Used 1990 Lexus LS 400 Consumer Reviews
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Best Car Ever
Leased this car in 1990 when no one had ever heard of a "Leex-is". Three years later I bought out the lease and never looked back. Today it has over 264,000 miles on it and the engine is still as strong as ever. In 24 years I may have put 4K in non-scheduled repairs in this car. Mileage averaged 22 mpg combined.
its 20 years old & still going strong! but be prepared......
This is my first car I got it at about 205xxx the best buy I ever made! This car is powerful and the handling is so smooth that cars half its age cant compare. VERY reliable it has never broken down on me and I drive A LOT I feel totally safe in this car. Its so quite you can barely tell its on. BUT be prepared the cost of maintenance is high a regular tuneup will run you about $300 a full is approx $600. the water pump and timing belt which needs to be changed every 90k was $1200 and it takes PREMIUM GAS ONLY. But thats a small price to pay for the piece of mind you get knowing you have such a reliable ride. I recommend this car to everyone
ls 400
i love this car. everything standard is all you will ever need, plenty of power and other features.
Great vehicle
My husband bought a new Lexus LS 400 in 1990. I thought it was just a nice car, looks good, handles easily, and is very fast. I used to feel the car was going to take off like a jet airplane! Sadly, my husband died in 1999, but i'm still driving his "baby". Ironically, I've actually put more miles on the car, than he did. It now has 198,000 miles. no clock display, tape player doesn't work, have not had air conditioning in 3 or 4 years, no front hood lifts -- all too expensive to replace. everything is expensive from the dealer, but the car runs and looks so good--still shiny, and sentimental value for me. I plan to keep it until the wheels fall off.
Keeping it Forever
We have 167,000 miles on our 1990 Lexus LS 400. I'm 58 years old - it is the best car we have ever owned. No repairs except the scheduled maintenance and a paint job. This LS has beautiful cloth seats which we prefer. My wife said she wants to keep it forever, if it runs that long. It still runs like the first day we bought it. My wife said for Christmas she wanted it repainted as it gad a few dings and cracked paint. It cost $3500 to strip to metal and repaint - we now have a new 1990 Lexus LS 400. 27 MPG hwy. We did take excellent care of it with 3,000 mile synthetic oil chnages, transmission/radiator flush and all scheduled maintenance. Highly recommend!
16 years, still better than any others
grandfather bought car brand new in debut year. interior and exterior still in excellent condition. has 97,000 miles. has been mistaken for a 1996. performance is astounding--monstrous acceleration, smooth shifting tranny, buttery handling. cannot feel how fast you're going--has led to speeding tickets. has been driven at 160mph. sounds like a plane. interior quiet and comfy. has features unheard of in 1990--optional ride height control, etc. only complaints--LCDs dimming, carpet fading. leather is slightly cracking on driver seat. sound system has deteriorated over time. CD changer broken but never fixed. but, car is 16 years old (it's expected). AC has broken down.
Lexus LS400 Original Owner
My 1990 LS400 is an exceptional vehicle. Very reliable, smooth as silk, it still feals good after 13 years. I've done most of the maintenance myself, including brakes and oil. The wiring harness for the trunk lid brake lights failed and I repaired with solder and heat shrink tubing. The brakes were acting weird with the broken wire. Great vehicle!
One Great Automobile
We bought this vehicle new in 1989 and have foung NO reason to buy another new car since then. We have lived in a remote area where we travel some pretty rough roads and have tons of snow in the winter. When we move here, seven years ago, I actually thought about selling this car and buying a four wheel drive vehicle. Couldn't let go. Never have I had a single regret. However, this vehile is equipped with traction control.
Absolutely brilliant car
This has been an absolutely wonderful car. It's a beautiful design, and in my opinion more attractive than its German rivals of the day. It's aged better too. It is unmatched in interior comfort (for driver and all passengers), ride comfort, and overall build quality. You quite simply cannot match its level of performance or quality at the price; today you can find excellent examples for $5,000. And don't be wary of purchasing one with more than 100k miles. As any Lexus owner will tell you, that's young for an LS400. I bought mine at 130k miles and it's been great. The only downside to this car is the high repair costs, however expensive repairs will become necessary very infrequently.
14 Happy Years
I've had my LS for 14 years and am so satisfied that I don't want to get a new LS even though there are new options I would like to have. I have had MBZ, Jaguar, etc and none compare in quality and reliability to Lexus. All our cars are Lexus and all show the same high quality. In all these years, I have only had minor work done on the a/c, replaced front arms, replaced front hood lifts, and normal service. The temp. lcd has been out for several years and the leather on the seats is cracking--my fault. Not bad over the course of 14 years when that many things went wrong every year in my MBZ's. I may just keep driving this car until it falls apart--or I do.
Keeps going and going and going
First year of release, now coming up on 20 years and this vehicle is still a GREAT car. We have 150,000 miles and put our first big expense into the car (AC repair @ $1000). This has been the most reliable car we've ever owned. Car is 17+ years old and still looks like it rolled off the showroom floor. No rust, no dings, no scratches, no cuts. I've pushed my wife to buy a newer car and she pushes back everytime. She loves this car.
The best car ever!
