Your favorite Lexus models . . . .
05-20-17, 01:36 AM
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Your favorite Lexus models . . . .
Post up your favorite ones, these make my list:
1992-2000 Lexus SC300/400. Probably the most obvious since I own one of these. The styling just ticks all the right boxes for me, even 25 years later, it still looks fresh and modern IMO. I bought my car mostly for the styling, both inside and out, but the chassis is great as well, RWD, smooth as silk inline six or V8 engine options, dead nuts reliable, the build quality is FAR better than anything the Germans were doing in the 90's.
1998-2000 Lexus LS400- Same classic styling as the og 1990 LS400, but with more modern headlamps, same feel as that car, but numerous technical improvements. #1 is the engine, 1UZ-FE with variable valve timing, it made this car "fast" in my book, the extra 40-50hp is very apparent compared to an earlier year LS.
1998-2005 Lexus GS400/GS430- Just something about this body style checks all the right boxes. Its a classy looking car, both inside and out. I really do like the interior on this car as well, its very plush and well made. Once again, the chassis is right, RWD, decent handling, but I like how this car is more about the ride/quietness than outright sportiness. Its also what I'd consider "fast", the 1998 GS400 was the fastest 4 door car you could buy in the United States.
2000-2005 Lexus IS300- Just something about the exterior styling of this car really does it for me. The compact dimensions, the sharp creases, the perfect proportions, it is BY FAR the best looking IS model ever made. I also like the small nature, the light weight, the very direct steering and stiff suspension, this thing drives more like a 2000's BMW 3 series than any other Lexus, by a good margin IMO. I know the 2nd gen IS was faster, but they lost the game with me, it wasn't as direct, a bit more isolated, heavier, top engine option only came with an automatic, ugly dash layout/outdated video screen, but mainly the styling was just BLAH, not ugly, but just a lot less unique and generic.
2001-2006 Lexus LS430- Maybe the most conservative looking sedan Lexus ever made, but it looks good with the right set of wheels(the 18" 5 spoke sport wheels are awesome and totally transform the look of the car IMO), The mid model update with the slightly tweaked front facia also helped, that design should have been what the car had from the start. Anyways, I love this car more for its faultless quality, the great ride, the tomb-like silence inside, the great interior, the comfortable seats, it is IMO the ultimate luxury barge, this is the quintessential "Cadillac" that Cadillac never made. Its just a pleasure to drive and ride around in, a much better made car than the Benz S-class of that time period, for a lot less money. 11-15 years later, the Lexus still works, is extremely reliable, and requires minimal upkeep, the S-class of that generation will eat you out of house and home, if it hasn't gone to the junkyard yet.
2013-2017 Lexus LS460- I never did like the dash/interior styling of the 2007-2012 LS460. Once again, the 07-12 car was very conservative in terms of design, like the LS430, but I feel like it wasn't as well made as the LS430, the interior kind of sucked for the 07-12 model years IMO. I feel like the 2013 refresh, with the spindle grill and improved interior made a world of difference, the car now has a soul, some personality, plus the interior took about 3 leaps forward in terms of design/fit/finish IMO.
2013-2017 Lexus GS350- Only the big 3.5 V6 model though, the 4 cylinder turbo models are a way for Lexus to rip you off(ie give you a similar lease payment to the old base 2013-2014 V6 GS350 but offer you an ill-performing 4 cylinder with 60 less horsepower). Something about the styling of this car just does it for me, the interior is faultlessly put together, just as nice as the LS if you option it up. The spry handling and agile chassis make it superior to the FWD based ES, the interior is better as well, all for about the same $$$$. This is a seriously under-rated car, especially considering it isn't much more than the way smaller/tighter IS. Compare it to the german competition for price, you get a V6 with 50 more horsepower, the car is loaded vs a lightly optioned E-class/5 series/Audi A6
Now onto SUV's
1999-2003 Lexus RX300- This car completely turned the industry on its ear IMO. First luxury, car-based "crossover" SUV. I know it was just a really well executed Camry wagon, with a bit of ride height and AWD, but damn this car completely redefined the industry and set a new trend for luxury SUV's. Plus I like the looks, the two tone treatment, the projector headlights, the clear tailights(similar to the 1st gen IS300), the weird bronze rear glass, it looks great in certain color schemes(love the brown/copper color these came in). Interior was 1st rate as well, nicer than the ES IMO, it was more GS/LS in terms of appointments/fit/finish, plus the price was pretty reasonable. Probably then 2nd most important car Lexus made behind the 1990 LS400.
