Chris Goffey tests the Lexus LS and sees what advantages it has over the main rivals, the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S Class and Jaguar XJ. Taken from season 13 episode 12.
The LS400 is the definition of quality and reliability. The engine is one of the best ever made. Sold my 91 in 2009 with 165000 miles to a good friend. He recently gave it to his mother. Its about it hit 200k and still runs like a swiss watch.
But to biy it used it will be heavily used with worn interior and overpriced. Even if it is less expensive to own than a Mercedes but they compensate reliability with inflating the price of used ones and replacement parts. If you buy a used lexus it does not mean you are actually saving money.
I've driven over a dozen LS400s in my professional life, including some long journeys, and I have never, NEVER been disappointed by any of those I've driven. I'm a Jag man really, but I've loved the LS400 unashamedly for nearly 30 years. Sensational cars.
Did he really just say no A/C lol that should have been standard especially for a luxury car... Judging by the looks of those other cars, Lexus was way ahead of its time.
In 80's and early 90's German cars were sold basic and you could add a lot of extras but for big price. Those cars don't have many options because they want cars in same price range.
Lexus is actually compared to these brands because they bested them out. cannot say the same for Acura and Infiniti however. Even now Lexus is better off compared to the Germans than a Lincoln or a Cadillac.
Actually Toyota did have some heritage and experience for the time, specially in the late 70s and the entire 80s with the toyota crown, one of the first brands that introduce automatic climate control in their models in 1979.
He's prolly looking at some heritage like Nazi type of history or something where Mercedes produced cars for Hitler and BMW produced aeroplanes for Hitler. Japanese didn't have that kinda history.
Well, Italians (Lancia) fitted in a car four disc brakes in 1960, while the Japanese needed five more years to replace two drum brakes with two disc brakes in a Datsun and two more years (1967) to fit four discs in a Toyota. Seven whole years to match the pioneer... When it comes to heritage, it is the driving features that matter, not the aircon
Wow, the Lexus beats MB in interior style and I like MB, but I have to admit that researching and finding out that Toyota beats the other competitors in reliability, I have to say that I would go for a Lexus with no regrets, even if I drive a Audi A4 now.
This particular LS being driven here was still in use up until 2018 according to the gov.uk mot database. It sadly failed its MOT and was presumably scrapped at 164,000 miles. It had a long life after this video.
No, it actually landed in co Donegal ireland!I saw it for sale and phoned up the guy that had it on sale-told him that was the car from top gear in 1990! Don’t let it go! He removed the ad!
The best advertisment for this generation of the Lexus LS is that you can drive down a motorway in Britain any day of the week and you will still see one of these driving around somewhere. I haven't seen an E32 7 Series, a W126 S-Class or an XJ40 for years - the last XJ40 I've seen was sitting in somebody's driveway covered in mould. Thanks for the upload.
It feels cathartic to come back to these Lexus videos after finally buying one for myself after wanting one for years. Fun fact: the BMW's license plate can't even be found, the W126's MOT expired in 1995, the Jaguar's in 2007, and the Lexus was on the road until 2018.
Thanks for the video! I have both the LS400 and a 560SEL as toys and the Lexus is by far the smoother, quieter car. I can't remeber the last time I saw either a Jag or 7 series from that era still running.
i live in ireland,i may see 2 ls400 a year,i see well over 100 bmw e32 7 seires,never see the xj6 of that age,and mercedes,maybe 20/25,but all on the junk pile.
UPDATE: As of 2016, the Lexus is still going. Registration number: G615 EPE Date of first registration 19 April 1990 ✓ Taxed Tax due: 01 September 2016 ✓ MOT Expires: 28 June 2017
I wish I could buy brand new cars from the 90's... Today's cars are over engineered, over computerized shitboxes that barely last ta 5 year lease... Longterm ownership is not even considered anymore. They perfected the automobile in the 90's IMO, perfect blend of mechanical and electronic components, especially Japanese cars. very easy to work on and last decades.
Severdseoul + 1 to your comment. Cars from the 90s have everything you need, its nice and uncluttered, what the hell is up with all this modern bullshit. its almost like you need to take a course to understand some of the shit you want to do in a modern car
I got a ls400 for my first car for $1800 and sitting for 3 years. Repaired it and works beautifully and baffles all my friends with the speed. Best first car
Options. They did (and still do) force you to spend ££££s on the options list to spec the car up to what you would want it to be in the first place. Germans are notoriously stingy on standard equipment. Some basic BMWs didn't even come with power steering as standard back then!
You can get more luxury, safety equipment and performance in a Toyota Camry these days than in a BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and even Bentley or Rolls-Royce of back then. Now that's progress.
JELH Perhaps. Shame most of it goes faulty or breaks within 5 years. New BMWs and Mercs are not a patch on the old ones for reliability and build quality. They are also extremely complicated to maintain. Anyone can DIY old cars, even old Bentleys.
For a 'luxury car' you'd expect AC to come as a standard equipment haha. Making it optional is almost like allowing a businessman to do business while wearing pajamas with the proper suit and tie being pre-appointment 'request'.
If you are wondering why Merc and BWM doesn't have many extra options its because that's how it was in 80's and first part of 90's. German cars were coming very basic even in highest class and you could buy many things additionally but at high price. That's why Lexus could succeed at that time because their cars were coming at the same price but loaded with extras. I remember back in 1994 my dad bought Lexus GS300 and he couldn't really say he doesn't want AC because it wasn't optional. Anyways one of his friends bought BMW 735 one year later. He paid around 30-40% more than my dad paid for his Lexus and id didn't even had electric windows. They were extra 2000 Deutche Marke which was pricey so he didn't order them. He also didn't get leather/electric seats or very good stereo system. Meanwhile our Lexus had not only electric leather seats but also heating and several positions you could programme, we had great stereo system, electric steering wheel regulation, electric sunroof, electric mirrors and few other options that this BMW didn't had. In fact all that BMW had was a AC as I remember my dads friend saying he wont be paying extra 2000 Marke for electric windows because he has AC so he wont be using them too often :D And that BMW was actually 7 series so higher class than our Lexus which was equivalent of 5 series. But in all classes of German cars you had that phenomenon happening, now you are buying S-Class and its loaded with extras you didn't even knew were in existence.
