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rare / strange / weird factory options on Lexus cars and SUVs
ok didn't see another thread like this anywhere, but I work in a lexus dealership service drive and ive seen some really obscure stuff. sunroof delete models, 5 speed 2nd gen IS, 2nd gen RX with factory air suspension, 2010 GS460 (seriously try to find one of these), rare trim special editions, all kinds of stuff. ill post some pics later, what have you guys seen??
I don't know if the USA had this model. The 2008 LX570 had a basic 18 in rims, standard wood trim (upgradable to Bubinga), no cooling seats, no rear heated seats.
My car. 1992 SC300 with a factory 5 speed manual. Still they made way more 5 speed models over the production run then the rather rare 1998-2000 SC400, which had the more powerful VVTi 1UZFE V8.
I've never seen them in person, but I know the ES300 could be had with cloth seats, leather wasn't standard. Might be the same thing with early 90's LS400's. I know the Toyota Celsior(same thing as an LS400 for the Japanese market) commonly had velour cloth seats, but that was a popular thing over in Japan at the time in luxury cars.
1st gen GS300 is kind of a rare car that they didn't sell very many of. I can see why, IMO its kind of ugly. And of course Toyota only sold the twin turbo Supra engined model in Japan, we were stuck with the naturally aspirated model with 225hp.
I myself once owned an IS300 with cloth seats. I can't think of any other Lexus product sold in the U.S. market without either pure-leather or NuLuxe. If any WERE available with cloth seats, I didn't actually see any outside of the original 1Gen IS line.
I myself once owned an IS300 with cloth seats. I can't think of any other Lexus product sold in the U.S. market without either pure-leather or NuLuxe. If any WERE available with cloth seats, I didn't actually see any outside of the original 1Gen IS line.
I've also seen 2nd gen GS and early LS with cloth seats, also very rare
The 1Gen RX was briefly offered with a 2-piece "multi-panel sunroof" even larger than the current single-pane "panoramic" sunroof, that bathed the front and rear seats in light and fresh air. It was offered, I believe, only in northern California because the climate was, well, "helpful". Without extremes of heat and heavy rain, the air conditioning system was able to cope with the vast expanse of glass . . . and the seal between the panes of glass tended to leak badly after it had a year or so in the bright sunshine. An updated version was to appear on the 2Gen, but I don't believe many examples made it to these shores. But it did look cool -
They exist I've seen one at the auto wreckers. The ES250 also came with a manual transmission.
I had my hands on a manual ES300 once but never a 250. the 250 in general is almost extinct and seeing one on the road today is a very rare sighting. however a few months back I did spot a pearl white es250 in absolutely pristine condition sitting at a red light. I swear that car must have in a time warp.
01-27-16, 06:27 AM
rare / strange / weird factory options on Lexus cars and SUVs
