Hi, I am from alaska my name is Kyle I currentally drive a 92 audi v8 and want to sell it and get something a little newer. Ever since I have seen the ls model I was in love. It looks great. Then I got to climb in a 91 and was blown away at how much nicer the interior is compared to my audi. I have read lots of reviews and can't find any really bad ones. I heard around 97' it had been the car the year in a review and 4 years in a row won awards for most reliable and such. I don't know if any of you have heard of Top Gear on BBC but they did a episode in 91 comparing the ls400 to a bmw 7-series a mercedes 560se and a jag and it won same in 97. Living in alaska I would only buy one if it had heated seats and tracks. How well is the tracks system? I like the 95-97 best bigger body and better interior. I test drove a 99 rx300 best thing I ever drove I hope this one is like that.

 

Welcome to the board Kyle. I can't speak for the 2nd gen LS but I can tell you the TCS works pretty well in my 98. I also find the ETC (electronic throttle control) to be really helpful in the snow. As far as the heated seats, I think they become less effective as they get older. My 06 Envoy will cook your butt while my LS only get it's comfortably warm.

 

Welcome to the forum.

I've seen the episode where Clarkson trashed a ls400 but i watch topgear all the time, great show!

With being in Alaska, i don't know if the seats would heat up in time for you to get out to your car if you have remote starter installed on it, but it would be a nice feature to have.

Either way, buy a LS and you won't regret it.

 

Welcome to CL Kyle. My second gen 95 did well in the snow. The TRAC works like any other car I guess - no wheel spin. Heated seats are nice - sometimes the heating element goes out - don't know what it costs to replace though. I just clicked 233,000k and I still dig it as a daily driver

The newer Audi A/S8's are nice although from a reliability perspective there is no comparison.

 

as long as you have some good snow tires for winter, you'll be ok as long as you don't try to follow a jeep or something through the snow bank.
the heated seats are slow. technology back then wasn't as good as it is now so the heater elements aren't as strong as a new car.

 

yah my heated seats in the v8 are slow too but nice when they get going. I hear the ls is the most reliable car ever so i am apt to buy. What would you recommend. 1st gen 2nd gen or 3rd? The only thing I know that the 1st gen has going to it is a non interface engine so no damage if t-belt breaks.

 

if you have the money, obviously the 3rd gen! otherwise, a 1G will work just great as well. my favorite though is the 2nd gen 98+.

 

Although I am partial to 95-97 (mine) I dig the 98-2000 because of the many upgrades that came with that iteration. Either way though, 1G, 2G or 3G they are all good

 

my favriote is still the 1st gen LS. although all the newer one is better, faster, more comfiii, more craps going on. but i stay with my 1st gen till it like breaks down. then i will go with a LS600.