1998-2007 Lexus LX470- Always loved this generation of Land Cruiser, the durability/reliability is faultless. Toyota designed these trucks to have a 25 year service life. I've driven plenty of them doing my part time valet job, a lot with over 200k miles, still look/run/drive tight, just like a new truck. The Lexus version has a plusher interior with really nice leather/more wood, but basically its the J100 Land Cruiser under the extra frosting, ie a great off road vehicle, a reliable truck, first time they put a V8 in a Land Cruiser, you really notice the extra power vs the previous versions with the inline six.
Anyways, these are my favorite Lexus cars, what do you like???
1992-2000 Lexus SC300/400. Probably the most obvious since I own one of these. The styling just ticks all the right boxes for me, even 25 years later, it still looks fresh and modern IMO. I bought my car mostly for the styling, both inside and out, but the chassis is great as well, RWD, smooth as silk inline six or V8 engine options, dead nuts reliable, the build quality is FAR better than anything the Germans were doing in the 90's.
1998-2000 Lexus LS400- Same classic styling as the og 1990 LS400, but with more modern headlamps, same feel as that car, but numerous technical improvements. #1 is the engine, 1UZ-FE with variable valve timing, it made this car "fast" in my book, the extra 40-50hp is very apparent compared to an earlier year LS.
1998-2005 Lexus GS400/GS430- Just something about this body style checks all the right boxes. Its a classy looking car, both inside and out. I really do like the interior on this car as well, its very plush and well made. Once again, the chassis is right, RWD, decent handling, but I like how this car is more about the ride/quietness than outright sportiness. Its also what I'd consider "fast", the 1998 GS400 was the fastest 4 door car you could buy in the United States.
2000-2005 Lexus IS300- Just something about the exterior styling of this car really does it for me. The compact dimensions, the sharp creases, the perfect proportions, it is BY FAR the best looking IS model ever made. I also like the small nature, the light weight, the very direct steering and stiff suspension, this thing drives more like a 2000's BMW 3 series than any other Lexus, by a good margin IMO. I know the 2nd gen IS was faster, but they lost the game with me, it wasn't as direct, a bit more isolated, heavier, top engine option only came with an automatic, ugly dash layout/outdated video screen, but mainly the styling was just BLAH, not ugly, but just a lot less unique and generic.
2001-2006 Lexus LS430- Maybe the most conservative looking sedan Lexus ever made, but it looks good with the right set of wheels(the 18" 5 spoke sport wheels are awesome and totally transform the look of the car IMO), The mid model update with the slightly tweaked front facia also helped, that design should have been what the car had from the start. Anyways, I love this car more for its faultless quality, the great ride, the tomb-like silence inside, the great interior, the comfortable seats, it is IMO the ultimate luxury barge, this is the quintessential "Cadillac" that Cadillac never made. Its just a pleasure to drive and ride around in, a much better made car than the Benz S-class of that time period, for a lot less money. 11-15 years later, the Lexus still works, is extremely reliable, and requires minimal upkeep, the S-class of that generation will eat you out of house and home, if it hasn't gone to the junkyard yet.
2013-2017 Lexus LS460- I never did like the dash/interior styling of the 2007-2012 LS460. Once again, the 07-12 car was very conservative in terms of design, like the LS430, but I feel like it wasn't as well made as the LS430, the interior kind of sucked for the 07-12 model years IMO. I feel like the 2013 refresh, with the spindle grill and improved interior made a world of difference, the car now has a soul, some personality, plus the interior took about 3 leaps forward in terms of design/fit/finish IMO.
2013-2017 Lexus GS350- Only the big 3.5 V6 model though, the 4 cylinder turbo models are a way for Lexus to rip you off(ie give you a similar lease payment to the old base 2013-2014 V6 GS350 but offer you an ill-performing 4 cylinder with 60 less horsepower). Something about the styling of this car just does it for me, the interior is faultlessly put together, just as nice as the LS if you option it up. The spry handling and agile chassis make it superior to the FWD based ES, the interior is better as well, all for about the same $$$$. This is a seriously under-rated car, especially considering it isn't much more than the way smaller/tighter IS. Compare it to the german competition for price, you get a V6 with 50 more horsepower, the car is loaded vs a lightly optioned E-class/5 series/Audi A6
Now onto SUV's
1999-2003 Lexus RX300- This car completely turned the industry on its ear IMO. First luxury, car-based "crossover" SUV. I know it was just a really well executed Camry wagon, with a bit of ride height and AWD, but damn this car completely redefined the industry and set a new trend for luxury SUV's. Plus I like the looks, the two tone treatment, the projector headlights, the clear tailights(similar to the 1st gen IS300), the weird bronze rear glass, it looks great in certain color schemes(love the brown/copper color these came in). Interior was 1st rate as well, nicer than the ES IMO, it was more GS/LS in terms of appointments/fit/finish, plus the price was pretty reasonable. Probably then 2nd most important car Lexus made behind the 1990 LS400.
