View Poll Results: As an LS400 Driver, soon i will be...
selling my LS400, getting a LS430, keeping 400
1
4.00%
selling my LS400, getting a LS460, keeping 400
2
8.00%
selling my LS400, getting a LS430, ditching 400
1
4.00%
selling my LS400, getting a LS460, ditching 400
0
0%
I love my car, no interest in changing what i drive
20
80.00%
im getting something different besides an LS
0
0%
im going to get a second LS400 so i have 2
1
4.00%
I dont have an LS400. dont want one either.
0
0%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll
LS400 drivers... changing soon?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 100
From: Florida
LS400 drivers... changing soon?
With the LS500 knocking at the front door the LS460 is about to be old news, and earlier models are beginning to drop in price, and once the 500 is here they are going to freefall. and as some of you seen the prices have seriously come down on the Ls430s recently. today you can pick up a pristine example of even a 2000 LS400 fully loaded for under 5k. some of us do drive older pre 97 models that are now well over 20 years old. is anyone here making the jump soon to the 430 or 460? personally I cant stand the 430 and im planning on just bypassing it and getting a 07-09 LS460 by the end of the year as my new main car. I love my 95 LS400 and you would have to drag me kicking and screaming from it into something else, however its now 22 years old and is getting past its "drive it everyday and on road trips" main car. and I know that sooner or later its going to seriously ***** the bed and will rape my wallet when it does. and as much as I HATE to do it, it will be time to move on into something that's from the 21st century. will I get rid of my 95 LS400? HELL no, but she will be in retirement living out her golden years as a weekend driver and as a garage queen because she is still beautiful and runs perfect. so, what about you guys? with the early LS430 now being 15 years old, and the 460 now ten...
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 971
Likes: 98
From: FL
The problem with getting a newer car is the complexity. The LS400 is a relatively basic car of great quality. As long as you do t have air suspension the car is relatively cheap and easy to repair. When you go with an LS430 with an Ultra Luxury package or something you're really dealing with an entirely new animal. The increase in parts count and complexity makes owning and maintaining that car (still over 10 years old) ten fold over the LS400.
The newer cars are nicer for sure, but the simply engineering is out the window. I am keeping my LS400's but mainly because I like tinkering and I like the classic styling of the cars. I'm running one as a daily driver but only because I keep top maintenance and repairs on it and am able to cure most any problem with it the same day it happens. The LS400 is starting to get a little cost prohibitive to own for those who aren't very mechanically inclined.
The newer cars are nicer for sure, but the simply engineering is out the window. I am keeping my LS400's but mainly because I like tinkering and I like the classic styling of the cars. I'm running one as a daily driver but only because I keep top maintenance and repairs on it and am able to cure most any problem with it the same day it happens. The LS400 is starting to get a little cost prohibitive to own for those who aren't very mechanically inclined.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 264
Likes: 10
From: FL
Since my LS400 is under 60K miles and basically like new I won't be trading for anything in the near term. I agree with what Banshee says. If my LS were to suffer some major calamity I would find another low mile LS400.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 575
Likes: 46
From: CO
I got my '99LS in 2005 with 37K miles, it now has 221K miles, I have since learned a lot about the car, accumulated a nice collection of tools and try do everything myself, had a mechanic change timing belt twice, I am thinking I will do next timing belt myself. I don't want to sell out of economical reasons. The car is now worth around $3000, but its a solid car and worth to me a lot more.. I am frugal and like the idea of having a solid that is cheap ( yet,super quiet, soft, fast) and cheap to keep (provided you work on it yourself). My insurance is cheap, registration is $80/year. A friend bought a new Touareg and first year his registration was $1462!!!
