@@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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
@@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!!!!
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.
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
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
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!
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
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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.
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.
One of the greatest cars ever made. I bought a 1990 when it was 10 years old with 165,000 miles on it, and it drove like it was new. It was comfortably cruising to 400,000 miles on the original engine and transmission when our son was rear ended at a stop light by a twit millennial who was clearly texting at the moment. She totaled the LS and was thoroughly unapologetic about it. I was SOOOO mad! The car protected our son superbly. To this day the whole family (everyone drove it as a daily driver at some point and revered it) misses it. I have never owned such a well made car. And it NEVER caused us any significant mechanical problems. Insanely overbuilt. God Bless Toyota!!
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.
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.
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.
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
I never realized how far ahead of the times this Lexus was until they showed that Cadillac lol. The Lexus was at least 5 years ahead in styling than anyone else.
6:52 Lexus hit a home run right out of the gate with the LS400. A lot of other luxury brands had to get serious in order to survive. Lexus dragged them into the future, kicking and screaming.
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Nah..not worth it
@Landyn David i just figured out this is a scam lol
This car's styling is absolutely timeless.
YouDontWannaFightMe to each his own :)
@@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.
It honestly looks newer. Like a 2000 Toyota Camry
Yes. I find myself staring at my Celsior everyday.
It wasn't ever in time. It was always outdated and boring looming. It was a good car, but design wasn't its strong part.
27 years later and these cars are still on the road. Amazing.
So what? I drive a 1983 Chevy Celebrity that's still on the road. It's 36 years old.
@ Yeah, but it just doesn't have that class of the Lexus. But hey, you're Larry lunchmeat, so keep driving that "heap", ha ha just kidney!!
32 years now 🎉
@@ooooo3999 33 now
That’s a shit box 1 80s Chevy on the road compared to 200 ls400 here in Florida running
It's so weird to hear "We have a new luxury player on the block, and it comes from Toyota... a brand called Lexus." lol... crazy!
I gotta admit. This car aged really well. It's a 1990 model, but it could easily pass for something made in the early 2000's.
doesnt look like early 2000
@@lemonstrangler Looks more modern than the 2000 Toyota Camry.
@@VMRDY no way
@@VMRDY Not really, the 4th gen Camry is probably one of the best aged designs .
@@VMRDY Lol people think my 2000 Camry is like 10 years old.
At least John had the balls to admit he was being nitpicky with the complaints. "The leather isn't shiny enough." Bloody hell.
Wow, that Caddy looks about 20-30 years older than the Lexus!!!
Eaststand because its a big pile of 💩
So were the Caddy buyers
The style just screams grandpa's car
@@redmusichouse 🤣😂
@@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.
Holy shit a CD changer in a car in 1990! You were a baller if you owned one of these back then.
Yeah for that price $40k it better lol lol lol something like $70k in today's money
U must not been born yet. Everything ain’t new
@@rahimi4762 what????
@@Maximus20778 person erased their comment
@@rahimi4762 ohhh
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.
250hp isnt enough power?
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.
@@hkst51rturbocharger13 They did added VVT in the coming years which boosted it up to 290 HP.
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 is an Iconic car....that body shape is so recognizable as a LEXUS these days. Wow, this was 25 years ago!
31 years now. Still looks good.
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!
I bet 95% of these cars are still running in 2015 with hardly any maintenance.
There's plenty in the junkyards. They do require strict maintenence to last. And the maintenence is not cheap.
Maintencd is cheap common parts outlast everything more comfortable than anything else too owned plenty VIP cars
Got a 1992 with 203,000 miles. Just brakes, oil, and I’ll be replacing the starter motor soon just to be safe
@@Czechmate88 Don't think the starter is something I would tackle until you're sure it's about to go.
Laserlite 3000 yes it is but not as unreasonable as those German trash cans on wheels
One of the best if not the best DOHC quad cam V8 ever made.
25 years later, this car still has a handsome look inside and out, in my opinion.
Even way back then they couldn't even find any problems with a Lexus
It was slow
@@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.
@@dfhhtyu3434 it was actually faster than the s clsss and 7 series of the time
@@chiefbeef2059 how do you kno?
@@dfhhtyu3434 I drive one lmao so I know
That early non-vvti 1UZFE engine is absolutely LEGENDARY.
That car was so ahead of its time
Raymond Dez TRASH toyota is GARBAGE
No, it wasn't. It came out at the perfect time and the public accepted it and the brand. Just look at where Lexus is today thanks to the LS400.
Iwata Myamoto toyota is a piece of SHIT a lexus is TRASH everything toyota makes is UGLY and STUPID
Raymond Dez GARBAGE toyota TRASH
karl smith, are you Lada owner?)
My condolences for you)
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.
Amazing how many of these survive with over 300000 miles on them.I had a 95 and it was the best car I ever owned.
I drove a friends 90 LS 400 and it felt like driving a bank vault. Solid.
That's exactly how the LS400 felt. It really stood out, especially compared to the shite produced by Detroit about that time.
