Tell Me About The Platinum Edition

[codylabrador]

I just bought a 2000 LS 400. It is black with a black interior and is a "Platinum Edition"

I previouly owned a 1999 LS 400 (same color combination). From what I remember, the differences I see are: black emblems, black lower body cladding, alloy wheels with exposed lug nuts, maple wood accents instead of the darker wood accents, leather seat surfaces that are matt-finish instead of shiny leather, floor mats that say "Platinum" and side emblems that say "Platinum".

Can any of you tell me about any other differences or extras about this model as compared to a "standard" 2000 LS 400?

Thanks!

[99lsguy]

Here's what the LS website says:

Platinum Series

- In-dash, six-disc CD auto-changer

- Bird's-eye maple interior trim

- Uniquely textured Royale leather trim on center section of seats

- Power tilt-and-slide moonroof

- Bird's-eye maple - trimmed steering wheel

- High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with dynamic auto leveling

- 16-inch, dish-type alloy wheels

- Black Pearl badging

- Embroidered floor mats

- Complimentary annual fee for American Express Platinum Card® for two years

Nice of Lexus to pick up the AMEX fee

99

PS. Congrats on the purchase.....a beautiful machine! Let us know where you got it, any details, any pics too! Welcome to LOC :D

[1990LS400]

According to the window sticker from my 2000 Platinum Series package also included heated front seats, Nakamichi/CD audio system. and Platinum series badges on the sides. Apparently the content of the Platinum series on the 2000 LS varys a bit. I wonder if mine has a little more stuff since it was made at about the end of the 2000 model in June 2000.

At this link, for example, is a "for sale" of a Patinum Series 2000 LS that was probably sold in California and which does not have heated seats or Nakamichi:

http://www.autosaleassistance.com/Clients/jncrlse/ls400/

[SW03ES]

The options vary as to what section of the country the car was sold. For instance on all Florida and some CA cars there are no heated seats in any Lexus.

Basically its just an appearance package, new wheels and badges, body colored trim as opposed to two tone, maple wood, and royale leather. All Lexus leather is matte (leather when untreated will buff up and get shiny with age) but the Platinum's has a textured surface on the insets.

[1990LS400]

As I wrote in a post on another similar topic, the Platinum Series of the 2000 model year and the similar Coach package of the 1997 model year appear to have been an effort to pump up sales at the end of a model (body style) run. The Platinum Series package was very heavily discounted right on the window sticker which made the options quite a bargain over what it would have cost to have purchased them separately. My late 2000 LS Platinum Series even included chrome Platinum Series wheels (like 2001 LS430 wheels) at no charge. Personally, I could care less about the package but I certainly was amused at the "WOW!-response" from a dealer parts department employee who looked at it last Friday to confirm a minor part I needed.

[1990LS400]

From Autotrader.com, here is the content of the three different Platinum Series packages (SE, SF, SG) offered on the LS in 2000. Mine is an "SF".

Platinum Series (SE)

Appliques, Bird's Eye Maple Wood

Wheels, 16-inch Custom Alloy

Moonroof, Power

Badging, Black Pearl Exterior

Floor Mats, Platinum Signature Embroidered

Headlights, High-Intensity Discharge

Leather Trim, Textured Royale

Compact Disc Changer, In-Dash

Platinum Series (SF)

Appliques, Bird's Eye Maple Wood

Seats, Heated

Wheels, 16-inch Custom Alloy

Radio, Nakamichi Premium AM/FM ETR Stereo with Cassette

Badging, Black Pearl Exterior

Headlights, High-Intensity Discharge

Leather Trim, Textured Royale

Moonroof, Power

Floor Mats, Platinum Signature Embroidered

Platinum Series (SG)

Appliques, Bird's Eye Maple Wood

Leather Trim, Textured Royale

Wheels, 16-inch Custom Alloy

Navigation System Package

Floor Mats, Platinum Signature Embroidered

Badging, Black Pearl Exterior

[SW03ES]

You also got a year free of membership dues with an American Express Platinum card, a $300 value.

[UCF3]

AMEX, that's interesting! Why would Lexus and AMEX have a paid deal like this? <_<

[SW03ES]

That was the whole point of the Platinum edition, the "Platinum" stood for the Platinum American Express card. If you look at the Platinum badges the font and background are the same as a platinum AMEX card.

American Express and Lexus do a lot of partnerships. If you're an AMEX member and a Lexus owner you get all kinds of special promotions, double membership rewards points for Lexus service etc.

