NiteOwl

I am currently searching for an LS. I am torn between getting a 95 to 97 or a 98/99. The older ones are much lower priced, seems like you can find them in great shape in the $14k range. However, I really like the new front end/HIDs of the next generation. Not to mention 290 horses, 5 speed etc. 98/99 are hard to find under $21k unless you find one with a ton of miles, which I am not interested. Its the typical get what you want versus making a price compromise. Obviously both are fine cars assuming you find one that has been well maintained. My question is for members who have owned both - are the newer ones worth the price difference? Any other issues I should consider? Anything else specific you like about either model? Opinions are appreciated. Thanks...

Horta

NightOwl

When I wrecked my 91 and had to buy a Newer LS I asked myself the same questions. I was hoping to spend less money and be more than satisfied with a 95 - 97 model. I'll tell ya I test drove many many LS's. There was a big price difference between the two but other than price there was a big mechanical difference. The engine felt so much stronger to me. The gas pedal had a much lighter feel to me because of the electronic throttle change. The wood in the 98 plus is a lighter more pleasing shade. The leather is softer in the 98s. The ride is even quieter because of better sound insulation and thick windshields. I can go on.

What I told myself while shopping was to be open minded. I looked at both model years. I just did not find the right perfectly maintained low miles 95-97 for the right price. I did happen to find a perfectly maintained garage kept and babied 24k mile 98 for only $28,500. Yes that is a little more than I wanted to spend but I tell you it was well worth it. The car is practically brand new. Now I did tons of research to find this car. Every day THREE time a day I logged onto AutoTrader.com, EbayMotors.com, Cars.com, and all my local papers web sites. This was a pain especial since I was doing this at work too. But I ended up with the deal of the century. SO consistent shopping pays off. I almost bought a car of ebaymotors but backed out at the last minute cause the condition was not as good as I wanted. I need up getting my car from an ad on Cars.com. That web site pulls ad from all the US newspapers, but I had to really widened my search area to over 100 miles to find my car. It was a tiny piddly little ad that just red 98LS400 25k $28,500 and phone number with no area code and no color. I did not call for a couple of days cause I figured at that price it must have had something wrong or a cheesy color. Remember this was almost a year ago so $28 was a steal. So anyways I looked up the Area code and called. The very next day I drove the 100 miles and bought the car.

So basically do lots of shopping and see what you find.

Good Luck and let us know what you find.
Jerry

ychachad

To me the newer ones are not worth the price. Consider this. I got my 92 LS400 for $5,400, with 170k miles on it. about 1,000 dollars later it runs like new. Of course everything is still old, but in running condition. A friend got a 98 LS400 for $35,000 in mint condition. Of course it is nicer, but the older gen 1 LS400 is just a smashing looking car. Newer models, IMO, just don't have the Japanese classic body styling. The gen 2 was the worst offender in terms of exterior styling. So, with an additional 30,000 dollars in my pocket, I am not at all disgruntled that I did not buy a newer LS400. You are free to your own opinion.

oac3

Bottomline is your price range. There are many many differences between the 1st Gen and the 2nd Gen models. For comparisons, check out this link from lexus.com

http://www.lexus.com/cpo/model_library/ls_98.html

I own a '99 fully loaded, now with 72K miles. Paid $33K OTD, in So Cal. Car is fully loaded with everything except air suspension. Initially, I had a lower budget of $25K. But after test driving a '96 and a '97 within the price range, I quickly upped my buying range to ~$35K OTD, so my purchase of the fully loaded '99 was a good deal FOR ME.

If you can afford spending a bit more, go for the newer models. But if $$$ is king, then get no earlier than a '93. It is believed that this model year had many of the kinks in the earlier releases fixed. It is also a great looking design.

Good luck with your purchase, and let us know what you get.

Lexozz

It all boils down to one's taste and satifaction, and of course your pocket. At the time I bought my LS back in '99 it had about 84k on the clock. The 3rd generation wasn't even an option, the dealers still wanted a good $40k+, but if I really had the option I would rather 3rd gen.. It's faster, more options and I just love the HIDs. Don't get me wrong I love my '95!