One of the coldest, cleanest, hardest vehicles ever made! Just above the Legend.
this was so ahead of its time with its styling! this car & the SC400!!!
I am still certain that this is the best luxury car ever made
Watching the woman negotiate the controls with those ridiculous nails was hilarious.
@@dominicvega9267 A lot better than the dudes with the ridiculous driving gloves.
Yeah looks like it took effort for her to press the buttons! LOL Though they looked good to me.
Long nails are disgusting. You wouldn't even want to know the amount of bacteria hiding there.
@@MaestroTJS you sound like an obsessive "rump Ranger" Her nails were fucking old school sexy!!!
@@dominicvega9267 one of the funniest episodes I've ever seen.
you still see em around even 25 years later.
I saw one last week at my local walmart. Looked well kept
My 91, 335,000 miles and still going!
91 million miles??? Haha 🤣...stay in school kiddo
James Bond Bruh he meant 1991 lmao
Wow that is insane
@@dnlcast2 stay in school kiddo 😂😂🤣🤣
Matt Farah is it you?
The LS400 was a world beater when it came out. Bang for the buck was unmatched.
That's why so many are still on the road today. Price point meant that people could buy them, and it could well stand the test of time
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.
and you can check oil level with your mere finger nail!
LOL!
@@odin5188 Claws for concern ...
"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.
hell, not even Infiniti now to be honest. Theyve held their own. Their styling now is kinda funky though..except the new LC500...thats sexy as hell.
Still doesn't stop them from being the most popular non-European luxury car brand here in Canada.
Trades46 Lexus is ages above the other japenese luxury cars. Infinity and Acura are lacking
The new Lexuses are startlingly ugly compared to this 1990 car.
1989 is when the LS400 came out.
That exact model is sitting in my driveway right now in 2022.. I stare at it ,and it makes me smile..!! 🥲🙂
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.
Audi, Volvo, Lincoln, Jaguar and Saab too
@@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.
@@kingduckford And where is Lincoln now? It must be the most irrelevant auto brand that survives today, with the possible exception of Chrysler.
@@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.
2000 LS 400 owner here daily driven year round best car ever made 🐐
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.
My brother and law had a '91 model. I loved that car so much. It oozed luxury and grace. I still want one to this day...
the damn nails made me cringe though
+Arnold Schwarzenigger Those nails are awful, look like claws of a bird of prey..
those nails were horrid. yuck.
+Chris Law all of you are closeted homosexuals
U mad bro? Take a cue from them and get ur nails under control too.
Homophobic fan of vile old crone nails. You lose
a car that still has considerable resale value even in 2017, one of the most solid cars ever built bar none.
not pretty, but a damn fine car
Bland styling? Car still looks great 30 years later. 👍
This LS 400 model was well designed and trouble free. It is still excellent design in 2022. It is better than current models.
Revolutionary style. It still doesn't look more than 10 years old
The LS400? I think the car aged terribly. The LS430 is much better looking and still looks great today.
It definitely looks more than ten years old
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.
It looks like a car from the year 2000
@@hakeemsd70m your opinion is shit😂
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.
CarLuvrSD Great detailed response. My aunt had a '92 so I see all your points.
very well written review of the car. Thank you.
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.
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
please. drive it to a million miles. how cool would that be... :)
Is it Matt farah's million mile lexus?
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.
Perry
Thank you for sharing.
BandomBeviews
Way late to the game with that joke.
Such a classy and iconic design, with a firm, reserved, yet soft characteristic.
Many decades later and I still have nothing but love for the LS400.
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.
This car was so ahead of it's that it still looks good in 2018.
Still looks like a very modern car.
Lexus was ahead of it's time! Even the fully loaded 2016 Chrysler 300 don't have half the features this car has!
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.
Lies this UGLY toyota is TRASH
250 hp so you mean this car has the same hp as the latest p71. The 302 was anemic back then, it only had 150 hp
It does! When the guy said they weren't impressed with it's styling I was thinking...really???
Still better looking than any Lexus being made today.
Even better looking today than it was 25 years ago.
Arnold toyota is a piece of SHIT lexus is UGLY and STUPID
Donovan Campbell toyota is GARBAGE lexus is TRASH
pablodelgado toyota is TRASH lexus is UGLY and STUPID
@Class STFU bitch lexus is a piece of SHIT toyota GARBAGE
@@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!!!!
6:05 yeah look at that Fleetwood vs the Lexus now LOL. I'd still be happy to rock that 1990 Lexus. Caddy, not so much.
I can't help but to love them both !
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.
Well said.
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
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
The Lexus still looks modern and well-engineered inside and out. The Caddys from that era? No way.
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!
Agreed. The Lexus aged well. The other cars of the era look downright ancient today.
ThisIsMyName toyota is a piece of SHIT lexus is GARBAGE
Alex W toyota is a piece of SHIT toyota is TRASH lexus is GARBAGE
-TheManInDboX - GARBAGE toyota TRASH
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
This think looks even beautiful in 2022. What a great body. Looks like a boss!
That generation of lexus is the most amazing , luxurious , reliable cars ever made, i would drive a 95-00 lexus over any modern car these days
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.