I would love a newer car, don't get me wrong but it's an "arbitrary want", the car I have does pretty much everything I need in a car, might drive it into the ground, see how long it lasts
I would love a newer car, don't get me wrong but it's an "arbitrary want", the car I have does pretty much everything I need in a car, might drive it into the ground, see how long it lasts
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 971
Likes: 98
From: FL
Re: the LS500. Toyota seems to be finally started the process of abandoning the V8. This is the first LS where it's number doesn't signify the displacement of its V8. Really this car should be called the LS350 as its powered by a twin turbo 3.5 V6. Impressive power I'm sure but we all have come to love the magnificent Lexus V8's.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 971
Likes: 98
From: FL
Re: the LS500. Toyota seems to be finally starting the process of abandoning the V8. This is the first LS where it's number doesn't signify the displacement of its V8. Really this car should be called the LS350 as its powered by a twin turbo 3.5 V6. Impressive power I'm sure but we all have come to love the magnificent Lexus V8's.
Trending Topics
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 98
From: ca
I'm with Banshee on the styling, that is more important to me than anything else. I hate the styling of all the newer cars. Except for the Camaro and challenger.
Its the exit from the copy copy bubble roofs every "cheap" car has now.
And X2 the complexity. And the electronic dangers and snoop ability of all the new cars.
Its the exit from the copy copy bubble roofs every "cheap" car has now.
And X2 the complexity. And the electronic dangers and snoop ability of all the new cars.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,286
Likes: 212
From: Chandler, AZ
No way. I love the relative ease of fixing this car (97'). With the newer ones, there's more redundant stuff to break that I wouldn't care to fix that probably affects everything else which won't be cheap.
My 97 serves a purpose of being a very comfortable long distance and daily driver, I still get complimented by the Lexus techs at the dealer when I come in for parts as they like the handbuilt and quality my generation has over the newer, assembly line built generic ones. I don't care if I have the latest and greatest LS400/430/460 as I'm not into keeping up with the Jones'. I'm more interested in reaching the 300k milestone than I am about the new LS500 to be honest.
My 97 serves a purpose of being a very comfortable long distance and daily driver, I still get complimented by the Lexus techs at the dealer when I come in for parts as they like the handbuilt and quality my generation has over the newer, assembly line built generic ones. I don't care if I have the latest and greatest LS400/430/460 as I'm not into keeping up with the Jones'. I'm more interested in reaching the 300k milestone than I am about the new LS500 to be honest.
I had an LS430UL prior to my LS400, it was rear ended so I decided I'd scoop up a LS400 because I liked the way they looked over the LS430. I am starting to like to 2013+ LS460F's though and am waiting for them to come down in price. I have to admit I did like my LS430UL over my current LS400, mainly for the interior really as the luxuries far outweighed the LS400. I will be keeping my LS400 for a while as I've been collecting parts to install this year prior to the "show season," in hopes of turning some heads or atleast getting it to the point where I look at it and am just like DAAAAAAAAAAMN, haha....
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 35
Likes: 6
From: Kentucky
I'm totally smitten with my LS400. It comes to me after 5 years with a Miata as a daily driver. The space, power, and luxury are purely intoxicating! I'm still getting used to the fuel mileage and complexities of it. But, the pleasure of the experience far outweighs those concerns for me. I've been in love with first gen LS since they first hit the US market. I always said I would have one some day and that day came in December of 2016. Sure, she's an older model, sure she isnt as technologically advanced as the new ones. But this car is exactly what I wanted. I dont need navi, awd, push-button start, and all those modern trappings. Give me big comfort, space, leather, wood, and the smells of quality...the tactile stuff...let ME do the driving and I'm happy as a kid with a cake!
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 39
Likes: 66
From: Florida
Had Twin 1998 LS 400's one silver, one burgundy. Loved them both. Great cars. Got 160K on the wife's and sold it to buy a 04 LS 430. My 400 had 240K and the transmission started to give me trouble (yes, I had done trans service flushes every 50K miles) and I bought an 07 LS 460. LOVE my 460. It is a different car from the 430. The 430 is super smooth, but the 460 is way more fun to drive and has more toys. I recommend the LS 460!
Pit Crew
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 172
Likes: 21
From: California
My son will be inheriting my 98 in a year or so and yes, I am tempted to at least test the 430 out. The interiors are beautiful but some research sees they have their own quirks as well. That said, nothing stopping me from getting another well cared for 400.