Is it just me, or are the 1990-1994 LS400's instrument panels more 3-D looking? To me, the gauges actually seem to float in space. However, in the 1995 and newer, I can clearly see the ends of the needles and the black backing. Why did Lexus change this? I think it looks much cooler for them to float.

 

I've never noticed a difference. Its basically the same cluster.

 

I own a 1990 LS and a 2002 LS. It isn't your imagination. In the '90, I can only see the background under strong, direct sunlight. In the '02, I can see the background faintly almost all the time. Turning down the display brightness doesn't change this.

I think they made the smoke tint on the cover plate lighter for the newer models, probably because the older one is sometimes harder to see under bright lighting conditions. Too bad, really, because it partially spoils the 3D effect (as you noticed).

On the other hand, the '02 seems a lot brighter and more colorful. Everything is a tradeoff!

Sean

 

Maybe because it cost so damn much to fix!