Awe little did they know that this lexus in 2018 would still be running without missing a beat.. I don't think the same could be said with the other. Specially the jag
This was the beginning of the Japanese luxury boom. First there was Acura in 1986, then Lexus and Infiniti in 1990. It was basically the beginning of the end for the European brands setting the bar for what it meant to be a luxury vehicle. While Mercedes set the bar for safety and prestige, BMW for driving performance, and Jag for sheer prestige, the Japanese set the bar for quality, reliability, and refinement. They were also more economical to operate. The styling took a backseat, although they were far from ugly and more modern than the European competitors. They don't quite have the prestige of the Europeans, but they are just all around better cars for the money.
the beginning of the end for European cars ? really ?? Can you please explain why Merc,BMW,Audi,Volvo are the first cars the average consumer thinks when it comes to luxury sedans ? Not to mention Range Rover,Bentley,Porche etc etc. Just look at the amount of sales...
the eunos experiment was dead by the 21st century.what killed them with the 800 and mazda's own last ever 929 was it was a e class mercedes or 5 series bmw rival in the late nineties.i recall looking at a 929 for my parents in 1996 when they could not get their w210 series e230 mercedes but they would simply not budge.granted $88,000 was a big ask when you could buy a German for about 10% more in those days but get this it was a v6 when the mercedes was only a miserable 4 at the time.
Nowadays they're actually very conservative, instead. They facelift them (like new IS, gorgeous) but inside they are 5+ years old. Some may not like it, but i believe that's how they keep their reliability stats up
i may be wrong, but i suspect that you didn't need it as much back then. when there are fewer traffic jams, most of the big old cars' standard blowers have the capacity to keep you comfortable when you're moving. i use a/c in my volvo 940 probably 5-10 times a year - only when it is like 30 degrees outside, and i'm stuck in the sun; otherwise, the hvac blows coldish anyway. although, i'm more sort of an open-window-person.
mundotaku Those were added luxuries on pretty much a lot of cars back in those days and beyond. The list of standard features started to climb to gain sales until you look at cars today. You can't get a car without a stereo and AC if you wanted one in the USA.
The Ls400s engine is the only engine certified by FAA for aviation use. Its the one of the 2 cars that surpassed Billion dollars in production, the other being W140 Mercedes. When the car was being engineered, there were some impossible goals to meet. Such as hitting 150mph while doing 20+ mpg,no vibrations from engine and drivetrain, no noise in cabin, doing 20mph in city driving while being a V8 engine…and so more and at the end of that meeting almost half of the engineers quit on the spot thinking those goals were impossible to reach. That car got sooo many amazing facts it will blow ur mind. The 90s was when many car gave us their best and it will never happen again. The LS400, W140 Mercedes, E38 BMW, Infiniti Q, Toyota Supra, Nissan Skyline GTR, Mitsubishi 3000GT, Jaguar XK8, Honda NSX and even the 3rd gen camry that came out in 92 is the most superior camry ever made. The 90s was the best era for cars for many and i also agree.
My mother had a 1991 BMW 735i, and I absolutely loved it!!! We got rid of it not to long ago and the odometer read 356,471. I have an '06 Lexus LS 430 now, and even though it's not as powerful as a BMW 7 series, my goodness, the ride is AWESOME!!!!
Having owned Mercs for 15 years now (in those 15 years 3 different models) i've had 2 minor issues: The first being the front passenger power seat being stuck because i put a weather mat in that messed up the wiring beneath the seat. The second the power adjustable steering wheel wouldn't move up or down..both issues were fully covered by the warranty. I've read a lot of the comments here and i would say a good 75% of the comments i've read had the same old "reliability" jab at Mercedes. Here's what it is: 1) Most of if not all of the people making these comments don't even own or have never owned a Benz and just want to join in with the popular opinion of the people who prefer domestic or Japanese cars 2) For the ones who have owned a Benz and experienced issues do so because...and i can't stress this enough..THEY DON'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR CARS!. No routine maintenance is done, no timely oil changes, and the cars are driven way to harshly. Parts will go, then they moan about how Mercedes is "for the junkyard" and "omg the reliability is the worst!" but they never did any oil changes, maintenance etc. People naturally want to root for the underdog, hence why lexus or japanese cars in general always get more online support. This way of thinking is so severe that i actually read a youtube comment on another video of a guy saying " He would take a Genesis G90 Over a Mercedes S600 Maybach if he was given the choice....." That's just downright delusional.
Matt Cordero I was at the genesis dealer yesterday while I was in the mall. I had the opportunity to sit in the new g90. I wouldn’t take a g90 over an s-class if given the choice (I would take an LS500 though ;)), but there’s no denying that the genesis is giving Lexus, Mercedes, and bmw a run for their money with their flagship models. Especially at the price point and quality they’re offering
Amusing to ponder top-line sedans without standard air conditioning. What a neat little time machine this clip is. And, a 22-year-old LS400 is a lot less frightening for used-car purchase than the other three.
i've had 5 LS's, a couple of IS's, a v8 Soarer.....which got fully submerged in floods, and still started, no leaks into the car, and everything electric still working, 20yrs old with factory shocks and exhaust still 100% intact, at 150k you can still stand a £1 coin vertically on the engine, rev it all the way, and it wont drop. Lexus = Bulletproof engineering.
it's amazing that 20 years ago, you couldn't get air conditioning in a Mercedes as a standard accessory. that Lexus was truly ahead of its time. you can see why Toyota/Lexus vehicles retained their value so well in those days.
i own a ls400 also w124 500e.the 500 is truly a beast,its pleasure to drive.it has way more power takes corners like a Porsche.while my ls400 has allays been with me and never gave me a single problem it is just a little sluggish and not verry powerful ....from the enthusiast stand point i love my merc more but for the reliability and everyday driving the lexus is more then enough for me
except that when Lexus got released it practically bested (yep bested) what was available back then. Genesis is more of an "alternative to the germans" upon its entry. Blame that to the overcrowded luxury market.
Bought a used 2004 RX330 for my wife a year ago. Finest highway vehicle I've ever been in. Lots of periphial gadgets, but all of them still worked! Solid on sloppy roads, okay in deeper snow. Slow to accelerate with the 3.3L, but Toyota has never been about that. Lexus offers real bargains in the used market, too.
