In-Depth Review: 1990-1994 [ UCF10 ] Lexus LS400
Corrections:
The LS400 debuted at the Detroit auto show, not Tokyo as stated.
The second-generation LS400 did not initially have the 5-speed automatic or 290-hp rating when it first debuted to replace this car in 1995. Those powertrain updates did not arrive until 1998.
Other channel: / @craigslistgold
It's literally just me looking at craigslist
Proud owner of a 1991 version. 360,000 plus miles on the clock. My daily driver. My favorite thing to do is to drive at highway speeds with the stereo OFF while listening.......to silence.
Raymond Smith smooth smooth silence!!!!!
Hey what kind of repair work you've done to it ever since owned it?
I just bought a 2000 version in a dark blue color with 140k miles. i'm am loving it.
RS GAEL nice
@@cebuanostud I've got the 98 Version in 199 Silver, Glass Roof, AirSus, Large Navi, Telephone, German Version
Famous in india because of harshad mehta big bull of stock market
Keeping an old classic like this going shows a lot of character.
Doesn't take much other than basic maintenance
The 93-94 LS400 styling is timeless, classic conservative design with the wide and long stance that gives it a sense of luxury. We have one of these as a family car and it still runs and looks great with 280,000 miles. The "thump" when you the close the door is just as solid as when it was new. If you want a more modern/newer LS, check out the 2007-2012 LS400/460. After 2012, Lexus went crazy with the hideous, gaping front grille. Looks like Darth Vader's helmet. LOL
Yes, the new LEXUSes are still pretty impressive, but the design is... let's say "special"... 🤔
No joke everything he said is facts...I own a 94 and this damn thing just won't break and lord knows I put my foot in it👌
Raymen Brown oh it will..... eventually....n unlike delicate BMW n Mercedes' they won't bankrupt u when they do....it's best to spend a bit more for the ones that are more sorted out and better kept if not then they'll nickel and dime u to death...
If one reads reliability statistics of cars on American roads, I think the Lexus LS400 is THE most reliable car of ALL Time...please check that I am correct but I think this is true. Owned my LS400 for 25 years.
Facts? You sound like a fool...
One of the best car reviews I've ever seen. Period. You're really talented at this. I hope you keep them rolling!
do you have a Lexus?
I just bought a 93 yesterday. I like it more than my exes 2016 Subaru Crosstrek. This is such a clean ride, and the v8 is just superb. Your review was spot on, and thanks for the knowledge!
Great review! I thought my ES350 was a great driving machine, until I bought a 2000 LS400. It is all original with 80K miles, best car I have ever owned.
How much did you pay if you don’t mind. I want one but the dealer is asking 8k with 100k miles.
I have a 1998 LS400 and I fell in love with it time I test drove it. It had 234,000 miles on it when I bought it about 4 years ago. I personally replaced the timing belt and water pump with my own hands. And I also replaced the entire front suspension on it myself. These cars are not hard to work on at all to me. When I drive it I really don't wnt to get out of it because drives so very smooth.
As a bmw owner I can agree that this car was way ahead of its time
As a owner of this exact car pretty much I'll say ur right and bmw is a wannabe
@@StonedLove funny how the Lexus copy everyone else honey and just do it for less and only offer one engine and that horribly boring interior.
@@ginaryan2093 not sure. Do know many interior materials, and styles, with some rare editions have been with Lexus for 30+ plus years now... And nothing is wrong with "copying" as long you copy the right cat. And it has never just been one engine. This is just their "legendary" flagship, Mercedes wasn't a hit at first. Second year Lexus sells more than BMW and Merc combined. Numbers don't lie baby
@@StonedLove you mean like that burgundy velour? Give me a break. This is Toyota Celsior badge engineering.
@@StonedLove there is nothing rare about a 90s LS.
Tha scam 1992 ❤️ Harshad mehta❤️😭
I have the 1992 model, it's just as great! Best first car I could've asked for. Got it for $1100 dollars, almost in perfect condition
Still holding up?
