothing to shout about, just a fine reliable luxury car! Well done Toyota................
Brilliant! Thanks a lot! The 400 and 430 are still my favorite, with the 1998-2000 being my all-time favorite, followed closely by the 1995-1997, the 2001-2006 and then the 1989-1994. Already heard owners and technicians say the LS460 wasn't quite as well-made as the 400 and 430.
@@LSnium Yes, they're also the most preferred by tuners for turbo and supercharged applications, because the internals are stronger, quite the overengineered unit. Although still very good engines, the following years' were not as strengthened.
I was initially underwhelmed when the LS400 was first introduced in the UK circa 1990. Then I rode in, and later drove one, and realised that this was something very, very special indeed. Nowadays I regard Lexus as, The Benchmark. Nothing else comes close. It's the only luxury car I would buy.
I’m a proud owner of a silver 2000 LS400. My Mother has a 1993 LS400 that she Loves as well. We cherish these exquisite examples of Japanese automotive excellence and plan to keep driving them for as long as possible.👍 1UZ for life!☝️ Thanks for the vid. Much appreciated. Peace to all the Lexus lovers worldwide.🌎
I find it an amazing feat that a Japanese automaker known for their economy cars managed to create a successful luxury sedan that could take on the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Of course, they couldn't sell it under the Toyota name because people would go "Wait... that's a Toyota??" and not take it seriously. Also Big Car, I know this is off-topic, but that's a cool vintage green typewriter you have in the background!
The "Wait... that's a Toyota??" is very ironic because Toyota puts real quality in its cars and everyone of us knows that, so it was a given that the Lexus brand would be built in the same quality standards even without changing the badge. But I guess it's the attitude of each badge which sets it all.
@@dougle03 true. My uncle owned a Pheaton. Said it was the best luxury car he ever had. As a director he’d owned top end BMWs, Mercedes and Jaguar company cars and he swears too this day the Pheaton put his others cars in the shade. He said the comfort, engineering and build quality was unrivalled. Powerful, comfortable, solid built and had all the comfort and technology you could wish for, but as you said it just had the wrong badge. I remember going for rides in it and it was like Rolls Royce for comfort and refinement. But it was still a VW. Shame as it was a brilliant car, that never took off.
I know someone who bought an old LS400 at very cheap price since it’s quite old. When we ride it the car feels solid, doors fit well, rides very smoothly, feels luxurious even after so many years. He’s just doing the usual maintainance and the car never lets him down.
I drive a 1st gen GS which shared some components from the original LS, and 27 years later the car still rides fairly smoothly on original shocks, engine and transmission just needs fluid changes according to maintenance schedule.... but truly the cars reliability continues to amaze me to this day as I approach 300k miles
I have owned the LS400, LS430, and LS460. They all proved to be the best engineered and all-around cars I have ever driven and maintained. All have V8 engines that supplied beautifully smooth power. They are comfortable, reliable, quiet, safe, and a pleasure to operate. I decided to sell the LS460AWD and get a truck, but still own the LS430 (my daughter's daily driver.) The real gem of the collection was my 1995 LS400. It was a perfect car. Thanks for doing this great video!
The current generation has been long in the tooth. I don’t see the current gen on the road as much as I did w the prior generations. They used to be everywhere.
I just checked the sales #s and the current gen outsold prior gens, so I wonder why I don’t see them on the road as much. I guess they’re being replaced w the Tesla model y as they’re everywhere nowadays.
@@Wasabi9111 I think the older versions were all about subtle comfort and engineering. The more recent version is aggressively in-your-face. That probably put a lot of potential buyers off.
Another great review. Filled in many things I didn't know. I have a 2010 Lexus LS600h. A non turbo 5 litre V8 plus a 225 HP electric motor. It's a magnificent vehicle. Everything still works, nothing rattles or creaks. It rides beautifully, is freakishly quiet and has pretty decent performance and economy. The E-CVT combined with a lack of turbo's plus the torque of the electric motor gives instant acceleration from any speed. Much better than the 460 in this respect even though the two have a similar 0-100 time. I always thought the Germans and particular BMW missed the mark with this segment. Its the luxury sector. I bought the Lexus rather than an S series Merc or 7 series BMW because those two cars (The BMW) in particular focus more on handling and performance. If I want great handling I'm not going to buy this class of car no matter who makes it. They are whales! I have a Golf R for that sort of fun. Having said that, the Lexus handles commendably well. Good grip, balance (the 600 is better than the 460 in this regard because of the batteries in the back giving it a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution) and poise. Not to mention that both Germans have abysmal reliability records with their S class and 7 series. They also cost more to maintain and service than the Lexus. Given they cost the same money second hand the Lexus was a no brainer.
Expertly presented! I have owned five Lexus cars, five BMW's, two Saab's, and one Audi. SO I guess I can comment that Lexus is in a master class in perfection. I now own a KIA and see the engineering growth that KIA has accomplished in the last five years. I see they have taken some of the playbook clues for Lexus. At any rate, Lexus made history for a good reason.
My parents have gone from Germans to Lexus and back to Germans and mostly an Hyundai Ioniq 5. I agree the Koreans are most innovative now and that Lexus has lost its way - they even dropped their slogan “relentless pursuit of perfection”.
I feel comforted that my father who is 84 and still fighting cancer is safe in his Lexus. My first car was a 79 Corolla that I bought off him at age 15 and after he taught me the basics in car maintenance I graduated highschool and started at Toyota as a lube tech/accessory installer so Toyota and Lexus are a big part of our family as unfortunately cancer has been.
@@fluorine7575 Very much appreciated. There's been a few mistakes like a string of cars my sister had but finally my parents listened and got her a Toyota Corolla All-Trac wagon for university in a snowy climate. To this day my sister says that was the best car she's ever had and I was jealous but I knew she was safe.
Excellent video as always! As a classic MB owner from just before the LS 400 I have always admired the original LS. I've read many times Mercedes delayed the W140 to catch up. Interest re the recalls and polish and tank of fuel, if I may talk bikes, very sketchy on details, but Yamaha did similar decades before.
After having owned a 2011 CT200h some years ago, I now picked a 2016 IS 300h by Lexus Select - best car I ever had, coming with a 10 year warranty. The hybrid system is most reliable and efficient, the car quality simply refined. No German premium cars for me...
I loved the original. The fact the car made it in to what is referred to as the 'most iconic fighting game' of all time (Street Fighter II) made me really happy as a young teen. Still love both!
It was a Lexus??? Wow, never knew that! We've never really had many Lexuses here in Europe, as Europeans prefer, well, European cars with European design and style, and heritage of course.
I see that Lexus is great when it comes to reliability, comfort, and understated luxury. The German luxury car makers to me have the edge when it comes to brand prestige, styling, performance, and cutting edge technology. I think luxury buyers of the past cared about more about workmanship and comfort. Today's luxury buyers care most about brand prestige followed by maybe performance and latest tech toys. Pretty much all modern German luxury cars have a usable life of about 5 years shortly after the lease ends. After that, these cars spend more time in the shops than on the road. But it doesn't matter since the buyers don't care about reliability when making their purchase decisions. Their leases end before any problem comes up and they just get another brand new car. Lexus/Toyota does not really strive to be the first at anything. They tend to wait and see how others do then work to make it work better and more reliably. I expect Lexus to not be the first at anything.
