0a's 1999 Lexus LS400 Mk4 (Barge 1-5 Content)
Discussion
Robbidoo said:
My Dad had one of these, from new. I remember the nearest Lexus dealer was in Brighton, and we lived in Portsmouth. He wanted an S Class but the salesperson was so take-it-or-leave-it that he was pretty disgusted and swore off Mercedes.
I think it was H-reg so 1993? Anyway it was brilliant, as far as I could tell being a passenger and too young to drive. He has had Lexii ever since, not really being a petrolhead, but this was the car that sold another 10 to him.
My old Merc 300e was 1991 H, so I think that would be either 91 or early 92. I can understand why he kept on buying them. Mine is very smooth and easy to drive. My colleagues that I take in the car started by laughing at the alan partridgeness of it all, and now love it. It's really comfy. Toyota's version of an S class, with the bad bits as they saw them fixed. I think it was H-reg so 1993? Anyway it was brilliant, as far as I could tell being a passenger and too young to drive. He has had Lexii ever since, not really being a petrolhead, but this was the car that sold another 10 to him.
The Internet states the interiors are rubbish, and I was prepared for this when I purchased this car. However, I now think that's nonsense. There are japanese buttons, that are just buttons. A bit Corolla. But the leather on the steering wheel, gearnob, on the door cards and so on is really well done.
Edited by 0a on Saturday 14th April 00:19
Percy. said:
Looks great 0a!
I have visions of the Lexus wafting along without a care in the world.
I keep trying to persuade SWMBO that we should do a roadtrip around Scotland around September, but it's not going down very well.
The scenery is fantastic, the roads great, there are some great hotels, and wonderful food. What's not to like!I have visions of the Lexus wafting along without a care in the world.
I keep trying to persuade SWMBO that we should do a roadtrip around Scotland around September, but it's not going down very well.
Here is where I stayed on Skye, and it was magnificent: https://www.duisdale.com/
They have a lovely little (ie not too long, but interesting) wine list if that's your thing - I enjoyed a nice Chateau Musar. The staff could not have been nicer, and the setting is tranquil.
Edited by 0a on Tuesday 17th April 21:48
I thought I would post on the things I don't like about the LS.
1. The indicators. Sounds small. They are pretty much the only bit of the car that you touch that feel really cheap and flimsy. I think my 2002 Yaris had better quality and 'clunkier' indicator stalks.
2. The fuel cap which needs to be opened using a button near the steering wheel. Why can't it be unlocked when the car is unlocked like in a merc. People are not going to open it and steal my fuel while I am on the move, Lexus.
3. The looks, maybe. I am getting on with the way it looks better. And when you sit inside it you can't see the exterior. I'm even starting to think that it looks OK in a large, long car kind of way. A work colleague summed up the car today as being 'ugly as sin, but smooth as a baby's bottom'. Hmm. He does drive a mini convertible diesel.
1. The indicators. Sounds small. They are pretty much the only bit of the car that you touch that feel really cheap and flimsy. I think my 2002 Yaris had better quality and 'clunkier' indicator stalks.
2. The fuel cap which needs to be opened using a button near the steering wheel. Why can't it be unlocked when the car is unlocked like in a merc. People are not going to open it and steal my fuel while I am on the move, Lexus.
3. The looks, maybe. I am getting on with the way it looks better. And when you sit inside it you can't see the exterior. I'm even starting to think that it looks OK in a large, long car kind of way. A work colleague summed up the car today as being 'ugly as sin, but smooth as a baby's bottom'. Hmm. He does drive a mini convertible diesel.
This weekend I have headed North, so will put another 300 miles on the car. All is running as it should, unsurprisingly.
One “trick” is to lower the windows and open the “moonroof”, and waft about town at low speed. This car is so quiet! You can tell that while it is not the most characterful v8 engine ever made, the build and tolerances are impeccable.
I rather like the idea of having a reliable fallback car on the fleet. I might even drive it over to the continent to look at some scenery at some point.
I think I will get my mechanic to look at the suspension though. It’s not as good as it could be over potholes.
One pleasant surprise is that the turning circle is great. This makes the car much more practical around town or in car parks. A requirement copied from Mercedes I think!
One “trick” is to lower the windows and open the “moonroof”, and waft about town at low speed. This car is so quiet! You can tell that while it is not the most characterful v8 engine ever made, the build and tolerances are impeccable.
I rather like the idea of having a reliable fallback car on the fleet. I might even drive it over to the continent to look at some scenery at some point.
I think I will get my mechanic to look at the suspension though. It’s not as good as it could be over potholes.
One pleasant surprise is that the turning circle is great. This makes the car much more practical around town or in car parks. A requirement copied from Mercedes I think!
cornershop said:
I had just the fluid changed on mine by Toyotatech in Guildford - he was estimating 250 ish to do the filter, using the proper (expensive) sealant on reassembly. T-IV fluid used on mine, circa 40 quid.
It could be your springs are cracked - mine were never flagged on the MOT as being cracked, but on removal, it was evident the rears had been broken for some time as the break was very rusty.
ETA - agree on your comment re indicator stalks, they’re rubbish, the single worst aspect of any touch point on the car IMO.
Everything you say is very welcome! The car is so smooth in general, so I’ll get it checked out in July when the MOT is due.It could be your springs are cracked - mine were never flagged on the MOT as being cracked, but on removal, it was evident the rears had been broken for some time as the break was very rusty.
ETA - agree on your comment re indicator stalks, they’re rubbish, the single worst aspect of any touch point on the car IMO.
Edited by cornershop on Tuesday 24th April 22:27
I took the little 190 out again today - such a lovely car. I had nicked the battery for the 300 to get it into The Man for MOT. It is my favourite car of the fleet in an unexplainable way. So the Lexus can rest for a while in any case.
Lexus and another Japanese car.
The Lexus has been performing well, and I have now put a good few thousand miles on it.
I like the fact that it feels like it will just keep going. It's an appliance, and a comfy one. My colleagues love it - as a passenger you have plenty of space and refinement.
I dislike the plasticky buttons - the indicators, window buttons, dashboard buttons and so on feel like they are from a cheap budget car. I also find it strange that Lexus did not integrate steering wheel controls for the stereo.
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