interior ergonomics, ride, build quality, sound system, extension on lower drivers seat cushion (ala' S class), outstanding quiet, powerful engine, buttery transmission. Great Brake-Assist feature.

base model should have perforated leather on seats.

I have owned numerous S-class Mercedes-Benz cars, as well as a 98' BMW 740iL. The Lexus has it over both of them. The MB and BMW may have a slightly prettier front nose, but overall the Lexus has them beat. I previously got used to my MBenz and BMW being a "wallflower" waiting for warranty repairs, now with the Lexus, it has NEVER seen the shop! (except for oil changes). I forgot how nice is is to have a car you don't have to worry about "the next thing going wrong".

I originally thought that the suspension (I have base model with upgraded Lexus 17" wheels and tires) was a tad soft, but now after living with it I am glad I did not get the Euro Suspension option. This car just drives toooooo nice!

No cheapo materials used in this car. I was turned off by the interior materials and hard plastics in the Benz S430, and the BMW 7 series body is getting very dated looking.

I would recommend this car to anyone.

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Very quite ride,dependable. Fair gas mileage,reasonable price.

Leaking power steering pump, its just a matter of time before my alternator goes out, transmission seems to for the lack of a better word flutter. High price for minor repairs. Brake rotors wear out easily, when I come to a stop with two adults and two children riding I hear a grinding vibrating noise.

I would buy another, in fact I plan on it.

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No comment

remarkable overall. fantastic engine. very quick accleration. race car brakes. fabulous handling. firm but not harsh ride. beautiful interior and exterior. extremely comfortable. unbelievable stereo. voice controlled navigation system works flawlessly.

none whatsoever.

Purchased and LS 430 with the mark levinson/navigation package and the european sport suspension (a must for those switching to lexus from the german brands). And I must say, the entire car is remarkable. I have had the car for just over a month now and am amazed by it every day. It is the first non-mercedes that I have driven in a while and it really outperforms and outclasses the s class (not to mention the e class) in my opinion. I can't recommend this car highly enough. I think the lone reviewer in this column who had problems with the car must have been a paid mercedes saboteur. My only regret is that I didn't opt for the ultra luxury selection (though admittedly the configuration I chose has all the luxury appointments a sane person could find use for in a lifetime).

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mercedes s 430/500. it really came down to these two cars. the lexus handles better and is far more comfortable. the $20000 price difference is a plus, but was not the reason for the decision.

Very reliable. Very quiet. Excellent OEM finish. Strong engine. Great stereo. Overall roomy.

Hideous brakes. Camry Rotors on a tank. They warp in the sun. Local dealer (Betts) lousy. Paid for educating mechanics. Alternator went out when P/S hose leaked on it. LCD readouts for clock & AC left this earth at 100,000 mi. Worthless in winter (LS stands for Large Sled) until purchase of Firestone Blizak tires. Turned it into an SUV. Amazing difference. Costly A/C repairs (educating mechanics again). Rust. Typical Toyota weakness. Depressing for the technology that existed in '91. Driver's seat has poor lower back support. Both front seats lack foot room. The right side especially.

Have 213,000 miles on the dial and still keeps ticking. Due for a $1000 tune-up with timing belts. Wife has been primary driver. She has worn a groove in the road to Minneapolis and back with the thing. Brakes are awful. Lexus should retro-fit every one of early cars with correct rotors...they are pathetic. Bought it at 26,000 mi. First owner paid near $50,000 for the first 26,000, we paid $30,000 for the last 190,000 miles. This car still looks as good as the day we bought (better because I detailed it after we brought it home). It does have rust starting in the doglegs of the rear quarters. Bad engineering design, but a common Japanese problem. Though the local dealer sucks, Lexus actually offered to flatbed the car to Omaha for service. A very generous offer, but a real pain in the a--. I would rather they just nuke the local dealer. We will not buy another Lexus as long as we live here (couldn't deal with them to begin with), but the car is a GREAT vehicle with the exception of the Playschool binders. My wife still enjoys the vehicle, which says something considering the windshield time she has had in it. We bought an E/B Expedition to replace it, but she still trades off with the Lexus. Did I mention the brakes stink?

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Several Mercedes.

The Lexus is great. Not as tank-like in engineering, but better creature comforts. Also not quite as stodgy as a Benz. Smells better at 213,000 then a Benz does new.

This car has the best ride...ever!!
I've owned BMW 500 series, Mercedes 300 series, Audi 5 and A series and Lin Cont. The LS 400 won hands down!
The LS 400 is very strong yet very quite! Can't beat the ride!
Very good on fuel. Very nice seats and lots of leg and head room, I'm 6' 4" tall.

This is a luxury car not a sports car...If I want a sports car I will purchase a Lexus GS 400 or the IS series.

If you are looking for a very solid and safe family car, with lots of room,prestige, and value!

The LS 400 is the car for you!