[glenmore]

I just bought a set of brand new Platinum edition 16" dish wheels on ebay. What a deal! Only $360 for all five. Can't wait to get them on the car.

glenmore

1990 LS400

1991 MBZ 300CE

[codylabrador]

Thanks for the responses - looks like I have an SF Platinum model based on your postings - It was leased new in Florida and does not have heated seats. Sorry I missed out on the AMEX membership payment.

I really like the exterior appearance (wheels, emblems and lower cladding) but I believe I would prefer the "standard" woodgrain" over the birds-eye maple - it looks a little richer to me.

I bought this car to replace a 1999 black on black LS my wife drove. I sold that car in January with 59K and bought her a 2002 LX 470. Based on her so-so reaction I honestly thought she missed the 1999 and was saying the 470 was just "OK".

When I brought this 2000 model home (surprise!) she responded with "what the h**l did you buy that for - I don't want it.

So - I am driving the 2000 LS now - it is a great car but if I knew I was going to wind up driving it I probably should have strreeetched my outlay and purchased a 2001 LS 430. If I sell the 2000 now I will take a beating on the depreciation.

However, I have been told by a electronics specialist that he believes Lexus really cheapened whats behind the panels and the infrastructure of the LS 430 based on opening them up to install DVD players and XM radios. He suggests sticking with a 2000 or older LS for a more solid, over-engineered car.

[99lsguy]

However, I have been told by a electronics specialist that he believes Lexus really cheapened whats behind the panels and the infrastructure of the LS 430 based on opening them up to install DVD players and XM radios. He suggests sticking with a 2000 or older LS for a more solid, over-engineered car.

That's nice to know :D

On the $$ beating.....

If the depreciation of the 98+ models don't kill you..... the maintenance of the older 90-94's will

Maybe the Gen II's fall inbetween :D

Glad you love your car... and that your wife won't be stealing it from you!!

99

[SW03ES]

I haven't heard anything to the point that Lexus cheapened anything in the construction of the LS430 over the 400, my experience with the two speaks to the contrary, of course I haven't opened either up...

[1990LS400]

We are getting off the original subject of this topic, but as one who used to have a 2000 LS and 1990 LS parked side by side in the garage and who has torn apart the interior and trunk trim of both when installing phones, I have to concur that the 1990 was in many ways superior to the 2000 LS. There was an interesting story on the news last night - I think it was on the PBS News Hour - about how Japanese manufacturers, including Toyota, began removing "unnecessary content" from their cars beginning in the mid 90's to contain manufacturing costs. The news story focused on how Japanese car manufacturers, following the lead of U.S. car manufacturers, learned that they could move hidden content that the customer would not notice. An example was given of how Toyota stopped painting the insides of bumpers. I remember when Toyota Camry purchasers complained loudly in 1997 when the triple door seals (just like the ones the LS has) of the previous Camry were discontinued.

One only has to compare the engine compartment of an old LS to a newer one to see some of this. The engine compartment in an old LS looks like a work of art with all the polished surfaces and the display of the mechanicals. In the newer LS, all you see is a big black bland engine cover. Actually, the larger tolerances and trim gaps in the 2000 LS made it much easier to install my hand held phone car kit and to route all the cables. The older and newer LS's are both great automobiles - they are just very, very different.

[tominyous]

We are getting off the original subject of this topic, but as one who used to have a 2000 LS and 1990 LS parked side by side in the garage and who has torn apart the interior and trunk trim of both when installing phones, I have to concur that the 1990 was in many ways superior to the 2000 LS. There was an interesting story on the news last night - I think it was on the PBS News Hour - about how Japanese manufacturers, including Toyota, began removing "unnecessary content" from their cars beginning in the mid 90's to contain manufacturing costs. The news story focused on how Japanese car manufacturers, following the lead of U.S. car manufacturers, learned that they could move hidden content that the customer would not notice. An example was given of how Toyota stopped painting the insides of bumpers. I remember when Toyota Camry purchasers complained loudly in 1997 when the triple door seals (just like the ones the LS has) of the previous Camry were discontinued.

One only has to compare the engine compartment of an old LS to a newer one to see some of this. The engine compartment in an old LS looks like a work of art with all the polished surfaces and the display of the mechanicals. In the newer LS, all you see is a big black bland engine cover. Actually, the larger tolerances and trim gaps in the 2000 LS made it much easier to install my hand held phone car kit and to route all the cables. The older and newer LS's are both great automobiles - they are just very, very different.