I recently bought a 2015 Lexus GS 350 with 187k miles. It still drives like a new car indeed. No rattles, no squeaks. Lexus vehicles are simply amazing. Great documentary
That is a GREAT video - great narration (no endless hyperbole), intelligent script, great info and graphs and no stupid pounding, dramatic music. Really, really good. Thank you.
I remember reading an article from either Autocar or Car magazine that covered the 1989 North American Auto show in Detroit. Interviewing a Cadillac VP at their showcase. A journalist asked a Cadillac VP what he thought of the new Lexus brand/LS400 car. Note that the Lexus showcase was across the aisle from the Cadillac one. The Cadillac VP arrogantly stated while pointing to the Lexus stand, "that will not last". How wrong he was.
Such a wonderful automotive story. As an owner of many Lexus products I can appreciate them for the quality and detail, they tend to lack excitement that BMWs and others provided but as an all round package they are very hard to beat. Even at 20+ years old, when cared for they make excellent secondhand cars.
A wonderful, insightful and informative piece. I remember when a friends father got one of the first in Ireland. Having owned most of the cars I lusted after in the 80s as a teenager, I have always wanted one of these. Think it's time to go looking for one
Wow, your videos are just simply awesome! You set out to make the best Car videos in the world and you did it! Thank you for the many hours of enjoyable edutainment I have had!
@@BigCar2 I like how you referenced everything. This actually makes your Channel more useful for school teachers in that we can trace your sources. This would help with teaching students how to do proper research.
The ownership experience was, and still is, a huge factor in the Lexus brand success story... My father's business partner has had four or five LS Lexus (Lexi?), having driven them since the first model came along. He went in after having two very bad experiences with big BMWs, so decided to roll the dice on these new fancy Toyotas and he's bought a new one every replacement model since. This is a man who knows the car biz, so such loyalty from him has always given me cause to believe they're as good as their reputation says they are.
On the scale of things all things considered from the 1st car (generally) ever built to the latest this (the LS400 is quite possibly and likely the best car ever built!....no kidding folks!
Great video, well researched as always. Never owned one but I have a soft spot for the early Lexus IS200 / Toyota Altezza , the ones that started that amusing "Lexus lights" craze lol.
@@owenshebbeare2999 Here in Britain there was a craze for aftermarket rear light clusters that mimicked the look of the IS200 tail lights. They were sold everywhere and were available for loads of recent ,at the time cars .
Every now and then the stars align and a vehicle comes along that sets a new standard. Even after all these years, the LS 400 is a great car and one many other manufacturers still cant create today.
Absolutely exceptional video, this may be the best one you've ever done! I never really liked Lexus. As I've aged I've come to deeply respect them - both for their reliability and refinement - but something about them just never "moved" me. The first LS was an achievement, but it always looked "thin" to me. Like the stylists split the difference between the Acura Legend and the Merc SEL. Inside the individual pieces may have been high quality, but managed to still look overly plastic and with no real "presence". If I was in the market for a sub-$100k car there's no doubt the LS would make my list, and my engineer brain would scream it's the right one to own for years... but it just doesn't stir the soul. And unfortunately when Lexus does try "sport", it comes off looking like a Nissan reject.
Thanks Jon - you make some good videos as well! I hear you. The Lexus styling has never excited me much. The closest we got was Mrs. Big Car looked at an entry level Lexus in 2015, but ended up going with a MINI Hatch.
I agree. I've read a number of comments here, and haven't seen any passion -- only comments about reliability, quietness.... I absolutely agree that Lexus has these qualities, but they're so.....homely.
Thanks a lot for the video! Despite being a Japanese, I wasn't familiar with the history of the Lexus series. I'm very proud of the brand, especially the first-generation LS400!
The old man that lives next door to me has an LS400. He sold it a few weeks ago. I remember the day he said he was selling it, about 2 hours later a dude showed up with cash and bought it without even a test drive, he just said it's a LS400 of course it will drive. And simply drove away, never seen car been sold so fast in my life. I think i'm going to start collecting these.
This is a great video. I was in the industry when these cars came out, reading the publications, and nobody knew what to make of it at first. There were some good jokes: "Palos Verdes Corolla", but in the end nearly everyone had to agree that Toyota had created something special. Thank you, Andy, for another informative and entertaining video. I learned a lot of things I did not know about the LS!
In 1990-92, Toyota essentially perfected the 'automobile'. If every other brand had given up, and they'd frozen design and manufacturing tech at that time, we'd all be enjoying better, more enjoyable, reliable, and affordable vehicles, even right now- 30 years later. I've got a 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser with 267k to prove it...
I have an immaculate 00' ls400, purchased from an elderly gentleman. Its the finest vehicle ive ever driven. The quality holds up like an old rolex...truly an all-time automotive classic!
What a fascinating history lesson on the LS400. It was my first 'proper' luxury car purchase in 1991, only to be replaced in 1992 with another. In 1994 I imported an SC400 2 door which was so advanced in its day it made everything else on the road prehistoric. They were in their time beautiful cars but in my opinion aged very quickly. Nothing I've owned since hasn't come close to the reliability of my Lexus but the redesigns always looked bulky, odd and out of step with what Mercedes in particular were offering. I've never gone back to Lexus although I do appear to have an itch that may need addressing in the form of the stunning LC500 coupe. Thank you for a brilliantly executed presentation on the Lexus story. Definitely one of the best UA-cam presentations I've watched in many a year.
I’m on my 3rd Lexus and currently own a 2011 LS460 let’s just say I’ll forever own a Lexus. Once you own a Lexus it’s hard to go to any other brand cause of reliability and quality. 💯
A friend had one of the orginal ones in the same colour as the one at the start. Great car. Literally the best machine to cruise home from a nightclub in. Solid as can be too (as you covered).
@@stoneylonesome4062 Yeah another great car. About 25 years ago I ran head into one of those in Nissan Micra. The Micra was destoyed, I somehow survived, the Merc had a small bent and some paint work issues. The police were pissed till I passed the breath test, then sent me a mandatory "driver improvement course". Which was actually valuable and fun. I was 17.......
There is another consideration - previous owners weren't updating their earlier models. I own a 2004 LS430UL and it's still as wonderful to drive as it was when we purchased it.
I bought the first LS brand new. It was a revelation and, unlike nearly every German car, never needed any repairs despite its many advanced features and systems. Even the dealer experience was way ahead of the Germans. There’s also Matt Farrah’s famous million mile Lexus which is quite a feat when German cars are already dribbling essential fluids and suffering expensive electrical problems just past their modest warranty and often even before. There’s really no comparison in the ownership experience. This video did’t really discuss the huge success of Lexus crossover and SUV models which have had huge sales that were also well ahead of the Germans.