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Benz 300 and 400 series, BMW 500 and 700 series

i like the looks i get from other people seeing a 18 year old in a lexus. i also like the power, the instrument panels are easy to see.

the oil is leaking on the bottom of the car, the temperture gage went out on me,and i just recently replace the alternator with a genuwine lexus one and the cost 700 bucks for instalation and everything. and the tranny oils is to dang expensive 35 bucks per gallon. now i hear noises from the engine.and the body stlye is plain, so i put 18 neeper wheels and lower it with a veilside body kit the car looks nice really nice.

i would recomend this car to anyone who wants a luxury car cause they are nice and alot cheaper then any other luxury car. plus its a good deal comes with everything a $70,000 mercedes cost.

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i have a 1995 acura integra and that doesnt even compare to the lexus. i mean the acura has better handling then the lexus but the lexus has alot quieter ride.so i pretty much cant compare them two cars.

Superb car, just like the new 2000, quiet, the best sound system around, the smooothest ride supplied w/airshocks. Leather seats, Telescoping steering wheel, abs, 260 hp v8, Toyota' luxury car division, this car is actually better than any Mercedes i've seen.... Go buy 1, you'll love it!

Not many too list. Too Quiet, u dont know if the engine is running or not. be careful when starting. It soea have a lot of electronic equip.

nothing more to say.... the best car ever made for a luxury car. im glad i have this car.... it looks way better than the new 430.

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none that match up

The engine is very quiet. The transmission is silky smooth. The looks are excellent. The car overall is holding up very well.

The instrument panel lights started to have problems at around 85,000 miles. First the speedo pointer, half of it no longer illuminates. Then I noticed this winter a new problem, if it falls below about 25 deg F. the entire instrument panel is dark when you start the car. After several minutes of driving (car getting warmer) the panel starts to strobe on and off for several seconds until the panel eventually illuminates. I also noticed that if you look real close the guages are actually working with exception to the gas guage. They just take awhile to illuminate. Also the a/c temp display is getting difficult to read as well as the clock. Has anyone else had the instrument panel problem? It's actually a safety hazard, as you have no idea how fast you are going.

Overall I love the car, and would buy a Lexus again. Although the instrument panel thing is a little bit of a let down, considering I have had much cheaper Toyota products that worked flawlessly to well above 100,000 miles.

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Redefines the word magnificent.Smooth,quiet ride with excellent handling.
Have owned 3 BMWs(two 5s and one 7) and 3 Mercedes(two Es and 1s).If you had to take all the above and synthesize one car, the LS 430 would be it.Overall it beats them all!.
The Mark Levinson Stereo is awesome and is a must have.As an amateur audiophile, I can tell the difference in all types of music. The Navigation System helps replace discrete audio controls with "touch-pad" controls on the central display.
The S class COMMAND does go one step further: you can "command" the phone to dial a specific number, play a specific track from a specific CD and so on...but it is placed lower down on the central dash requiring you to look right and down to glance at what is happening on the screen.This effort,believe me folks, is more distracting than just looking right(as you do on the LS 430--the display is higher up on the central dash).
Plus, the S 430/500 has numerous complex controls,which the Lexus does not(all the Beemers win the award for the WORST DASH/SWITCH Layout).
Where the Beemers win(and frankly this is the only place they win),is performance and handling.If you wish to drive a sports car and want the space of a large car of Lincoln Town Car proportions, the 740i with sports package or the 740iL is hard to beat.

Telephone could be better.

Strongly recommended because it does so many things so well.On very basic terms, you can quickly find an excellent driving position and soon start feeling that the car is an extension of your body,responding graciously to all your commands.Friends of mine,who have owned the previous iterations of the LS, tell me that the 430 is a completely new car.

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BMW 5 series and 7 series;MBenz E 420 & 430 and S 420. The ONLY serious contender is the 740i with sports package.The latter,by the way comes with a host of standard features.

Smooth Ride, elegant interior styling, excellent braking, quietness at speed, overall quality, refined but substantial engine power

Lexus Link Antenna needs to be removed for automatic car washes. The Link system verbally announces itself (annoying) each time the car is started. No All Wheel Drive option

Much has been written about this automobile. I find it to be the ultimate expression of the automobile design. The exquisite interior sold me the the first time I saw a picture. Since this is where I spend all my time, it matters most to me. The multiple comfort items, ergonomic controls, extreme silence and luxurious appointments make this purchase easy to justify. For the dollar, no car can come close. I look forward to commuting!

For those of you who want to wet yourselves when driving through mountain corners at high speeds, go elsewhere. This car radiates sophistication and deserves to be driven thoughtfully. If needed, the horsepower is there to quicken the pulse. To Drive is To Believe!

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Lexus SC300 (owned), MB ES320, MB S-Class. LS430 is a vast improvement over older Lexus models. LS430 is a better equipped, more stylish (interior) car than the MB S Class at $20,000 less.