Lexus LS400 Review

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Lexus LS400
4.6 stars
Average rating for this product is: 4.6 out of 5

From 4 ratings and 16 reviews

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BillB's Review of Lexus LS400

17th Nov 2003

Overall Rating

5 stars
  • Value for money
    5 stars
  • Practicality
    4.5 stars
  • Performance
    4 stars
  • Reliability
    5 stars
Good Points

Soooo quiet! Sensible equipment and frugal for a 4 litre V8. I get much more mpg than I did in my first car - an MG TC - which had a 1250 cc engine! Servicing costs good and Lexus look after you.
Spent a while in a Merc S430. The difference is negigible if you do mostly Motorway driving. The Merc scores on Cache, handling and parking but the LS beats it hands down on pretty much everything else. Legendary longevity (mine's currently on 208K and just about run in) but then the Merc is also good for that.


Bad Points

Fairly ugly and difficult to park without using the bumpers (fenders).


General Comments

I went for a K reg Mk II six years ago. It had 96K on the clock and had a three year parts and labour warranty which wasn't really needed except for an alternator failure after a couple of years. Since then (last four years) no problems. Some bits replaced (mid silencer box) and prop shaft (both on warranty). Not worth much to anyone else now so I'll drive it until it stops; then I'll get a 1999 (pre LS430) one again with about 100K - so I'll guess it'll see me out!
Don't think it's a great handler - go for a Skyline, a porche or a Lambo if you want that - but it'll give you sumptious power if and when you need it but at the expense of consumption!
You really have to be careful about starting - seriously, it is common to think that it's not fired up at all. It's fairly forgiving of the "double start" though. It seems to be saying "Oh for God's sake!".
On British roads it can run out of road if you poke it too far - it starts with understeer but then seems to "switch" which can be disconcerting the first time. If you do this and your radio's on then, if there's a hedge nearby, you'll probably need a new aerial - not that expensive.
Toyota seem to have got the formula right but of course it all lacks "presence" and "class" of a Merc etc. But if you're in the know, you can sit smug and happy in the knowledge that your cost of ownership bills are probably going to be pretty low and that it's very unlikely to let you down. I'm talking second hand of course!
Rumours are that Toyota (Lexus) gave up on the 3 year warranty because it was being abused by some dealers (who are no longer dealers) but who am I to point the finger.
If you've got up to £20K to spend, a four year old sta nav LS400 with around 40000 on the clock will probably last you 10 to 15 years - and you won't have the hassle of making another purchase.
Rest in Peace
Old git from Cambridgeshire.

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