I feel rather nostalgic for this car despite having preferred the others to varying degrees at that time, partly because the styling exuded a "Bargain Basement S-Class" look, which made sense in order to break into the market. And break into that market they did! This car was definitely a game-changer for Toyota and Japanese automakers, but I think the ultimate gambit by Toyota would be to sell the Century outside of Japan "By Invitation Only", although I am not sure how legal that would be in the USA at least. Still, the fact that Yamaha provided the wood veneer trim for this car speaks volumes of the quality. It's the type of car that Cadillac should have been building at that time...one that was built to last provided the proper maintenance was done, but GM had moved away from that ethos beginning in the late 1960s.
This is about the specs, backgrounds information, comparisons with other vehicles and performance. Top Gear is aimed towards people who look at that stuff apart from the looks.
The Lexus is a legend. I still know quite a few of them cars on the road, and them v8 fourcam engines are legendary for reliability and motorsport use these days
The Lexus in this video (G615EPE) is the only one that is still on the road, so make of that what you will! It's apparantly going strong at 159000 miles while the Jag, Bimmer and Merc were scrapped long ago.
Frank Magana Quite, and I have an e36 with 140k that is just fine. Just making a note that in this random sample of cars they used in this particular vid, only the lexus is still going and I found that interesting. It probably has as much to do with the type of owners the cars had as the build quality.
PCgeek486 Yeah, of course. I mean this exact car in the video is still going and the exact other cars have been scrapped. Of course there are still plenty of other examples around.
And, how "exactly" do you know this, and were all identically cared for, with such low miles? 159,000 is nothing for a Mercedes. Many 300SE SEL SD SDL gas and diesel cars well over 300,000 miles still around. Many V-8's over 200,000 miles. Barely and Lexus of those years. My 1989 300SE today with 128,000 miles, and no rattles: www.benzworld.org/forums/members/849665-albums17497-picture53362.jpg
I used to drive a 97 model Ford Falcon, it came standard with AC, and cruise, plus a trip computer, a full instrument dash and an airbag and it was a next to base model.
I own one of these and also owned the bmw not 1 but 14 of all series and years upto 2008 and driven mercs and jag. Lexus ls400 throws them out in shame. High quality and offers lot more luxury with confidence that you can enjoy the drive without worrying about bills i paid for bmws. Handling of a bmw is superb but this is not far behind. A guy who drumming about merc - own before commenting. By theory it make sense but when you try yourself and don't mind expressing the truth - lexus will nail the so called competitors.
I drive an old 92 ES300 model and while it is a quiet car i recently had to get the cars ECU module reconditioned .I've had other problems like the transmission dying on me which was very expensive to replace. Even with Lexus which is known for its reputation it is still important that you buy one from a previous owner that serviced them frequently because even though they are a Toyota you still have to maintain them
cnd. Lol a Mercedes. You would definently need to be paid to drive ANYTHING to keep up with a low mechanical quality euro shitbox like that. No thanks, I like my cars to work worry free. I'll leave the prestige to those who want to risk being stranded
Damn. That is a beautiful and a still somewhat modern looking car for something designed in the late 80's. The Lexus looks so much more modern than the other cars it's being compared to.
This is a good video. I was lucky to pick up a low mile ( 68k - 42 miles ) '95 LS400 a few months ago from the first owner, who didn't drive it any more due to moving to different pastures. Seems it was always the car he used when they had time on the farm to take a trip into town. Just done a trip myself and got back yesterday around the Southern lakes and the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. 3 days of travelling in near silence . The only intrusion was the the Kea's in Arthurs Pass jumping on the roof and trying to pick off any available rubber, that was a laugh. Fantastic car, might keep it for a while.
Sad news. This car (G615EPE) failed its MOT test in may 2018 with a lot of faults indicating neglect and corrosion. Only 164,025 miles on the clock. Most likely got taken off the road to be parted out.
The backlit LED speedometers, the smooth V8, and the $35k price tag put the Lexus LS400 on the map. Interesting that back then, Jaguar was regularly mentioned along the other European luxury marques but now when I think luxury car it's primarily BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes.
I miss the 90s when Top Gear was like this. I would also have chosen the Lexus for sure. Today Lexus is still better than the 3 others atleast in terms of reliability.
The credentials the Lexus LS400 has are far beyond almost anything else after its inception ever since it's release, yet many seem to judge a car merely on prestige or looks and image alone while disregarding the pure respect & worldwide acclaim this car has achieved over the years from mechanics, engineers critics & consumers alike over the years all over the world. What that tells me is that unsurprisingly, the masses will purchase a product by name alone without doing any self research.
Everyone who buys these cars cares about the appeal or they wouldn't be driving it. People don't buy these cars because they are workhorses. They buy them for the image. So styling and visual appeal is a completely valid point.
Well, I think Lexus really wasn't ahead of it's time, they just copied everything from european cars. I have a 1983 Mercedes S-class and already has memory seats, heated and electrically operated even the headrest, automatic air conditioning, cruise control, etc.. and despite the fact that this is a 1983 it isn't really an eighties car, the S-Class W126 was designed in the mid 1970's.
Toyota does own it's heritage as Lexus has defined what it means to have a luxury car that can hit 300,000 miles and doesn't fall apart like the german/english cars. I drive a 2007 Lexus GS 350 and am amazed that a car from 17 years ago (relative to the age of my own Lexus) and the same Lexus LS 400 from 32 years ago (relative to the time that I am writing this comment in 2022) have so much advanced technology...which still works in those cars if you flag a Lexus LS 400 owner! Christ!
Interesting that Mr Goffey kept mentioning the "420SE" - the car they're reviewing is the 420SEL. You can tell by the rear door. Of all of these, yes, the LS400 were probably the most trouble free. But who really wants that car today? The W126 S-Class was the car to have and to hold. Sadly the e32 7s for all their excellence (and they were amazing cars) didn't last. The XJ40 Jags were lovely but not in the same realm as the BMW or Benz.
