I completely forgot to mention the headlights auto-level when turned on and the rear view mirrors aren't heated, turns out they vibrate to shake water off! Also found out later if I hold unlock on the key FOB all the windows roll down and vice versa with lock. Works by turning the key in the door and holding it in the corresponding direction as well!
flagship.. of the "brand".. the celsior being the reason or basis for Lexus.. so.. IF.. this is your view of "Toyota's" flagship.. how. does the "Toyota Century" fit your view.. careful what you wish for !
the directional WHEELS arent anything to do with smoothness of ride.. its to do with airflow through the rims.. not just for brake cooling etc, but more particular to do with airflow along the side of the car.. to lessen aero drag & wind noise (around the side windows!). Seat belt height adjustment is a wonderful feature.. the wool seats are from the Century as with most of this cars features the focus of which is ENTIRELY to deaden cabin noise & softness.. plus leather is found in taxis for durability.. a pet hate of my is being distracted with seatbelts that slide up your chest/shoulder & rub your neck .. excellent review though young fella 👌.. a comparo with the Celsior vs Century (drivers car vs chauffer) is seriously lacking on YT
Fun fact! The touch screen system isn't really touch sensitive. It is just an LCD. If you look closely, you will see the translucent plastic area around the surface of the screen. Behind there is a matrix of infra red LEDs and sensors that cast light across the X and Y axes of the screen, and your finger interrupts the flow of light in a specific area, and thus... the touch! Also, the system is called Toyota Electro Multivision, or at least it was called that in the Crown and Crown Majesta. (JZS155 Crown owner here) :) Great video!
@@AmateurEnthusiasm It is hard to keep track of all the features... I just changed out the CDs in my 12 disc changer for different CDs in my Japanese 80s music collection lol
I had a 98 fully loaded. The sound system (namagaki or something) was incredible. I listened to very heavy techno with heavy bass for years on end on full volume. The thing that surprised me the most was how there was no rattle whatsoever while I had it. Nothing rattled on the car from the bass and the whole car was built extremely tight.
I wish Toyota would make another classic looking luxury sedan like this. The current LS is nice, but I love the understated styling of this Celsior model more.
Coming over from JDM Masters channel. I have no doubt that this channel, Amateur Enthusiasm, will grow as well. Thank you for the historical context on an amazing company.
Nice review, nice car. My slight ocd sense is tingling with that left rear wheel. But I think it actually looks better with that multi spoke wheel. IMO, the first three gen , third being the best. Is the best built/looking. This to me is the Grand Seiko of Japanese cars.
An interesting video. Many of the amenities made it into the LS430. So few of these are here in the states that wishing for one is impractical. Driving position on the right is very risky...can NOT imagine trying to pull safely out after having parallel parked, much less trying to merge left into faster flowing traffic. The bumper antenna is fun. Bumper sensors killed that off though. The wool seats...how does one clean them?? It's also entertaining to see the heavy engineering that went into the CD changers back then, simply because they hadn't figured out how to get the player integrated into the center console.
Thick sheepskin seat covers make Lexus an even more luxurious experience, as you aren't slipping around on the corners the way you do with leather seating. Also quiets the car, if that's possible! and makes interior more cozy. My seats haven't a crack anywhere, because I spray a mixture of Woolite and distilled water on leather and let it soak-in for 24 hrs. I don't go near "leather preservatives", as all of them remove original finish after continued use. I've been restoring antiques and classic cars for more than 50 years.
