The Lexus LS400 Was The Japanese Mercedes - Best Luxury Car EVER? (1992 UCF10 II Road Test)

[@eduardojimenez2044]

Like driving a vault on wheels. Solid, powerful, buttery smooth and silent. True quality and brilliant design.

[@grayfool]

We ran a 2000 mk4 LS400 for 13 years. It was the best car we had ever owned by a mile.

[@garethshaw5165]

I have never had the privilege of driving one of these but I have always admired the engineering that goes into Lexus cars

[@retrocompaq5212]

drove a ton of these back then its like driving a 2000 camry

[@Rightonrightoff]

@@retrocompaq5212who hurt you? Stop spamming the comments section. We get it. You hate Lexus. No one that knows cars takes your comment seriously so in a way and ironically you just showing your ass 😂

[@kencampbell1082]

I bought my ls400 in 2006 and still have it never let me down only parts I had to put on it was tyres and service it

[@michaelarchangel1163]

Fabulous cars. A pal of mine who's in the undertaking business {retired but still called upon by the company he sold up to} once bought a 400 LS with over 90,000 miles on the clock, and I recall him telling me that it drove like a brand new car.

[@omega19uk]

My Father moved from the Honda Legend to the LS400 when it was launched and he has gone through the model generations over time 1st gen to the 2nd gen LS400..430 (x2)..to now, what he calls his final car (now coming up to being 85yrs old) LS 600h bought in its last year of production 2017...overtime he had absolutely ZERO problems apart from the little now and again niggles which the dealership fixed immediately and this was right across ownership.

[@edwardmcginley]

Lexus in America had a problem by 1991 it’s dealerships were jam packed with Mercedes’ BMWs and jags traded in for the ls400 and the new owners never went back to European brands and Toyota reliability stood by these ls400s once warranty ran out. It got a mention a while back in auto car magazine as one of the most important cars from the past fifty years,Toyota had created a superstar here

[@retrocompaq5212]

lexus sold 10k more ls than cadillac selled the oudated seville in 1991 and when the 93 seville came out, cadillac outselled lexus by 10% through the 90's, which is less than lincoln, less than bmw, mercedes and audi, so lexus was one of the least popular brand of the 90's fake luxury market... basically lexus cars were sleeping on the lots by 94

[@siraff4461]

I had two of these years back. First one the cambelt snapped after I'd had it about 5k miles (total 155k) with allegedly FSH. Since they were worth the square route of nothing back then I scrapped it and got another. Never had a single issue with that one and it was one of the very best cars I've ever owned - even though it was high mile. Completely smooth and silent to the point I used to try and start it sometimes only to realise I already had. Conversations without raising my voice at national speed limits and on a gentle motorway run it even managed around 25mpg. I would have another anytime but they all seem to be battered and uncared for now. Such a shame because they really are a great bit of kit.

[@pmpbuhgm]

I still remember the day when I first saw an ad picture for the LEXUS LS400 it was in black in 1991 in some magazine where my impression was like "it is out of this world". BTW thank you so much for hosting this masterpiece of an automobile.

[@matthewgodwin3050]

I think the LS400 is a classic. A modern classic maybe, but a classic never the less.

[@burningknuckle26]

A Classic. Some of the best quality you will ever find.

[@joshriver75]

I bought my 2000 with 42k miles in 2004. I can't bring myself to part with it. Nearly 20 years later and I am at 368k miles. Ive done power steering pump. AIC valve, Alternator. Exhaust Y pipe, Timing belt 3 times. It has never not started. Everything else is still original.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks for sharing

[@ucazb4u]

I bought my 1998 with 70k miles in 2004. I've always said I'd keep mine 'forever'. 20 years later I'm at 238k miles. I've done timing belt and alternator and vacuum lines. Still looks and runs like new. Black on black with Gold trim.