Got a black 95 with tinted windows in mint condition for 1300 hehe
Viral Clips nice, how many miles did it have when you bought it? And any problems so far?
Lucky
Hell yeah, these cars are finally getting their attention. My 1990 LS400 with almost half a million miles, still runs good. I appreciate your appreciation and detailed video about this car, it deserves every bit, and everyone needs to know about it. But im ashamed to see these cars get piled up in the junkyard.
This video deserves 1,000,000 views. Super funny and informative. Dude, well played.
dude this makes me want to go buy one now!
If you can find one in decent shape, you won't regret it. I have a 91. AC still blows ice cold, always starts, reliability like nothing else. Big comfortable, safe ride. Two rust spots after 27 years. Walked through an e-test with ease 2 weeks ago. BTW great review Jack!
I got a 93 and she's been running pretty well since purchasing! Mine's not in the best condition but it's been super reliable :) Never had a problem starting it
😎🤗i just got 1 with 139,000 for 3500 with new front seats....da ryde so smooth i swear a blunt thru da city sunroof dwn in dis joint great buy💯 #Go Jaguars #DOSUMTHING #Beat Tom
@@hypnoticmirage Really IMPRESSIVE,which yr and model do you have???
@Goldstein How's the ride???
Great if not the best review of the 1st gen LS400 ever! Thanks for this.
Best review on a lexus ever seen. Asphalt n butter lol i own 01 ls 430. Never want anything else ever!
I was thinking about getting an 01,its really that great of a car huh???
MERCEDESBENZS600 S500 yes it is, find one in good shape and drive one
@@kgisabeast Much appreciated..
MERCEDESBENZS600 S500 get the 04, the 01-3 front end is hideous
@@forc3ofxf3ar51 Not hideous IMO, but the 04-06 just looks sleeker/sexier/luxurious
this is great car i own one its 92 i drive it everyday and go on road trips no problem
This is exactly what we are looking for when evaluating buying options. Thank you very, very much!
Your reviews are so creatively made, well done sir.
Brilliant comprehensive and most importantly deserving review for one of the best designed thought out cars ever.
Excellent review, very informative and enjoyable . Good work.
the 1st generation is the best imo. I was lucky enough to come across and buy a 1991 LS400 w 106k original miles off of CL back in 2015. It was (and remains) in pristine condition (rare thing to find on CL). It came equiped w satellite telephone (yea it has a phone inside the arm rest), 6 disc CD changer in the trunk (fully functional 8 speakers total including a 8" sub), a med kit and spare tire changing toolkit. It's been my daily driver ever since. (as of now it has 129k miles). Besides basic maintenance I've only had to replace the power steering pump, the starter (which is located behind at the bottom of the massive engine - a pain in the a$$ to replace), brake pads and 8 spark plugs - which btw were the original ones from factory (!!). Of course I have my own mechanic which gets the job done cheaply as the Lexus dealer charges arm & leg for such jobs. Most of those parts were replaced due to being worn not necessarily fault of production (except power steering pump and temp control display that goes blank - well known issues in these cars). The car remains well preserved, solid and strong and I get tons of compliments on it. You can tell they put a lot of effort and thought in building this amazing car. I LOVE everything about it: the classic box/limo style, the powerful V8 that feels like your're driving a train going effortlessly at 75mph on the left lane of the highway, how quiet and smooth it is, how spacious it is inside, large trunk, the quality paint job (mine is the 2-tone pearl white w grey bottom and it always has this glossy sparkle to it even when i go months w/out washing it) and of course the reliability (pple dont believe this car is 30 years old), overall quality of construction and the amazing history/nostalgia of how this car came about to define one of the best luxury brands in the world. If i even aquire Lambos, Ferraris etc in the future this car will remain my favorite one.
Sky1 MOTO own a ‘97! Where did you find your mechanic? Looking to save on maintenance labor costs
How much was the starter replacement?
