1990 Lexus LS400 LS from UK and Ireland - Comments

After two weeks ownership, had to replace a suspension arm bush due to knocking from the front.

Very poor fuel consumption, average 16mpg on combined usage. Dealer can find no fault, says accept it, it is a 4 litre car??

Excessive vibration. Again the dealer says this is normal???

Just had to replace both front tie bar bushes due to creaking from the front suspension. Fault was cured - 150 miles later same fault re-occurs.

The car has a full Lexus service history and many receipts going back 4 years, so has been serviced correctly. My experience with Lexus has been very poor - it drives well, apart from the vibration, creaking suspension and excessive fuel consumption. I have owned large engine Mercedes before, but the quality and fuel consumption was far better than the Lexus. My local Lexus dealer seems unable to find faults on the car - they cured the suspension fault only for it to return 3 weeks later.

Would I own another Lexus - not even as a gift. It is up for sale and I am looking for another Mercedes.

This reviewer bought the car with 140K miles on the clock. I bought a brand new one and of course have none of these problems. Germans envy the Lexus brand saying that they follow the production procedures to the letter. I suspect he has bought a car which is a lemon even though the mechanic says there is no problem with the car. If he's only getting 16mpg out of it I'd suggest he buys a sports car to suit his driving style.

I just bought a 1990 LS400 and think it is wonderful. I get on average 20 mpg. The ride is smooth. It did need a little TLC on the leather, but other than that this car is awesome. My car only had 124,000 miles when purchased. It has so many features, my favorite is the adjustable suspension. With just a press of the button it handles like a sports car. You have to remember your car is 12 years old and is going to have some problems. Maybe you should have bought a certified used Lexus.

Bought an LS400 a few months ago with 100 thousand miles on it. Best car we have ever owned. But consider that we are used to owning Fords which tend to fall apart at 100 thousand. I have never owned a Mercedes so I don't have that point of reference. My favorite features of the LS400 are: the back seat air conditioning, powerful drive-train, general comfort, and dependability. The gas mileage isn't that great, but like one of the other replies mentioned, it is a larger, 5 passenger car. What do you expect. Anyway, take it easy out there.

I bought my used Lexus at 111,000 miles and the only problem that I've had fixed was the rear transmission seal. It was costly, but, what do you want when the car can run 300,000 miles. The car is amazing, I will never complain and I'm still putting money into it at 134,000 miles. My main point, the car pays for itself!

Bought a 95 (N) ls400 with 98k on the clock. It is used mainly for motorway driving in its usage as a chauffeur vehicle The clock now reads at 297k. and I have no worries about it crashing through the 300k barrier.

Apart from regular services, wear and tear, cam belts etc. I have had my first! cost of £750. for a pair of ball joints. This was at a mileage of 292k.

All my passengers enjoy and remark on the smoothness (perhaps the driver) comfort and the overall appearance of the Lexus. They cannot believe the true mileage.

I am currently looking out for a replacement, as I don't like to keep cars for longer than 3 years, and would love another.

You can keep your more expensive BMW or Merc. At a fraction of the cost you get an equivalent if not better drive.

You Should have kept your Mercedes!

I think many, MANY luxury car brands are highly overrated. Few deserve the impeccable reputation they've aqquired. In this league, style and gadgetry are what attract new buyers, who typically don't keep them past 100k miles anyway. My Mercedes 300E was solidly built and was composed of quality materials. However, the reliablity was a joke. By 100k miles, the transmission, power window motor, cruise control, power headrest, stereo, motor mount, transmission mount, and other crap I can't remember right now, all needed to be replaced. Ridiculous!

My Plymouth Acclaim, which cost all of $11k brand-new in '92, was so much more reliable to the point that the Mercedes is nothing more than an object to add curb appeal to your home. The Plymouth was bullet-proof, lasting over 180k miles before a Dodge truck decided to rear-end it and kill it. I was still driving it daily right before the accident and I know it would have lasted over 200k miles. I guess I should mention it was not a babied car, either. The most expensive repair in all that mileage was $800. It never left me stranded, unlike the Mercedes. Now THAT is quality!

My Volvo 740 turbo after the Plymouth, was also a fantastic car. I kept it for 225k miles with the most major repair being the alternator, which was less than a $400 job. I can't fall for what is stylish and full of gadgets. Those are usually the worst cars you can buy because of the fact that they are over-priced or have terrible reliability, if not both. I just won't fall victim to vanity. I prefer substance. Vanity comes second. Yes, yes, I know... how un-American of me. I would definitely try my first Lexus over getting another Mercedes. But even with possible high reliability, I can't see justifying the obnoxious cost. What happened to value?

The original reviewer buys an 11 year-old vehicle with 140k miles and then trashes the manufacturer??

Who really knows how the car was treated & maintained during those 11 years?

Just another candidate for the "I expect a lifetime warranty on any old car I buy" Hall of Fame!

Sounds like a poorly treated 140k LS400 to me. Rather sad...

My LS400 is also a 1990 and has done 62,000 miles, drive fantastically no suspension faults or what not, far superior to any tacky BMW or Merc of the same time end of story! This car is very reliable. While I've spend money on a a 61k service from leads to rotors etc, still doing it currently to keep it in top condition. Can't wait to have years and many kms of super driving these cars are the best.