I bought this car used in 1994 in Florida. The 2nd owner. Since then New tires, tune up and regular maintenance. This car has cost me less than any other car I've owned.
My 1st car and I'm in love
When at first I heard my friend was selling his car that was nearly 20 yrs old I almost turned down the offer but now I am glad I haven't. Even after 20 yrs this car runs better then my friends' cars that are 10+yrs younger than it! I was amazed! It's quiet and powerful - I have to always double check my speed because it's easy not to realize how fast you are going. Smooth ride - the suspension is just great. My mechanic was impressed too at how it looks (I took it to get a check up :D ). I'm impressed with the manufacturing of this Lexus and how after 20 yrs it could still run so well. Toyota, you have won yourself a customer for life.
Best Japanese car built
Great car for the money, and still maintains its resale value. Still looks sharp for a 12 1/2 year old car. I get lots of compliments. Its so reliable, its boring, although the replacement parts are really expensive. Mine has only 70K.
Don't Sell!
These cars have excellent accident survivability. I was broadsided two years ago by a Saab running a red light at 64 mph, and there was no penetration into the cabin and no injuries to myself. The poor Saab was severly mangled. The funniest part was that my car was still driveable (yes the rear axle was completely lopsided but it moved). My car is 14 years old and it still outshines most new mid size sedans in style, in performance, and even durability. My best friend purchased a Buick Regal only to have it break down on the freeway 41,000 miles!
LS 400
Had my LS400 for 1 year now. Odometer said 118,00 but after I bought I did a car fax and it said 212,000. Whatever the case is, it is a beautiful car. No problems, runs great. I invested in rebuilding ac that cost me $1300. Other than that routine oil changes, had no problem with rwd in new york snow it has traction control.
my ex-wifes' car now
i've been in the car biz since 1980- worked at independent shops and dealerships (toyota,lexus,vw)I bought my lex used from a honda sled lot and I swear it was the best piece of steel I've ever owned. Damn sitting here banging this out almost makes me wanna cry-I miss that sled! My beautiful,wonderful ex just does not understand the value of regular preventive maintenance and up keep. The car has not been taken car of like it should be for sometime but it is still running strong and looks great!
Great Car
Great Car! Repairs are costly, I replaced 1 altinator,1 power steering moter, 1 air conditioner; 2 oxygen sensors; brakes apox 20-25000 miles; 1 radiator repair. Car nows has 272,000 miles!
One of the best built cars in the world
These are excellent cars. I am really impressed with the extremely high build quality and the extremely high quality of the interior materials. Even with 225K, my car is still 100% squeak and rattle free. Engine is so quiet and smooth- I have to look at the tachometer to see if the engine is running. The engine is also powerful, even under light acceleration. Excellent brakes. Everything still works perfectly on my car. Also, the car has a excellent ride, that does not compromise handling. Even today- these cars have modern styling inside and out and it even seems like most of the very high mileage LS400s still drive like new.
423k miles and runs like a dream, but...
I originally bought this car with 187k miles on it. I have this car and I also have a 2001 LS430 with 82k miles it. My 90 LS400 still runs great and actually I like the older Lexus look more then the new ones but repairs are enormous because of the part costs. Those buying a Lexus be forewarned parts are 3-4 times what a Toyota part costs. Still, with over 400k miles and running and looking beautful I think this car is the best ever built. Awesome car, but an expensive trip to the dealer for minor stuff....
You bought a new Lexus?
That's what my neighbor said when seeing my "new" 1990 LS400 in my driveway. With 134,000 miles under its belt, this car is just getting broken in! It is as solid as any brand new luxury car. The ride is great, it's quiet, the engine is smooth and.. everything works! Lexus really put this car together to last a long time. I am sold on Toyota quality.
Great Buy
My car, though 14 years old and with 95,000 miles on it, drives better than most sedans out there. Very smooth ride, good power, and great power steering. Comfy on all roads, but best on the highway where its power and loose suspension are best put to use.
Best,and most reliable car on the Market
Great looking, reliable, lots of power. Can pass it on to next generation. Had for 30years now. Should be a Classic. Resell price is ridiculous @ 4 to 5k. Easily worth 20 took. We have a hard time selling at that price.
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Nice car
This car belongs to my girlfriend. It is a great car to drive and ride in. It has little problems that bug me. The airbag light is on and the dealer wants $1200 to fix a defective airbag. The rearview mirror does not work properly and the dealer wants $1200 to replace it. The fuel gauge does not work and the dealer wants $1200 to repair it. The car runs great. I think the dealers are rip-off artists.
Old Luxury
2nd owner of this 1st year car built by Lexus. 120,000 miles originally driven in TX. Unbelievable condition for 14 yrs old. Paint shines like new; every option works; leather seats slightly hardened from TX sun. Stereo speakers only thing needing replacement due to age.
What can I expect from a 15 yr old car??
This car is 15 yrs old and still going strong. Plenty of power, good styling, interior holds up well to wear. Shouldnt have any hesitation in buying a used model since I got it at 195000 and didnt flinch after my experiences with my Voyager, F-150 and Cadillac.
LOVE THIS CAR!
Inherited from my parents and can't love it enough. A bit of a gas hog but hey, it's a huge fun V8! Most powerful engine I've ever driven, and wow! What a car.