1998-2007 Lexus LX470- Always loved this generation of Land Cruiser, the durability/reliability is faultless. Toyota designed these trucks to have a 25 year service life. I've driven plenty of them doing my part time valet job, a lot with over 200k miles, still look/run/drive tight, just like a new truck. The Lexus version has a plusher interior with really nice leather/more wood, but basically its the J100 Land Cruiser under the extra frosting, ie a great off road vehicle, a reliable truck, first time they put a V8 in a Land Cruiser, you really notice the extra power vs the previous versions with the inline six.
Anyways, these are my favorite Lexus cars, what do you like???
05-20-17, 02:14 AM
#2
Driver
You seem to have forgotten my GS460 in there haha.
I have only owned the GS460, and Lexus doesn't have a huge following here in Australia, though the Toyota Parallels do.
The Toyota Soarer gen 1-3 : particularly the SC400 with a 1JZ with a few nice mods. Or the 2G with 3L turbo. Beasts.
The LS400/Totota Celsior - not much I need to say, we all know and love them, tough and timeless.
The Toyota Aristo - GS300 on steroids, 2JZGTE, more aggressive styling, and nicer front and rear lights (IMHO) amazing car.
I have only owned the GS460, and Lexus doesn't have a huge following here in Australia, though the Toyota Parallels do.
The Toyota Soarer gen 1-3 : particularly the SC400 with a 1JZ with a few nice mods. Or the 2G with 3L turbo. Beasts.
The LS400/Totota Celsior - not much I need to say, we all know and love them, tough and timeless.
The Toyota Aristo - GS300 on steroids, 2JZGTE, more aggressive styling, and nicer front and rear lights (IMHO) amazing car.
05-20-17, 03:16 AM
#3
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Oh I forgot to mention the new LC500, perhaps the most "man it looks exactly like the wild concept vehicle" since the Plymouth Prowler or Dodge Viper.
Such bull**** that we didn't get some of those twin turbo terrors that are oh so common in Japan. Things like 1JZ-GTE Toyota Soarer(Lexus SC300), 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic, Toyota Chaser, I think those were RWD, 1JZ-GTE/2JZ-GTE, looked like a Camry but RWD with hot-rod motors. Then there was the Aristo, 2 generations with the 2JZ-GTE/automatic combo, such bull**** that we had maybe 10,000 2JZ-GTE Supras imported to the US, but all of these upmarket Japanese sedans had the same damn engine, and Toyota sold a butt-load of them
Such bull**** that we didn't get some of those twin turbo terrors that are oh so common in Japan. Things like 1JZ-GTE Toyota Soarer(Lexus SC300), 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic, Toyota Chaser, I think those were RWD, 1JZ-GTE/2JZ-GTE, looked like a Camry but RWD with hot-rod motors. Then there was the Aristo, 2 generations with the 2JZ-GTE/automatic combo, such bull**** that we had maybe 10,000 2JZ-GTE Supras imported to the US, but all of these upmarket Japanese sedans had the same damn engine, and Toyota sold a butt-load of them
Last edited by Aron9000; 05-20-17 at 03:37 AM.
05-20-17, 05:30 AM
#4
GS400/GS430 hands down my favorite of all time! Growing up i had every toy model of that car from Dub addition to oem die cast. Sadly, I've owned the 3gen and 4th Gen GS, but never my favorite 2nd gen. I was thinking of buying an 01 GS430 for the he'll of it...maybe project car.
05-20-17, 06:50 AM
#5
Lexus Test Driver
Of course I have to say RX300, since I've owned it for over a decade now and I still enjoy it very much!
However, my favorite Lexus has to be the 2013+ GS350. Absolutely gorgeous car, and will most definitely be the next car I buy. That's not to say, I don't love the LFA or LC but they are out of my price range to be my favorites. lol
However, my favorite Lexus has to be the 2013+ GS350. Absolutely gorgeous car, and will most definitely be the next car I buy. That's not to say, I don't love the LFA or LC but they are out of my price range to be my favorites. lol
05-20-17, 07:44 AM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
The Fourth-Generation ES300/330 is my all-time Lexus favorite. Looking back, in hindsight, I wish I had bought one new instead of the IS300 I owned at the time. I was taken in, though, by the chronograph-style gauges, chrome-ball shifter, and bright yellow paint of the IS300 I owned. The 4Gen ES, though, IMO, was the best car for the money that Lexus ever did, though the LS430 was probably the best, period.
