The future of our cars. The Ls400 in 2020
03-14-14, 08:52 AM
#31
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I worked at a Lexus Dealer is 2007 when they first rolled the LS460 out too. Nice cars, but not sure i would want one as a daily driver either.
Maybe it's just because they were so new at the time, but the 460s seemed to be more like precision instruments, as opposed to the 400's and the 430's, which felt very solid and robust in my opinion.
Maybe when they age a bit, and the engine mounts start to sag a little and they start to feel mechanical again, I will change my opinion on them!
Maybe it's just because they were so new at the time, but the 460s seemed to be more like precision instruments, as opposed to the 400's and the 430's, which felt very solid and robust in my opinion.
Maybe when they age a bit, and the engine mounts start to sag a little and they start to feel mechanical again, I will change my opinion on them!
03-14-14, 10:59 AM
#32
clean LS400s will still be on the road! I'm considered young and also have just picked up a pretty mint under 100k 98 LS400 in my hands less than a week ago. I'll hoon every so often but it'll still be as mint as all cars that have come under my ownership.
It is true that the #s are dwindling and the ones I see are pretty janky regardless of driver type but there are still a good amount of clean ones on the road
It is true that the #s are dwindling and the ones I see are pretty janky regardless of driver type but there are still a good amount of clean ones on the road
03-14-14, 02:08 PM
#33
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I wonder if driving around in the car in 2020 will look like older guys who drive around in huge boats from the late 70's? hee hee! Well lets see here, 2020 is a mere 6 years away and my car is a 97, so its like seeing someone in a 91. And my 93 Celsior looked pretty excellent i think, so thats totally fine to see today.
The question will be are any left in 2035 when self-drive cars are total dinosaurs!
I still perfer the Auto in the these cars to virtually any automatic trans I've driven in any newer car, that being said I haven't driven a new 8 or 9 sped auto in the BMW and Lexus's, I bet they're pretty nice.
The question will be are any left in 2035 when self-drive cars are total dinosaurs!
I still perfer the Auto in the these cars to virtually any automatic trans I've driven in any newer car, that being said I haven't driven a new 8 or 9 sped auto in the BMW and Lexus's, I bet they're pretty nice.
03-14-14, 02:12 PM
#34
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03-14-14, 04:49 PM
#35
I can see me holding on to my '92 that long. It tore me up to finally sell my dad's '63 Impala, which he bought new a year before I was born. I couldn't afford to restore it so I sold it cheap. The '92 LS400 has been in the family since 1994 and seeing how its just now going over 160K I plan to drive it another 4-5 years easily.
03-21-14, 05:06 PM
#36
Just took these NADA guide numbers down:
March of 2014 top row
December of 2013 bottom row.
Lexus LS 400
NADA......MSRP......low........ave......high
03/14...$42,200....$4,950....$7,525....$11,050
12/13...$42,200....$4,725....$6,975....$10,050
What do you see? You see appreciation. That means every once in a while, a manufacturer gets it right and it takes TIME for the market to wake up to the fact.
Toyota actually and honestly tried to make a world-class car.
The first generation LS400 is blessedly free of froo-froo pandering to gizmo idiocy.
They put the value into the bones of the car.
The number of people who are turning away from the sheer stupiddizzycomplexity of the modern automobile with its zany-swoopdedoo senseless "stylin' gimmickry and distracting toys, is increasing.
My LS400 has a quiet exterior shape (still .029 cd) but it apologizes to no one.
The driving environment is ( amazin'! ) for driving. The instrument cluster is absolutely second-to-none, now that BMW has destroyed any final vestige of restrained functionality.
The engine is absolutely . . . as Rolls Royce used to say . . . adequate.
For us first generation owners, the interest in these cars will focus on us, as purer examples of the whole Ideal. In fact, I think the first generation Lexus is going to mirror the 1961/1962 Lincoln Continental. Ford woke up to refined good taste and exceptional quality, then, like Lexus, they lost their nerve, they fussed with the clean styling, they expanded beyond their competence, they ruined the magic in just a few years. Now classic car collectors are clamoring for the first three years of the slab-sided Lincolns.
The market value of your Lexus will only be enhanced if your work is excruciatingly detailed and correct. Every stupid little grommet and plug and clip accounted-for and in place.
