18th Aug 2002, 01:59
Bought an LS400 a few months ago with 100 thousand miles on it. Best car we have ever owned. But consider that we are used to owning Fords which tend to fall apart at 100 thousand. I have never owned a Mercedes so I don't have that point of reference. My favorite features of the LS400 are: the back seat air conditioning, powerful drive-train, general comfort, and dependability. The gas mileage isn't that great, but like one of the other replies mentioned, it is a larger, 5 passenger car. What do you expect. Anyway, take it easy out there.
28th Oct 2002, 12:57
I bought my used Lexus at 111,000 miles and the only problem that I've had fixed was the rear transmission seal. It was costly, but, what do you want when the car can run 300,000 miles. The car is amazing, I will never complain and I'm still putting money into it at 134,000 miles. My main point, the car pays for itself!
5th Jun 2003, 15:37
Bought a 95 (N) ls400 with 98k on the clock. It is used mainly for motorway driving in its usage as a chauffeur vehicle The clock now reads at 297k. and I have no worries about it crashing through the 300k barrier.
Apart from regular services, wear and tear, cam belts etc. I have had my first! cost of £750. for a pair of ball joints. This was at a mileage of 292k.
All my passengers enjoy and remark on the smoothness (perhaps the driver) comfort and the overall appearance of the Lexus. They cannot believe the true mileage.
I am currently looking out for a replacement, as I don't like to keep cars for longer than 3 years, and would love another.
You can keep your more expensive BMW or Merc. At a fraction of the cost you get an equivalent if not better drive.
13th Sep 2006, 17:39
I think many, MANY luxury car brands are highly overrated. Few deserve the impeccable reputation they've aqquired. In this league, style and gadgetry are what attract new buyers, who typically don't keep them past 100k miles anyway. My Mercedes 300E was solidly built and was composed of quality materials. However, the reliablity was a joke. By 100k miles, the transmission, power window motor, cruise control, power headrest, stereo, motor mount, transmission mount, and other crap I can't remember right now, all needed to be replaced. Ridiculous!
My Plymouth Acclaim, which cost all of $11k brand-new in '92, was so much more reliable to the point that the Mercedes is nothing more than an object to add curb appeal to your home. The Plymouth was bullet-proof, lasting over 180k miles before a Dodge truck decided to rear-end it and kill it. I was still driving it daily right before the accident and I know it would have lasted over 200k miles. I guess I should mention it was not a babied car, either. The most expensive repair in all that mileage was $800. It never left me stranded, unlike the Mercedes. Now THAT is quality!
My Volvo 740 turbo after the Plymouth, was also a fantastic car. I kept it for 225k miles with the most major repair being the alternator, which was less than a $400 job. I can't fall for what is stylish and full of gadgets. Those are usually the worst cars you can buy because of the fact that they are over-priced or have terrible reliability, if not both. I just won't fall victim to vanity. I prefer substance. Vanity comes second. Yes, yes, I know... how un-American of me. I would definitely try my first Lexus over getting another Mercedes. But even with possible high reliability, I can't see justifying the obnoxious cost. What happened to value?
14th Sep 2006, 20:39
The original reviewer buys an 11 year-old vehicle with 140k miles and then trashes the manufacturer??
Who really knows how the car was treated & maintained during those 11 years?
Just another candidate for the "I expect a lifetime warranty on any old car I buy" Hall of Fame!
14th Jul 2007, 02:05
Sounds like a poorly treated 140k LS400 to me. Rather sad...
My LS400 is also a 1990 and has done 62,000 miles, drive fantastically no suspension faults or what not, far superior to any tacky BMW or Merc of the same time end of story! This car is very reliable. While I've spend money on a a 61k service from leads to rotors etc, still doing it currently to keep it in top condition. Can't wait to have years and many kms of super driving these cars are the best.
11th Oct 2010, 04:17
The problem with the 90s LS400 was the front rotors would vibrate due to warpage, but it's normal getting your brakes done every 2 years.
I don't get why you hate the car. It's like a poor man buying a nice car and not having money to maintain it.
29th Dec 2012, 15:22
Unfortunately, you said it. Many people buy these upper scale luxury cars for the wrong reasons, and quickly find out the hard way that they really don't possess the money or means to maintain them properly. In the end, all they wind up with is an unreliable junker spawned from a lack of pre-purchase research and somewhat unreasonable expectations. He thinks the Lexus is bad? Wait until the Mercedes starts acting up, then he'll really be in for it.
26th Feb 2013, 22:08
The reviewer obviously has a problem with the dealer... It is not the car's fault that the dealer is clueless.
27th Jan 2014, 00:55
This is what happens when a Civic or Corolla owner buys a luxury car, and seeing any bills overheats them. Either you bought a lemon, or are not familiar enough with luxury range cars yet.
28th Jan 2014, 12:51
My opinion is only buy a car that suits your true income and budget. Many people want to pose with a once high dollar car, acting like they had it since new. But they never did. They spend 5-10k for a high mileage 20 plus year old car that is eventually going to have issues, and expensive issues at that. I would rather buy a new Civic DX that I can afford the new parts and labor in time. It's new.
By the way, most people know if a car is new or old. My girlfriend would prefer riding in a new Civic to flaunting or posing in an old buggy with a fancy tarnished badge, and worn leather and cassette deck, awaiting tow service with an odometer on its second trip around.
12th Feb 2014, 02:48
Don't know about that. I would much rather have a 20 year old Lexus, than a brand new Honda. Then again, I won't buy ANY new car, even though I could afford to. I only pay cash for used cars. It just doesn't make good financial sense to buy a car that will lose as much 10% or more of its value as soon as you drive it off the lot. It is even worse if you financed it.
I am looking at getting a 2006 LS460. The only thing, is that I like the styling of the 400 series better.
21st Jul 2002, 22:43
I just bought a 1990 LS400 and think it is wonderful. I get on average 20 mpg. The ride is smooth. It did need a little TLC on the leather, but other than that this car is awesome. My car only had 124,000 miles when purchased. It has so many features, my favorite is the adjustable suspension. With just a press of the button it handles like a sports car. You have to remember your car is 12 years old and is going to have some problems. Maybe you should have bought a certified used Lexus.