05-20-17, 10:03 PM
#7
Lexus Test Driver
The current GS is $10k more than the current ES. So I'd say they are not the same money as stated above.
But I agree, I think the current GS is severely underrated. GS's have been underrated since the beginning.
I agree with Mike about the fourth generation ES. The interior, is by far, one of the sweetest car interiors to come along in the last 60 years. I cannot think of a better way to balance the flow of a dashboard and center console. No other car has managed such perfect balance from one side to the other, top to bottom. And I've spent a lifetime scrutinizing such things. If I could lift this interior into the current GS, I'd have my perfect car. I'd skip that ES's body, due to the wild Botox headlights.
But I agree, I think the current GS is severely underrated. GS's have been underrated since the beginning.
I agree with Mike about the fourth generation ES. The interior, is by far, one of the sweetest car interiors to come along in the last 60 years. I cannot think of a better way to balance the flow of a dashboard and center console. No other car has managed such perfect balance from one side to the other, top to bottom. And I've spent a lifetime scrutinizing such things. If I could lift this interior into the current GS, I'd have my perfect car. I'd skip that ES's body, due to the wild Botox headlights.
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05-21-17, 10:38 AM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
Yes my 03 ES300 was a great car, still is it's still in the family. Great interior...but it sure is ugly. I bought it despite its looks. It grew on me, but I would never call it "good looking". The next gen ES350 is a much better looking car, especially the refresh, although the interior wasn't anywhere near as nice.
My favorite Lexus of all time? The 98-00 LS400. My favorite one I've owned? That, or perhaps my 2013 GS. Loved them all but the GS has the most soul. If it were about 3 inches longer...
My favorite Lexus of all time? The 98-00 LS400. My favorite one I've owned? That, or perhaps my 2013 GS. Loved them all but the GS has the most soul. If it were about 3 inches longer...
05-21-17, 12:59 PM
#10
Throughout the company's history I never cared for any of their models besides the 2nd generation IS.
Then in 2010 Lexus began undergoing a transformation to begin making more exciting cars. I liked the GS, 3rd gen IS, and LFA. The LC and upcoming LS are both very impressive.
Then in 2010 Lexus began undergoing a transformation to begin making more exciting cars. I liked the GS, 3rd gen IS, and LFA. The LC and upcoming LS are both very impressive.
05-21-17, 01:33 PM
#11
I liked every Lexus model before the ugly grille makeover. I knew Lexus as the brand with Luxury Elegance. Now the brand make themselves look aggressive. You can't mix elegance with aggressiveness together. Ask how I know.
Maybe they should've slapped the ugly grilles on the Scion to see if it boosts sales before killing off the brand. Lexus is driven mainly by older mid aged people, not young kids. Scion is made to appeal towards younger customers. And younger folks like aggressive cars. Just sayin'.
Maybe they should've slapped the ugly grilles on the Scion to see if it boosts sales before killing off the brand. Lexus is driven mainly by older mid aged people, not young kids. Scion is made to appeal towards younger customers. And younger folks like aggressive cars. Just sayin'.
Last edited by b2884987; 05-21-17 at 01:37 PM.
05-21-17, 06:29 PM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
What do you find ugly? The only thing to me that looks awkward is the excessively-swept headlights that go halfway back up the sides of the hood. I'm of the general belief that headlights belong up front.....not a foot or two away from the windshield.
05-21-17, 07:08 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by mmarshall
What do you find ugly? The only thing to me that looks awkward is the excessively-swept headlights that go halfway back up the sides of the hood. I'm of the general belief that headlights belong up front.....not a foot or two away from the windshield.
05-21-17, 07:18 PM
#14
Lexus Champion
Yes, the headlights were an issue and the butt was pretty big!
My favorite Lexus models:
My favorite Lexus models:
- Any year SC300/400 (I owned a '99 SC300)
- 2nd Gen GS (I owned an '01 and '03)
- 1st Gen IS (never owned one but still think it looks great)
- Pre-refresh 4th Gen GS (owned a '13 but wouldn't consider the latest model)
- LC500 (will look good for many years to come)
05-21-17, 07:19 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
Butt was way better looking than the front lol.
I remember when I got my ES350, i was relieved to be in a car that I found attractive from every angle.
I remember when I got my ES350, i was relieved to be in a car that I found attractive from every angle.