Reliability unseen, quiet ride, excellent power maintained even at highway speeds. The car can be punch at 75mph and you will still feel it topping at 2nd gear at 79mph, unlike some sedans which lack the power of the 32valve DOHC 4.0L v8 engine in the LS400. Very safe car, a person I know was in an accident with an LS400 (thankfully not mine), and the police said had he not been in a Lexus, he might not have been lucky to walk away from the accident with just a few bruises.

LCD clock/temp guage has gone out after 9 years - to replace is around 800 dollars. Transmission torque converter needed replacing @ 75k miles. Cost was about 1400 dollars. Sunroof gasket sometimes will creak when going over uneven pavement when it's cold outside. This just recently started about a year ago, but I only hear it when the sunshade is slid open.

My parents bought the car new in 1991. It was the 2nd sold from the dealership. Nakamichi system is incredible, perfect balance of all range of sound. My parents gave me this car when I started driving in 1997, I'm now 20, still driving the car after some modifications. Many are available, but they are expensive. 235/40/18 wheels and tires reduce the ride quality a bit, but this is a sacrifice with better handling. The car has also been lowered with Eibach Spring kit, and for 550 dollars (installed), it sure "sports" up the handling quite a bit, but realize we're still talking Lexus here. Car retains an eyecatching yet elegant look, and is reliable in all situations. 85k on the odometer and it sounds and looks like it will go forever!

Interested in some nice (not trashy) mods for your Lexus, just enough to give it an eyecatching look, check out www.wheel1.com or email me:
s1256388@cedarville.edu

THANKS!

Similar Products Used:

1998 740iL - the bimmer is much sportier and handles better, but I've never been in a more quiet and confortable car than my LS400, it's truly amazing.

Great audio system,Very comfortable and luxurius seats. I love the smooth ride and quitness.

The engine could use a few upgrades (seems a little too weak for this size car). Other then that i don't see any other weaknesses.

I'm 17 and my parents have given me the responcibility of checking out the next car that they would buy. I test drove the Audi A8 the Mercedes S class and the Infiniti Q45. None of these would even come close to the great feel and ride quality of the Lexus LS400. The Benz S500 came close but it didn't seem as roomy inside the car, and the noise and ride quality didn't come close to the Lexus. I brought my parents into the lexus dealership two days later and we rode out in a new LS400. We paid 57k, which is a little over the MSRP of 54k but we got the upgraded Audio system and the navigation system (which is wonderful). I would recommend this car to everyone who is looking for a good quality family sedan.

Similar Products Used:

I could say the Mercedes S class...but i'm not going to because i have test drove both of these cars and the Lexus is just SO much smoother and more comfortable.

Gorgeous. love the interior. prettiest I have ever seen on a car, feels like your riding in a coffin or something. dead silence!!!

really couldn't think of one

The car is honestly my parents. But i still have driven it out on the weekend once since they have had it which has been three weeks. They wouldn't get on here and do this i did it for them. They haven't had one complaint about the car yet, and they love it just as much as i do. Im so proud to say that they own this flawless machine. I'm seventeen and my car pales in comparison. I can't wait til I own one. Seriously though, you should consider this car before any bmw or mercedes. Its better and less expensive. Also, it's much more reliable. TRUST ME!

Similar Products Used:

i drive a 96 Nissan Maxima. and i love it. but it's nothing compared to this.

solid build, incredibly quiet, reliability, beautiful interior.

feels like a large car and not nimble, the engine sound too muted, not as fun to drive as the S class or the 740 or even the Audi A8

Wow! This has got to be the biggest group of die hard Lexus fans I have ever encountered! I have to agree with Aaron that this is a truly great car and Lexus has made leaps and bounds with this product but it is an exaggeration to say that this car has beaten all its German rivals. I suspect that many of the reviewers were comparing it to their older previous Mercedes S class's or 7 series BMW's. Just look at the June 2001 edition of Motor Trend review comparing these cars and you will see why--4 of the 7 editors would have purchased the S430 if it was with their own money vs only 1 of 7 who would have purchased the Lexus LS430 even with the 15000 dollar difference. My brother owns the S430 sport and all you have to do is to REALLY test drive the two--really drive hard and try to turn all the corners. With my Lexus, I still have to slow down to make the corners whereas the S430 carve through the curves without having to slow down and with total control. The LS430 still feels too large in its handling whereas the S430 feels like it has the control of a smaller nimbler car and yet has all the luxury amenities to go along with it. One thing that is great about the Lexus is the Mark Levinson sound system. It is much better than the BOSE in the Mercedes. In addition, the interior is absolutely beautiful with high quality wood trims and material. Don't get me wrong. I love my Lexus and it truly gives you more goodies for less money than many of its German competitors. But I have to agree with Aaron--if my brother's Mercedes S430 sport costs the same as my LS430, I would have picked the Mercedes and I believe that most people would do the same too.If that is the case, then the Lexus is still not the benchmark setter but oh--they are getting closer and closer to it by the day!