One of the other unique features of the Platinum LS400's was that the whole car was painted the same color. All previous LS400's had 2 tone paint. The top portion was one color & the bottom portion another .. The Generation 3's all come painted this way...

[1990LS400]

tominyous,

My 2000 Platinum LS is has a two tone color scheme - white body with silver lower plastic cladding - same as on the LS I purchased in early 1990. I really don't know which upper body colors, other than black, were available with the matching lower body cladding. I do know that by around 1993, the darker color cars were available with lower plastic cladding that matched the metalwork color. I remember that the owner of the lawn service that sprayed chemicals on my LS bumper ruining the paint in 1993 spend so much time at the Lexus dealer having my car fixed that he purchased an all black LS and also an all black SC400!

[SW03ES]

The white is the only color on the Platinum that comes two toned, but the lower cladding is lighter than the cladding on the standard white. Silver, gold, and black are monotone.

Actually the 2000 Plat is the first LS to be monotoned. Some colors had SIMILAR upper and lower colors, but they weren't the same. If your lawn guy bought an all black LS back then, it had to have been resprayed to match (which is somewhat common). The black ones all had grey trim.

[codylabrador]

:) Update: I have taken the 2000 LS 400 back to the local dealer to have all the minor trim problems fixed under warranty. They have been great - no hassle at all. I have only paid for the 40K service and a precautionary alignment. The service manager and your posts have convinced me that this is a keeper. I plan to shell out the ~$2000 for the extended 100K Lexus warranty coverage and keep the car.

The more I drive this car the more I like it. The ride is a little soft but the car is so quiet and smooth. It is getting >20 MPG in combination driving and has great power when you need it. I think the wheels are a big selling point over the standard LS 400 versions and I love the platinum emblems and mono-color theme. My wife got tired of putting gas in the LX470 and on Monday she said she wanted to start driving this vehicle.

A new question for you - what do you folks use on the interior transmission shifter plastic and on the woodgrain to keep them looking and shiny and feeling slick? My shifter indicator plastic has some minor hazing. I have used toothpaste in the past on plastic surfaces but this probably warrants some additional care.

[SW03ES]

That plastic on the shift gate is horrible, very difficult to keep it clear. I'm VERY thankful Lexus stopped doing that and uses flat plastic or metal now.

You should buy some Plexus plastic cleaner, that will work well on the plastic and the wood. The wood is real but its coated in a plastic shell.

[Beth Lamenskie]

I have a beautiful gold LS400 Lexus Platinum Series. It is in great condition. I just did a lot of maintenance to it. I have spent $1800. People act like I should be giving it away to them. It is a great car, kept in the garage. But people act like I am charging 25k instead of 5495. I would take a little less as well. It is just awesome but I don't need it anymore. These are special cars. 

[LSPaul]

Hi, Beth--

Welcome to the group!

Looked at your CL ad; your car IS a nice looking example.  Not having navigation I see as a bonus on an LS, but lack of heated seats may limit its appeal outside of the south/Sunbelt states. 

Executive summary:  What does Macy's do when they want to get shoes sold?  Yes, put 'em on sale/mark it down!  This also applies to your car.

Why hasn't it sold?  Harsh truth:  It sounds like the market isn't interested in the car at your asking price, and it sounds like you're getting frustrated.  I'm not a dealer (I enjoy cars waaaaaayyyy too much to do the car business for a living), but have some market observations and marketing insights I'll share:

Even in the midwest, I haven't seen '98-00 cars selling private party for that kind of money often lately.  I've seen two nice ones at dealers in my region in your price range with lower mileage.... and they've been sitting for months.  From what I've seen ('01--02 LS430s with comparable miles are currently running anywhere from $2500-5500),  you're possibly asking too much if you're wanting to move the car in a reasonable time frame.  I've spent too much time lately semi-seriously looking for a '430 or '98-00 LS400 to potentially replace my LS400, so that's why I know far too much about this topic.

I'm not sure what you're using as a market pricing guide for your read on the car's value to the market, but cars with money put into getting caught up on maintenance immediately prior to sale rarely get back what you put into them for major maintenance, unless you're turning the wrenches yourself. 

A good analogy: You've probably heard that when you do a major kitchen or bath remodel in your home, it will only net you a percentage back of what you put into it when it comes time to sell. Depending on region, 50-70% for those things is not an uncommon return on investment...  As a long-time Realtor, I tell my clients to do those projects to enjoy the use and utility first and foremost, and for the resale value a distant second... but I digress. 