My uncle had in his vast Mercedes-Benz collection, until very recently, a bright red early '80s 230E which he had driven since returning to Eastern Nigeria 30 years ago. He's selling it now due to relocating due to ambassadorship, so I likely won't see it again when I visit.
In today's days we can say this, Lexus can easily do 500 thousand kilometers without any serious breaking and other 3 (especially Jaguar) can hardly do 1/3 of that.
I see about 5 a day here in NorCal and since I'm a over the road truck driver and a car guy at that, I see them almost everywhere. they just don't stand out like they used to next to new flamboyantly styled Hyundais..
Mopf is Modellpflege shortened, which is Deutsche for facelift. I was saying technology wise, the W126 had changes released in autumn 1985 (facelift) and 1988. The LS went into production in May 1989 and the W126 in December 1979. Not exactly 11 years, but at 9.5 is still a wide gap. MB not making enough changes in 1988, allowed Lexus to catch up too easily. Lexus only bench marked the 1984-1987 versions.
Amazing for it's time? My First Gen LS400 is amazing NOW. I rented a 2012 Taurus last month and kept it for a week. While the Taurus got far better fuel economy and had more power, it didn't have auto seats, steering nor did the interior quality look like it would last 20 years. I had a blast in the Taurus but Lexus for the WIN. The 1UZ-GE engine in those cars are regarded as one of the BEST engines ever mass produced. I passed up a 90k mile 04 E500 to buy my 93 LS with 160k. No pressure.
It is interesting that in 1990 (the year I was born) there we're flagship luxury cars without air conditioning. In the US as of 2018 I don't think you can even find a new car that doesn't have air conditioning regardless of price.
The LS400 is the definition of quality and reliability. The engine is one of the best ever made. Sold my 91 in 2009 with 165000 miles to a good friend. He recently gave it to his mother. Its about it hit 200k and still runs like a swiss watch.
Actually, Swiss watches aren't nearly as reliable as the Lexus LS.
Nutz4Gunz45 works like Japanese watches not Swiss shit watches.
Nutz4Gunz45 do you know if it’s still running?
@@amosy8345 YES! My friends mom still has it.
But to biy it used it will be heavily used with worn interior and overpriced. Even if it is less expensive to own than a Mercedes but they compensate reliability with inflating the price of used ones and replacement parts. If you buy a used lexus it does not mean you are actually saving money.
After 28 years Lexus still worth it and yes Dependable vehicle .
Great engineering
I've driven over a dozen LS400s in my professional life, including some long journeys, and I have never, NEVER been disappointed by any of those I've driven. I'm a Jag man really, but I've loved the LS400 unashamedly for nearly 30 years. Sensational cars.
Did he really just say no A/C lol that should have been standard especially for a luxury car... Judging by the looks of those other cars, Lexus was way ahead of its time.
You do realize the merc is an 80's car and this video is shot right before the W140 came out
This is a 1979 Benz compared to a 1990 Lexus. Shortly after this video, came the new S-Class which was basically a decade ahead of its time.
Regarding Merc - it is only 4.2, so any options cans be in it or be missing. Top 560 would have everything.
In 80's and early 90's German cars were sold basic and you could add a lot of extras but for big price. Those cars don't have many options because they want cars in same price range.
Cevair Dez he says A/C should be a standard in luxury car and it wasn't. He never said that it wasn't available.
The LS have one of the best engines ever made and is a great join of luxe and perfomance.
didn't imagine how good lexus was at the time
Lexus is actually compared to these brands because they bested them out.
cannot say the same for Acura and Infiniti however. Even now Lexus is better off compared to the Germans than a Lincoln or a Cadillac.
Still the best!
The best in class only japanease badge is the downside
@@leviSyosef well they don't have the same technology as ze germans.
Only thing which they’re lacking now is ux designing. Best example is touchpad
I love how the dials are...ALMOST MAGICAL!
it's even better irl. trouble is they do tend to burn out but the ones in mine work and it's the part of the car that aged the best in my opinion.
Actually Toyota did have some heritage and experience for the time, specially in the late 70s and the entire 80s with the toyota crown, one of the first brands that introduce automatic climate control in their models in 1979.
I think upto the 90s, toyota nissan and honda werr really on it in terms of luxury. Then it got all goofy designs after year 2000
He's prolly looking at some heritage like Nazi type of history or something where Mercedes produced cars for Hitler and BMW produced aeroplanes for Hitler. Japanese didn't have that kinda history.
Leonardo Antonio It's sad how many people arent aware of the Crown aka Super Saloon.
Well, Italians (Lancia) fitted in a car four disc brakes in 1960, while the Japanese needed five more years to replace two drum brakes with two disc brakes in a Datsun and two more years (1967) to fit four discs in a Toyota. Seven whole years to match the pioneer...
When it comes to heritage, it is the driving features that matter, not the aircon
It seems Crown wasn't sold in America and European market, that made it did not catch too much attention on these two continents.
Oh man I'm so glad you put the Grandstand theme at the start. This just embodies the 90s for me. Excellent stuff.
Wow, the Lexus beats MB in interior style and I like MB, but I have to admit that researching and finding out that Toyota beats the other competitors in reliability, I have to say that I would go for a Lexus with no regrets, even if I drive a Audi A4 now.
Real good
+SacreDro Not to disagree, but remember this merc was conceived at the tail end of the 70s, was replaced two years later.
This particular LS being driven here was still in use up until 2018 according to the gov.uk mot database. It sadly failed its MOT and was presumably scrapped at 164,000 miles. It had a long life after this video.
No, it actually landed in co Donegal ireland!I saw it for sale and phoned up the guy that had it on sale-told him that was the car from top gear in 1990! Don’t let it go! He removed the ad!
The best advertisment for this generation of the Lexus LS is that you can drive down a motorway in Britain any day of the week and you will still see one of these driving around somewhere. I haven't seen an E32 7 Series, a W126 S-Class or an XJ40 for years - the last XJ40 I've seen was sitting in somebody's driveway covered in mould.
Thanks for the upload.
It feels cathartic to come back to these Lexus videos after finally buying one for myself after wanting one for years. Fun fact: the BMW's license plate can't even be found, the W126's MOT expired in 1995, the Jaguar's in 2007, and the Lexus was on the road until 2018.
