A classic example of near-perfection

The 2000 Lexus LS 400 is in it's last year of production. The new LS 430 will be coming out in the fall. So why buy an LS 400? For starters, the newer car is improved in minor ways, but many will not appreciate its more aggressive styling, replete with sharp corners and plasticy cladding. 2000's are also now something rare at a Lexus dealership...on sale! Discounts are making it one of the best new car values in the luxury class. And if you are a wise buyer who wants to buy and hold a car for 7-10 years, you can't pick a better one for value and longevity. Also remember that the LS430's will be selling at full sticker price for a long time. This means a price differential of around $6,000 or more. This car does its job so well, you really won't find yourself longing for a new model in the near future. Cars just cannot get that much better. Mostly you will see added gadget items like GPS navigation, and perhaps even more powerful engines. But with a reported 0-60mph time of 6.3 seconds, you really have no practical reason for any more power.

EXTERIOR:

Many find the LS 400 styling boring. I prefer the term "classic". There are very few more attractive and impressive cars on the road than a Black/gray two tone Lexus LS 400. And remember, in this class of car, you risk looking like a buffoon if you chose a car that is too dramatically styled. The angular lines added in '95 helped the styling, and the added touches since then have moved it even further upscale. I'm not fond of the current wheel style, but aftermarket wheels are available to fix that. Finally, I have to say that I have never seen better, longer lasting paint than on Lexus vehicles.

INTERIOR:

Comfort is world class. The fine leather seats are comfortable, but not especially bolstered. They are great seats, with a multitude of adjustments to find the right position, but they are not for the sporting enthusiasts among us. I also find them a little too slick for my tastes. But this is a luxury sedan, not a sports sedan. Interior room is fine for 5. Compared to most cars on the road, it is a limo. But there are bigger cars out there, like the BMW 740iL, if you really crave more back seat space.

Driving position and guages are great. The nifty electronic Lexus dash is the best I've seen. Ergonomics and buttons are the best, much superior to the vaunted BMW.(no sticking buttons here, folks) The interior fabrics are high quality, the dash material looks expensive, and everything is put together well. No flaws. Even the basic stereo sounds great. I can't imagine needing to upgrade. There is a useful console, and the CD changer is in its own seperate front dash compartment, not in the trunk.

PERFORMANCE:

The ride is one of the best ever. Very very quiet, and very very smooth. This is a fantastic trip car. Handling is not sporty, but contrary to many opinions in car mags and elsewhere, it is not the sloppy pig many would like to portray it as. Handling has been firmed up since its debut in '90, and it handles better than all but the most elite sports sedans. Body roll is there, but the car sticks to the road. Road and wind noise is minimal, in part due to its low drag coefficient and excellent construction.

Acceleration is awesome for a non sports car. 300 hp is delivered in a silky smooth and quiet manner. The car is not all that heavy for its class, so it really moves out. The super smooth transmission doesn't hurt either. Shifts are almost imperceptible except under heavy load. one thing I find odd is the electronic throttle/pedal. It just doesn't seem natural, and takes a while to get used to. You feel like you're not pushing it hard enough sometimes. Traction control is an expensive, though useful option. It's nice to know you can punch the pedal and not worry about it.

Braking is best in its class. 60-0 in 122 ft has been reported. This is better than a lot of sports cars out there, and better than you would expect in a "soft" vehicle.

RELIABILITY/DEALERS:

Reliabilty of the LS 400 is just about the best in the world. If properly serviced, they last forever. And despite scary stories about maintenance, they really aren't that much more expensive when you consider your investment in the car. They do have problems with AC compressors at 70K miles plus, and some steering components have historically had problems, but they're far more reliable than less expensive cars, and most of their Foreign luxury competition.

The Dealer network is supposed to be the best. In my experience, they have a great attitude, go beyond the call of duty, and try to make you happy so you come in again and put another $10,000 of profit into the dealer's pocket one day in the future. They were very helpful with info when we were shopping for cars, never hesitated to print you out a list of all required services and prices, and my father, who owns 2 Lexus vehicles, has had them replace a whole wheel and tire when a jack collapsed when he was changing a tire on his RX 300. The bottom line is that they know their customers won't put up with games, so they don't play them. They're making too much money keeping their customers happy.

If they needed improvement in any area, it would be the sales staff. They tend to be a little old fashioned. I prefer cut n dried deals, without the haggling and financing games. It's been hard to get straight answers from their salesmen.


SAFETY:

The LS 400 has received the Insurance Institute's highest "BEST PICK" rating. Side and front airbags, fantastic braking, and its nearly 4000 lbs mean you are as safe in this vehicle as any other car on the road.


OVERALL: In today's market, a used '98 might be a far better deal, due to the depreciation hit you'll avoid, but the '2000 LS 400 is still hard to beat for value and excellence. If you want a comfortable, powerful, well equipped car that won't leave you stranded, I highly recommend it. It lacks some of the luster of other makes, but those also will cause you more headaches. If, however, you want more "fun" out of your driving experience, you might have to go with a BMW or Jaguar.