[@carlwilliams3488]

Father in law owned 2 LS' (leased 2 as well), one 400 and a 430. Neither gave any trouble, offered me the 430 gratis when he replaced it but it needed a lot of work at nearly 20 years old and over 200k miles, he'd let the AC go and the Mark Levinson amp needed repair as the power caps had failed, along with the inevitible rot that had started it just never floated my boat (that and no room for it) so I passed. However if it was the 400 I'd have made room and fixed it up as it was just so much better looking, they are just so understated and timeless a bit like an 80's Merc.

[@berwhaletheavenger]

Yes it was. Toyota spent years observing the class leaders before launching the LS. Whilst some were better in certain areas (the 740i was more enjoyable too drive fast) the LS400 was the best all round luxury car you could buy. Mercedes, Rolls Royce.....Toyota. Yup.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Well said!

[@Birmingham_racing]

My brother in law had one and I loved how quiet it was. First one I've been in was a 1999 I was only a teenager at the time

[@ciaranburke3243]

Absolute classic gave the premium brands a scare back then and even now the attention to detail is amazing considering it was designed in the eights one of my favourite cars of all time 👍

[@trenttrevorrow5648]

Massive following with these, nice ones pop up for 10k+ and seemingly sell quick.

[@nigelbond4056]

In my humble opinion, when it was new the LS400 looked rather dull and had a plasticky interior. The depth of engineering was beyond reproach and it drove beautifully but was viewed at the time as a glorified Camry. But now, the design has stood the test of time, the build quality is still far better than a similar aged Mercedes and it deserves to be revered for both what it is, how it does it and what it made the competition do in response. Great car!

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

Forget stupid supercars, this is probably one of if not the greatest car ever made

[@retrocompaq5212]

its just a mercedes s class from the 80's that you bought on wish in the 90's

[@Rightonrightoff]

Not just the greatest car but also one of the most important cars in the history of cars. There’s before it and after it. Mercedes literally changed its entire business model after the release of this car. Its quality was so unmatched in its class it redefined everything. It even introduced new production and quality control methods. Not to mention it literally became the best selling luxury brand in the US (a feat no other new brand was never able to accomplish) and stayed there for over a decade until Mercedes came back again. It is still in the top three luxury brand ever. An amazing achievement only quality obsessed Japanese culture could produce. This one car did so much not just for itself but for the entire brand. It’s unfortunate its new iteration hasn’t been able to match the greatness of its special lineage.

[@moriwaki1105]

LS 400 Easily the Best car I ever owned.....had many Luxury cars since....NOTHING comes close to the reliability....and sheer driving pleasure of an LS400. Quietest....smoothest....best built.....most reliable......most enjoyable car ......they simply will never be anything like it again....the sound system is truly incredible too....I bought the 460 and it was a terrible drive compared to the 400.....had 400 7 years.....460 six months...enough said.....Far too complicated for no reason....buy the best 400 you can find...repair with genuine parts only....and have the Best Car EVER made.

[@wakakaforever007]

Street fighters finished them all!

[@たこたこ-p5r]

詳しくないから教えて欲しいのですが、これはセルシオではないんですか？ LS400の右ハンドル？

[@ndsd04]

I once parked my 06 plate LS430 next to a LS400 Mk3 Version, the 400 looked way better and going to buy one soon. It’s my last chance at getting another V8

[@jimmyquinn9639]

Good video 🚗🚙🚘👏👏⭐️⭐️👍

[@edwardmcginley]

It is giving them sleepless nights at stuttgart munich and Coventry I can well remember back to 1990.and that was so,it was smoother riding it was quieter it was better air conditioned and it was faster than all its competitors, the best Mercedes became second best overnight.was that a triumph? It most definitely was, ls 400 taught the long standing kings of luxury barges a trick or two!far play to Lexus

[@alexandrecouture2462]

Interesting!

[@Ashfielder]

This or an X300 XJ6, that’s my conundrum.

