Lexus LS400. Would you?

If I was going to buy a Lexus, I would rather have a GS300.

I can see what you mean about the GS, but I actually prefer the slabby 400 shape and you get a V8
Yes, Lexus/Toyota parts can be pricey. But like my GT4 Celica, there are people who specialise in getting parts in from Toyota Japan, faster than the dealer can get them from Toyota UK.

I will look into the GS300, but I assume that is a straight 6?
Isn't the LS400 Lexus, the later model of Toyota Celsior in Japan before they introduced the Lexus name for all the luxury models in the J land market?

GET THE 400 !!!!!! TOP V8 MOTOR

It's a beaut of a motor - stock bottom ends used in 1000+hp drag cars! The engine is completley over engineered and almost indestructible!

There are loads of the southern hemisphere boys buying front cuts to put these in their projects.

I have some links somewhere....... it's a seriously mad alternative for a top motor. Once the body dies you'll have a queue of desperados wanting the heart out of it!

ME FRST!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D

80 miles a day at 20 mpg......

You'll find that the dullard TDi route would allow you a weekend toy as well.

But I reckon go for it.
Make sure it's not one in white with gold badges and optional chintzy tissue-box holder

Get a twin turbo soarer instead.

Just as comfy yet slightly less practicle but more fun.

J v8s are a bit

90's S Classes (W140) may be cheap to buy, but they ain't cheap to run - particularly if something goes wrong. I imagine the same goes for BMW 7's as well?

What about a X400 XJ Jaguar - the 94 - 02 ones?

TBH with fuel prices etc I'd buy a turbodiesel for commuting - how about a Rover 75 Diesel - cheap to buy, retro to look at (sort of!!) and nice BMW diesel motor.

I used to run my LS everyday,and it was ragged everyday. My route to work was dual carriageway and roundabouts,and mostly it was driven on the stick with O/D on and off,and occaisionaly power mode on. I never got worse than 20mpg from it. Best i got was just shy of 31mpg on a run up to the lakes with cruise on @ 95. Incredibly comfy,lots of room,big boot,bulletproof engine. MY dash never played up, but the A/C display did. You can get em fixed for about £120,or if you're good with electrics, I believe the resistor you need is 12p. However,being as I hate A/C with a passion, and can use a watch to tell the time, I never got the display sorted. Mine is for sale as a spares/repairs cos the ignition tumbler packed in,no idea why,had a quote from a breaker for a new lock set for the car for £90+VAT, but I can't be arsed with it,I know that sounds daft, but frankly I've got better things to do thanbugger about with J ignition switches.
Things to watch for are play in the front wheels coming from the control arm bushings (£250),and rear hubs failing (stupid money) Pattern parts are available for stuff like filters,discs/pds etc, but not much else.
I would def have another,and an early one like mine cos they don't have air suspension which means there's less to go wrong. Worth a note- you can't lower it by cutting the coils as they are eversoslightly pigtailed. You can buy Eibach -25mm lowering springs for £150 for four,and in the states you can get -50mm springs. You can also get Tein dampers etc and heavy duty anti-roll bars. I would recommend dropping the back cos it rides a bit high and you can feel it when you hustle. Buy a series 1 (pre-94 i think), get some nice 18" dished volk rims on it,drop it 50mm on stock dampers, uprate the anti-roll bar bushings, remove the rear boxes and replace with straight tube and go have some fun.

It was on my list when looking for a NON retro replacement for the Senator as a daily driver - I rate them highly. Been in a couple with mega miles and the ride was superb (performance not bad either)

A lot of other cars were on the list too I hasten to add

Jaguar XJR (V8) Did toy with a six pot but too old
BMW 740i (V8)
Holden Commodore (V8)

But finding one with my desired colour and spec at the end of the day meant I couldn't be that fussy!!!

BMWs are out as the missus hates them.
I like jags, but the old ones could be too unreliable, and the new ones seem a bit "ford" and not in a good way.

I have thought about Mercs, but older ones are sometimes a bit rusty or neglected and newer ones again are expensive and yet seemingly unreliable.

The only slightly more sensible option is a late 7**/9** volvo saloon, because they are peanuts to buy, even if they aren't a patch on the Lexus, at least they are smaller than a continent and give marginally better consumption.