1995 Lexus LS400 "Mason"
Discussion
My latest acquisition for pocketmoney - a 1995 Lexus LS400 lovingly known as “Mason”.
Having had such a fine beast for almost a month, allow me to share some observations with you regarding ownership.
Where to start.. Ah yes!
The Engine
I’ll be the first to admit that I like a v8 to be a gazillion litres and fed with as big a carb as one can fashion out a conveniently nearby dustbin. Safe to say I like coughing, snarling, spitting cast iron hulks hell bent on putting you through the nearest hedge backwards.
On paper, then, the modest 4.0 1UZ-FE doesn’t sound like my kind of v8 – too many valves (32 of the blighters!) and the usual Japanese clinical precision seem at odds with what I’m after..
Let me tell you though- WHAT AN ENGINE! It revs like a b
d, hurtling the big saloon forward with suprising ferocity, yet maintains a dignified silence at idle, or on a steady cruise.
Putting out between 250-260bhp (i’m not sure if mine is earlier or later spec) it never seems to labour, and makes short work of flattening hills. The wide torque curve is also ideal for the mating to an Autobox – both work in harmony to provide a smooth and serene transition along the road.
The super-duper multivalve nonsense and modest capacity has another advantage- on a recent work trip, this Leviathan Lexus returned a most pleasing 28.48 mpg (imp) over 500 miles. Phenomenal for such a large car cruising at the legal limit.
Driving
Designed specifically to compete with the 7 series and S class offerings from the pesky Germans, the LS400 had to do several things competently.
On the motorway, progrress is swift and assured – the car feeling stable and purposeful as you waft along on Cruise Control. Its easily as composed as an e32 7 series. Overall visibility is grand- this was the tail end of the era when designers were able to use thin a/b/c pillars for better visibility, as opposed to thick ones required for modern crash structures.
On A roads, the bumps are soaked up as you thread between bends – the auspicious grunt allowing for the “slow in, fast out” technique to serve up repeated v8 howlings with no discernable impact on progress. The gearbox performs well here- eager to kick down and spur on.
On B roads, the width and weight of the car becomes a touch telling, as does the disconnection in feel betwixt driver and controls. Keen to hear the v8 scream, I’ve found myself fast approaching a corner with a touch more pace than grace. Thankfully, its a docile big bugger and helming it in is no hard task – I’m working on being slightly more sensible when on the Duke’s Pass though!
Its not quite as comfortable as an XJ40 Jag, or as nimble as the BMW e32 but it is definately a compromise that does not leave you feeling frustrated! A large exec saloon you can schlep 400 miles in, and then play with down the lanes on the last few miles to home is a wonderous thing!
Exterior
Again, the LS400 is not my normal cup of tea – indeed it apes much more of the slab- sided drudgery of the e38 BMW 7 series, over the the “Cad in a good suit” looks of the earlier e32.
However, where Lexus have suceeded is in creating that sence of imposition that apes the menacing presence of a good exec saloon. If Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels was filmed in Tokyo, then “Big Chris” would have driven an LS400. A v8 and heavy doors are key to his requirements.
The rear of the car is superbly bland, giving little away of the nature of the Beast, whereas the front wears its scars with pride. The straight lines convey a certain arrogance and appear mightily effective at chaperoning those sans v8 out the way. I’ll get those gawdawful talepipes rectified ASAP!
Interior
Interiors are a very important thing to get right in an Exec saloon – after all, they’re where your buyer (and their driver!) will spend most of their time.
Here’s where the old Lexus falls a bit behind. If I’d paid £49k in 1995 for one of these, I’d expect to get something a little better than Carina E/Avensis indicator/wiper stalks and wood so plastic, it looks like it came out a pound store.
Additionally, it’d be bloody handy if the cruise control stalk was to be found in the one location, rather than orbiting like a demented moon in relation to the steering wheel.
The leather is not as supple as you’d like, but has stood up to the passing of time incredibly well, so I’ll let it off. The seats are well sprung, and electrically adjusted in the front. Combine this with an electrically adjustible (reach and height) steering column and it is easy to get a comfortable driving position.
The cupholders blocking the ability to open the lower storage compartment in the armrest is a minor irritation.
The ultimate “cool gadget” award is split between the Dashboard and the electrically adjustable Seatbelt height (yes, really!).
I think the Seatbelt adjustment just shades it though,as the dash is woeful at communicating any extra information the driver may need. You get 2 trip ODOs and the main car Mileometer – no trip computer.
Verdict
A worthy contender for your hard earned bargain barge cash – strongest point is definately the engine, luckily the chassis and ride comfort back it up, taking your mind off the less than glamourous interior.
Having had such a fine beast for almost a month, allow me to share some observations with you regarding ownership.
Where to start.. Ah yes!