@@realjordanbelfort local mechanic I've known for many years
@@mctransportation9831 don't remember how much exactly (this was 6 yrs ago) but is not an easy/cheap fix. I believe I paid around $400 total
@@vtwinnking I'm going to look at a 93 with 100k miles on it. It looks good in the pictures. I remember seeing a Scotty Kilmer video where he said to get the v6 Lexus because the starter is a bear to change on the v8. I've changed starters on several different vehicles, but they were all pretty easy. A camry's is on the top of the engine. If i get it, I guess i cross that bridge when I get to it and take it to a mechanic if it looks too difficult.
Had a 91 loved it sold it when I moved Now I have a 90 Love this car more than anything I've ever driven or owned Epic review on this great vehicle Good job bro
An absolutely wonderful and detailed review! You just earned a new subscriber!
Gorgeous Original Lexus LS400!! Great review, lots of great information!!! Thank you so much
I’ve wanted one since I was a kid (90s baby) hopefully I can catch this white one for sale cheap 🙏🏾🎌
Valentino Santana if ur gonna get one, get the UCF20. Not the first gen. VVTI plus the 5 speed
@@forc3ofxf3ar51 and OBD2, also 95-98(?) is UCF20 and don't have VVTi nor 5 speed
ya boi Rico 98+ has the 5 speed.... but I don’t think VVTI was in until 99
@@forc3ofxf3ar51 vvti was in 98 and getting a 90-94 LS is the ultimate sleeper.. the early 1UZ engines had thicker rods and pistons so it can handle 600hp no problem. The 98+ is great out the box though
Shawnsta 777 although that is true it’s a 25 year old car at this point, either way you put 600 HP it’s gonna blow lol
About to get my own now, 131k, champagne exterior, tan interior, relatively optioned out, clean and maintained lol I'm excited. I've watched this video so many times now on my road to owning one.
Very nice review. Got my eye on a 95 right now. Has 110k miles and seem very well kept. Can't wait to go see it and hopefully buy it!
Did you get it?
The LS400 was a very good car of its time. It starts now, gets a cool status, since it started the entire Lexus adventure. I'm glad I have a 94 model, with all the upgrades that came during the life of the first LS400.
Good shit. One of best reviews I've seen 👍
If I can find one in this condition I would buy it over ANY 2000’s models!!!! My moms boyfriend had this car and I drove it a couple of time omg it drives soooo smooth and til this day he still has after 6yrs!!!!
So happy to come across this video ! You earned a subscriber, keep up the good work!
Great review!!
This is the same car that you beat up in Street Fighter bonus stage.
Absolutely love it!...and great video too.
one of the best cars in the world. very well done review.
Love your review
This was one of the best car reviews I have ever seen. You hit all the notes, technical and emotional. Love it.
+Chris Car purchases are often over influenced by emotion. Lots of suckers out there. The car in this video is 25 years old. At 25 years old, all "rubber" components (motor mounts, bushings) are shot, because the atmosphere will decompose these parts, has nothing to do with mileage. Car is likely due or overdue for timing belt water pump replacement, about $1000 typical cost to repair. Check and replace worn suspension parts. Oh, might as well replace power steering pump, radiator, alternator while your replacing the timing belt. Your next major repair is replacing the starter motor, it's buried deep in the "v" of the engine, you have to take off the entire intake manifold system. Then just start your regular maintenance cycle over. But hell, just buy the car as is, for say $4000, satiate your emotions. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.
NeverTalkToCops1 so what, you're saying that its a bad idea to buy old cars?
As you have pointed out several times, yes, rubber components of all cars deteriorate with time.
I've done much less to my '98. Of course, it has Denso iridium plugs with coil on plug electronic ignition. The valve cover nuts do come loose over the years and I just tighten them so the gasket doesn't leak. Replaced one fuel rail pulse damper...DIY 20 min. Timing belt at 90 K. Great cars.
I drive the Gs 300 of this generation and prefer the styling and the better handling. The Ls did share it's front suspension and 4 spd tranny with the GS. Mine is 23 years old pushing 275k and still runs like a fairly new car. The LS and GS of this era along with the other models were built to an extremely high standard. For a used car buy today they are practically a steal. Great review.
Very, excellent, exceptional review, the copy was well written and the voice over sublime. Thank you, I’m buying one.