Thanks for the video! I have both the LS400 and a 560SEL as toys and the Lexus is by far the smoother, quieter car. I can't remeber the last time I saw either a Jag or 7 series from that era still running.
i live in ireland,i may see 2 ls400 a year,i see well over 100 bmw e32 7 seires,never see the xj6 of that age,and mercedes,maybe 20/25,but all on the junk pile.
jay morse I live In Ireland too and hardly ever see an old 7 series
UPDATE: As of 2016, the Lexus is still going.
Registration number: G615 EPE
Date of first registration 19 April 1990
✓ Taxed
Tax due: 01 September 2016
✓ MOT
Expires: 28 June 2017
thanks!
Nice.. Keep it well
And I bet those competitors are giving huge troubles for their owners or in a scrapyard. Except maybe the Mercedes.
The merc was shipped to Africa and now serves as taxi cab
Aleksandr Kamarov of course!!!
my mom had one of those, drove it 200k and sold it for 5k. awesome car with amazing features that didn't pop up in other cars until the early 2000s
200k miles I should say.
+failtolawl she sold it cheap, sounds like
Did she buy another LS?
Backlit display almost magical
Yeah almost, - because they mostly don't work today. While, Mercedes gauges are still fine and on the road today.
mine works
My 1997 example with nearly 200k on it - everything works. Including the magical backlit instruments
I wish I could buy brand new cars from the 90's... Today's cars are over engineered, over computerized shitboxes that barely last ta 5 year lease... Longterm ownership is not even considered anymore. They perfected the automobile in the 90's IMO, perfect blend of mechanical and electronic components, especially Japanese cars. very easy to work on and last decades.
Severdseoul + 1 to your comment. Cars from the 90s have everything you need, its nice and uncluttered, what the hell is up with all this modern bullshit. its almost like you need to take a course to understand some of the shit you want to do in a modern car
My prius is 11 years old and nothing has gone wrong with it.
I bought a 1991 Volvo 940 for this reason.
SeverdSeouL Someone is selling a perfectly preserved Lexus LS4001990 With only 30,000 miles on craigslist message me if you’re serious
Untaxed since 2018...
Love that demonstration with the glass of water - reminiscent of Lexus' champagne glass ad
I got a ls400 for my first car for $1800 and sitting for 3 years. Repaired it and works beautifully and baffles all my friends with the speed. Best first car
cool. how many miles on your lexus. please take good care of her.
+Zee B just got to 260k the other night :)
+Trevor Locher nice man. thanks for the reply.
I don't know where you live but certainly not in Britain the insurance is £15,000 for me
+Jay Hack dangh
WTF? 1990 and a BMW 7-series and Mercedes S class with no air conditioning?????
Options. They did (and still do) force you to spend ££££s on the options list to spec the car up to what you would want it to be in the first place. Germans are notoriously stingy on standard equipment. Some basic BMWs didn't even come with power steering as standard back then!
You can get more luxury, safety equipment and performance in a Toyota Camry these days than in a BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and even Bentley or Rolls-Royce of back then. Now that's progress.
JELH
Perhaps. Shame most of it goes faulty or breaks within 5 years. New BMWs and Mercs are not a patch on the old ones for reliability and build quality. They are also extremely complicated to maintain. Anyone can DIY old cars, even old Bentleys.
soundseeker63 My point is that a modern day Camry has more luxury, safety and even performance than a Lexus LS400, that's all.
For a 'luxury car' you'd expect AC to come as a standard equipment haha.
Making it optional is almost like allowing a businessman to do business while wearing pajamas with the proper suit and tie being pre-appointment 'request'.
Lexus has always been the before it's time. Love it.
If you are wondering why Merc and BWM doesn't have many extra options its because that's how it was in 80's and first part of 90's. German cars were coming very basic even in highest class and you could buy many things additionally but at high price. That's why Lexus could succeed at that time because their cars were coming at the same price but loaded with extras. I remember back in 1994 my dad bought Lexus GS300 and he couldn't really say he doesn't want AC because it wasn't optional. Anyways one of his friends bought BMW 735 one year later. He paid around 30-40% more than my dad paid for his Lexus and id didn't even had electric windows. They were extra 2000 Deutche Marke which was pricey so he didn't order them. He also didn't get leather/electric seats or very good stereo system. Meanwhile our Lexus had not only electric leather seats but also heating and several positions you could programme, we had great stereo system, electric steering wheel regulation, electric sunroof, electric mirrors and few other options that this BMW didn't had. In fact all that BMW had was a AC as I remember my dads friend saying he wont be paying extra 2000 Marke for electric windows because he has AC so he wont be using them too often :D
And that BMW was actually 7 series so higher class than our Lexus which was equivalent of 5 series. But in all classes of German cars you had that phenomenon happening, now you are buying S-Class and its loaded with extras you didn't even knew were in existence.
Awe little did they know that this lexus in 2018 would still be running without missing a beat.. I don't think the same could be said with the other. Specially the jag
My friends merc w126 runs perfectly 210k miles just some minor repairs.
Jaguar’s are now built by TATA Indian Motors.
Shame.
This was the beginning of the Japanese luxury boom. First there was Acura in 1986, then Lexus and Infiniti in 1990. It was basically the beginning of the end for the European brands setting the bar for what it meant to be a luxury vehicle. While Mercedes set the bar for safety and prestige, BMW for driving performance, and Jag for sheer prestige, the Japanese set the bar for quality, reliability, and refinement. They were also more economical to operate. The styling took a backseat, although they were far from ugly and more modern than the European competitors. They don't quite have the prestige of the Europeans, but they are just all around better cars for the money.
Japanese innovations? Like what, to be more precise?
the beginning of the end for European cars ? really ??
Can you please explain why Merc,BMW,Audi,Volvo are the first cars the average consumer thinks when it comes to luxury sedans ?
Not to mention Range Rover,Bentley,Porche etc etc.
Just look at the amount of sales...
You're all wanna-be wise-a$$ fools. Nobody mentioned Mazda's Eunos coz you all know jack.
the eunos experiment was dead by the 21st century.what killed them with the 800 and mazda's own last ever 929 was it was a e class mercedes or 5 series bmw rival in the late nineties.i recall looking at a 929 for my parents in 1996 when they could not get their w210 series e230 mercedes but they would simply not budge.granted $88,000 was a big ask when you could buy a German for about 10% more in those days but get this it was a v6 when the mercedes was only a miserable 4 at the time.