[@lesklower7281]

Maybe the Lexus LS400 could be considered a modern classic and you forgot to mention Australia we got them too and there are more Lexuses new ones older ones tham Mercedes-Benz BMWs Audi and Range Rovers combined in Australia and more Toyota's on the road than any other brand and that includes Mazdas Hondas and Suzuki's in Australia you are never to gar from Australia and l am never to far from my 1997 Toyota Hilux

[@lgeraldo2000]

Do not insult Lexus by calling the LS a Japanese Mercedes... Mercedes, from 94 onwards, doesn't come close. Mercedes as such died from w124, r129 and w140 onwards. I was a die hard fan but percieved quality has long replaced real quality you get in a Lexus or even toyota

[@paulnash4425]

It probably is a great car, but as a classic the w126 Mercedes wins hands down on style for me

[@stuarthowarth2972]

It's an emerging classic that you can daily drive for 1000s of miles

[@michaelhanna1227]

Exactly, the w126 is an original design. Although the LS is a great car, it's a pity that they took so much of the w126 exterior design. For me, it's not an interesting classic for that reason.

[@terryatkinson899]

Proper classic, don't listen to the anoraks who may have something different that they can only take out on a sunny day in case it falls to bits 😂 You could drive a 400 to the moon quality wise

[@videowsatcher]

Through time the problem is that it doesn't look luxurious relative to its competition. This combined with the badge is why it has never sold as well as the Germans despite, based on what is reported, being far more reliable. With this generation Lexus LS look at its price vs S500/500 SEL, S600/600 SEL W140. I don't think it will be a true classic and maybe the 7 series won't be either. The XJ may be due to its uniqueness and S class due to its badge and being one of the last properly built Mercs.

[@MineshShah]

No Lexus LS400, no VW Phaeton?

[@stuarthowarth2972]

??

[@berwhaletheavenger]

A what?

[@billmcclean6986]

I once heard a merc called the German Lexus

[@markcompton6750]

Alan Partridge 😂😂😂

[@berwhaletheavenger]

Back of the net!

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

I'm not driving a miniMetro! -Phil

[@markcompton6750]

@@ClassicsWorldUK they have just rebadged you fool 🤣

[@robertwatts1664]

I love Lexi ( plural )

[@owenb1t5014]

It’s actually an insult to Lexus to compare it to Mercedes. The engineering, refinement and above all, reliability of the Lexus LS400 is legendary. Simple oil and filter changes and these cars will and have done 1 million miles on original engine & drivetrain.

[@Birmingham_racing]

It's an insult because Lexus is more reliable?

[@owenb1t5014]

@@Birmingham_racing It’s an insult because the Lexus LS400 was way head of the Mercedes W140, in terms of refinement, it’s a V8 but smoother than a straight 6 almost. It’s ridiculous even in 2024 how good they are. I’m maintained with routine serving, they just keep on going and going and going ….. with no noise, no vibrations, just effortless driving and 100% confidence that it will get you to your destination.

[@richardlionheart3965]

I love the early generations of the LS but hate what it has become now with those awful grilles and chintzy interiors

[@andypicken7848]

I had one of these cars about 15 years ago when I first started dealing weed. I blacked out the windows to give it a more sinister look and so that rival dealers could not tell if I was the sole occupant. Great car never let me down while I was out on the round

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

Surprised you thought the ride was good.i remember going out in one of these when it was nearly new.me dad had a granada scorpio at the time and the ride quality of that knocked this into tin hats.this is the only japanese car i have ever liked tho but take one of these over a jaguar of which ive had many and still have,no chance.

[@chris91822]

I'm sure they are great cars and better than the competition but so ugly and boring.

[@paulsz6194]

So what so you drive , then? are any of your home appliancws Japanese, or are they all German? some might say you're dull & boring, as your comments don't evoke excitement & passion either.

[@tcc300892]

​@@paulsz6194 touched a nerve?

[@paulsz6194]

@@tcc300892 my nerves haven’t been touched. Facts are, most things that the Japanese design & create work very well and will equal or exceed their competitors. I’m sure @chris91822 hasn’t been behind the wheel of an NSX, let alone a Lexus LFA. Some years ago I got the privilege to drive a ‘93 NSX , and it still felt modern in the early 2000’s to me. The Japanese also make great Beer & Whiskey too.