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My father left me a '99 LS400 when he passed away. Since then, I've owned the following:
'99 SC300
'01 GS300
'03 SC430
'03 GS300 Sportdesign
'06 SC430
'13 GS350 F Sport
Without a doubt, the best Lexus I've ever owned was the '13 GS350 F Sport because it was just the right size with a mix of luxury, great handling and the latest tech. My '99 SC300 would be the second best because it just looked so sexy inside and out. The worst Lexus I've ever owned was either of the SC430's UNLESS I was tooling down a country road with the top down and the Mark Levinson blasting. In the day-to-day commute the steering felt loose and the handling was sloppy. Both GS300s were great cars, just a little underpowered.
Of the 20 I've owned, my 2013 GS 350 was just outstanding. Tons of style & comfort.
I must agree with the above. The right mix of luxury and tech. The stunning Meteor blue was an added plus.
I had 13 SCs, 300, 400, 4 speed auto, 5 speed auto, 5 speed manual, 2uz, 3uz, 2jz, 1jzgte, all the combo you can think of. Guess where my soft spot at for Lexus lol.
I had 13 SCs, 300, 400, 4 speed auto, 5 speed auto, 5 speed manual, 2uz, 3uz, 2jz, 1jzgte, all the combo you can think of. Guess where my soft spot at for Lexus lol.
Not bad, 0-100 in 14... hmm, someone else mentioned an IS-F, so now i have IS-F and the LS400 on my list. I'm looking for something sporty yet conservative. Sporty for when I'm by myself and conservative for when I take the family out. Has to be a 4 door, seeing as how I'm a family man. But as all family men know, You still have to let those horses gallop every now and then. Also, being a family man, I would need something that can haul 4 people and groceries around. Someone on another forum told me to invest in a minivan...
NOT HAPPENING. I enjoy sporting off a Lexus and having the reassurance of power when I need it.
Anyway, (Sorry to get off point) The LS400 is looking really nice, and to only have to replace an LCD and a leaky power steering pump IN 17 YEARS! I find that just astounding. Would you happen to have any interior pictures of your LS? Outside looks aren't as important with me, but just to personify luxury with that sleek interior is definitely a must.
If you're going to use the rear seats a lot, I wouldn't recommend the IS-F. Pretty cramped back there and it's a 2+2 to boot.
Just to answer your prior question - fuel economy on the IS- F is OK - I am averaging ~18 mpg over the last couple fill-ups and that is with 70-80% city driving. It's the frequency of fillups that is annoying since the car has such a small gas tank.
If you're going to use the rear seats a lot, I wouldn't recommend the IS-F. Pretty cramped back there and it's a 2+2 to boot.
Just to answer your prior question - fuel economy on the IS- F is OK - I am averaging ~18 mpg over the last couple fill-ups and that is with 70-80% city driving. It's the frequency of fillups that is annoying since the car has such a small gas tank.
I'm leaning toward the LS series, but a newer model. The front end looks too much like a Rolls Royce front end, and that doesn't really have the aesthetic qualities I'm looking for, But for sure keep your cars coming, I love hearing about everyone's experiences with their Lexus'. Pictures are always welcome, of course.
Side note Gengar;
Have you done any performance upgrades on your LS, any if so, were they fairly easy to install?
EDIT: I have been looking up various videos and I'm liking the Lexus LS460L, Like I said before I love the fact of larger back seats. I am not liking, however the 135 ft the LS takes to stop from just 60mph. Thinking maybe an upgrade on that part, as well as modifying the suspension and tires.
This is a 2000 Lexus LS400 back seat. Not much of an upgrade from the 2000 ES300 back seat. Unless of course your 1999 has a different setup.
The room in the rear seat of an LS400 is a significant upgrade to that of an ES300.
What was the best Lexus I've owned? Thats a tough one. By all measurable stats that are important to me it would clearly be my 2015 LS460. The Lexus that surprised me the most was probably my 2013 GS350.
