I swapped the S-Class for a.....

[Peter C]

Not a Frontera!

 

I swapped this via Retro Rides:

 

1992 Lexus LS400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the main reason why I wanted it:

 

 

This is my first Lexus and also my first V8. Woo hoo!

 

Apart from the air con everything works as it should, the car drives great despite the relatively high mileage of 185k. The gearbox is amazing - I only know that it changes cogs because the rev counter needle drops every few seconds. The car is amazingly smooth and comfortable and will make a great daily. The stereo sounds amazing.

 

I got it with 12 months MoT and a bit of tax. The guy I got it from was happy to take the old Merc in exchange.

 

Despite the larger engine size, the Lexus should use a little less fuel than the heavier and more dated 300SE. I expect low 20s on the commute and almost 30MPG on a gentle motorway run.

 

Time will tell but so far I like it. Ok, it doesn't have the class or the classic appeal of the old Merc, but it sure is a lot of car for not much cash.

 

What do you fellas reckon? Good deal?

 

Peter C

[Mr Lobster]

V8. Nice

 

Looks pretty good to me. Thought you wanted something 4x4 though or am I getting confused here?

[Albert Ross]

When I bought my 300SE in 2002, I had the choice between that and a LS400 that had been owned by Imran Khan. I chose the Merc cos it was silver and had Blue Hide. Lexus was silver with Grey. Merc on a H, Lexus on a M. Same price.....

[eddyramrod]

V8. Nice

 

Looks pretty good to me.

+1 Well done. I've wanted one since I first saw one, and only two things are stopping me now... the cost of a new one, and the gadgetry on old ones that could potentially go wrong! Best colour too, good move.

[Station]

That's such a beauty. Engine does the same as my V6, I'd love one.

[r.welfare]

I, for one, will be very interested to find out how you get on with it long-term. LS400s (and the early GS300s) are really tickling my fancy for champagne motoring on a lemonade budget at the moment. Whether I ever do anything about my hankering is another matter!

 

Looks well bought (err, swapped), anyway, and nice to see an early one that's original. If the climate control LCD display is A1 that's a good start, common fault on these.

[Cavcraft]

Love it. Keep us posted on how you get on with it and economy etc please.

[Quintus]

These are nice. Truly refined motoring.

 

I remember when they first appeared and they were tested on Top Gear against the equivalent BMW and Mercedes. They placed a glass of water on the engine of each car and then revved them. As far as I can remember the glass was all over the place on the BMW and Merc, but there was barely a ripple with the Lexus.

[trigger]

Will you be 'pimping' it like this one i saw today?.

 

 

[Lord Sterling]

Lovely, I do like the LS400. Got/had a 1/18 model of one somewhere.

 

Trigger - Where did you fond that Avatar, I quite like it.

[trigger]

Trigger - Where did you fond that Avatar, I quite like it.

http://www.motorgraphs.com/

[CIH]

Just intime for PPC's guide on how to transplant the 1uz into other cars....

[Geep]

Nice swap

 

Not a patch on a Frontera though

[Peter C]

Thought you wanted something 4x4 though or am I getting confused here?

I did / I do, but winter is still a few months away and I thought in the mean time I'd indulge in a bit of luxury.

 

I've wanted one since I first saw one, and only two things are stopping me now... the cost of a new one, and the gadgetry on old ones that could potentially go wrong!

Jap electrics are the best, even better than German. One common fault aside, see below, everything +12V works as it should.

 

If the climate control LCD display is A1 that's a good start, common fault on these.

Whilst the a/c controls work as they should, the LCD display is knackered. The instrument backlights are perfect and I love the 3D lights.

 

I remember when they first appeared and they were tested on Top Gear against the equivalent BMW and Mercedes. They placed a glass of water on the engine of each car and then revved them. As far as I can remember the glass was all over the place on the BMW and Merc, but there was barely a ripple with the Lexus.

Who was it that balanced a 50p coin on its side on the top of a Lexus idling engine and the coin didn't tip over?

 

Will you be 'pimping' it like this one i saw today?.

 

 

No!

 

Not a patch on a Frontera though

Perhaps the guy with the Frontera might fancy a Lexus instead of the Merc?

[TheScrapman]

Hell, I can't even tell the difference between a W140 and a LecksUs! They look like the same car to me.

Heathen!

[pompei]

Lovely! I really fancy one of those with LPG for max WIN.

[meggersdog]

Nice swap.These are superb cars,I had one with 170k a couple of months back and every thing worked.Very smooth ride and yeah I tried the 50p trick but only on tick-over.Mine was the facelifted one so no blinky dash problems.

[warren t claim]

Nice swap.These are superb cars,I had one with 170k a couple of months back and every thing worked.Very smooth ride and yeah I tried the 50p trick but only on tick-over.Mine was the facelifted one so no blinky dash problems.

Please note.....

 

The 50p piece is half the size these days so that trick is best avoided.

[myglaren]

The 50p piece is half the size these days so that trick is best avoided.

 

It may only be worth tuppence but when did that happen?

[warren t claim]

The 50p piece is half the size these days so that trick is best avoided.

 

It may only be worth tuppence but when did that happen?

1997 iirc.

[myglaren]

The 50p piece is half the size these days so that trick is best avoided.

 

It may only be worth tuppence but when did that happen?

1997 iirc.

Must have been stoned or asleep and missed it