I don't know why this doesn't have more reviews, but I'm enjoying your voice.
Love the review you just got a new subscriber.
Best Lexus LS400 review I've ever seen! I currently run a 2006 GS300, it too is a fabulous car, withh all the Lexus excellence we've come to expect from the brand - but with economy too. I've owned 2 LS400's before and I'm now looking for another. A late model this time, with satnav, Bluetooth etc., and the 5 speed transmission. These cars are getting hard to find in good order here in the UK, but I'm determined. Thanks for a great - and 100% honest - review. I've subscribed and hit the bell, so I look forward to more to come
Very nice review of a reliable classic and very comprehensive as well.
Nice! So well described. How do I know?? I own a 2000, built lovingly, in JAPAN, in late June no less. One of the last LS400s. A platinum. The best car ever built. Period. Great video. Thanks for the content. Damn good.
This is one of the best YT car videos ive ever seen
Really enjoy your narrative and informative reviews, especially this and LS430! Would love to see a 2007-2012 Lexus ES350 review (I drive one)!
Thanks, I think you're the second person who's said they would like to see that generation ES. Just a matter of getting my hands on one!
wow this review is up there with doug saabkyle, shmee and every professional youtube car reviewer. ls400 is like no other
Wow! Crystallized the subtle characteristics of this exquisite vehicle with articulated precision. Asphalt and butter!
Excellent review! First class. In-depth and clearly shows the thoughts and knowledge of the owner. These cars have unquestionably earnt their place in automotive history with proven reliability and durability. An extremely well designed car. 👍🧐🎩
I am a proud owner of a 95 ls400. . .and this video was the best fucking video ive ever seen to describe the car. . .dam good job sir. . .all around video. . .sound. . .your free speech but thourough and informative. . .made me want to go for a drive and i just got home ha...the car is a dream man. . .so unrivaled. . .
WOW! Excellent review, bud.
Thanks, Glad you liked it! I love that car. Still my daily driver.
Great video on the LS, love the orange bits on the bumper, very vintage! Hard to believe this car is older than me!
This car is still my daily driver. It's stunning just how smooth, composed and not-old it feels. It was built a year and two months after I was born.
Older than you? Believe me I am 37 years old and people think I am still in my 20's
Great video! How in the world do you only have one subscriber???
872 now! 😄
1099 now!
1,130 now...
Well done and thorough. Liked for spot on joke about Grand Am haha. Great work.
This is the best review on this car I have ever watched. As a Toyota owner/car fan, I have easily realized that they make the most reliable vehicles by far. My 2000 Corolla with 225k has had no problems after 6 years of ownership. I hope to one day find and own an LS 400.
The only downsides are the need to replace the timing belt every 90K or so and the 91 octane minimum. There are people who run them on lower octane but, if there's pre-ignition and your knock sensor fails, real damage can occur. There's also reduced performance and mileage on low octane.
This review deserves thumbs up
Wowwww! The Best Review Ever! 9n Point! Beautifulll!
excellent video!
this one is in a lot better shape than the one I looked at today...off to look some more
Wow..you don't find any other luxury car looking like that after 27 years...still running well and everything still works.
Still my daily. About to get in and drive to work.
Awsome car awsome review ! Thank you
Hey man im dropping back in to say thanks. After watching this video I totally fell in love with the LS400. I liked the body style and saw the specs, and thought it'd be a good car. It was this video that made me realize how special it truly is. since then I bought one for 1,300 bucks, and I've been making videos about it. I urge you to check it out! So thanks for inspiring me to get a great car, and helping me find some awesome content! Keep at it.
Nice dude! Your car is very, very similar to mine. Except the chrome wheels. Mine's coming up on 170k. Still my daily driver and still amazes me. Yours looks very good for 242k and 1300. I'm always telling people how great these cars are--I feel good having made a convert. Glad you like the videos, too.