I've owned Toyotas, Hondas, Mazdas, VW, Mercs, BMWs,...Overall, I prefer European cars. They are just made for Western European/American culture. Do they cost more to maintain? Depends - in Europe, maintaining my BMW isn't much more than maintaining my Honda because BMWs are common. Are Japanese cars more reliable? I don't know - I maintain my car and I've never had a problem with it. But I'd rather pay a bit more to drive my BMW than the Toyota I had. In my Toyota, a 1h drive was 1h of boringness - I'd rather take the bus or train. In my BMW, 1h drive is an experience, like watching a movie. It's not a wasted hour. So overall, is the Toyota a better value? For me, it isn't. Out of all Japanese cars, Hondas are my favourite but I can find exactly what I want from European brands because they were build by people like me. It's a bit like FUBU - For us, by us. I'm in no way trying to put down other brands - it will be much harder for a Japanese brand to produce a car that is to my taste because of the different cultures and needs/desires.
Incredible attention to detail. The mindset for ideas regarding useful features puts rivals in the shade,.for example lights in the seatbelt socket might be regarded unnecessary for most but that's indicative of disparity between the Toyota designers against rival manufacturers serving consumers with new practical ideas that contribute to item ease of use, comfort and safety.
Hey mate kinda late not sure if you'll see this but if you do and if you haven't already tried it you need to put the cds in upside down to how you normally would for a traditional cd player, so that the label side of the disc is touching the tray and the reflective side is facing up. I have one of these and at first I thought the cd player was broken too, took me longer than I'd like to admit to figure that one out lol. Oh and as an additional piece of information the mags on the facelift model aren't directional, it was only the earlier models that had them :)
Regarding the CD player, it may not be broken. When you put the discs into the CD changer you put the label facing down or in other words, shiny side up. I thought mine was broken until I read the manual. Nice review by the way.
S 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.
Beautiful Car, i have exact same model year 1997 with Leather seats(i kinda now want the wool seats). I would like to add that yours is so indeed a CF package the C and package doesn’t have the options you do & the space next to the Cd changer is actually for the manual.
Best spec ls400 so far and Middle Eeastern spec ls400 are pretty much like this one just mising few options and the US spec is the worse I ever seen it term of out side look with DRL on all the time and pretty much no options in the interior Awsome review thu👌
its really cool i had a 1991 ls400 with 430,000 km on it no issues. $600 cad back in 2007 then i got a 2001 ls430 190km for 900 i cant get the trunk to open by button :( checked fuses . replaced fusebox trunk .
Great vid. Just bought a 1999 Celsior with 30k km. It was imported to Germany in 2020 after spending most of its life in a Japanese Toyota dealership. Rides like a dream and looks like it just rolled off the factory floor. Do you happen to know whether any of the Japanese can be switched to English whether in the gps nav system or the dashboard? If so, how? Thanks!
Ahhh! Your intro logo was like a horror movie! Need a nice quiet one if your using nice music in front. And your first sentence was SUPER fast. But great video! New Level of video work!
Never understood why the LEXUS models weren't sold in Japan since the beginning... The LEXUS brand wasn't created for nothing... There was a reason! Would rather have the original *LEXUS* version and only put some 18's or 19's period correct - polished wheels and keep it classy like a LEXUS is supposed to be!
Good question! The Lexus brand was introduced into Japan after being successful elsewhere. The reason is Toyota already had a reputation of high class luxury in Japan. The Lexus brand was created to curb the western perception of the Toyota brand. It was later introduced into Japan after being wildly successful in the west. But even today the Toyota crown is a high-level luxury car
technically, can't you say they collaborated with Yamaha on the engine? I would say for specific years, for the Lexus, there were partnerships with Coach on the seats. nakamichi tuned some model stereo systems and pioneer tuned the base models. I assume pioneer tuned the celsiors but I don't know all the packages available for the Japanese market.
Really good video! Personally I like the headlights of the Celsior model before the facelift. What are the main benefits of the facelift model in your opinion compared to the pre-facelift model?
any celsior users out there can comment on any electrical issues ( faulty ECUs, leaking capacitors etc ) .... Are these really as common as people out there seem to state ? And if yes, any comments on how difficult it is to do diagnostics, replacing ( ECUs or capacitors ) ? I really like the vehicle but my biggest fear is that electrical issues ( from what i've read on the web ) are very very common on Celsiors and can make the ownership a miserable experience. I've read people had all sorts of issues due to electronics failing: ACs not working, window regulators, throttle response, air valves and what not, transmission acting funny to vehicles just not starting all together ....