Colin
March of 2014 top row
December of 2013 bottom row.
Lexus LS 400
NADA......MSRP......low........ave......high
03/14...$42,200....$4,950....$7,525....$11,050
12/13...$42,200....$4,725....$6,975....$10,050
What do you see? You see appreciation. That means every once in a while, a manufacturer gets it right and it takes TIME for the market to wake up to the fact.
Toyota actually and honestly tried to make a world-class car.
The first generation LS400 is blessedly free of froo-froo pandering to gizmo idiocy.
They put the value into the bones of the car.
The number of people who are turning away from the sheer stupiddizzycomplexity of the modern automobile with its zany-swoopdedoo senseless "stylin' gimmickry and distracting toys, is increasing.
My LS400 has a quiet exterior shape (still .029 cd) but it apologizes to no one.
The driving environment is ( amazin'! ) for driving. The instrument cluster is absolutely second-to-none, now that BMW has destroyed any final vestige of restrained functionality.
The engine is absolutely . . . as Rolls Royce used to say . . . adequate.
For us first generation owners, the interest in these cars will focus on us, as purer examples of the whole Ideal. In fact, I think the first generation Lexus is going to mirror the 1961/1962 Lincoln Continental. Ford woke up to refined good taste and exceptional quality, then, like Lexus, they lost their nerve, they fussed with the clean styling, they expanded beyond their competence, they ruined the magic in just a few years. Now classic car collectors are clamoring for the first three years of the slab-sided Lincolns.
The market value of your Lexus will only be enhanced if your work is excruciatingly detailed and correct. Every stupid little grommet and plug and clip accounted-for and in place.
Colin
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MrBodega (10-18-20)
03-22-14, 02:04 PM
#38
I've seen plenty of Lincolns slammed as well. I agree with you that when people mistreat their cars or modify them with shoddy craftmanship it hurts the "pool" of cars available. However, I also think that the more diverse the fan base is for a model of car, the better it is for the overall value. 60's Impalas have a fairly diverse fan base and it helps to drive the demand.
03-23-14, 02:41 AM
#40
I see more 90-97 than 98-00 everywhere I go and I am in 2 states and three different cities on a regular. Most 90-94's are in bad shape, most not all, one of which is white like mine and in my neighborhood. The 95-97's are in decent shape and the few 98-00 are often still in great shape. They age well. Timeless design. When I purchased my LS430 I still owned my 98 black LS400 and didn't even think about selling or trading it in. I then totaled out my 98 LS and bought a 99 LS, keep in mind I purchased my 02 LS430 just 8 months prior to the accident and still drive my 99 LS400 more than my 02 LS430 to this day. That's how much I love it. I am of the belief that some "old school" LS owners will simply not part with the original LS even if they purchase an LS 430 or 460. To be honest, I should has bought an SC430 for some variety because, lets face it, the LS 430 is not the same, its not bad, just not the same. The LS 400 feels more solid from the wheels to the plastic. When it comes down to it, nothing can replace the feeling you get from driving "The LS400".
03-23-14, 06:13 AM
#41
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True on both counts. I kept my LS400 when I bought a new Lexus - but that new one wasn't an LS, but the IS F. I love them both.
03-23-14, 09:43 AM
#42
Amongst all used Lexi, the average used car value has dropped 10%.
The numbers I showed you just between December and March for the LS400 have gone up at a YoY rate of almost 10%.
Toyota as a whole took a dump from their recalls.
I took my numbers from the "cognoscenti" classic car market on the NADA website.
Colin
03-24-14, 11:53 AM
#43
One man's pride, sheltered for years, now released to the savages.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4386895652.html
Fine examples will continue to be cared for by fans. But fewer will become available as their original owners, with their fine garages and car care habits, pass away.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/4386895652.html
Fine examples will continue to be cared for by fans. But fewer will become available as their original owners, with their fine garages and car care habits, pass away.
03-24-14, 12:34 PM
#45
i agree. but at least here it seems like there gaining value. Last summer you can get a perfect condition no tears or leaks for 1500 easily. now even at 2500 its hard to find a prestine condition one. alot of the even beat up ones around here are now at around 3k.