@@atomicautomobile8537 thanks man! I appreciate you making the video. Yeah this will not be my last LS400
Harshad Mehta
Great Dale's pitch from the LS 400. Thanks for sharing
Good video. The 1UZ-FE is a legendary engine that was designed as part of the Toyota LeMans race team and reportedly cost over 1 BILLION (yeah with a B) to build. The 400 and 430 are arguably THE two most reliable cars that have ever been built.
I'm keeping mine stock. Love it, looks great, runs great.. the only thing I did was get high performance mufflers.. mine is a 2000 No VIP
1998 here, stock as well except for some dark grey rims that match the bottom side of the car, the rest of the car is black.
@@Lethalpancakes nice
kevralph These are best kept stock IMO. A friend of mine recently put coilovers on his second gen LS400 and immediately regretted it and went back to standard suspension with KYB struts. The car is pretty well perfected from the factory but some people try to make them sportier which doesn't really work well.
@@atomicautomobile8537 I was even considering replacing the factory radio for a new unit with Bluetooth.. but some KZhead videos have shown a way to modify your existing radio. I subbed to your channel. I like your video on the crown Vic.. I also have a Grand Marquis. I let my son drive it..
@@atomicautomobile8537 Yes, coilovers are a big mistake.
closing the doors in this beauty sounds like a bank vault,I would love one
Very good review I’m looking at purchasing a 1993 LS 400
Get a good PIP and, if good, buy it. Better choice is the 98-2000 second generation.
Good review ive got a 93 ls400
How's it holding up
Well said!!! I have a 94 ls 400 gold badge I absolutely love ❤️ this car 💕
Thank you so much.
Great Reviev
I love my 01" LS430. Build Quality is amazing.
How long have u had it? And would you recommend buying 1 with 150000 miles on it
@@tdubbdagreat1173 only owned it 7 months and bought with 80k miles. 150k miles is nothing to worry about if its been taken care of.
Dear Atomic Auto, I enjoy listening to your recordings on You Tube about old Lexuses. I hope you can help me. I bought a new 1996 Lexus LS400 27 years ago. It now has 221K miles on it. Last year it started running rough in Florida, and I also saw smoke coming from both exhausts. I told my mechanic to do a complete tune-up, (plugs, wires distributor caps, rotors, etc.) Still ran rough and smoke from exhausts. He replaced the 3 catalytic converters, but no help. He replaced the 3 oxygen sensors, but no help. He examined both mufflers all okay, but no help. I finally shipped the car to my mechanic in Massachusetts. We removed the top intake manifold, examined the fuel rail, inspected the 8 fuel injectors and replaced the 8 rubber seals, and performed a compression test. Still no help. We disconnected the power steering line to the engine, still no help. I read that if the engine oil was overfilled, the oil would foam and smoke, and not lubricate. (Lucas oil was added last time), so we drained and replaced the oil. Still no help. I love this car and do not want to abandon it. Any suggestions?
I wish I could help you but you've already tried most of the things I would have guessed. Maybe valve stem seals? The only insight I can offer you is, when I work on mine, the overall theme with things that fail is that they're the plastic/rubber pieces that have embrittled due to sheer age. The rest of the car has held up but these cars are so old now, anything plastic/rubber is the achilles heel. Maybe that will help.
Thanks for your reply
Best review of a LS400. A truly remarkable car in terms of reliability. Probably the most durable, safe and reliable car made to date. It's negatives? Well fuel economy could be better. But it's strength is it's saviour, it could we'll save your life, so the extra fuel cost repays that.👍🧐🎩
Very educated👍 Job well done
Just bought a 1998, cant wait to pick it up :)
This LS400 in the video is one of the best looking out there! Really nice spec! There's a video here on KZhead about one that looks not "luxury" at all... Not even a leather interior... It was quite ugly in a whole unfortunately...
I have a 92 es300 in damn near mint condition. When I bought it in 2019 it only had 60K original miles on it. Now I'm in search for a nice LS! Lexus for life baby!
It is the best luxury sedan ever made. Owned a couple. They are still running today. Amazing
Man. This thing aged well. I’ve always wanted one to restore to factory condition.