Im not an owner of one but i did invent hundreds of hours into researching this platform to cut it short i heard ECUs can die if capacitors leak but you can still replace them with ez, there are ecu repair kits that include all the capacitors but i advise you to open it up and take a look yourself, models may differ with the number or value with capacitors then order them. Fixing isnt anything hard since its just basic soldering but do be careful to not short anything. Keep in mind there isnt just one ECU but close to 10 (engine ecu, steering ecu, hvac ecu....) i dont know how reliable those are but i imagine they arent as known to fail as the engine control ECU. I will do the same once i get the car myself, its not as bad as it seems.
I guess these were only significantly cheaper than the European competition in the US. In Europe they cost more or less the same so they didn’t sell well. Why buy some unknown prestige less brand when you can get a BMW or Mercedes.
Juries have found contributory negligence in cases where there is a accident while overtaking another vehicle while driving a RHD car on 2-lane US roads. You cannot see to pass safely. Aside from the liability, there is the daily inconvenience of being on the wrong side of the vehicle when going through tollgates or drive-through businesses like banks. Headlights have to be changed, too. No one cares what options are available. As car ages, the complexity just increases the headaches. I've been there and done that 44 times so far. LS400 was the high water mark, IMHO.
@@chriskarsseboom2200 Thanks, also sounds like they're just bad drivers. Many countries have LHD and RHD vehicles. Here in Japan they even have tolls on both sides in case you're a fancy Mercedes guy.
I completely forgot to mention the headlights auto-level when turned on and the rear view mirrors aren't heated, turns out they vibrate to shake water off! Also found out later if I hold unlock on the key FOB all the windows roll down and vice versa with lock. Works by turning the key in the door and holding it in the corresponding direction as well!
interesting! dslr camera sensors have a similar feature that "shakes" off the dust
ワウ !
flagship.. of the "brand".. the celsior being the reason or basis for Lexus.. so.. IF.. this is your view of "Toyota's" flagship.. how. does the "Toyota Century" fit your view.. careful what you wish for !
the directional WHEELS arent anything to do with smoothness of ride.. its to do with airflow through the rims.. not just for brake cooling etc, but more particular to do with airflow along the side of the car.. to lessen aero drag & wind noise (around the side windows!).
Seat belt height adjustment is a wonderful feature.. the wool seats are from the Century as with most of this cars features the focus of which is ENTIRELY to deaden cabin noise & softness.. plus leather is found in taxis for durability.. a pet hate of my is being distracted with seatbelts that slide up your chest/shoulder & rub your neck .. excellent review though young fella 👌.. a comparo with the Celsior vs Century (drivers car vs chauffer) is seriously lacking on YT
Fun fact!
The touch screen system isn't really touch sensitive. It is just an LCD. If you look closely, you will see the translucent plastic area around the surface of the screen. Behind there is a matrix of infra red LEDs and sensors that cast light across the X and Y axes of the screen, and your finger interrupts the flow of light in a specific area, and thus... the touch!
Also, the system is called Toyota Electro Multivision, or at least it was called that in the Crown and Crown Majesta.
(JZS155 Crown owner here) :)
Great video!
Awesome! Thank you! I realized after posting I didn’t mention the auto leveling headlights or vibrating mirrors too! 😭
@@AmateurEnthusiasm It is hard to keep track of all the features... I just changed out the CDs in my 12 disc changer for different CDs in my Japanese 80s music collection lol
Nkoall
Watched the whole thing and now I want one
I got a GS350 RWD (which ever pops up first) GS has a nice timing chain in the 3.5
I had a 98 fully loaded. The sound system (namagaki or something) was incredible. I listened to very heavy techno with heavy bass for years on end on full volume. The thing that surprised me the most was how there was no rattle whatsoever while I had it. Nothing rattled on the car from the bass and the whole car was built extremely tight.