Now Infiniti is still trying, and Hyundai with Genesis is trying for the first time for Korea
It's an amazing car even now in 2017...smooth engine..power and luxury for around £1000.
Lexus were way ahead of their time then.
Now they are still amazing cars. They just aren't as ahead of the competition as they were then
Nowadays they're actually very conservative, instead. They facelift them (like new IS, gorgeous) but inside they are 5+ years old.
Some may not like it, but i believe that's how they keep their reliability stats up
They only facelift cars because simply cars aren’t selling their focus is mainly on suvs now
A 7 series or S-class Merc with no standard AC, and all with a 0-60 time slower than my 2.0 econobox? Man, how dramatically autos have improved!
wow, you could buy a 7 series or a top of the line S class without air conditioning ????
My father's 1980s toyota tercel had AC. He rarely ran it.
i may be wrong, but i suspect that you didn't need it as much back then. when there are fewer traffic jams, most of the big old cars' standard blowers have the capacity to keep you comfortable when you're moving. i use a/c in my volvo 940 probably 5-10 times a year - only when it is like 30 degrees outside, and i'm stuck in the sun; otherwise, the hvac blows coldish anyway. although, i'm more sort of an open-window-person.
mundotaku Those were added luxuries on pretty much a lot of cars back in those days and beyond. The list of standard features started to climb to gain sales until you look at cars today. You can't get a car without a stereo and AC if you wanted one in the USA.
+mundotaku might be a euro specific thing... europe is cooler.
+mundotaku Europe.....................
The Ls400s engine is the only engine certified by FAA for aviation use. Its the one of the 2 cars that surpassed Billion dollars in production, the other being W140 Mercedes. When the car was being engineered, there were some impossible goals to meet. Such as hitting 150mph while doing 20+ mpg,no vibrations from engine and drivetrain, no noise in cabin, doing 20mph in city driving while being a V8 engine…and so more and at the end of that meeting almost half of the engineers quit on the spot thinking those goals were impossible to reach. That car got sooo many amazing facts it will blow ur mind. The 90s was when many car gave us their best and it will never happen again. The LS400, W140 Mercedes, E38 BMW, Infiniti Q, Toyota Supra, Nissan Skyline GTR, Mitsubishi 3000GT, Jaguar XK8, Honda NSX and even the 3rd gen camry that came out in 92 is the most superior camry ever made. The 90s was the best era for cars for many and i also agree.
My mother had a 1991 BMW 735i, and I absolutely loved it!!! We got rid of it not to long ago and the odometer read 356,471. I have an '06 Lexus LS 430 now, and even though it's not as powerful as a BMW 7 series, my goodness, the ride is AWESOME!!!!
Having owned Mercs for 15 years now (in those 15 years 3 different models) i've had 2 minor issues: The first being the front passenger power seat being stuck because i put a weather mat in that messed up the wiring beneath the seat. The second the power adjustable steering wheel wouldn't move up or down..both issues were fully covered by the warranty.
I've read a lot of the comments here and i would say a good 75% of the comments i've read had the same old "reliability" jab at Mercedes. Here's what it is:
1) Most of if not all of the people making these comments don't even own or have never owned a Benz and just want to join in with the popular opinion of the people who prefer domestic or Japanese cars
2) For the ones who have owned a Benz and experienced issues do so because...and i can't stress this enough..THEY DON'T TAKE CARE OF THEIR CARS!. No routine maintenance is done, no timely oil changes, and the cars are driven way to harshly. Parts will go, then they moan about how Mercedes is "for the junkyard" and "omg the reliability is the worst!" but they never did any oil changes, maintenance etc.
People naturally want to root for the underdog, hence why lexus or japanese cars in general always get more online support. This way of thinking is so severe that i actually read a youtube comment on another video of a guy saying " He would take a Genesis G90 Over a Mercedes S600 Maybach if he was given the choice....." That's just downright delusional.
Matt Cordero I was at the genesis dealer yesterday while I was in the mall. I had the opportunity to sit in the new g90. I wouldn’t take a g90 over an s-class if given the choice (I would take an LS500 though ;)), but there’s no denying that the genesis is giving Lexus, Mercedes, and bmw a run for their money with their flagship models. Especially at the price point and quality they’re offering
I agree with you one hundred percent. If Mercedes is a 'endless money pitt' and built for the scrapheap why do they still outsell Lexus?
Even after 24 years, it is better than many cars on the road. Lovely car.
Amusing to ponder top-line sedans without standard air conditioning. What a neat little time machine this clip is. And, a 22-year-old LS400 is a lot less frightening for used-car purchase than the other three.
those are some real nice cars :D i love late 80's and 90's cars!
i've had 5 LS's, a couple of IS's, a v8 Soarer.....which got fully submerged in floods, and still started, no leaks into the car, and everything electric still working, 20yrs old with factory shocks and exhaust still 100% intact, at 150k you can still stand a £1 coin vertically on the engine, rev it all the way, and it wont drop.
Lexus = Bulletproof engineering.
i garuntee the lexus and the mercedes are the only ones still running.
AMG BENZ_HAMMER_6.0 probably not even the benz. Those 90s cars were riddled with problems, with the exception of the lexus.
The w126 didn't have those problems, they started with the w140 and the eletric wiring arness...
AMG BENZ_HAMMER_6.0 Ls400👌
MrTheMiguelox yup in 1992
AMG BENZ_HAMMER_6.0 I OWN A 96 SMOOTH RIDE GOOD POWER
I’m laughing at how this is the only car that could stand the test of time you can still see these on the streets and they don’t stand out
it's amazing that 20 years ago, you couldn't get air conditioning in a Mercedes as a standard accessory. that Lexus was truly ahead of its time. you can see why Toyota/Lexus vehicles retained their value so well in those days.
i own a ls400 also w124 500e.the 500 is truly a beast,its pleasure to drive.it has way more power takes corners like a Porsche.while my ls400 has allays been with me and never gave me a single problem it is just a little sluggish and not verry powerful ....from the enthusiast stand point i love my merc more but for the reliability and everyday driving the lexus is more then enough for me
toyota back then with its lexus were like hyundai today with its genisis, it took the world by surprise and had something to prove.