My 1998 LS 400 to this day is still a dream to drive.. On road trips it is as smooth and quiet as the day it was made. I live in Denver and my LS loves to go to the Utah national parks
Here in Ireland, the Prime Minister's car is a LS 500h, mainly for the hybrid credentials, but still, its high praise after years of S-Classes and 7-Series
My second job in the late 90's was at a Toyota dealer (in Melbourne, Aus) The bosses drove Lexus, I immediately fell in love with the Dealer Principal's LS 400 and the general manager's ES 300. I was already so impressed with the Toyota product (having come from working in Ford dealer), but the Lexus were so special. I went through a few car phases, but a while back I said, one day , when the time is right I will buy a Lexus..and I did this year an IS 350! Beautiful car.
The Lexus 400 project will go down as Toyotas 'crowning' moment - pun intended. This makes it more difficult to understand what has happen to Toyota in 2022? Toyota seems to no longer want to be the best in any category any longer but look for ways to partner with other manufacturers to defray development costs. Toyota is watching other manufacturers lead the BEV space while the 1st BEV from Toyota is not competitive on many metrics. Very concerned about Toyota going forward as they will always be popular but not perceived as a clear innovator.
The sells obviously differ but I see so many LS sedans all over from different times. But I barely ever see the flagship sedans from the Germans. And the current LS is so much more beautiful than the current German offerings. Especially the BMW. The S Class looks nearly identical to everything in their lineup. The Audi... just is a Audi.
I was working in the car sales industry in 1990, straight out of high school. I got to play with one. I got to drive and interact with a lot of cars. I relive those days in your videos. Thanks. :-) /Q45, with the analog clock. Those were cool.
I remember my father arriving home with his brand new LS400. I was 8 years old. It was like nothing I had ever experienced. Compared to the Fiestas, Escorts and Montegos we were used to back then, it was like it was from another time and space. The level of refinement was mind boggling to me. Something so quiet, so smooth. It was science fiction.
You were a very lucky kid! This is possibly the best car ever made and was certainly over engineered.However, Lexus seemed to drop the ball in car development in much the same way Nissan rested on their laurels with the first Nissan Leaf and allowed the grass to grow under their feet. LEXUS and NISSAN bring back your genius!
That's a good one but you forgot to mention the Marina
@Teamgeist go be poor somewhere else
Which year this ls400 was brought
@@jyy9624 I'm a little young but I certainly got a lift in an Ital a few times.
One of the more amazing things about it IMO is how well the first LS400 still looks today. It doesn't look like an 80's car, it looks refined and modern still, even if it isn't the style that modern cars have.
True. I own a 96' and the lines are flawless
In the early 90’s, I was smitten by the quality feel of a friends brand new LS400 and have been an avid Lexus enthusiasts since.
I agree, spotted a 1990 original, pre facelift ls, and the comment from the terminator movie described its looks perfectly: old, but not obsolete.
Timeless car design
Owned 2001 and 2003 LS430s. Now driving a 2008 LS460. Hoping to get to a 2013 perhaps, before retiring with a final purchase of the LS500. Every day sitting in the car is such a joy. A world away from the stresses of outside. Thank you Lexus for making my life that much easier.
Which LS was the most enjoyable and fun to drive out of them?
@@shawndon7374 hard to say mate. The 430s were basically the same things, as only 2 years apart. The smallest turning circle I’ve ever driven, in any car! Steering was too light, transmission unbelievable, quietness unbelievable, powerful (well, until I started driving the 460 anyways), sound system unbelievable, a joy to drive. Cheap to maintain. The 460’s engine is louder, the sound gets through the cabin a little, although still very quiet. Still a joy to drive, I put it on cruise as much as i can (adaptive in a 2008 car!), very powerful, unbelievable quietness and the sound system divine. Underbody has a lot of issues (shocks, contol arms) maybe because the car is much heavier. But easy to get spares. A joy to drive. Another joy, I have movie nights with my son where we sit in the back and watch movies on the car’s screen that drops from the roof with chips and drinks.
What's up with your channel name?
I worked as an apprentice mechanic at a Toyota dealer in the UK when this came out.
I had never seen anything quite like it.
I was so impressed when a "Lexus Approved Mechanic" took me out for the test drive after servicing the first Lexus we had in for a service.
We almost flew on to the motorway, with no sound or vibration whatsoever.
I have never liked any Lexus anywhere as near as much as I like / liked this one.
Thanks a lot for this jewel of a video.
As an aside, I see more Celsior cars here on the road in Japan now than I have ever seen Lexus LS400s on the road here. No idea why. Most likely there were simply more of them on the road in the first place, and the Lexus LS400 was perhaps not as popular here as the Celsior. That's a guess, though.
I was expecting this story to change into how you went from being an apprentice for Toyota to being an apprentice for Lexus haha.
@@MudaSHoleProductions That would have been a nice career move. Ending up a Lexus-qualified mech' here in Japan would give me better-paid and considerably more stable job than I have now, that's for sure.
I don't even bother with a car now. Motorbikes are better for me for commuting.
@@staninjapan07 It wasn't sold in Japan as a Lexus at all in the first gen.
@@kylefraser8612 Right? Thanks. That makes it clear why I see so few LS400 cars here, then. The ones I see must be "reverse imports" as some car companies call them.
Though you mention it briefly around the 13 minute mark, the 1st gen LS was a big departure, what was was the dealer service levels. My father who had a habit of buying a new S class every 3 years wandered on to a Lexus forecourt just to check them out, 3 hours later he drove off in a new LS. He was amazed at the service levels of the dealership, he was in the service industry and took customer care very seriously. Every time Lexus would release a new LS my father would get a call from the same salesman (for 20 years) and he would get the first new LS they would receive.
@Dave Smith So, the poor salesman was clearly no good at his job.
No progress in 20 years…..
Poor fellow.
@@monk3yboy69 - I worked at a Ford Dealership in the UK in the 80's. The Salesmen earnt triple the managment thanks to commission.
Your dad was rich.
Facts Japanese Service is their middle name Toyota strong
awesome!
I bought a 2011 LS 460 in 2017, and I'm still amazed at the quiet, effortless power every time I drive it. With only 69k miles on it to date, I could be driving it for many more years.
Join the Lexus Owners' Club on line and avoid dealer "service", if possible.
I bought a 2008 gs350 a year ago, has just over 60000 miles on it and still feels and drives like new, like yours I'm sure I could keep this for many more years with no bills apart from servicing
New age lexus garbage that will never touch the quality of a ls400
@pwhittyp5365 please elaborate.
My grandparents were very early Lexus adopters. They used to have a 1990 LS 400. They sold it after 69420 miles (yes, really, I have the documentation) and, after considering a 740i, bought a 2002 LS 430. That's my car now, and god damn do I love it. It's a marvelous car.
The LS has always been one of my favourite all time cars. Love the design, quality, engineering and attention to detail. Dream car remains the epic LFA though.