It's Nakamichi dude
I wish Toyota would make another classic looking luxury sedan like this. The current LS is nice, but I love the understated styling of this Celsior model more.
Coming over from JDM Masters channel. I have no doubt that this channel, Amateur Enthusiasm, will grow as well. Thank you for the historical context on an amazing company.
Very nice car! I have 3 SL400s. 94 - 98 - 99.
One must remember that the VVT-i version also got an upgraded automatic gearbox!
Nice review, nice car. My slight ocd sense is tingling with that left rear wheel. But I think it actually looks better with that multi spoke wheel. IMO, the first three gen , third being the best. Is the best built/looking. This to me is the Grand Seiko of Japanese cars.
Beautiful car , kept it . Best car ever made !
Great video, the quality of many of the ‘bigger’ channels, keep it up 🙏🏼
Love this spec so much. The wool seats and the lack of sunroof is exactly how I’d want it.
Lexus is just another Toyota!!!
An interesting video. Many of the amenities made it into the LS430. So few of these are here in the states that wishing for one is impractical. Driving position on the right is very risky...can NOT imagine trying to pull safely out after having parallel parked, much less trying to merge left into faster flowing traffic.
The bumper antenna is fun. Bumper sensors killed that off though. The wool seats...how does one clean them??
It's also entertaining to see the heavy engineering that went into the CD changers back then, simply because they hadn't figured out how to get the player integrated into the center console.
Thick sheepskin seat covers make Lexus an even more luxurious experience, as you aren't slipping around on the corners the way you do with leather seating. Also quiets the car, if that's possible! and makes interior more cozy. My seats haven't a crack anywhere, because I spray a mixture of Woolite and distilled water on leather and let it soak-in for 24 hrs. I don't go near "leather preservatives", as all of them remove original finish after continued use. I've been restoring antiques and classic cars for more than 50 years.
Beautiful man. Beautiful car. ❤
He could do all sorts of naughty things to me.
@@whitealphabrosmatter Good to know 👌
I've owned Toyotas, Hondas, Mazdas, VW, Mercs, BMWs,...Overall, I prefer European cars. They are just made for Western European/American culture. Do they cost more to maintain? Depends - in Europe, maintaining my BMW isn't much more than maintaining my Honda because BMWs are common. Are Japanese cars more reliable? I don't know - I maintain my car and I've never had a problem with it. But I'd rather pay a bit more to drive my BMW than the Toyota I had. In my Toyota, a 1h drive was 1h of boringness - I'd rather take the bus or train. In my BMW, 1h drive is an experience, like watching a movie. It's not a wasted hour. So overall, is the Toyota a better value? For me, it isn't. Out of all Japanese cars, Hondas are my favourite but I can find exactly what I want from European brands because they were build by people like me. It's a bit like FUBU - For us, by us. I'm in no way trying to put down other brands - it will be much harder for a Japanese brand to produce a car that is to my taste because of the different cultures and needs/desires.
The ls400 is the embodiment of the brand and the slogan
Fun! Had a Celsior I brought over to Canada. Would like another! You couldn't find a wheel to match the others?
I have 3 sets of wheels lol! Had to switch this one out for inspection. It's all sorted now though with fresh tires :)
Incredible attention to detail. The mindset for ideas regarding useful features puts rivals in the shade,.for example lights in the seatbelt socket might be regarded unnecessary for most but that's indicative of disparity between the Toyota designers against rival manufacturers serving consumers with new practical ideas that contribute to item ease of use, comfort and safety.
Hey mate kinda late not sure if you'll see this but if you do and if you haven't already tried it you need to put the cds in upside down to how you normally would for a traditional cd player, so that the label side of the disc is touching the tray and the reflective side is facing up. I have one of these and at first I thought the cd player was broken too, took me longer than I'd like to admit to figure that one out lol.
