Would someone mind going through the evolution of the LS 400 from its inception through the end of production? I'm mostly interested in styling changes but would certainly love to hear about features, technology and performance as well..

Thanks in advance...

Ya don't say?

Still looking for info if anyone has it..

Thanks in advance...

Sal,

You can check here http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/u...56.htm#changes
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/u...92.htm#changes

There is a lot of data to be found on these forums by searching as well.

Have Fun!

Abcedefghij

Thanks for the links - and yes, the CPO page doesn't go back very far... Thanks for replying, though.

The Consumer Guide link is VERY helpful. Thank you again.

That consumer guide link was very very informative and helpful. Thanks!

Glad the links were useful, guys! Does anybody else have any?

These are Australian specific sites, but if there are any other aussies on the board (or and Yanks who are curious ! ) who would like to know the differences in Oz - spec LS400s between the years can look here :


http://www.carsales.com.au/pls/carsales/!cs_research.display_list?search_type=8&release_date=&make_name=LEXUS&model_name=
LS400&cs_segment_name=&body_name=&keyword=&engine_name=&cs_fuel_code=&price
_low=&price_high=&door_num=&seat_num=&engine_low=&engine_high=&trans_name=[/url]

http://m-a-g.com.au/preowned/cardetl.asp?item=181

http://m-a-g.com.au/preowned/cardetl.asp?item=98

(you may have to cut & paste the first url in your browser)

ok, here's my quick explanation of the design changes off the top of my head.... This should also help you distinguish the years when you see one driving on the road

gen 1 : 89-92
gen 2 : 93-97
gen 3 : 98-01
gen 4 : 02-present

the 89-91 had no LS400 emblem, the grille was taller than the headlights (chrome piece above grille), the rainlights were next to the headlights, grille has both horizontal and vertical bars.

in 1993 the headlights and grille became the same height (loses the chrome piece). the grille keeps the vertical bars, but they are spaced out a little more. the LS400 emblem appears on cars in 93 (maybe 92)

in 1998 the front dramatically changed where the headlights seperated from the grille, and the grill loses its vertical bars. the tail lights become not as wide. fog lights move down from the headlights onto the lower bumper. variable valve timing is introduced in the engine as well

in 2002, the LS430 came out and the front got a facelift again, many other changes including the new engine displacement

anyway, that should help you identify the different years as you see them on the roads. hope this helps, here's some pics i've picked out from the gallery representing the different generations. if anybody has any changes to the stuff i've said, just let me know. i did this in a few minutes, may have messed up somewhere

here's leosls400's 1991 LS


here's kimsinger's 1995 LS


here's a 1999 LS


here's a 2002 LS430

That was great! Thanks.

Great info, Egainer. Thanks! I will take one of each, please!!!

I see in the picture that the 1st gen has the foglights next to the headlights, so howcome on the 95 pic there isnt one on the bottom? or are the fogs optional?

Are the grills between the 1st and 2nd gen interchangeable?

sorry, forgot that part.

in second gen, the foglights were moved to the other side of the headlight... they are between the headlamp and the signal.

also the LS430 came out as a 2001, not a 2002 as i said earlier.

i would say they are interchangeable, as are the ES 92-96 even though the 92-94 are different than the 95-96