Just get an LS400, theyre dirt cheap, can almost get around LFA top speeds, about 40 mph less than the LFA and of course slower acceleration, but the LS400 is much more comfortable and cheaper to own.
can the LS also be fitted or installed with a 5.0 V12 from the Toyota Century limo too?
it could have been better if it happened back then,
And call it the "LS500"
Well researched, produced and extremely interesting. The back story you've skillfully put together about the rise of Lexus is really fascinating and shows Japanese ingenuity at its best. Ten out of ten and thanks for sharing this brilliant history.
Glad you enjoyed it Simon.
Fantastic. I owned one. Bought it in the Gold coast in Australia. 1 owner from new. Was 25 years old when i bought it. It took my family of 5 the whole way across Australia in air conditioned luxury and i was never in doubt that it would make it. Fantastically engineered car. Comfortable, very smooth and reasonably fast
Yes it's a very woody car indeed
Tell me u own/ed an LS400 without telling me. Just something I noticed from this comment, no hate.
ingenuity? it was a copy of a 10yo mercedes benz lol
I remember my uncle getting a Lexus when they first came out, ans him explaining to my dad that it was both better and cheaper than a big Mercedes. My dad the brand snob was dubious.
so when your dad bought a Lexus?
In engineering terms, it was almost on par with the W140 but it ha a lot more tech, but little image and it wasn't good going to test drive one with a Corolla next to it. It was also very 'soft' to drive.
The most impressive thing I ever read, was the review of the LS400: "It feels like some new Mercedes; some new Mercedes that Mercedes hasn't gotten around to building yet". Says it all. Over the next year, a dozen of the doctors I knew had traded in their Mercs, BMW's, and Audis, for LS400s.
Was not a doctor, I was a humble valet driver at our local Airport when the LS came out, but I can tell you this. I drove all those new Mercedes and the new BMWs and they didn't come close to the quality of those Lexuses to my young and untrained mind.
In US only.These cars were never seen as good as bm's or merc's in Europe
If you know that many doctors then I wish you the best for your health 🤜
@@eriktempelman2097 I worked in emergency rooms from the age of 14 as a volunteer, until I retired last year. So yes, I've known a whole lot of doctors! Some nicely offered to sell me their cars when they got new ones, and I did get a lovely 1986 Porsche 928, the nicest car I've ever owned. Picked up a 300E for the wife years later. So yes, it definitely does help to make friends!
@@bartbart6545 Because they never were and still aren’t. All these people are delusional and love to jump on a bandwagon.
My mother had a 1993 model. It was controversial in our family: my brother was a Mercedes person, my father fought in the Pacific. But she was right, it was a magnificent car. She gave it to me before she passed away. Might be still driving it if it hadn't been t-boned. You should do a video on the RX series, they've filled up American suburbs.
It is amazing that the Japanese were so very careful at pouring all their effort into building the best car they ever could! Such details that Lexus had paid attention to might be neglected by other car manufacturers, but in a world where dominating German luxury cars are present, Lexus proved that Japan could step up and keep those BMWs and Mercs on their toes
Not just in automobile industry, they pretty much made the global market their bitch in 80s-90s.
This was simply one of the best videos I've seen on this channel. I never knew much about Lexus other than that they were successful in the US, but not really understanding why and how they got popular seemingly out of nowhere. When you explained that they spent $1bn R&D on the project and the level of market research they did, it all clicked together in my head (amongst many other amazing facts in this video). I also enjoyed watching the "extras" video which complemented this main one. Thanks so much, this must have taken a lot of time and effort to put together.
The first 3 generations are arguably the best, a big part of what made these cars extremely successful is the engine itself. Definitely look into the UZ engine family you can find them in a few other Lexus models too which is neat. Except the SC430, that thing should never have been created.
@@crs0176 The SC430 is a very good car and beautiful to drive, It is a Cruiser not a bruiser, extremely comfortable and has a truly beautiful interior of wood by Yamaha and genuine leather everywhere. The 3UZfe motor is silky smooth and has good power. The car reeks of Lexus quality and can do huge mileage with reasonable maintenance. How do l know, I own one and I guess you are basing your comments from the attention seeking dills on Top Gear who have been debunked many times over.. I often go for a cruise on my local country roads with the top down, the body has no movement and no noises and I regularly get home and then drive a bit further because it is so good to drive.
Well ive owned the is300 , 200 best compact sedans ive ever had.
Love the 300 so much still have it.
This is such a fantastic car, just knowing how much effort Toyota put into development of this car is already a step above many other manufacturers. This car, especially those with the UZ engines (89’-06’) really stand out from anything of their time and still hold up today. It’s definitely getting to be older now but to anyone who’s looking to get one, take care of this car and it will run as long as you need it to. I can say from experience as far as working on cars goes, this one is pretty pleasant. This car is really well built inside and out.
I have seen a few reviews of old ones of these with high mileages and they just take it in their stride and everything still works - not something you can expect from most German luxury cars
I just hit 220k today in my 02 430, it has the occasional old car problem like any car it's age, but never have I had it not start, or not able to safely be driven to a mechanic for any repairs. Love my LS!
All I have left to do now is find a clean 400 for weekend duty ...
You can absolutely expect the same from the Big Germans provided that you look after them. The biggest issue is that due to high depreciation, they are often bought by people, who have no means of servicing them they way they should be.
The LS are incredible cars but you still do need to give them plenty of love and care. They definitely aren't cheap to own. Luckily for the brand, they are purchased by a different sort of people.
@@trizvanov It's true that first and second generation Lexus LS400s and Toyota Celsiors are still older cars with problems, but it seems that the equivalent Mercedes at the time, the W140, did have a quality downturn and complexity increase compared to the older models of S class too.
As to the modern day models, the BMW twin-turbo V8 of the early 2010's is notoriously problematic, so I'm not sure I would be as confident as yourself in choosing a 2012 750i over a 2012 LS500 as a used vehicle purchase! "Looking after" the 750i seems to involve replacing both the turbos and the entire engine at somewhat regular intervals...
True, my mother has had probably a dozen very high end mercs since the 80s, great when new but boy do they go wrong in an expensive way
@@TassieLorenzo The W140 was a very high quality car. Extremely expensive, yes but still very well engineered with parts to match. The W220 that followed it however took a nose dive in terms of quality of the parts from the OEMs.
As for the modern Germans, the turbo replacements aren't done on a regular intervals and a sign that the previous owners neglected basic maintenance items, such as timely oil change. See my earlier comments regarding the type of people, who buy them.
I'd still pick the LS over S-class and 7-series but that's just my personal preference rather than relying on anecdotes about mythical bulletproof reliability, as they can and do fail if left unchecked.
A very interesting history of Lexus, thank you. I was fortunate to have numerous luxury cars with my business, but was always disappointed with their reliability. New Jaguars were appalling! Then, when I retired I heard about Lexus reliability from one of my customers, and ,having bought an Ls430, never looked back. Not only bullet proof but a joy to drive. Not unlike a Bentley from the 70s. Quiet, comfortable,quick, economical for 4.3 litres and so dependable. I still have it today and will never part with it.
