LexFather

Its an Adobe document. Supplied by Q45.org
http://q45.spilky.com/cd1989comparis...owdown_pg1.pdf
http://q45.spilky.com/cd1989comparis...owdown_pg2.pdf
http://q45.spilky.com/cd1989comparis...owdown_pg3.pdf
http://q45.spilky.com/cd1989comparis...owdown_pg4.pdf
http://q45.spilky.com/cd1989comparis...owdown_pg5.pdf
http://q45.spilky.com/cd1989comparis...owdown_pg6.pdf
http://q45.spilky.com/cd1989comparis...owdown_pg7.pdf
http://q45.spilky.com/cd1989comparis...owdown_pg8.pdf
http://q45.spilky.com/cd1989comparis...owdown_pg9.pdf
http://q45.spilky.com/cd1989comparis...wdown_pg10.pdf
http://q45.spilky.com/cd1989comparis...wdown_pg11.pdf
http://q45.spilky.com/cd1989comparis...wdown_pg12.pdf

Its amazing how far luxury cars have come in 15 years. Lexus revolutionized cars, and it began with the original LS. Just look at the pics, you can see panel gaps in the other cars, black bumpers etc and awful interiors. And look at the performance times!

LexFather

The more things change, the more they stay the same. The latest LS 430 comparo, #1 again

http://www.caranddriver.com/article....&page_number=1

Look at the differences in the cars and the performance.

LiquidBlue

Wow, it seems the Q45 beat the LS400 in handling, having the better shifting transmission, better brakes, and being more fun to drive..

-J-P-L-

It always gets to me when people say that the 1990 LS400 was derivitive of M-B design.

Look at the Benz, it looks 10 years older! Not even close to the LS. Actually , I'd say that later MB products began to copy the LS.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Infiniti was something back in the day, im glad they made a come back. The Q45 Engine really impresses me.

SC400-V8

iTrader: (1)

I have that issue... I love to look it over every once in a while... Old-school luxury imports.

IMO they sent the UGLIEST color combos ... red on red for the LS, and blue on blue for the Q... they should have had a white/grey LS with tan, and a black Q with tan. Overall, those two cars are absolutely sweet.



I havent been on the boards much... everyone here knows I was accepted by the TA travelcenters as a manager a month ago... and now im in Lodi Ohio for the final phase of my training, on what is essentially paid vacation. I'm at my aunts house in streetsboro writing emails. Its great to touch base with clublex and see whats up. Be back friday!

Kansas

Someone mentioned recently on another Lexus forum that the recent Lexus history book said that an even earlier Mercedes V8 sedan - the 450SEL - was the original design target for the LS400. I bought a 450SEL in the summer of 1979 and it was absolutely incredible.

When I first looked at the LS400 in 1989, all I could think of was that it seemed to be a sort of reincarnation of my beloved 450SEL which I had given up years earlier (for a horrible Mercedes diesel) when I moved much further away from work and did not want to cope with the big Merc's 8 - 12 miles per gallon fuel consumption.

Buying the LS400 in early 1990 was like coming home. Although I liked the "feel" of the Merc 450 better, the more compact size, modern equipment and fewer maintenance hassles of the LS400 made it a more enjoyable car overall.

TRD-bB

Sick, thanks for posting this up!!
I've NEVER seen this comparo before.

I'm amazed by how sleek and modern the original LS looks when it was parked next to the other
cars.

encore888

I have long since lost my old C&D (back in the days when Lexus was new and they lavished praise of its excellent qualities, rather then find fault with 'passion' etc. as they ran out of superlatives to say). Thanks for bringing it back!!! I remembered those photos...and the discussion of the trunk construction. Now all the Luxe makes have felt coverings under the trunk! Thanks to Lexus.

There also was a road test of solely the LS 400, I remember a line 'Lexus engineers made sure to load everything on their favorite child before giving it a fare thee well" or something like that.

ychachad

The original 1990 LS did not just look great and feel great 16 years ago, she is still awesome today!!! In terms of quality, reliability, and style, she can still trounce many of today's cars in the $40k price range. Do you know why? The Gen 1 LS is truly timeless. Everytime I take her apart for general maintenance, I am in awe.

A fully restored and slightly modified Gen 1 can still be a terror to the competition.

I also own a gen 2 LS, and in most respects the gen 2 is a much superior car, but the original LS holds a special place for me. What lines, smooth and rounded in the back, edgy and bold up front. Styling wise, I think the Gen 1 trounces even the newer LSes.

TRD-bB

I agree

LexFather

Check your PM. The constant subtle Lexus bashing will not continue.

In response to your comment, 16 years later, look is is considered one of the finest cars ever built and who is about to get discontinued. What car is considered a top 100 car of all time by Road and Track, EVER? The LS. What car is credited with making the Geramans run and get they're cars in shape? The LS.

b1gredek

i agree with after 16 years the car still looks good, any of the other cars in this comparison wouldnt make me look twice modded or not. but we have countless ls400's on this forum that we all still admire..... most of these cars in this comparison are probably not even running anymore..........

Lexusfreak

Awesome 1SICK! I really enjoyed reading that comparo! It appears that pag 2 is missing however or is that a brain cramp on my part? I'd love a copy of the actual December 1989 issue too! Not to mention the first comparo of the all new 1992 ES 300.....any idea if one can post that as well? Where can we find very old issues of these auto mags to purchase? Any help on that subject would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks again for posting!

lorenzo816

I'd really like page 2.
I'm sure everyone else would too.

Here it is for those who are not download savvy:

page 2

Lorenzo
92 LS400 174k