Dude I would give a nut for your 85 Cressida. Now that’s crazy for a guy to say. But those are the most awesome car. I did have a 93 LS. Sold it with 360k. Want a 85-88 Cressida. Maybe even a wagon! Great review btw. Oh and my LS was a base model. It did not have that TRAC control button yours has because that was an option. I didn’t have air suspension either thank god
Everyone I've ever met old and young have said this is their favorite and best car they've ever owned. I'm right there with them.
I love my 93 LS400, 144k miles only a 2 owner car and it's a gold package. I love it so much, and it's STILL on the original transmission!! It doesn't slip yet! Everything on my car is in near pristine condition, minus one little tear on the drivers seat, and the little cracks that happen on the front bumper clear coat. My power tilt wheel doesn't work, needs fixed, and sadly the RPM gauge "electroluminescence" is starting to flicker which bugs me.... (If that is fixable someone please tell me) But otherwise everything else is great, and I love this car!
Where can get parts for my 93 ls 400. Have some work I need to do inside interior
Gotta love that good ol 1UZ! 😍😘😎🤗
Now, I want one.
Did you get 1 yet...I'm looking right now!
What a beautiful car even in 2020. started loosing interest in Lexus when they moved the new style front grill. And I can say they do last, from experience.
LC 500 is still a Masterpiece
Loved the old school Mercedes and BMWs but in that picture the Lexus looks a decade ahead of em
And a century ahead in quality.
When you said "it never wear out", re-think that.
if you find a cheap one, things will definitely be worn, mine (1996, 177k) has very broken leather on the front seats and armrest, antenna is broken, previous owner sealed the sunroof shut, some big stains, repainted and looking bad now, some vibration from engine at idle and more over 2k rpm which I believe is a tuneup away from perfection, probably needs U-joints and radio backlighting is gone and some LCD crystals are dead. just some more maintenance and it'll be sorted, I still love it even with all of its issues.
@@yaboirico5221 back lights not led they are just bulbs and correct they goes out a lot..no matter how reliable something other can still wear out
I think the main thing they did was they built a luxury vehicle with all the bells and whistles, and then they gave it Toyota reliability. All these former Porsche and BMW owners had a luxury car that would never break down.
Great car. Only compliant I had on mine was that the power steering pump was above the alternator and wou kd lead and short out the alternator. After replacing it three times I got rid of it
Mine started leaking years ago. Added Lucas PS sealant and no more leak! The usual source is the front seal. More rarely it's the return tube.
HarMageddo what year did you have
Beautiful car, i have a 91 but damn i would like a 93 with all it's features.
Iliveoffwelfare I got a 91 and it's the same as his 93. Am I missing something?
Fedora Cheeto well dual airbags, bigger brakes outside, temp sensor and a digital odometer ar ethe big differences between first gens and the revised one 93-94
great value in the looooong run
I owned 1992 LS400 the ended 246123 miles do to an accident. Never have me any major issues. My mechanic would say "hey?! What kind of a friend are you? I only see you around every 3 month for an oil change and tire rotation"
Great Video! can i get a limited slip for that rear diff from a supra?
I think some were available with "LSD" as designated by the VIN. I don't recall which years could have it. Google?
Do you recommend changing this stock suspension out for coilovers for a slightly lower ride height? I know how great the car rides already stock.
No I would not! These cars do best when kept mostly stock, especially suspension-wise. They're big soft smooth cars. That's they're nature. They were perfected with that setup. A friend of mine with a second gen LS400--a 1998 I think--put coilovers on his and immediately regretted it. He went back to a stock setup.
Atomic Automobile yeah my friend that clapps out all his cars and is really big on coilovers even told me “yo to be honest I don’t even think I would put coilovers on the Ls400 if I were you, the way that thing rides on stock suspension is too nice”! Do you have any recommendations for filling up some of the wheel gap than? Or just wheels?
How many of you come here after watching scam 1992
What do you mean????
@@rogerpritchard it's covered in one of the Indian web series called Scam 1992
@@pranavraundal664 Very interesting story. Thankyou for telling me about it. I want to buy one for my home in Thailand and also for my home in England.