But the Bentleys of those years (and others) were utter junk...nice interiors but it ended there.
MeToo
Me either bro 💎🥰😎 I own a 2006 Lexus LS430 what year do you own might I ask?
@@theodoreyoung8777 A 2005 model, Theodore. They are quite rare now in the UK. We are lucky guys!
@@chrispritchard4676 Yes sir but here in the United States not so much especially on the East Coast that I see quite regularly 😎🤝
I had a 1997 LS400. One of THE BEST CARS I have ever owned. The upkeep was pricey, but so well worth the expense.
Excellent video!💯👏🏿
Great video. Thanks! My wife's Lexus which was recently written off in an accident is by far the best quality car we've ever owned. Absolutely nothing went wrong with it in 140 thousand kilometres.
Of course not; it was still new.
Id still love to have a 90s LS for my daily commute. Save my main car for other purposes. I think the 90s LS is a handsome looking car as long as its in a good color.
A very fine car indeed
I live in Miami, there's a couple running around here. They put nice wheels on them (Classic BBS style) and drop them.
They look dope af.
Classy elegant design that will look good forever.
I had a 1990 LS400, now a 1991 Celsior on my channel
Thanks for the high quality and well researched video. Once LS400 was released in Hong Kong back in early 1990s, it was one of the most stolen cars because of its popularity across the boundary. The original LS is far from being the most beautiful car in the world, yet it’s certainly a classic now, a statement to Toyota’s engineering prowess.
Outstanding automotive historical presentation as usual! I remember when the Lexus LS400 came out, and thought it certainly seemed like an upstart at the time, the street cred it quickly achieved was amazing. Knowing about the Century and a level of exclusiveness unheard of (and probably illegal) in the US where it is by invitation only, the LS400 had plenty going for it, and they certainly hit the proverbial home run (Japanese AND American baseball term!). I had to laugh, "Call you local congressman!" The Japanese hit the US market at its sweet spot of vulnerability: riding on a wave of success contributed to an attitude of arrogance, coupled with trying to tell the consumer what they wanted instead of the reverse (that's how VW got a foothold by tapping into that sensible, utilitatian transport segment of the market). But as well, an increasing crescendo of safety and emissions regulations benchmarks from about 1968 and well into the 1970s meant that the annual model year refreshes were now a luxury as styling budgets and engineering budgets had to focus more on things that the customer did not see or derive any enjoyment from: seat belts, 5-mile and hour bumpers, catalytic converters, etc. That all cost a fortune, but were unsexy. Of course the fuel crisis "put the pedal to the metal" by adding the additional burden of engineering cars that not only were fuel efficient to meet government standards, but also just fuel efficient to satisfy the buying requirements of the 1970s. Although the Lexus always looked like a "poor man's S-Class" mainly due to its styling, I see it as a classic now. Hyundai seems to be following the same formula with its Genesis line, though the results have yet to come in. Very Bentley or Porsche-esque design in many ways, though the verdict will come through the quality, reliability, and durability over several more years.
What a great video. I have always admired the LS400 and the fact that Lexus has always stayed true to the core of engineering excellence and prowess whereas the German brands used to be pinnacles of engineering but these days they sell rip off laptops on wheels at vast premiums and are shadows of their former selves by lowering standards to sell to the masses (think the utterly tragic A-Class and 1 Series) - all in the pursuit of profit instead of quality.
You are right but the Germans monetized their great products and reputations which means...
کاملا درست میگی.امروز حتی لکسوس جدید هم کیفیت LS400سال۱۹۸۹را ندارد.
Apart from the design.
Possibly the best car ever made! Certainly over engineered in a good way with so many firsts.However,Lexus took its eye of the ball in much the same way Nissan rested on their first Nissan Leaf laurels and allowed the grass to grow under their feet and the competition to race ahead.Come on Lexus and Nissan and reclaim your Japanese genius.
I agree that the 460 (diminished reliability) and 500 (hideous and questionable drive train) are steps backward.
@@wholeNwon totally agree. The last 2 LS generations were disappointing. Over priced and not as luxurious as the prior generation w its loud and claustrophobic interior and rough ride.
@@Wasabi9111 And, I think, questionable reliability.
The research for your videos, and use of contemporary video and images, is always exceptional. Another terrific video of a classic car. Thank you.
One of my favourite brands. Apparently it was so good that Mercedes used the LS as a benchmark for their 90s S-Class. You might need to check the source for that as I got that from Wikipedia.
You know, next year marks 20 years since the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren was released. It's one of my top 5 favourite cars. I hope you can do a video about it. It was a fantastic car that had a problematic split personality due to it being the fruit of a troubled marriage. Thanks for the video of the LS and I can't wait to see your next one.
“The fruit of a troubled marriage?” How eloquent and spot on. I absolutely LOVE my 2002 Lexus LS430 118k I’m the 2d owner since April 27, 2018. It is the base model as the narcissistic husband of my bff refused to spend the extra $ on his wife’s daily driver/my bff (RIP) on a fully loaded one. At the 6 year mark, he sold it to me. Dealer serviced most of the time with only 37k miles on it. My SilverCloud aka La Mafiosa never saw snow and never went to Vegas under their ownership. It was used for picking up the kiddies to/from school and soccer practice and thousands of Costco runs. This car is special to me as my bff raised 3 kids in it so when baby #4 came along, I bought it cash on the spot and she graduated to a 2009 LX 570 with all the bells and whistles. We got gas one day and upon placing the new behemoth in park, the silver beauty chassis lowered itself automatically (?!). Classy and I had the BIGGEST smile on my face as my beautiful bff deserved top of the line! Finally! Oh and btw, my LS430 may be 20 years old chronologically but she looks and drives so so exceptionally well. She’s a keeper. Trust.
The japanese beahve like a plague. First they copy, steal and cheat what europeans invent. Then they go and study in europeans universitiesm they the japs try to destroy what civilised them. What a race of manlet scumbags
I’m on my second Lexus now, an RX, previously has a GS.
But still most of this I didn’t know.
Another great video good sir.
We just got one of these at my job (93') to test computers. It's got 110k, it's still tight, drives smooth and has nice power.
Thats baby miles for the original LS400 ,my first car was a 95 and it had over a quarter million miles on it. Smoothest ride I've ever had.
The LS400 was definitely one of the best cars you could buy. We ran a 2000MY LS for over 13 years. It was a fantastic thing to travel in. We tried the newer versions, 430, and 460, but could never justify the cost to change. They were not significantly better cars even with all the extra toys. I really hope Lexus can produce something as market leading and, indeed, remarkable as the original LS soon.
Excellent video, thank.
I remember driving one of the first LS400's in the UK (1990). It was pearl white & I was astonished by the smoothness of the engine & the relaxed way it made me feel when driving it. In my opinion it looked better than the future generation LS's, Simple, nothing to shout about, just a fine reliable luxury car! Well done Toyota................
Indeed, every restyling moved further away from what really worked about the understated original design.
