How to tell if a car has Nakamichi stereo? + VIN decoding

Cornell87 · July 12, 2002

I just purchased a 1997 LS400 in a private sale. It has the glovebox 6-disk changer and the stereo head unit is labled "Lexus Premium Sound." Is this the Nakamichi stereo? The prior owner didn't know if it was, and the owner's manual is not on this -- it has a generic picture of the radio controls and says the buttons on the Nakamichi unit might look slightly different.

On a related topic, other manufacturers (e.g., Mercedes) have codes in the VIN for major options (like leather vs. cloth, sport packages, etc.) -- does the Lexus VIN have similar codes? If so, does anyone know the Lexus VIN codes for various options?

Thanks,

Cornell87

kuruma · January 29, 2003

Step 1: Take changer out of glove box

Step 2: Look on back of CD changer

Step 3: Smile :lol:

tylersc400 · February 24, 2003

i have a lexus with a Nakamichi stereo. it says Nakamichi right on the head unit. since your's says Lexus premium sound i don't think it is Nakamichi.

gslx4s · May 12, 2003

I just purchased a 1997 LS400 in a private sale. It has the glovebox 6-disk changer and the stereo head unit is labled "Lexus Premium Sound." Is this the Nakamichi stereo? The prior owner didn't know if it was, and the owner's manual is not on this -- it has a generic picture of the radio controls and says the buttons on the Nakamichi unit might look slightly different.
On a related topic, other manufacturers (e.g., Mercedes) have codes in the VIN for major options (like leather vs. cloth, sport packages, etc.) -- does the Lexus VIN have similar codes? If so, does anyone know the Lexus VIN codes for various options?

Thanks,

Cornell87

The Nakamichi name would be visiable on the head unit.