1996 Lexus LS 400 V8 4.0L from North America

Faults:

Nothing really went wrong on this car. I did regular maintenance on it. That is all.

My previous car was a 1991 LS400, which is currently being driven by a relative. Vehicle has over 243000 miles on it and it simply "asks for more" NO PROBLEMS with it at all - NONE. It rides today same as it did in 2001 when I first got it.

General Comments:

First Lexus LS400 has been released in 1990 after only 4 years of development; Mercedes has been in business some 81 years or so, and BMW even longer.

First model of Lexus ever released was an LS400. This car is very much over engineered. Early LS400's have gone to as far as 600000 miles and they are still on the roads today. This is probably the best built car ever.

Some say it is a boring car comparing to let's say Mercedes-Benz. I think you have to get behind the wheels of both of those cars to understand what I mean. I disagree that Lexus is boring. Even though I've had many high end cars, including Mercedes and BMW's, I will stick to a Lexus.

It is not a car that you will show off as much as in a Mercedes, but you will not let any car mechanic make money off you; this is the most reliable car ever built.

Some say: well, my power steering went out or alternator or A/C compressor... yes they did, but never on a car with less than 150000+ miles.

Having a good friend at a Lexus dealer who is a tech there, I was told that those cars are simply "bullet proof" (eg. its drivetrain is virtually unbreakable).

Well, enough of my opinions here; buy one and judge it for yourself. I'm 100% positive that you will not be disappointed with it, even if it has over 150000 on the odometer. I really mean it. This is truly an amazing vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th August, 2007

1996 Lexus LS 400 4.0 V8 from North America

Summary:

Much better than Mercedes and BMW!

Faults:

The CD Changer - when I bought the car, the CD changer was not in running condition. It was showing an error. I got it checked by a local electrician, he said it needs to be replaced. I got it checked by the Lexus dealer, they said the same thing. I bought a used, but in good working condition cd changer from ebay. After replacing the cd changer, it was still showing an error.

Same thing happened to my friend, who owns a 1995 LS400. Lexus has some kind of weird thing with CD changers. If you don't get them replaced by the dealer, it will never work again.

All LS400s have weak alternators. This is my 4th LS400 and I have replaced the alternator for all of them.

General Comments:

Beside the above problems, the car is just simply amazing. It's beautiful, roomy, elegant, and very affordable. The resale is good too. It's the best value for money. It gives you the elegant class for a very reasonable amount of money. A very durable and easy to maintain car.

I recently drove the 2001 Mercedes S500. Except for its suspension, there was nothing better than my LS400. This week I am planning to trade in my 1996 LS400 for a 1998 LS400.

Thanks LEXUS, for making my decision so easy in buying a new car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd January, 2006

6th Oct 2008, 22:10

I have a 91 Lexus LS400. Constant power steering pump and alternator problems abound. This is not good as it can leave you stranded without much warning. Watch for dimming lights, slow window wipers, flickering dash or dash lit up like a Christmas tree. If these signs exist look for a populated exit and pray an auto parts store is near. I bring a metric tool set with me at all times and a small floor jack kept in the roomy trunk. Nice driving car, but not real reliable.