LS is always a pinnacle of engineering. A true king.
A Lexus will outlive any so called “premium German car” especially nowadays
LOL...not likely but I get it. Number one sold use car sold in America? It has nothing to do with mileage is what?
Brilliant! Thanks a lot!
The 400 and 430 are still my favorite, with the 1998-2000 being my all-time favorite, followed closely by the 1995-1997, the 2001-2006 and then the 1989-1994.
Already heard owners and technicians say the LS460 wasn't quite as well-made as the 400 and 430.
1989-1994 arent interference engines and are overall easier to work on, I know I have two.
@@LSnium Yes, they're also the most preferred by tuners for turbo and supercharged applications, because the internals are stronger, quite the overengineered unit.
Although still very good engines, the following years' were not as strengthened.
I was initially underwhelmed when the LS400 was first introduced in the UK circa 1990. Then I rode in, and later drove one, and realised that this was something very, very special indeed. Nowadays I regard Lexus as, The Benchmark. Nothing else comes close. It's the only luxury car I would buy.
I’m a proud owner of a silver 2000 LS400. My Mother has a 1993 LS400 that she Loves as well. We cherish these exquisite examples of Japanese automotive excellence and plan to keep driving them for as long as possible.👍
1UZ for life!☝️
Thanks for the vid. Much appreciated.
Peace to all the Lexus lovers worldwide.🌎
I bought LS 2002 brand new and it was heaven on earth .. it had it all ❤️
I find it an amazing feat that a Japanese automaker known for their economy cars managed to create a successful luxury sedan that could take on the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Of course, they couldn't sell it under the Toyota name because people would go "Wait... that's a Toyota??" and not take it seriously.
Also Big Car, I know this is off-topic, but that's a cool vintage green typewriter you have in the background!
That vintage typewiter is Lego ;)
VW had the same problem with the Phaeton. Brilliant car, wrong badge...
The "Wait... that's a Toyota??" is very ironic because Toyota puts real quality in its cars and everyone of us knows that, so it was a given that the Lexus brand would be built in the same quality standards even without changing the badge. But I guess it's the attitude of each badge which sets it all.
@@dougle03 true. My uncle owned a Pheaton. Said it was the best luxury car he ever had. As a director he’d owned top end BMWs, Mercedes and Jaguar company cars and he swears too this day the Pheaton put his others cars in the shade. He said the comfort, engineering and build quality was unrivalled. Powerful, comfortable, solid built and had all the comfort and technology you could wish for, but as you said it just had the wrong badge. I remember going for rides in it and it was like Rolls Royce for comfort and refinement. But it was still a VW. Shame as it was a brilliant car, that never took off.
Don't tell the Emperor(s) who have used the Toyota Century for 2+ generations.
I know someone who bought an old LS400 at very cheap price since it’s quite old. When we ride it the car feels solid, doors fit well, rides very smoothly, feels luxurious even after so many years. He’s just doing the usual maintainance and the car never lets him down.
I drive a 1st gen GS which shared some components from the original LS, and 27 years later the car still rides fairly smoothly on original shocks, engine and transmission just needs fluid changes according to maintenance schedule.... but truly the cars reliability continues to amaze me to this day as I approach 300k miles
I have owned the LS400, LS430, and LS460. They all proved to be the best engineered and all-around cars I have ever driven and maintained. All have V8 engines that supplied beautifully smooth power. They are comfortable, reliable, quiet, safe, and a pleasure to operate. I decided to sell the LS460AWD and get a truck, but still own the LS430 (my daughter's daily driver.) The real gem of the collection was my 1995 LS400. It was a perfect car. Thanks for doing this great video!
I remember my dad wanted a LS400, but we stuck with the Volvo 740GL 2.0 eight valve non turbo.
It's still on my bucket list, 25 years later.
I'd love to see a video on the Lexus RX 350 story. For a long while that car set the bar for SUVs.
Agreed.
My mum has had an RX SUV since the late 00's. It's comfortable & luxurious though if I'm honest, I ain't much of a fan of all these SUV's.
The current generation has been long in the tooth. I don’t see the current gen on the road as much as I did w the prior generations. They used to be everywhere.
I just checked the sales #s and the current gen outsold prior gens, so I wonder why I don’t see them on the road as much. I guess they’re being replaced w the Tesla model y as they’re everywhere nowadays.
@@Wasabi9111 I think the older versions were all about subtle comfort and engineering. The more recent version is aggressively in-your-face. That probably put a lot of potential buyers off.
Another great review. Filled in many things I didn't know. I have a 2010 Lexus LS600h. A non turbo 5 litre V8 plus a 225 HP electric motor. It's a magnificent vehicle. Everything still works, nothing rattles or creaks. It rides beautifully, is freakishly quiet and has pretty decent performance and economy. The E-CVT combined with a lack of turbo's plus the torque of the electric motor gives instant acceleration from any speed. Much better than the 460 in this respect even though the two have a similar 0-100 time. I always thought the Germans and particular BMW missed the mark with this segment. Its the luxury sector. I bought the Lexus rather than an S series Merc or 7 series BMW because those two cars (The BMW) in particular focus more on handling and performance. If I want great handling I'm not going to buy this class of car no matter who makes it. They are whales! I have a Golf R for that sort of fun. Having said that, the Lexus handles commendably well. Good grip, balance (the 600 is better than the 460 in this regard because of the batteries in the back giving it a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution) and poise. Not to mention that both Germans have abysmal reliability records with their S class and 7 series. They also cost more to maintain and service than the Lexus. Given they cost the same money second hand the Lexus was a no brainer.
I remember working in the 80s on Toyota’s massive bond issue(s) to raise finance for their new projects like this.
Expertly presented! I have owned five Lexus cars, five BMW's, two Saab's, and one Audi. SO I guess I can comment that Lexus is in a master class in perfection. I now own a KIA and see the engineering growth that KIA has accomplished in the last five years. I see they have taken some of the playbook clues for Lexus. At any rate, Lexus made history for a good reason.
My parents have gone from Germans to Lexus and back to Germans and mostly an Hyundai Ioniq 5. I agree the Koreans are most innovative now and that Lexus has lost its way - they even dropped their slogan “relentless pursuit of perfection”.
@@Wasabi9111 Nope disagree Lexus still Top Japanese/Asian Auto maker 💎🥰😎
I feel comforted that my father who is 84 and still fighting cancer is safe in his Lexus. My first car was a 79 Corolla that I bought off him at age 15 and after he taught me the basics in car maintenance I graduated highschool and started at Toyota as a lube tech/accessory installer so Toyota and Lexus are a big part of our family as unfortunately cancer has been.
Sorry to hear that. Hope he's in remission. Your family has great taste in cars btw
@@fluorine7575 Very much appreciated. There's been a few mistakes like a string of cars my sister had but finally my parents listened and got her a Toyota Corolla All-Trac wagon for university in a snowy climate. To this day my sister says that was the best car she's ever had and I was jealous but I knew she was safe.
We purchased one when my brother was going through treatment, it really brightened him up and helped him transition.