Oh and as an additional piece of information the mags on the facelift model aren't directional, it was only the earlier models that had them :)
Unfortunately, I don’t own the car anymore, but I believe I did try that!
@@AmateurEnthusiasm damn that's a shame it didn't work then
What do you drive now? A Toyota Century, perhaps?
Have a ls460 2013 super interesting video to know where they come
Regarding the CD player, it may not be broken. When you put the discs into the CD changer you put the label facing down or in other words, shiny side up. I thought mine was broken until I read the manual. Nice review by the way.
Gonna go ahead and smash that subscribe button
S 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.
Always wanted this car. And having one that is JDM seems to be even cooler 😉
We had to import back than, my aunt had one, and it was amazing!
those seats look lovely
عز يمال العز 🎌🎌🥇🥇
Nice video👌im looking for my lil antenna near the headlight on my 98' LS400🤣
Beautiful Car, i have exact same model year 1997 with Leather seats(i kinda now want the wool seats). I would like to add that yours is so indeed a CF package the C and package doesn’t have the options you do & the space next to the Cd changer is actually for the manual.
Best spec ls400 so far and Middle Eeastern spec ls400 are pretty much like this one just mising few options and the US spec is the worse I ever seen it term of out side look with DRL on all the time and pretty much no options in the interior
Awsome review thu👌
That is not a gen 1. It is a gen 2. All the panels are different. It's pretty easy to tell just look at the C pillar and rear window
Exactly... Gen 2 late incarnation (facelift)
its really cool i had a 1991 ls400 with 430,000 km on it no issues. $600 cad back in 2007 then i got a 2001 ls430 190km for 900 i cant get the trunk to open by button :( checked fuses . replaced fusebox trunk .
Great vid. Just bought a 1999 Celsior with 30k km. It was imported to Germany in 2020 after spending most of its life in a Japanese Toyota dealership. Rides like a dream and looks like it just rolled off the factory floor. Do you happen to know whether any of the Japanese can be switched to English whether in the gps nav system or the dashboard? If so, how? Thanks!
Let me guess?
You turned it into a "VIP style" or "Drift" car?
😂
Ahhh! Your intro logo was like a horror movie! Need a nice quiet one if your using nice music in front. And your first sentence was SUPER fast. But great video! New Level of video work!
Do the Celsiors of those era come with Nakamichi stereo system by factory or was it a option?
Please respond, I’m thinking of getting one as my daily 25k miles. Is it a good daily? Loved this vid btw
Its an incredible daily.
9:50 I get goosebumps then i saw it , now i understand what is Japanese engineering .
Really cool features that the Lexus doesn’t even have
Wool seats are a no go
Never understood why the LEXUS models weren't sold in Japan since the beginning...
The LEXUS brand wasn't created for nothing...
There was a reason!
Would rather have the original *LEXUS* version and only put some 18's or 19's period correct - polished wheels and keep it classy like a LEXUS is supposed to be!
Good question! The Lexus brand was introduced into Japan after being successful elsewhere. The reason is Toyota already had a reputation of high class luxury in Japan. The Lexus brand was created to curb the western perception of the Toyota brand. It was later introduced into Japan after being wildly successful in the west. But even today the Toyota crown is a high-level luxury car
@@AmateurEnthusiasm 🙂👍
They were just badged as Toyota. Same car man.
@@chriskarsseboom2200 Yes, Mr. Obvious! 👍
Best car ever made.
The pad above the mirror front mirror is used to block out the sun
Nice review
I want one !! Where I can buy this car ??
Thanks
technically, can't you say they collaborated with Yamaha on the engine? I would say for specific years, for the Lexus, there were partnerships with Coach on the seats. nakamichi tuned some model stereo systems and pioneer tuned the base models. I assume pioneer tuned the celsiors but I don't know all the packages available for the Japanese market.
whats up with 3rd gen front wheels 2nd gen back
Really good video!