+SteelCity1981 oh please no compare
you obv havent seen hyundai lately.
I was surprised to see the new gensis when they have a booth outside a supermarket and let people test drive the car on the spot lol.
except that when Lexus got released it practically bested (yep bested) what was available back then.
Genesis is more of an "alternative to the germans" upon its entry. Blame that to the overcrowded luxury market.
well they did their homework
Bought a used 2004 RX330 for my wife a year ago. Finest highway vehicle I've ever been in. Lots of periphial gadgets, but all of them still worked! Solid on sloppy roads, okay in deeper snow. Slow to accelerate with the 3.3L, but Toyota has never been about that. Lexus offers real bargains in the used market, too.
Look at that old 7 series. What a beauty that was. What has happened to BMW?
It was also certainly the finest in terms of luxury, reliability, quality, class, technology and dependability!
True, Michael.
the e39, e38 lineup were the last realy good looking BMW's
Glass of water test extremely impressive I have to say. I'm not a fan of Lexus but I give them a lot of respect and credit. Nice car.
I feel rather nostalgic for this car despite having preferred the others to varying degrees at that time, partly because the styling exuded a "Bargain Basement S-Class" look, which made sense in order to break into the market. And break into that market they did! This car was definitely a game-changer for Toyota and Japanese automakers, but I think the ultimate gambit by Toyota would be to sell the Century outside of Japan "By Invitation Only", although I am not sure how legal that would be in the USA at least. Still, the fact that Yamaha provided the wood veneer trim for this car speaks volumes of the quality. It's the type of car that Cadillac should have been building at that time...one that was built to last provided the proper maintenance was done, but GM had moved away from that ethos beginning in the late 1960s.
just bought a 97 ls400 with 173,000 miles on it and I'm not a bit worried.
The LS looks good to me, what's this talking about it's looks?
This is about the specs, backgrounds information, comparisons with other vehicles and performance. Top Gear is aimed towards people who look at that stuff apart from the looks.
I have the LS400, most beautiful car ever.
What my car?
@@LSniumUwU but at the time it wasnt
Dragos pontu
Yeah it was ahead of its time, too modern.
The Lexus is a legend. I still know quite a few of them cars on the road, and them v8 fourcam engines are legendary for reliability and motorsport use these days
The Lexus in this video (G615EPE) is the only one that is still on the road, so make of that what you will! It's apparantly going strong at 159000 miles while the Jag, Bimmer and Merc were scrapped long ago.
159,000 isnt that much, especially when diesel versions of that mercedes are cracking 300k
that cant be the only one because I saw one the other day
Frank Magana
Quite, and I have an e36 with 140k that is just fine. Just making a note that in this random sample of cars they used in this particular vid, only the lexus is still going and I found that interesting. It probably has as much to do with the type of owners the cars had as the build quality.
PCgeek486
Yeah, of course. I mean this exact car in the video is still going and the exact other cars have been scrapped. Of course there are still plenty of other examples around.
And, how "exactly" do you know this, and were all identically cared for, with such low miles?
159,000 is nothing for a Mercedes. Many 300SE SEL SD SDL gas and diesel cars well over 300,000 miles still around. Many V-8's over 200,000 miles. Barely and Lexus of those years.
My 1989 300SE today with 128,000 miles, and no rattles:
www.benzworld.org/forums/members/849665-albums17497-picture53362.jpg
I used to drive a 97 model Ford Falcon, it came standard with AC, and cruise, plus a trip computer, a full instrument dash and an airbag and it was a next to base model.
Nobody thought that Lexus would stuff Mercedes BMW and jaguar back in 1990 ,and to this day is better than all the others
is that Matt farahs million miles lexus?
I think it is!
***** yay! This joke Is over used!
NO ITS NOT MATT FARAH'S MILLION MILE LEXUS
harry lonsdale Farah Matt lexus mile million is it ? :)
it's the british cousin
G615 EPE - Lexus LS400 is for sale on eBay right now.
The Lexus still shines
so cool to see these 90s cars brand new!
I own one of these and also owned the bmw not 1 but 14 of all series and years upto 2008 and driven mercs and jag. Lexus ls400 throws them out in shame. High quality and offers lot more luxury with confidence that you can enjoy the drive without worrying about bills i paid for bmws. Handling of a bmw is superb but this is not far behind. A guy who drumming about merc - own before commenting. By theory it make sense but when you try yourself and don't mind expressing the truth - lexus will nail the so called competitors.
I drive an old 92 ES300 model and while it is a quiet car i recently had to get the cars ECU module reconditioned .I've had other problems like the transmission dying on me which was very expensive to replace.
Even with Lexus which is known for its reputation it is still important that you buy one from a previous owner that serviced them frequently because even though they are a Toyota you still have to maintain them
Lexus are the best cars on the planet..
What planet is that?
Planet Lexus? You couldn't pay me to drive that rebadged, wannabe car...
cnd. Okay, you'll need that money to repair your whatever shit you drive anyways.
My cars (Mercedes) don't need repair work because I take care of them. Thanks, for the advice, though, LOL!
cnd. Lol a Mercedes. You would definently need to be paid to drive ANYTHING to keep up with a low mechanical quality euro shitbox like that. No thanks, I like my cars to work worry free. I'll leave the prestige to those who want to risk being stranded
Damn. That is a beautiful and a still somewhat modern looking car for something designed in the late 80's. The Lexus looks so much more modern than the other cars it's being compared to.
Its 2020 and Genesis is showing Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Jaguar and Lexus their sleepless nights. Tbf Lexus still makes amazing cars.
Good luck if Genesis last 30 years. Good luck with 5 actually.
Lexus LS400 was amazing for it's time, i currently own one, and i love it.
This is a good video. I was lucky to pick up a low mile ( 68k - 42 miles ) '95 LS400 a few months ago from the first owner, who didn't drive it any more due to moving to different pastures. Seems it was always the car he used when they had time on the farm to take a trip into town. Just done a trip myself and got back yesterday around the Southern lakes and the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. 3 days of travelling in near silence . The only intrusion was the the Kea's in Arthurs Pass jumping on the roof and trying to pick off any available rubber, that was a laugh. Fantastic car, might keep it for a while.