@@tihspidtherekciltilc5469 I'm jealous too :) Hell I even wanted Jesses tercel alltrac from breaking bad
You really know how to make an interesting and informative bit of entertainment. Thanks so much for your your effort in making these videos
Glad you like it Daniel. It's a lot of work!
A true work of Japanese engineering. Still looks amazing 30 years later
Excellent video as always! As a classic MB owner from just before the LS 400 I have always admired the original LS. I've read many times Mercedes delayed the W140 to catch up. Interest re the recalls and polish and tank of fuel, if I may talk bikes, very sketchy on details, but Yamaha did similar decades before.
After having owned a 2011 CT200h some years ago, I now picked a 2016 IS 300h by Lexus Select - best car I ever had, coming with a 10 year warranty. The hybrid system is most reliable and efficient, the car quality simply refined. No German premium cars for me...
Spectacular video! One thing of note though, all three of those early models were sold in Japan. The SC was the Soarer and the ES was the Windom.
I loved the original. The fact the car made it in to what is referred to as the 'most iconic fighting game' of all time (Street Fighter II) made me really happy as a young teen.
Still love both!
I have the exact street fighter II Celsior, on my channel if you wanna see
It was a Lexus??? Wow, never knew that! We've never really had many Lexuses here in Europe, as Europeans prefer, well, European cars with European design and style, and heritage of course.
@@VideoDotGoogleDotCom It was a Toyota Celsior, they never sold the LS400 in Japan.
@@VideoDotGoogleDotCom I have the exact same Celsior used in street fighter II on my channel, ua-cam.com/video/XnJhKGF6MgI/v-deo.html.
@@LSnium Yeah, but basically the same model. I didn't even pay attention to its looks. Thought it was just a made up car.
I see that Lexus is great when it comes to reliability, comfort, and understated luxury. The German luxury car makers to me have the edge when it comes to brand prestige, styling, performance, and cutting edge technology. I think luxury buyers of the past cared about more about workmanship and comfort. Today's luxury buyers care most about brand prestige followed by maybe performance and latest tech toys. Pretty much all modern German luxury cars have a usable life of about 5 years shortly after the lease ends. After that, these cars spend more time in the shops than on the road. But it doesn't matter since the buyers don't care about reliability when making their purchase decisions. Their leases end before any problem comes up and they just get another brand new car. Lexus/Toyota does not really strive to be the first at anything. They tend to wait and see how others do then work to make it work better and more reliably. I expect Lexus to not be the first at anything.
I recently bought a 2015 Lexus GS 350 with 187k miles. It still drives like a new car indeed. No rattles, no squeaks. Lexus vehicles are simply amazing. Great documentary
I absolutely LOVE the 4th-gen, long wheelbase version of this car. Beautiful.
That is a GREAT video - great narration (no endless hyperbole), intelligent script, great info and graphs and no stupid pounding, dramatic music. Really, really good. Thank you.
you're such a boss, your videos are always on point! congrats on another great piece of research and journalism.
Always enjoy your videos! Again a great job about the Lexus story👍
Can't wait to see your next one!
I remember reading an article from either Autocar or Car magazine that covered the 1989 North American Auto show in Detroit. Interviewing a Cadillac VP at their showcase. A journalist asked a Cadillac VP what he thought of the new Lexus brand/LS400 car. Note that the Lexus showcase was across the aisle from the Cadillac one. The Cadillac VP arrogantly stated while pointing to the Lexus stand, "that will not last". How wrong he was.
:-)
He wasn’t wrong - Lexus hasn’t been the #1 luxury sales in the US for a while now (maybe in the past decade). Lexus has lost its ways ….
Well, surely he couldn't have said: "I think it's brilliant and much better value for money than our models!"
@@Wasabi9111 Idk where you reae that from, probably a secret Cadillac employee you are.
@@Wasabi9111 Has Caddy or Lincoln re-emerged? Not quite. Lexus may not be #1 but it has survived gracefully.
Such a wonderful automotive story. As an owner of many Lexus products I can appreciate them for the quality and detail, they tend to lack excitement that BMWs and others provided but as an all round package they are very hard to beat. Even at 20+ years old, when cared for they make excellent secondhand cars.
A wonderful, insightful and informative piece. I remember when a friends father got one of the first in Ireland. Having owned most of the cars I lusted after in the 80s as a teenager, I have always wanted one of these. Think it's time to go looking for one
These Big Car stories are absolutely great. One of the best car channels on UA-cam.
Wow, your videos are just simply awesome!
You set out to make the best Car videos in the world and you did it!
Thank you for the many hours of enjoyable edutainment I have had!
Glad you like them!
@@BigCar2 I like how you referenced everything. This actually makes your Channel more useful for school teachers in that we can trace your sources. This would help with teaching students how to do proper research.
A friend's mother had one first year they came out. The quietness of the cabin was stunning. Like nothing I'd experienced and frankly not since.
Having an ls430 myself it is the best car I've ever been in and driven
Never getting rid of my 2006 Lexus LS430 💎🥰😎
The ownership experience was, and still is, a huge factor in the Lexus brand success story... My father's business partner has had four or five LS Lexus (Lexi?), having driven them since the first model came along. He went in after having two very bad experiences with big BMWs, so decided to roll the dice on these new fancy Toyotas and he's bought a new one every replacement model since.
This is a man who knows the car biz, so such loyalty from him has always given me cause to believe they're as good as their reputation says they are.
A friend bought a new 750iL. He loved it at first. Now it has failed so many times that his wife refused to get into the car to go anywhere!
Once you buy Lexus, you pretty much will never own any other brand. Unless you like spending money on fixing cars.
This is the video I wanted to see from you for a long time! It is perfect for your channel. Great work as always!
On the scale of things all things considered from the 1st car (generally) ever built to the latest this (the LS400 is quite possibly and likely the best car ever built!....no kidding folks!
Finally, another video on a modern classic. Awesome and bravo!
Great video, well researched as always. Never owned one but I have a soft spot for the early Lexus IS200 / Toyota Altezza , the ones that started that amusing "Lexus lights" craze lol.
What are "Lexus lights"? That term doesn't exist in Australia.
@@owenshebbeare2999 Here in Britain there was a craze for aftermarket rear light clusters that mimicked the look of the IS200 tail lights. They were sold everywhere and were available for loads of recent ,at the time cars .
@@shaunw9270 Cheers! There was a bit of that here, I remember, no idea what it was called, if it had a name.
@@owenshebbeare2999 Altezza lights
Every now and then the stars align and a vehicle comes along that sets a new standard. Even after all these years, the LS 400 is a great car and one many other manufacturers still cant create today.
Absolutely exceptional video, this may be the best one you've ever done!
I never really liked Lexus. As I've aged I've come to deeply respect them - both for their reliability and refinement - but something about them just never "moved" me. The first LS was an achievement, but it always looked "thin" to me. Like the stylists split the difference between the Acura Legend and the Merc SEL. Inside the individual pieces may have been high quality, but managed to still look overly plastic and with no real "presence".
