lexgs4

I will soon be purchasing my 1st LS 400. I am looking at 2 in particular. A 1995 and a 1998. Both have all options except for the air suspension. Both have about 90,000 miles. I am looking for any insight into either of these cars. Any problems in particular with either year. Suggestions, comments would be greatly appreciated. I am also wondering what these cars should approximately sell for. I have already looked at Kellys Blue Book and NADA. I am wondering how accurate those prices are. Thanks

lexgs4

brian3268

Abcedefghij

Horta

Hey I just bought a 98 about three weeks ago. I test drove both a 97 (same as 96) and Many Many 98 and 99 model.

They did many changes from 97 to 98 and ther ARE deffinitly worth it. First off a whole new engine with more power and Variable Valve Timing. A new 5 speed transmision and many other changes. Also Electronic throttle drive by wire and new dash/ center console. I wil try to list all the changes below.

Anyways the changes are well worth it. I was not sure so I test drove both back to back at one dealsership and the power and throttle were very obvious to me. I preferd the 98 and newer.

Please due yourself the favor and thoroughly test drive both cars.

Good Luck

CHANGES MADE TO THE 1998 LS 400

Standard Features:


Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)
All new five-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i)
Gated transmission shift system
Revised rear suspension subframe mounts
Adoption of Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS)
Added vibration - and noise-dampening materials
Vehicle Skid Control (VSC)2 standardized
Front seatbelt with pre-tensioner and force limiter
Lexus Memory System standardized
New, more distinctive headlamps, turn signals relocated next to headlamps
New grille shape, chrome surround, number of horizontal bars, sheet metal now between grille and headlamps
New, shapely front fenders
Integrated key design
New lower fascia and bumper cover
New relocated foglamps, more aggressive air dam
Wider taillamps
New wheel design
Lower interior noise
Glass-imprinted radio antenna with FM-diversity system
Right-side mirror with auto tilt-down in reverse
Programmable garage-door opener
Customized Body Electronics System (C-BEST)
Improved rear reading lamps
Adoption of audio ASL (Automatic Sound Levelizer)
Multi-information-display drive computer
Headrest for all seats, including rear-center
Enlarged front headrests
Improved HVAC system with air filter and new auto-recirculation function
One-touch open/close feature with pinch protection added to all windows
Extension of wood trim in the center console
Revised stainless-steel scuff plate with Lexus logo
Fabric-covered sun visors and front headliner replaces vinyl
New, softer leather material

Optional Features:


Five new exterior colors: Antique Sterling Metallic, Imperial Jade Mica, Baroque Red Metallic, Atlantis Blue Mica and Antique Bronze Mica replace Crystal Quartz Metallic, Star Sapphire Pearl, Ebony Teal Pearl and Deep Jewel Green Pearl
One-touch open/close feature with pinch protection added to optional moonroof
Lexus Navigation System3
Availability of wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift ****
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with dynamic auto leveling

Lvangundy

98-2000 are kinda rare if you think about it. The redesign body they made for 98 only last 2-3 years. The features on that '3rd' generation are worth it.

Go 98! Don't go 1997 though, those had bad rear end crash results.

squarehat

Go '98 if you can afford it. When I was at the dealership last week having my worn gold emblems changed out to chrome, I took a walk around the certified pre-owned section. Parked side by side was a 97 and 98 LS, both pearl white with beige interior. The differences, especially in the interior, were striking. The 98 had a much more luxurious interior, with better leather, more wood (it had the optional wood/leather wheel and shifter), nicer looking seats, better ergonomics.
Outside, I like the polished aluminum wheels on the 98 vs. the painted 97 wheels. The front end of the '98 also looks much more modern and aggressive. Especially the headlights. The 98's have free-form headlights, which means the front of the headlight is crystal clear, unlike the old-style scatter-glass. If you can find a '98 with HID, you won't be disappointed, either. I've driven an IS with them on many occasions, and I'd upgrade my ES if I thought I could get a beam pattern and cutoff close to OEM spec.

seanl

Care to elaborate? How are the '97s different than the earlier models? Who says the '97s have bad rear end crash results


I agree 100% regarding the wheels, I recently sold off my stock '97 Coach style wheels and upgraded to the 'machined alum' '98 style. Looks much nicer.

I am very happy with my '97, but who wouldn't want an additional 30hp plus all the other features Horta listed below, budget permitting? As squarehat said, go '98 if you can afford it!

Good Luck.

Lvangundy

Here ya go buddy!

http://www.highwaysafety.org/vehicle...html/96031.htm

1997 had a bad rear bumber setup. It was fixed in 1998.

kjbro

I am also a newer owner (May, 2002) with the purchase of a 95 LS400. I have not had any problems and love the car. I have a friend that bought a 1998 LS400 within a month of my purchase. Both cars have the same exterior color. My interior is tan and his is grey. With exception of the wood steering wheel and shifter ****, the cars look pretty much the same. Sure, the exterior lighting and front end might be a bit different, but most people think the two cars are brothers. Now, the important data.....my car (1995) had 82,000 miles and I paid $15,500. My friend paid around $32,000 for his car with 27,000 miles. I'll let you draw your own conclusions, but I know my friend looks at my car and wonders. I did not want to spend more than $18,000 for a car and my hope (prayers) is that my 95 will run for 200,000+ miles. I have two kids (8 & 10) and this 95 may reach drivers training some day. Also, I seem to be a bit less nervous about the potential for dings, kid accedents and wife driving habits. Anyway, if I had the ability, I would certainly be interested in a newer model. I'm still pleased with my purchase, especially paying cash with no car loan. Best of Luck.

seanl

I read through the site.

Couple of interesting things. The test covers model years 1995-2000.

1.) The '97 did sustain greater rear bumper damage than the '98 during the 'rear into pole' test. According to the Highway Institute, This 1997 model sustained huge damage in the rear-into-pole impact.

2.) Rear bumper improvements to the 1998 model greatly reduced the damage in the rear-into-pole test at 5 mph. However, so much damage was sustained in other impacts that the overall bumper rating remains poor.

So it reads as if the Highway Safety Institute has given the '95-'00 LS400 a POOR overall bumper rating even though the '98 design changes were a big improvement over '97.

Personally, I am not concerned with a poor rear bumper rating, I don't plan on backing into any poles. Getting rearend can sometimes be unavoidable, but reversing into a pole is purely driver error.

Thanks for replying with this info. At the end of the day, there's still ~$5K gap between '97s and '98s, so individual budgets will often come into play if one is deciding between the two model years. The '97 LS400 (and older) is a very safe car regardless of rear bumper rating.


Regards,

retrodrive

Look at the trunk on the LS400's. I mean it would have to be a freight train hitting you in a back to really be dangerous for the passanger.

New Owner

I must truly have fallen into a deal when I bought my '96 LS400 16 months ago. The car had 42k miles on it and I paid $21,495 through an estate sale. KBB retail at the time was in the low 30s.

We now have 49,000 on the car and have truly enjoyed the past 16 months of Lexus luxury car ownership. What a truly magnificent automobile!!