The 1989 LS400 (Grandfather of Lexus)
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The 1989 LS400 (Grandfather of Lexus)
Remember when the 1989 Lexus LS400 first came out?
There was such a huge buzz about it coming from Japan. The new "luxury" edition vehicles for Toyota enthusiasts.
The original engine was a 4.0-liter DOHC aluminum block V8, which had 250 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Lexus gradually improved all aspects of the LS, but the significant power boosts came in 1995 and 1998, with horsepower eventually reaching 290.
In 1998, the 4-speed automatic transmission was replaced with a 5-speed, and Lexus also introduced Variable Valve Timing + intelligence technology. "VVT+i" not only increased power, but also lowered emissions and improved fuel economy . It was only available in rear wheel drive.
Remember that wine glass commercial? They balanced a pyramid of 15 champagne glasses on its hood as it accelerated to about 145 mph, supposedly:
Did you or your parents have one of these? How was the overall driving experience?
Was it as smooth as the commercial depicted? Was it reliable?
^^^ Stance Nation // Vincent Shumai’s VIP style Lexus LS400.
We need more Lexus people on Chariotz.
Join for free and tell your story!
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Upload your car and then post the link to your Chariotz profile in the comments below
Bethany P
Chariotz Inc.
Car Enthusiasts check us out!
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Email: bethany@chariotz.com
There was such a huge buzz about it coming from Japan. The new "luxury" edition vehicles for Toyota enthusiasts.
The original engine was a 4.0-liter DOHC aluminum block V8, which had 250 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Lexus gradually improved all aspects of the LS, but the significant power boosts came in 1995 and 1998, with horsepower eventually reaching 290.
In 1998, the 4-speed automatic transmission was replaced with a 5-speed, and Lexus also introduced Variable Valve Timing + intelligence technology. "VVT+i" not only increased power, but also lowered emissions and improved fuel economy . It was only available in rear wheel drive.
Remember that wine glass commercial? They balanced a pyramid of 15 champagne glasses on its hood as it accelerated to about 145 mph, supposedly:
Did you or your parents have one of these? How was the overall driving experience?
Was it as smooth as the commercial depicted? Was it reliable?
^^^ Stance Nation // Vincent Shumai’s VIP style Lexus LS400.
We need more Lexus people on Chariotz.
Join for free and tell your story!
Find local pros, manufacturers, parts, car events, cars for sale, etc.
Download our Iphone App!
Upload your car and then post the link to your Chariotz profile in the comments below
Bethany P
Chariotz Inc.
Car Enthusiasts check us out!
Website: Chariotz
Facebook: Chariotzinc
Instagram: Chariotzinc
Twitter: ChariotzINC
Download our FREE app in the iTunes store here
Email: bethany@chariotz.com
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FYI for those who don't know what chariotz is about.
http://www.chariotz.com/aboutus
"We want to bring automobile lovers and customizers together in a photo rich, collaborative online environment, helping inspire, provide ideas, and connect each other. We want to make it simple, easy and fun for everyone to DRIVE DIFFERENT™. We want to make auto customization & restoration more easily and widely accessible.
We are based in San Francisco, California."
http://www.chariotz.com/aboutus
"We want to bring automobile lovers and customizers together in a photo rich, collaborative online environment, helping inspire, provide ideas, and connect each other. We want to make it simple, easy and fun for everyone to DRIVE DIFFERENT™. We want to make auto customization & restoration more easily and widely accessible.
We are based in San Francisco, California."
#6
Lexus Fanatic
There was no 1989 model year, the first LS was a 1990 model built in 1989
My dad wanted one at the time but for business reasons he couldn't buy a foreign car. He got a 1990 Lincoln Continental instead.
My dad wanted one at the time but for business reasons he couldn't buy a foreign car. He got a 1990 Lincoln Continental instead.
#7
I still have a black 1990. I would jump in it right now and drive anywhere, Cali, Florida, you name it. If it had dual front airbags I'd still use it as a primary car. Unfortunately, it is just a backup for when I need to get parts for other vehicles or no snow on the road days for winter commutes.
The motor and trans are going into a project car when the body finally gives up against Michigan salt. When you spray brine on the roads before and after a storm, no car will bear it forever. Car from here? Avoid it!
The motor and trans are going into a project car when the body finally gives up against Michigan salt. When you spray brine on the roads before and after a storm, no car will bear it forever. Car from here? Avoid it!
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FYI for those who don't know what chariotz is about.
http://www.chariotz.com/aboutus
"We want to bring automobile lovers and customizers together in a photo rich, collaborative online environment, helping inspire, provide ideas, and connect each other. We want to make it simple, easy and fun for everyone to DRIVE DIFFERENT™. We want to make auto customization & restoration more easily and widely accessible.
We are based in San Francisco, California."
http://www.chariotz.com/aboutus
"We want to bring automobile lovers and customizers together in a photo rich, collaborative online environment, helping inspire, provide ideas, and connect each other. We want to make it simple, easy and fun for everyone to DRIVE DIFFERENT™. We want to make auto customization & restoration more easily and widely accessible.
We are based in San Francisco, California."
#9
Pole Position
#10
I still have a black 1990. I would jump in it right now and drive anywhere, Cali, Florida, you name it. If it had dual front airbags I'd still use it as a primary car. Unfortunately, it is just a backup for when I need to get parts for other vehicles or no snow on the road days for winter commutes.
The motor and trans are going into a project car when the body finally gives up against Michigan salt. When you spray brine on the roads before and after a storm, no car will bear it forever. Car from here? Avoid it!
The motor and trans are going into a project car when the body finally gives up against Michigan salt. When you spray brine on the roads before and after a storm, no car will bear it forever. Car from here? Avoid it!
#11
Lexus Fanatic
This is flat out absurd. There is nothing but positive evidence that airbags save lives. All you have to do is look at traffic fatalities before airbags and after, it is simply not even a question that you are safer in a car with airbags than without.
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