Personally I like the headlights of the Celsior model before the facelift.
What are the main benefits of the facelift model in your opinion compared to the pre-facelift model?
Defintely the VVTI. It also lost the magnetic steering column. The backseat is much nicer though.
love the wool
I want one of these so bad now
I got a 96 LS and without the premium sound system the standard is one not great :/
i bought one with 50,556 kms on it for $2,316
Why it doesn't have a sunroof. And do u wish it had one?
Yep I want one
Cool outfit man 😎👍🏻
Wonderfull car !
Respect to toyota.
One question where to get those whool saloon for Lexus!?!?
I don’t believe it was offered for Lexus
@@AmateurEnthusiasm It sure was, saw a view with whool in Europe but those are very rare because most people wanted leather!
@@DCM777. I gotta say after having the wool version, I never want leather again
@@AmateurEnthusiasm Agree!
What package of celsior is this, c, b, a?
C!
The wood veneer is from Yamaha musical instruments and is real
Please bring me back to Japan
Those wheels omggg
First V8 variable valve timing production motor
This is a generation 3 ...not the first. First was 1989 UCF(fx)-10.
Love it!!
Different wheels😮!
any celsior users out there can comment on any electrical issues ( faulty ECUs, leaking capacitors etc ) ....
Are these really as common as people out there seem to state ?
And if yes, any comments on how difficult it is to do diagnostics, replacing ( ECUs or capacitors ) ?
I really like the vehicle but my biggest fear is that electrical issues ( from what i've read on the web ) are very very common
on Celsiors and can make the ownership a miserable experience.
I've read people had all sorts of issues due to electronics failing: ACs not working, window regulators, throttle response, air valves and what not, transmission acting funny to
vehicles just not starting all together ....
Im not an owner of one but i did invent hundreds of hours into researching this platform to cut it short i heard ECUs can die if capacitors leak but you can still replace them with ez, there are ecu repair kits that include all the capacitors but i advise you to open it up and take a look yourself, models may differ with the number or value with capacitors then order them. Fixing isnt anything hard since its just basic soldering but do be careful to not short anything. Keep in mind there isnt just one ECU but close to 10 (engine ecu, steering ecu, hvac ecu....) i dont know how reliable those are but i imagine they arent as known to fail as the engine control ECU. I will do the same once i get the car myself, its not as bad as it seems.
Not direction wheel bc u have a 5th wheel spare full size tire and rim
"Flagship car" meanwhile toyota is keeping the toyota century from us 😂
Haha fair. But the Century is more of a halo luxury car than a flagship. It wasn’t actually expected your average wealthy joe to afford one.
daaamn that license plate dawg
I guess these were only significantly cheaper than the European competition in the US. In Europe they cost more or less the same so they didn’t sell well. Why buy some unknown prestige less brand when you can get a BMW or Mercedes.
9:32
100 Degreeees WHAT THE FUUUU!
You should monetize your videos and make more videos like this
Knocking engine?
wanna buy this car and be my drift car
Do you want me to lend you one of my mag wheels so it looks proper...
Don't forget they took away the non interference motor.
try watching video watch 1minute of ads
Nocking engine?
😍😍🌹
🙂🫂
Juries have found contributory negligence in cases where there is a accident while overtaking another vehicle while driving a RHD car on 2-lane US roads. You cannot see to pass safely. Aside from the liability, there is the daily inconvenience of being on the wrong side of the vehicle when going through tollgates or drive-through businesses like banks. Headlights have to be changed, too. No one cares what options are available. As car ages, the complexity just increases the headaches. I've been there and done that 44 times so far. LS400 was the high water mark, IMHO.
He’s not in the USA
@@chriskarsseboom2200 Thanks, also sounds like they're just bad drivers. Many countries have LHD and RHD vehicles. Here in Japan they even have tolls on both sides in case you're a fancy Mercedes guy.
Kids
Actually Lexus is the shit version of the Toyota Celsior