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Not-a Lexus
Say this car in my neighborhood new Boston. Never saw one before. It's a Japan only pre-Lexus. I believe it was the 'prototype' for the Lexus LS400.
Anyone else every see one in North America? https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...21c7b46273.jpg |
"saw", 'near' Boston
Kinda look punked out with spread of the rear wheels. |
pretty sure that's just a kid with an LS and an aliexpress account.
a shame. that car was once in the garage of a dentist. now driven by a broccoli head! |
Maybe, but:
The Toyota Celsior is the name used in Japan for the luxury sedan that was sold in North America as the Lexus LS. Introduced in 1989, the Celsior was a full-size luxury car that competed with other luxury brands, known for its innovative technology, high-quality construction, quiet ride, and comfort. The project was a major investment for Toyota, and the Celsior's success influenced the design of luxury cars worldwide. |
If the steering wheel is in the right, it's a Celsior. On the left it's an imposter. Likely driven by a weeaboo kid.
Can't stand those. |
>If the steering wheel is in the right, it's a Celsior
Right, I took the pix from the street, there was no where to pull over to get out and look more closely. I'll go back, park down the street, and walk to it. I'll try to get a pix of the interior. But if it is a Toyota, you gotta wonder how it came to be the USA. |
Originally Posted by pab12
(Post 11969605)
>If the steering wheel is in the right, it's a Celsior
Right, I took the pix from the street, there was no where to pull over to get out and look more closely. I'll go back, park down the street, and walk to it. I'll try to get a pix of the interior. But if it is a Toyota, you gotta wonder how it came to be the USA. Driving from the right side would be a nightmare especially making left turns at busy and high speed intersections. |
We see quite a few of those Japanese "private imports" showing up here; I think there are firms in Vancouver importing them and reselling to private owners. Mostly young people (students) driving them (the price is right?) and not only Toyota but several other brands as well. I believe that it is not economical for them to be maintained to the inspection standard required in Japan once they are around 10 years old. I generally think of them as "rice rockets" because they are lowered, have expensive wheels, rubber band tires, and noisy exhausts (and sound systems). You can find a few of these importers with a Yahoo or Google search for <used Japanese cars imports xxx> where xxxx stands for any of several West Coast cities. As doug^ says the right-hand drive would certainly put me off as being impractical here in N.A. Of course, people from N.A. do get used to driving "on the wrong side" in the UK (or Aus or any other country where they drive on the left side of the road) but I shudder to think of trying to pass slower traffic on a narrow road.
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It looks like one of those custom “VIP” cars.
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Originally Posted by pab12
(Post 11969589)
Maybe, but:
The Toyota Celsior is the name used in Japan for the luxury sedan that was sold in North America as the Lexus LS. no matter what it used to be, this car is now made into a pile. i'll bet those fenders are beat, wrinkled, and rusty |
Went to a Toyota / Lexus / Scion Bash that included RHD vs LHD and there were a few Celsiors.
I managed to get this one, but there were rows of them and ones scattered throughout the event. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...9f8592738.jpeg |
Got a pix of the front, which included a license plate from Japan.
Bit still, not every many of these in New England. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...379e21e1e7.jpg |
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