Similar Products Used:

Mercedes S430 sport--nice and sporty. Best combination of luxury and fun handling--still the number 1. Audi A8--really nice car

Whisper quiet, solid, safety, dependability, not too flashy, good gas mileage. Need I say more?

headlights, steering wheel vibration, body movement on turns

I bought this used and it was the best deal I've made. The car is so quiet that after a while the noise that you notice are the noise of the leather seats rubbing against one another. It is extremely dependable and great for long cruises. For the same amount of money, I could not even touch a Mercedes e320 or a bmw 528. So in the used market, the ls400 is definitely the best bang for the bucks. I have 70K miles and I am driving this until 200K, then sell it. This is not a sports car. If you want a sport car, then get a Porch. If you want a good dependable car that will take you places without hassles, this is it. I love the fact that this car is not too flashy because it does not attract too much attention from the wrong crowds.

Similar Products Used:

None

Amazing cd. Stereo is excellent. Quiet. Smooth. Just about everything for a car in this range. This car is so quiet that going 120 mph it sounds like a Corolla 65 mph. Pretty good gas mileage

Too quiet in a weird way. ie. that you can hear the tire/road noise when you cut the wheel past the 3/4 mark. Why don't they just come out with the GT package right now!!! Dang!!! Now I have to buy another car!!!!

Toyota ticks me off. After I buy this thing now they got rumors stating that they are gonna come out with the GT package!!!! What the hey!!! Otherwise it's an excellent car. It doen't look fast but it is, and I need to watch out if I want to keep my license. This is due to the quietness and lack of harsh vibrations. It feels slower than many cars in this range, but when you look at the speedometer, you realize that it's way past the legal limit.

Some things I do not like about this car are:

1. GT package. Come on!!! I wish they had informed me on this....
2. Mark Levinson. I am not an audiophile so can't hear much of a difference from the bose in my CL type S.
3. Old peeps drive this car at the speed of an ECHO or Tercel. Does not do any justice to the potential.
4. Nissan is coming out with their flagship and that's supposed to have 340 horses!!! I know the Lexus is supposed to have more torque but I personally believe that Toyota should have given this beast 400 horses and come out with the GT package from the get go. This should have shut up all the rest of the whiners who ride over priced pieces of mechanical doo doo that break down every other day. Yeah I love my MB but to be honest, 10 years down the line, (not that I will keep this car that long) the Lexus will run ya for pinks.

Things I like about this car:
Fast
Quiet
kinda cheap for the quality

Anyway I know my post is biased and the things I complain about are idiotic. I know that to the average guy things like this don't matter at all. But hey this is my 2 cents. I know that Toyota is capable of making a much better car and I expected this from Lexus. I seriously thought they would match the Toyota Century quality, but they didnt. Over all I must say that it's a great car and value but, it still scores 85 points, when I think about what Toyotat is actually capable of making. But like I said, this car will satisfy 98% of the peeps. Only ultra critical and nit picking people like me will complain.

Similar Products Used:

MB s430 Originally was going to buy this baby but did not coz 1. pricey for what it offers. The doors on the S430 are way too cheap!! If I remember correctly the previous generation Lexus door was cheap. Now Lexus makes them like MB and MB makes them like Lexus. Go Figure.... I won't compare it to anything more than the 430 because of the price difference. Bang for the buck, this car is hard to beat.

Its a cheaper version of a Mercedes.

