Kansas

After 24 years of driving LS400's - a 1990 from new to 2003, a 2000 from 2003 to now - I'm doing something different and going to one of my favorite vehicles: a 2014 Toyota Sienna Limited with all available packages and options ... Pre-collision (PCS), radar adaptive cruise control, HID headlights, leather upholstery, memory driver seat, rear ottoman style seats, front and rear sunroofs, rear widescreen video with wireless headphones and remote, power opening/closing rear side doors and hatch. It's like "the Lexus of minivans". I wanted AWD but PCS and adaptive cruise is available only with FWD - will be buying extra wheels and Blizzaks before next winter.

It's the same Blizzard Pearl exterior color as the 2012 Prius wagon my wife drives as shown in the attached photo. The term "minivan" should be retired. There's nothing at all "mini" about the Sienna. It's huge. It's got a 119.3 inch wheel base and is much longer and six inches wider than my 2000 LS400. It barely fits through my standard garage door openings without using the power folding mirror feature. If you haven't figured it out, we only buy white vehicles.

Quality of interior materials in the Sienna is not "LS quality" and seems very similar to current Lexus RX350 with which it shares its drivetrain. Driving my wife's Prius is what convinced me that I had to have a vehicle with PCS and adaptive cruise - seems to reduce the stress of driving for us old folks.

The photo of my 2000 LS400 is from a few days ago when I stored it in a friends garage. It's still looks great and drives wonderfully and I like it as much as the day I purchased it in 2003. It's just time for me to move on to something more practical and perhaps more "age appropriate". It's new owner will purchase it on Saturday - same "youngster" who bought my 1990 LS400 in 2003. My 2000 LS400 is certainly one of my favorites of the cars I've owned - probably right behind the Mercedes 450SEL I had back in the 70's.

So, I might still visit this forum but I've already registered as member "Geezer1" on the Sienna Chat forum. Thanks for all the help you guys have given me over the past 10 years. It's been fun.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Congrats on the Sienna...a very nice car, enjoy! "Geezer1"...lol...

Back around '06 or '07 I'd had my first ride if the JDM Estima, was pretty nice to see how luxo they had made this car. Comfortable and well featured.

Gene01

Sorry to see you go. You have certainly contributed much to this forum.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

That sounds like a nice Sienna. They're really cool for being a minivan and comfortable too.

It's a shame to see your LS400 go though. I always thought it was so cool how you've owned an LS400 ever since they came out.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

Sorry to see you go but hopefully you'll check in every once in a while

kevvo

Thanks for your help in the past Kansas. Sorry to see you go. I'm sure the buyer of your 2000 is getting an excellent car.


Can someone tell me, were there two different finishes available on 98-00 400 wheels? Compared to those in the first pic in this thread mine are dull like ..... 'oxidized aluminium'.

One more question: what is that small rectangular thing on the mudguard just in front of the front door?

cheers

Kansas

The wheels on my 2000 LS400 are chrome versions of the 2000 LS400 Platinum Series wheel which were the same as the wheels standard on the 2001 LS430. The emblems on the sides of my car are the Platinum Series emblems. Here is the press release about the Platinum Series: http://www.lexus.com/about/news/arti...0000209_1.html

kevvo

Thanks for that Kansas. FWIW, the 99 LS400 cost around $157,000 retail in Australia when new. For one, government luxury car tax took up a good few thousand...

hypervish

I don't hang out much on the LS side of the forum, but I must say anytime I've visited I've seen very informative well rounded posts from you! You are a true asset, and I am sure will be missed by many. Please do visit and enlighten us on occasion!

Nice choice btw! The Sienna is quite the "swagger wagon"!

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Sorry to see you go Kansas but you have been a great contributor to both Lexus forums. Your 2000 still looks crisp!!!!! And the Sienna looks outstanding.

dveneman

Kansas,
You have obviously been a great asset to this forum. Thank you and good luck!

Kingsoup

A big step to move away from a car you've been driving this long, those new Sienna's are pretty nice, enjoy!

Shmee

iTrader: (3)

Sad to hear that you will be moving on, you have always been one of the best resources of the forums. When ever I searched something you always seems to have some poignant advice or insite.

Hopefully you find that you cannot stay away from here and keep coming back!
Perhaps the sienna forums won't be as entertaining as we are!

Good luck with the new car.... I'd say you should bag in and make it a little VIP but knowing how you like your LS's, that wouldn't happen!

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

Good luck Jim, you will be missed.. enjoy the Sienna, I really liked mine, just wanted a LS400..

lamar411

Sienna looks sharp in that color, enjoy it!