The Engine
I’ll be the first to admit that I like a v8 to be a gazillion litres and fed with as big a carb as one can fashion out a conveniently nearby dustbin. Safe to say I like coughing, snarling, spitting cast iron hulks hell bent on putting you through the nearest hedge backwards.
On paper, then, the modest 4.0 1UZ-FE doesn’t sound like my kind of v8 – too many valves (32 of the blighters!) and the usual Japanese clinical precision seem at odds with what I’m after..
Let me tell you though- WHAT AN ENGINE! It revs like a b
d, hurtling the big saloon forward with suprising ferocity, yet maintains a dignified silence at idle, or on a steady cruise.Putting out between 250-260bhp (i’m not sure if mine is earlier or later spec) it never seems to labour, and makes short work of flattening hills. The wide torque curve is also ideal for the mating to an Autobox – both work in harmony to provide a smooth and serene transition along the road.
The super-duper multivalve nonsense and modest capacity has another advantage- on a recent work trip, this Leviathan Lexus returned a most pleasing 28.48 mpg (imp) over 500 miles. Phenomenal for such a large car cruising at the legal limit.
Driving
Designed specifically to compete with the 7 series and S class offerings from the pesky Germans, the LS400 had to do several things competently.
On the motorway, progrress is swift and assured – the car feeling stable and purposeful as you waft along on Cruise Control. Its easily as composed as an e32 7 series. Overall visibility is grand- this was the tail end of the era when designers were able to use thin a/b/c pillars for better visibility, as opposed to thick ones required for modern crash structures.
On A roads, the bumps are soaked up as you thread between bends – the auspicious grunt allowing for the “slow in, fast out” technique to serve up repeated v8 howlings with no discernable impact on progress. The gearbox performs well here- eager to kick down and spur on.
On B roads, the width and weight of the car becomes a touch telling, as does the disconnection in feel betwixt driver and controls. Keen to hear the v8 scream, I’ve found myself fast approaching a corner with a touch more pace than grace. Thankfully, its a docile big bugger and helming it in is no hard task – I’m working on being slightly more sensible when on the Duke’s Pass though!
Its not quite as comfortable as an XJ40 Jag, or as nimble as the BMW e32 but it is definately a compromise that does not leave you feeling frustrated! A large exec saloon you can schlep 400 miles in, and then play with down the lanes on the last few miles to home is a wonderous thing!
Exterior
Again, the LS400 is not my normal cup of tea – indeed it apes much more of the slab- sided drudgery of the e38 BMW 7 series, over the the “Cad in a good suit” looks of the earlier e32.
However, where Lexus have suceeded is in creating that sence of imposition that apes the menacing presence of a good exec saloon. If Lock, Stock and 2 Smoking Barrels was filmed in Tokyo, then “Big Chris” would have driven an LS400. A v8 and heavy doors are key to his requirements.
The rear of the car is superbly bland, giving little away of the nature of the Beast, whereas the front wears its scars with pride. The straight lines convey a certain arrogance and appear mightily effective at chaperoning those sans v8 out the way. I’ll get those gawdawful talepipes rectified ASAP!
Interior
Interiors are a very important thing to get right in an Exec saloon – after all, they’re where your buyer (and their driver!) will spend most of their time.
Here’s where the old Lexus falls a bit behind. If I’d paid £49k in 1995 for one of these, I’d expect to get something a little better than Carina E/Avensis indicator/wiper stalks and wood so plastic, it looks like it came out a pound store.
Additionally, it’d be bloody handy if the cruise control stalk was to be found in the one location, rather than orbiting like a demented moon in relation to the steering wheel.
The leather is not as supple as you’d like, but has stood up to the passing of time incredibly well, so I’ll let it off. The seats are well sprung, and electrically adjusted in the front. Combine this with an electrically adjustible (reach and height) steering column and it is easy to get a comfortable driving position.
The cupholders blocking the ability to open the lower storage compartment in the armrest is a minor irritation.
The ultimate “cool gadget” award is split between the Dashboard and the electrically adjustable Seatbelt height (yes, really!).
I think the Seatbelt adjustment just shades it though,as the dash is woeful at communicating any extra information the driver may need. You get 2 trip ODOs and the main car Mileometer – no trip computer.
Verdict
A worthy contender for your hard earned bargain barge cash – strongest point is definately the engine, luckily the chassis and ride comfort back it up, taking your mind off the less than glamourous interior.
Cambs_Stuart said:
Nice barge! I've often thought that these look like a lot of car (and engineering) for not much money. How do they cope with the salty roads in the uk?