Its a upscale Toyota

Lexus is a nice car.But it isnt nice enough to compare to a Mercedes.Even though its nothing but Mercedes just cheaper.The interior is nice,although it shares the same goodies inside as a mercedes.Lets face it,Lexus are nice cars and everything but all they are good for is saying I have a Luxo. car that is just like a MB,or Beamer.Being the kind of person that i am I would rather have a REAL LUXURY CAR than an IMMITATION.Basically all Lexus does is just copy Other Luxury cars(mainly mercedes)and slap a few Lexus logos on it and call it a car of perfection.Well im sorry but that is not right.Ill be Honest in Performance the Lexus can out run the S430(which i remind is base S class)But as far as luxury goes mercedes takes the gold with all of its unique and one of a kind gizmos and gadgets.Lexus cant mess with the S500,the S55 AMG or without a doubt the S600.Lexus is a big copy.Lexus is a complete shamefull copier.And has been doing it for years.The LS430 is a copy of the last generation S class.The LS400 is a copy of the 84'-92' model year Mercedes.The GS shows slight originality.But when looked at closely you can see the E class Mercedes clearly. Only difference is the head and tail lights and other cover up copies.The ES is to cheap looking to be a copy of a Mercedes. Although I cant really see the copies im sure they are there.But to me the ES is nothing but a more fully Loaded Sleeker Toyota Camry.
In my opinion all Lexus does is make a copy of a base model Benz Make it faster and equaly luxurious to try and compete.But they are obviously to dumb to copy another model.Although i wouldnt be surprised to see an LS500 or LS55 AMG or even an LS600 V-12.
And it goes to show how well Lexus is at copying cause when looking at the all new SC430 closely you can plainly see a MB SLK. And as far as Lexus holding it value you can forget about because in 5 years from now you wouldnt get half of what you paid for it.Unlike in a Mercedes.My first car was a Mercedes 600SEL and after 15 years of minor problems(jammed seatbelts,window stuck,etc.) I still received almost $25,000 for it.
So for everybody thinking Lexus is the best all around Luxury car in the world Well I am about as truthful as they come and when you own MB,BMW,Jag,And LEXUS. Lexus always seem to be well Underclassed, and well,it is with its $15,000 cheaper price than S430 and 75,000 cheaper than loaded S600.But hey this is the United States of America and I believe everybody can agree when i say "YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"!!
What im trying to say is you dont go out and pay $15,000 for a Toyota and expect a Cadillac for $40,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Similar Products Used:

Compared to Mercedes~ Not as good looking as new S. Not as sporty. Not as Luxurious.
Compared To BMW~ Bigger,Better Looking. Not as Fast. More Luxurious.
Compared To Jag.~Better Looking.Slower. More Lux.

Beautiful and the most luxuirous out there. You'll save a lot of money on this car too.

NONE!

Millions of people can't be wrong. Test drive this car and you'll see why myself and everyone esle loves it. It's great

Similar Products Used:

BMW, Mercedes.......far more experience and in some cases, not as good as the lexus

I was going to buy the new S430 by Mercedes, but and I mean a BIG BUT, The new Lexus came out, and after driving this card and just sitting inside of it, I realized I would be a complete Idiot to spend an extra 10 to 15k for a Mercedes Why? I got the euro tuned suspension and the mark levinson system . This new lexus is awesome I love driving it I feel like the king of the road, its quiet smooth comfortable and fantastic looking. People say they copied from mercedes, please name one car manufacturer that doesn't COPY. The only reason mercedes came out with the new S class is because of Lexus so tell me anyone copies, in my opinion anyone who buyes a benz wants to let me people know they have money, people who buy a LS430 have money but are smarter in keeping more of it, go Drive one and you will see for yourself.

none

I can write a book on what a great car this is but WHY! go test drive the LS 430 and you be submitting a review yourself. A 3 pointed star on the hood or an extra $10,000 to 15,000 extra in your bank account, with a better and more luxurious car, YOU Choose!

Similar Products Used:

far more superior!

smooth, soft, quiet ride, great workmanship and Lexus reliability

too sedate as a sedan, not as exciting as the Mercedes S500 sport or the BMW 750. still "without a soul"

I love this car. However, I will not go as far as the other people in calling this car the best car--as much as I would like to given the fact that I own it. Most auto magazines also tend to agree.It is however, the best car you can get for the money. I have to say that an MB S500 sport or if you can afford it, the MB S55 AMG or the BMW 750 are still the kings of the road and deserve the premium in cost over the Lexus. So,if money is of no concern, I will trade my car for these. But, with my budget, you cannot get a better deal than the LS 430. With this in mind, I have to give it 3 stars.

Similar Products Used:

Mercedes S500 sport or S55 AMG--still the best but cost 20000 more
BMW 750--more fun to drive with a teutonic soul--but also cost more