If I was in the market for a sub-$100k car there's no doubt the LS would make my list, and my engineer brain would scream it's the right one to own for years... but it just doesn't stir the soul. And unfortunately when Lexus does try "sport", it comes off looking like a Nissan reject.
Thanks Jon - you make some good videos as well!
I hear you. The Lexus styling has never excited me much. The closest we got was Mrs. Big Car looked at an entry level Lexus in 2015, but ended up going with a MINI Hatch.
I agree.
I've read a number of comments here, and haven't seen any passion -- only comments about reliability, quietness....
I absolutely agree that Lexus has these qualities, but they're so.....homely.
Awesome!! Comprehensive information!! Awesome cars!!
In my layman's mind I am firmly convinced that LS sales took a nose dive concomitant with that monstrous grill. Examine the figures and you will see.
Thanks a lot for the video! Despite being a Japanese, I wasn't familiar with the history of the Lexus series. I'm very proud of the brand, especially the first-generation LS400!
The old man that lives next door to me has an LS400. He sold it a few weeks ago. I remember the day he said he was selling it, about 2 hours later a dude showed up with cash and bought it without even a test drive, he just said it's a LS400 of course it will drive. And simply drove away, never seen car been sold so fast in my life. I think i'm going to start collecting these.
This is a great video. I was in the industry when these cars came out, reading the publications, and nobody knew what to make of it at first.
There were some good jokes: "Palos Verdes Corolla", but in the end nearly everyone had to agree that Toyota had created something special.
Thank you, Andy, for another informative and entertaining video. I learned a lot of things I did not know about the LS!
You're welcome Eli.
In 1990-92, Toyota essentially perfected the 'automobile'. If every other brand had given up, and they'd frozen design and manufacturing tech at that time, we'd all be enjoying better, more enjoyable, reliable, and affordable vehicles, even right now- 30 years later. I've got a 1991 Toyota Land Cruiser with 267k to prove it...
I have an immaculate 00' ls400, purchased from an elderly gentleman. Its the finest vehicle ive ever driven. The quality holds up like an old rolex...truly an all-time automotive classic!
My favourite LS generations are the First and the Fourth gen models.
Andy, this might be your best upload yet!
Glad you liked it Jeffery.
I drove an LS400 in California as a rental upgrade in 1990 and was very impressed by this amazing car. Once driven, never forgotten! 😄
What a fascinating history lesson on the LS400. It was my first 'proper' luxury car purchase in 1991, only to be replaced in 1992 with another. In 1994 I imported an SC400 2 door which was so advanced in its day it made everything else on the road prehistoric. They were in their time beautiful cars but in my opinion aged very quickly. Nothing I've owned since hasn't come close to the reliability of my Lexus but the redesigns always looked bulky, odd and out of step with what Mercedes in particular were offering. I've never gone back to Lexus although I do appear to have an itch that may need addressing in the form of the stunning LC500 coupe. Thank you for a brilliantly executed presentation on the Lexus story. Definitely one of the best UA-cam presentations I've watched in many a year.
Nicely done video on this awesome vehicle!
I’m on my 3rd Lexus and currently own a 2011 LS460 let’s just say I’ll forever own a Lexus. Once you own a Lexus it’s hard to go to any other brand cause of reliability and quality. 💯
A friend had one of the orginal ones in the same colour as the one at the start. Great car. Literally the best machine to cruise home from a nightclub in. Solid as can be too (as you covered).
Do you like old Diesel Mercedes? The Lexus was like a W123.
@@stoneylonesome4062 Yeah another great car. About 25 years ago I ran head into one of those in Nissan Micra. The Micra was destoyed, I somehow survived, the Merc had a small bent and some paint work issues. The police were pissed till I passed the breath test, then sent me a mandatory "driver improvement course". Which was actually valuable and fun. I was 17.......
There is another consideration - previous owners weren't updating their earlier models. I own a 2004 LS430UL and it's still as wonderful to drive as it was when we purchased it.
I bought the first LS brand new. It was a revelation and, unlike nearly every German car, never needed any repairs despite its many advanced features and systems. Even the dealer experience was way ahead of the Germans. There’s also Matt Farrah’s famous million mile Lexus which is quite a feat when German cars are already dribbling essential fluids and suffering expensive electrical problems just past their modest warranty and often even before. There’s really no comparison in the ownership experience. This video did’t really discuss the huge success of Lexus crossover and SUV models which have had huge sales that were also well ahead of the Germans.
Very true. What are you driving these days?
My 1998 LS 400 to this day is still a dream to drive.. On road trips it is as smooth and quiet as the day it was made. I live in Denver and my LS loves to go to the Utah national parks
Congrats! I have a '98, too. Strangers still ask whether it might be for sale! No one EVER asks that about an MB!
what happened to Lexus ?
from the legendary LS430 & the LS460 to the awkward
garbage they make now. such a shame
Here in Ireland, the Prime Minister's car is a LS 500h, mainly for the hybrid credentials, but still, its high praise after years of S-Classes and 7-Series
Optional Extra bonus Lexus LS video: ua-cam.com/video/yutqRCOIqJY/v-deo.html
Erratum: Camry actually means "crown". Corolla is "little crown".
After So Many Days Finally I see your videos How Does Your Days Lately Andy
My second job in the late 90's was at a Toyota dealer (in Melbourne, Aus) The bosses drove Lexus, I immediately fell in love with the Dealer Principal's LS 400 and the general manager's ES 300. I was already so impressed with the Toyota product (having come from working in Ford dealer), but the Lexus were so special. I went through a few car phases, but a while back I said, one day , when the time is right I will buy a Lexus..and I did this year an IS 350! Beautiful car.
Congratulations!
The Lexus 400 project will go down as Toyotas 'crowning' moment - pun intended. This makes it more difficult to understand what has happen to Toyota in 2022? Toyota seems to no longer want to be the best in any category any longer but look for ways to partner with other manufacturers to defray development costs. Toyota is watching other manufacturers lead the BEV space while the 1st BEV from Toyota is not competitive on many metrics. Very concerned about Toyota going forward as they will always be popular but not perceived as a clear innovator.
By far, the very best history of the Lexus LS on UA-cam. Very well thought out, researched and edited. Well done Sir! Thanks for the video. Cheers!
The sells obviously differ but I see so many LS sedans all over from different times.
But I barely ever see the flagship sedans from the Germans.
And the current LS is so much more beautiful than the current German offerings. Especially the BMW. The S Class looks nearly identical to everything in their lineup. The Audi... just is a Audi.
Excellent video.
The Lexus was an amazing car. Its weakest aspect was the looks; dull as ditchwater. Never reaaly a car to lust after - unlike a Jaguar 😂
A car has only ever been a means to drive to the girl I'm lusting after at the time. 🤔
I was working in the car sales industry in 1990, straight out of high school. I got to play with one. I got to drive and interact with a lot of cars. I relive those days in your videos. Thanks. :-)
/Q45, with the analog clock. Those were cool.