I've not been underneath it to see yet- I imagine it should be OK given it was MOT'd just prior to me buying it. I f I do look under, I'll grab some pics
The LS400 is one of the few very cheap V8 barges that i'd happily buy and commit to. There's really not much to worry about with these and they are a typical Lexus product. As you said, they're not the most characterful V8 out there but you can always slap on some kind of aftermarket exhaust for more noise if you wish.
My only issue with them is their size. They are bloody massive! Great if you need it but i'd probably only want the car for the engine and the reliability/build quality. GS430's appear to be quite rare and all the German V8's seem to rot from the inside out and require quite a big bork fund behind them. Jaguar V8's appear to be very hit-and-miss on the reliability front too. All those examples make the Lexus look like a very good punt in comparison.
My only issue with them is their size. They are bloody massive! Great if you need it but i'd probably only want the car for the engine and the reliability/build quality. GS430's appear to be quite rare and all the German V8's seem to rot from the inside out and require quite a big bork fund behind them. Jaguar V8's appear to be very hit-and-miss on the reliability front too. All those examples make the Lexus look like a very good punt in comparison.
I've been pondering these beasts while searching for Audi A8s of a similar vintage recently. Certainly makes a change from the usual German stock and I like the low-key approach as well as the great value for money the 400 seems to entail.
Excellent write up too - you should work for PH with such literary prowess!
Excellent write up too - you should work for PH with such literary prowess!
Resolutionary said:
I've been pondering these beasts while searching for Audi A8s of a similar vintage recently. Certainly makes a change from the usual German stock and I like the low-key approach as well as the great value for money the 400 seems to entail.
Excellent write up too - you should work for PH with such literary prowess!
It has to be said that apart from a few hundred yards in A8s when I worked at a Car auctions years ago, I don't have any real experience of them..Excellent write up too - you should work for PH with such literary prowess!
Sometimes I go through phases of wanting one, but usually come back to gazing at BMWs.
Amazing how many of these still about and looking well, for what sounds like the price of a mid range tv set, what a way to travel, chairman of the board circa 1998 stylee 
So many have given up their engines for other cars, where else can you get a V8 like that for the price of a rough one, sort of a five grand crate engine for a couple of hundred quid once you have weighed in the rest, cant say I have ever heard of people opening them up, seems a case of extricate it from the Lexus, fit and plumb it, fire it up, do skids ! I really dont think there is a better made engine out there for the money, the rest was a bit of a revelation as well, remember my boss having one back in 1992, he loved it and had a series of them after.
Yours isnt a bad colour but so many were in gold, what was that about ?
So many have given up their engines for other cars, where else can you get a V8 like that for the price of a rough one, sort of a five grand crate engine for a couple of hundred quid once you have weighed in the rest, cant say I have ever heard of people opening them up, seems a case of extricate it from the Lexus, fit and plumb it, fire it up, do skids ! I really dont think there is a better made engine out there for the money, the rest was a bit of a revelation as well, remember my boss having one back in 1992, he loved it and had a series of them after.
Yours isnt a bad colour but so many were in gold, what was that about ?
msmith0592 said:
I don't find the size of the car an issue. I used mine every day for the year I had it. I managed an average of 23 MPG over the 17,000 miles I did.
Such a shame it was written off last month after a police car decided to not check his mirrors when doing a u-turn.
Sorry to hear of it's demiseSuch a shame it was written off last month after a police car decided to not check his mirrors when doing a u-turn.
I imagine that the size would become second nature, more meaning that there would be a dearth of 'popping into that cheeky lil space,' in a packed work car park;)320touring said:
It has to be said that apart from a few hundred yards in A8s when I worked at a Car auctions years ago, I don't have any real experience of them..
Sometimes I go through phases of wanting one, but usually come back to gazing at BMWs.
They are nice places to be in, the A8's. Well built, comfy, and aged with real class. However the V8's in them are neither of the extremely reliable sort found in LS's nor cheap to maintain, and gearboxes are also a well known weakness. Speaking as an Audi V8 fan here.Sometimes I go through phases of wanting one, but usually come back to gazing at BMWs.
Veeayt said:
They are nice places to be in, the A8's. Well built, comfy, and aged with real class. However the V8's in them are neither of the extremely reliable sort found in LS's nor cheap to maintain, and gearboxes are also a well known weakness. Speaking as an Audi V8 fan here.
So which engine is best in an old A8?Emeye said:
So which engine is best in an old A8?
3.7 is quite undestressed, especially in the first gen guise. 2.8 too has weaknesses -they are impossible to rebuild if the bottom end goes. However, I would agree with hyphen - the S8, especially in the facelift 40V application, is the engine to go for. If the 'box gives no jerks, it would only require regular oil changes at every 30,000 miles. Continentals had it with a no-cost 6-speed 01E manual 'boxes, which are made by Getrag and extremely sturdy. They are also better suited for the car's character, and an easy conversion. They are old and aplenty.
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