1:29 If it's the long wheelbase version, then it's the 420SEL. Not 420SE.
2:41 It is indeed the 420 SEL, but he incorrectly referred to it as the "420 SE".
Sad news.
This car (G615EPE) failed its MOT test in may 2018 with a lot of faults indicating neglect and corrosion.
Only 164,025 miles on the clock. Most likely got taken off the road to be parted out.
The competitors were reborn as tuna cans years ago, I am sure Jaguar was the first to go.
thats one hell of a good road test
Today is 21/12.2020 and Only Lexus survived last 30 years of driving. Still see them around, but no Jags or BMWs, only some Mercs.
Exactly the comment I wanted to make. That's the view in SoCal.
The backlit LED speedometers, the smooth V8, and the $35k price tag put the Lexus LS400 on the map. Interesting that back then, Jaguar was regularly mentioned along the other European luxury marques but now when I think luxury car it's primarily BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes.
LS looks so much better. 10 years ahead of the other three
I miss the 90s when Top Gear was like this. I would also have chosen the Lexus for sure. Today Lexus is still better than the 3 others atleast in terms of reliability.
enjoyed that. back in the day when top gear was a proper Car show
One of the all around best motor vehicles ever
The credentials the Lexus LS400 has are far beyond almost anything else after its inception ever since it's release, yet many seem to judge a car merely on prestige or looks and image alone while disregarding the pure respect & worldwide acclaim this car has achieved over the years from mechanics, engineers critics & consumers alike over the years all over the world. What that tells me is that unsurprisingly, the masses will purchase a product by name alone without doing any self research.
Lexus now is ahead of all in both design and reliability
Classic review and a great car- LS400.
Everyone who buys these cars cares about the appeal or they wouldn't be driving it. People don't buy these cars because they are workhorses. They buy them for the image. So styling and visual appeal is a completely valid point.
Trip computers seem a big seller back then.
Just look at that classic BMW .Drooling.
Well, I think Lexus really wasn't ahead of it's time, they just copied
everything from european cars. I have a 1983 Mercedes S-class and already
has memory seats, heated and electrically operated even the headrest, automatic
air conditioning, cruise control, etc.. and despite the fact that this is a 1983 it
isn't really an eighties car, the S-Class W126 was designed in the mid 1970's.
Toyota does own it's heritage as Lexus has defined what it means to have a luxury car that can hit 300,000 miles and doesn't fall apart like the german/english cars. I drive a 2007 Lexus GS 350 and am amazed that a car from 17 years ago (relative to the age of my own Lexus) and the same Lexus LS 400 from 32 years ago (relative to the time that I am writing this comment in 2022) have so much advanced technology...which still works in those cars if you flag a Lexus LS 400 owner! Christ!
The glass is good actor
I would like to see the face of the Mercedes engineer when he put the glass of water on the Lexus engine 😂😂😂😂
That Lexus is fantastic, the comfort and mild sporty ness to the feel of it is second to none.
The video itself more reliable than most modern cars nowadays. 😆
Interesting that Mr Goffey kept mentioning the "420SE" - the car they're reviewing is the 420SEL. You can tell by the rear door. Of all of these, yes, the LS400 were probably the most trouble free. But who really wants that car today? The W126 S-Class was the car to have and to hold. Sadly the e32 7s for all their excellence (and they were amazing cars) didn't last. The XJ40 Jags were lovely but not in the same realm as the BMW or Benz.
damn we come a far way when my 4cyc 186hp 2013 Altima does 0-60 in 7 seconds vs these guys v8 in 8-9 seconds
Your Nissan probably weighs about 1,000 pounds less than the Lexus.
Strike_Raptor you sure? pretty sure cars got heavier with safety standards.
GodKing804 biggest difference is that most grown people are embarrassed to drive an Altima
bigswerboski yet it's one top 5 sold sedans? 😂😂😂
I think of that every time I see this car.
My uncle had in his vast Mercedes-Benz collection, until very recently, a bright red early '80s 230E which he had driven since returning to Eastern Nigeria 30 years ago. He's selling it now due to relocating due to ambassadorship, so I likely won't see it again when I visit.
In today's days we can say this, Lexus can easily do 500 thousand kilometers without any serious breaking and other 3 (especially Jaguar) can hardly do 1/3 of that.
I see about 5 a day here in NorCal and since I'm a over the road truck driver and a car guy at that, I see them almost everywhere. they just don't stand out like they used to next to new flamboyantly styled Hyundais..
Mopf is Modellpflege shortened, which is Deutsche for facelift. I was saying technology wise, the W126 had changes released in autumn 1985 (facelift) and 1988. The LS went into production in May 1989 and the W126 in December 1979. Not exactly 11 years, but at 9.5 is still a wide gap. MB not making enough changes in 1988, allowed Lexus to catch up too easily. Lexus only bench marked the 1984-1987 versions.
And almost 3 decades later, they have convinced many 😊
You're a scholar and a gentleman, sir.
LS400 is the best car built. Bulletproof car.
Amazing for it's time? My First Gen LS400 is amazing NOW. I rented a 2012 Taurus last month and kept it for a week. While the Taurus got far better fuel economy and had more power, it didn't have auto seats, steering nor did the interior quality look like it would last 20 years. I had a blast in the Taurus but Lexus for the WIN. The 1UZ-GE engine in those cars are regarded as one of the BEST engines ever mass produced. I passed up a 90k mile 04 E500 to buy my 93 LS with 160k. No pressure.
Toyota spent $2b in today's money on development, and it really shows. Not the most influential or innovative, but possibly the best car ever made.
amazing to think that in the 90s even the top of the line executive cars didn't even come with a damn stereo as standard.
It is interesting that in 1990 (the year I was born) there we're flagship luxury cars without air conditioning. In the US as of 2018 I don't think you can even find a new car that doesn't have air conditioning regardless of price.
Those magical illuminated dials though :p
BTW the LS400 is an '80s product, not a 1990s product. It was designed in '80s and developed up to November 1988.
I always liked this car ^^