However my favorite one? I will always have a soft spot for my dad's 98 LS400.
i've owned only one, my current is-f. also the best car i've owned; previous car was a g35 sedan.
the is-f mileage is ok if you drive it conservatively or on the highway only. currently i only get about 14 to 16 mpg, mostly surface streets and heavy traffic in some freeway time. but i also drive it pretty hard each and every time bc i want to enjoy the car.
For those that are asking about price ranges, I would say nothing over $30k. I am applying for a $30,000 First Time Buyers Loan, So if that comes through, I would be buying a car outright. We all know that means I am responsible for repairs, unless I go to a dealership. Also, Does anyone have some cheaper nice looking Exterior and Interior modifications/upgrades for your recommended cars/suv's?
EDIT: Also, Pictures could have interior and exterior details and year/model.
Dunno dude. Sounds like you're coming up in the world, nothing wrong with that. But are you sure about buying a depreciating asset on finance money? Doesn't sound like it's a sure thing yet.
Nothing wrong with an old Honda. I had one. Here's the question. Can you afford to spend money on the car, and various maintenance issues to the tune of $2000 and up in a flash? That's what any premium used car will run you.
I don't blame you for having a very wide perspective. But between a used LS400 to an IS to a RX is a heck of a range of vehicles. That's why folks here will tell you this, that and the other. You probably need a financial adviser
I am on my 3rd lexus and have loved them all. Each was bought for a reason and met all my expectations. So which ONE do I love. I guess it would have to be the current one. 2011 LS.
I have enjoyed all 3 of the Lexus's I've owed and all were very reliable. The LS400 was just such a smooth ride, had a ton of room for me and the fam and the acceleration was good to for a big car. The ES350 also had great room up front and in the back, acceleration was also good and I loved all the upgraded add ons coming from the 93 LS400. I am now on the 13 GS350 and loving every bit of it! Its just a well rounded car and exactly what I was looking for. Something for the family and something sporty for me, its truly the best of both worlds. The added AWD is a huge plus as I live in NH. All were and are nice cars, just liked them all for some of the same reasons and some different. My wife had an 04 RX330 that she loved, it was an very nice ride with lots of great options. We just out grew it and now she as a Toyota Sienna. You can't go wrong with a Lexus, good luck in your search and alway's feel free to ask for advice, thats why we're are all here for
I always love my SCs, but the LX470 is the only one I regret selling, even at a 5k profit after 1 1/2 of ownership, and that's the only 'Old' Lexus I would still glad to have till today.
I've got a 1993 SC300, 2002 LS430, 2005 LS430 Ultra Luxury, and a 2009 GX470. The best would be my 2005 LS430. It's got every option you could get at the time and it has a lot of features that newer cars have. It's been very cheap to maintain and it's pretty fun to drive since I have it modded. I've heard a lot of people say the LS430 was the best car they've ever owned.
The GX470 is my favorite SUV next to the LX470. If you need an SUV it's an excellent choice. The SC300 is a great car as well but the early years aren't as nice as the 97-00 models. I drove a 99 SC400 once and was very impressed with it due to all of the little changes and upgrades throughout the car.
I'll throw in a picture of my two LS430's and SC300. One LS430 is mostly stock while the other is modded. My SC300 is modded as well. Modding the cars made them more fun but the LS is an amazing car completely stock.
it's the only lexus i've owned lol but not the only i've been in / driven but i truly believe the only way to get the "proper lexus experience" is with an LS. i've become incredibly biased toward the LS 400 but i'm sure the 430 is just as good, but it looks pretty ugly if you ask me. the 400 is super cheap now but i assure you it's in a different league than the ES. 0-60 in like 6.1 and it'll still get over 30 mpg on the highway. it's possibly the best car there is for cruising, yet you can also drive like an a**hole in it and i promise you'll be pleasantly surprised with how good the throttle response is and how much oomph the V8 has to offer. i'll gladly post a pic of mine lol...
not to mention in 17 years the ONLY things that've gone wrong is the LCD on the radio and my power steering pump just began to leak a bit but that's not too much of a hassle to take care of
Your LS400 looks great with those LS430 wheels on it. I wish that's how those cars came stock.
I usually drive my SC300 on my factory 18 inch LS430 wheels.
01-12-16, 08:47 PM