This car was a game changer and forced European and American cars to step up their game! I preferred its rival the Infiniti Q45 though.
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 feel very old watching these.
GHOSTJERKER It didnt force the Europeans to do anything. We thought it was pretty crap when it arrived, and it sold in tiny numbers here.
JG L rubbish...it made Jags look prehistoric and made the Germans take notice. Shame Lexus dropped the ball after that..
No. It didn't. It sold in miniscule numbers in Europe and the motoring press said it was garbage. In America, however, it was lauded.
He said Lexus will be talked about for months to come, more like decades. I’d buy one of these classics in a heartbeat
I can't believe MW suggested the Cadillac Fleetwood as an alternative.
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.
I have a basic question: which Caddy of the two was the top of the lineup back then? The Fleetwood 60 or the Brougham?
People watching this in 1990 would never buy the Cadillac I suppose.
I mean they did honestly compare it, they said it was much shittier
@@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.
Reminds me of Street Fighter II bonus round
Me too!
Pit Fighter
***** I couldn't beat Pit Fighter. But that was a great game.
And "Final Fight"! "Oh, my car!!!"
Dan McCarthy lol. Yep.
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
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.
Looks like that dame's Lee Press On nails were an obstacle in button-pushing maneuvers. Lol. Thanks for uploading this game-changing Lexus!
Still a great car and a very well designed. Perfect machine, I would love to have one 90's LS400!
This was the first car where I had to look at the tach to be sure that it was on. It was miles better than anything else in quality in 1990.
I always loved the front end on these, it has a grin!
ive owned a 92 and a 95 LS400, they were and still are really great cars.
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.
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.
Lexus redefined the luxury sedan market. Not only smooth quiet and but reliable as an anvil.
I own a 1998 LS 400 that is just BULLET PROOF.. No unscheduled repairs to this day..
The birth of a legend!!!!
This is Lexus! Today that hour glass grill is way over the top.
That car was truly ahead of its time.
Is that Matt farahs million mile lexus ?
yes, yes it is
:)
2.7 million mile yes it is
Is it really Matt Farah's Lexus mile million :)
darude- sandstorm
that's one the best engines in commercial cars ever.
Her witch claws
Lol
One of the greatest cars ever made. I bought a 1990 when it was 10 years old with 165,000 miles on it, and it drove like it was new. It was comfortably cruising to 400,000 miles on the original engine and transmission when our son was rear ended at a stop light by a twit millennial who was clearly texting at the moment. She totaled the LS and was thoroughly unapologetic about it. I was SOOOO mad! The car protected our son superbly. To this day the whole family (everyone drove it as a daily driver at some point and revered it) misses it. I have never owned such a well made car. And it NEVER caused us any significant mechanical problems. Insanely overbuilt. God Bless Toyota!!
Those big nails back then usually came with heavily padded shoulders and big hair!
Yes sir, it sure did!
The LS400 was the benchmark of benchmarks. This ultra-Toyota was a galactic leap in a time of gaudy half-assery. Long live its memory.
This is from 1990?! Check out the 1990 Lincoln Town Car Review. Looks like something 20 years before this car!!
I'd much rather have the Town Car.
It basically was!!! That's what's so sad.
1989 actually. It was just the 1990 model year.
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 love my 91 LEXUS LS400! Fell in love the day I got the car.
those fucking finger nails lol
Hooker nails
***** they're hot
+haloover I kept thinking that she would break a nail on one of the buttons.
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.
Best engine in class, bet it's still running.
$40,800 in 1990 adjusted for inflation in today’s dollars is $80,291 as of the end of 2019.
$40,800 invested in Microsoft or Apple in1990 would probably be $8 million.
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.
Someone who finally understood what most people would like to watch. Subscribed.
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.
Dan McCarthy my neighbor has one with 298k
Dan McCarthy I see one pass every day on my commute, and the first thing I think every time is Street Fighter 2 lol
My 93 is still running strong, about to hit 200k ^-^
I have a 2006 LS430 and is hands down the best car I have ever owned. Only has 109K. Gets 25 mpg highway. Unreal
8 years since you made that comment. And it still applies.
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
I would actually find one of these and buy it based off this old review. These cars are still silky smooth almost 30+ years later
I never realized how far ahead of the times this Lexus was until they showed that Cadillac lol. The Lexus was at least 5 years ahead in styling than anyone else.
They REALLY tried to find something wrong and couldn't. Lol
One of, if not the very finest engines ever put into any auto in history. Just biblical
I still see first gen Lexus LS400 on the road today
2022, my 1996 LS JSUT hit the 249k mile mark and STIL drives like shes brand new. Off to a million with her!
One of the best luxury car ever made. Even today when I look at it its design looks much better that the German competitiors from that time.
Hard to believe that Cadillac Fleetwood was priced higher. The Lexus was definitely ahead of its time.
6:52 Lexus hit a home run right out of the gate with the LS400. A lot of other luxury brands had to get serious in order to survive. Lexus dragged them into the future, kicking and screaming.