Back to your car and private party valuation:  When I have sold cars myself, I typically have taken an average of Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds private-party pricing to come up with my asking prices, primarily because it's not easy to lay hands on the dealer's/your banker's NADA Blue Book or whatever industry valuation guide is commonly used there.  I've found averaging KBB and Edmunds figures come out surprisingly close to market reality.  In my region,  KBB calls private party value with your mileage, options, condition, etc., at roughly $4500.  Edmunds is usually much harder on used values, calling your car at $3100.  Still, that's amazing resale value for a *19* year-old car.  Averaging will likely get you closer to a sale at or near your asking price in a reasonably quick length of time.  Other marketing ideas?  Take *more* and better pictures for your ads, showing all angles of the car, inside and out.  Try to use a real camera and not your phone, light things up/use a flash, even in daylight, so shoppers can see the condition of the interior clearly.

One other crazy idea? Get the car detailed *very* well and take it to your next area car cruise night, be it for domestic or import metal.  Show it off.  Seriously.  In a major metro area, there's plenty of people who know what your car is, and would recognize the quality and value (well, duh.. it's an LS--they clean up very well... I've taken my '94 to cruise-ins before--it was fun!).  That might be a venue to consider if you want to expose it to a potentially more knowledgeable market.  Can't hurt, might help.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!

Best,
Paul

 

 

[1990LS400]

On 4/25/2018 at 7:51 PM, Beth Lamenskie said:

I have a beautiful gold LS400 Lexus Platinum Series. It is in great condition. I just did a lot of maintenance to it. I have spent $1800. People act like I should be giving it away to them. It is a great car, kept in the garage. But people act like I am charging 25k instead of 5495. I would take a little less as well. It is just awesome but I don't need it anymore. These are special cars. 

I sold my nearly cosmetically and mechanically perfect 2000 LS400 Platinum Series "SF" (heated seats, originally had Nakamichi audio) in Spring, 2014 for $4999.  It was at just under 180,000 miles and virtually flawless inside and out - always garaged.   The car looked like it just rolled off the showroom floor.   The $4999 included flawless chrome OEM Platinum wheels and extra aftermarket wheels with winter tires.  All eight tires were in excellent condition.  Professionally maintained with full documentation.  Synthetic engine oil changes every 5,000 mlles and transmission/differential fluid changes every 30,000 miles.  The Nakamichi head unit had been professionally replaced with a modern aftermarket screen based in-dash system with Bluetooth handsfree phone and A2DP wireless audio steaming, iPod control, Pandora interface and many other features including provision for satellite radio and backup camera.

The attached photo was taken a few days before I sold the car.

What is yours like?

[Beth Lamenskie]

Mine is all gold and very nice. 5k for a 50,000 luxury car  originally isn’t a bad deal. 

[Beth Lamenskie]

I’ve had many ask about it but no one coming to buy it. One guy said it had too much wrong with it. And I said that I had done everything it needed. But he decided not to buy it. 

[1990LS400]

11 hours ago, Beth Lamenskie said:

I’ve had many ask about it but no one coming to buy it. One guy said it had too much wrong with it. And I said that I had done everything it needed. But he decided not to buy it. 

There is a guy on the Club Lexus forum who said three days ago that he would go anywhere for a nice 99-00 LS400:  https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-1st-and-2nd-gen-1990-2000/887152-anyone-has-a-99-00-ls400-for-sale.html  I think you have to have a minimum number of posts there before you can post an ad for your car in the classified section and then you could respond to the guy's thread and point to your ad.

There's just not much demand for 4-door sedans of any age.  The sales of new Lexus LS sedans has completely tanked - look at the figures:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_LS   People now want crossovers and SUV's.  My wife and I each had a 4-door sedan for nearly 50 years.  Today we have none.  I know only one person in the past several years who has bought a new 4-door sedan and only one who has bought a used 4-door sedan.

Now, if this was a 2000 Lexus LX470 SUV, you would have people lined up to buy it - even in that gold color which is not exactly sought after.

As wonderful as your and my 2000 LS400 was when it was new, it's technology is now very dated when it comes to both safety and convenience.  New Toyota that sell below $30,000 now have standard features that include backup camera, Bluetooth phone and audio, radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and a system that nudges the vehicle back into its lane if it drifts out.  A few bucks more gets blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic assist and parking sensors.  Our 2000 LS400's have none of those features.

So ... if you want to sell your 2000 LS400, you are going to have to find someone who really wants it or change your attitude to that of just getting rid of it.

Sorry.