2nd Jun 2009, 15:05
I hate that too. And often it is not even the tires. How about the valve inserts, 50 cents each?
30th Jun 2009, 13:18
The car is heavy and boring. Expensive??? Go buy a Mercedes or a BMW. Heck, even a Volvo costs more to maintain. Timing belts are a part of life. So are shocks, brakes and fluids along with anything else that can age which is everything. I bought my Lexus not too long ago. It seems solid, but it is a slug in comparison to its European counterparts. I will say that much...
15th Jul 2009, 02:21
1997 Lexus LS400: I am a new owner of an LS owned by a very elderly lady. 229,000 and I swear the car purrs like a kitten, A/C freezes me out, and all options work... Here is my question, as I have often seen advice given to get rid of the height adjustment (mines is without) is it characteristic of the LS to be cushy on the road, but when going into a driveway, the smallest curb causes a thud. New shocks? Feels almost Audi like.
23rd Aug 2010, 20:51
I agree that the car is heavy and for most people boring, but with a 0-100km time of 6.9secs, it’s enough to beat most boy racers off the lights. I am on my 4th Lexus including: LX470, GS300 and 2 LS400s.
It sounds like the car has not been serviced properly or had the clock wound back, it’s not uncommon for people to wind the clocks back on LS400s or LX470s, some of the examples I have seen had as much as 793,000km and look like they have done about 150,000km.
When I sold my last LS400 it had 350,000km and the rubber suspension bushes were only just starting to become an issue which were the original ones along with the original gear box, diff, engine and shocks (non-adjustable). The cup holders are annoying in the front, although a car phone was an option in Australia with buttons on the steering wheel as well.
Last of all I can get 8.5L/100km on freeway and 14L/100km around town and I have a lead foot, so I disagree with your comment about the car having a thirsty V8.
8th Nov 2010, 11:09
As someone who has driven a host of euro cars, that left my bank account in a constant state of emptiness, the Lexus was a much needed Godsend.
As for being boring and heavy, far from it, I find it very fast and responsive, more so than my previous BMW 730, and it's by no means a sports car, and was never meant to be, you must view these beauties as super comfy cruisers.
Bought at an amazing 260k, now at 320k, and still drives like a new car, devoid of rattles or squeaks, totally reliable in every respect.
I love this car, and I also love the fact that my bank account is now in a constant state of full.
Thank you Lexus.
8th Jan 2012, 05:44
I too agree with the poster to whom you have replied in general. I have not been impressed with the car at all. It is not comfortable as I explained in an earlier review.
The cup holders are too small, except for small cups or cans. My brother's Sentra has adjustable cup holders.
The transmission downshifts that occurs during passing maneuvers sends the RPMs within centimeters of the red line, and you will certainly know it as it is loud, and a bit scary.
The car appeared pristine, ran quiet and seemed to run well when I when I bought it, but the people who buy these new generally take care of them, including keeping them in a garage.
Overall, my 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis is just as good a car for 1/3 the price. Also has more features such as compass, side lights when turning, continuous gas consumption display, larger trunk, and is more comfortable.
Overall, the car seems over rated.
18th Jun 2012, 19:44
I have had my 1997 LS 400 for 8 years. It had 91k when I bought it, and it now has 150k. Some of the repairs have been expensive. All new power steering hoses, all front end hoses, water pump, timing belt. Several sets of brakes and tires. All that is still only about 70 a month for repairs.
There are very few non OEM parts for this car. So you have to pay Lexus prices for parts.
My clear coat is now burning off, and I have a row of new blisters about an inch behind the windshield. So I'm finally thinking about parting with my old friend... the paint repair is not worth the money.
I love this car. Reliable. Very nice to drive across country. My highway miles are equal or better than most of the V6 cars on the road made today. Not bad for a big V8.
19th Jun 2012, 11:39
One thing about these cars that never impressed me is the interior. It just looks like an oversized economy car inside!! I don't know why anyone would pay so much money for a giant Camry with a cheapo interior.
Reliability is admittedly good, but when the car is this boring, who cares?
15th Nov 2019, 13:40
Maybe the author of the review would be happier in a Fiat 500. After all the Fiat is light and the biblical unreliability would make his or her life a bit more... "interesting".
And for whoever brought a Mercury Grand Marquis to this discussion, I suggest you to buy a brand new Grand Marquis. No, wait! You can't do that anymore, can ya? Because Mercury was an useless brand with no reason to exist.
15th Nov 2019, 21:20
Why buy a bland Lexus? For the L? A new Toyota with options seems to make much more sense.
15th Nov 2019, 22:06
Well, then I want to buy a Scion... oops.
Speaking of "useless brands with no reason to exist"...
15th Nov 2019, 23:02
Can't buy a new LS 400 either; whether still being made or not the Grand Marquis is a much more comfortable, smoother, solid built body on frame vehicle compared to a LS 400, though both are very reliable.
16th Nov 2019, 07:57
Like Ford did with Mercury, Toyota got rid of Scion. Why? Because it was a useless brand with no reason to exist.
16th Nov 2019, 23:57
American cars are so crappy that the entire American car industry needed a bailout in 2009.
16th Nov 2019, 23:58
Expensive, heavy, and boring? That's the Mercury Grand Marquis alright. What a piece of crap!
17th Nov 2019, 20:03
"American cars are so crappy that the entire American car industry needed a bailout in 2009."
A bit of a generalization :)
But I see where you are coming from. Mid to late 2000s cars are a funny one. I think all manufacturers can make decent cars, but the time period is important - and there are some better than others and it does not always go steady upwards in a smooth way just because technology gets better. There is business and politics and the general state of the world to consider. Example - 60s/early 70s - great if you like muscle cars. Late 70s/early 80s - awful cars let's be honest. By the late 80s with fuel injection and airbags, cars were getting better again. 1990s is the sweet spot in my opinion. Cars after the year 2000? Far too many complex electronics to go wrong and expensive to repair. But no one will deny they are light years ahead in safety and economy.
Gentlemen, debates like this can go on forever about which car is best or better than another. The car in question (97 Lexus) is by no means a bad car, but expensive to repair, I think that's all you have to keep in mind. Mercury? Well some like them and some don't. Nothing wrong with a more luxurious Ford though - I have had a few and they have been OK, from the 1990s of course.
17th Nov 2019, 20:16
And then are others that love the ride, 5 star safety record, leg and headroom. The styling then... wasn’t an issue. I had them as free brand new company cars, free fuel, free repairs, tires brakes etc with no car loans, Plus free car insurance. I could have turned that benefit down, quit my career over having new ones every few years. I never need to ever praise a company car as not a single dime was out of my pocket. Unless it was good and they were. So worth mentioning. Dropping off for service issues was not an issue with this model and Crown Vics I had. I noted a little less horsepower on the Marquis, but it has more amenities than the Ford. Never any serious issues. No reason to defend a car handed to you, zero bias. I also had other weekend new sports cars too. All the other guys at work typically kept it as their only car and saved $$$. Their wife would have a car. So fond memories. We were allowed to take ours on trips if main office was aware. So anyway that was a fond remembrance. It wasn’t crap. And the cars were great and durable. I can see if neglected with few oil changes or used as stoplight racers.
2nd Jun 2009, 11:39
I hate it when my car reaches over and flattens my tires when I'm not looking. I will say that the car seems heavy and boring. This is true, especially in comparison to other cars, but cmon! Regular maintenance is a breeze in comparison to other cars. Everything you stated sounds like regular maintenance.