GKLCPA

As for me, I think I'll likely wind up with another LS mainly because I'm very impressed with the drive, feel and quality of the car. It will be a bit before I buy a another one however, as I only have 45k miles on my 96 LS and based on what I'm reading here, one can drive these things up to 200K+ miles without a problem. It will take me 8-10 years to run up that sort of mileage, plus I'm the type that normally keeps my cars for a long time.

As to roominess, I'm fine at 6'1", 260 lbs. Blake, I think you need to show everyone the picture you posted with your legs up to the dash for everyone to appreciate your problem with the legroom.

Hi NC,

Actually, I'm a fairly big guy; about 6'1" and 260 lbs. Even still, I'm very comfortable in the car and have plenty of head and leg room. I've read people here complaining about the room, but I've no complaints about that at all. I had to LOL when reading your comments about used LS pricing vs a used Kia !

GKLCPA, I know exactly where you're coming from. Once you experience a road trip in the LS, it's nearly impossible to imagine riding in anything else, especially when you know you paid less for the LS than for a used Kia. We drove ours from Raleigh to Key West and back in the summer of 05', and it was great! We went through two hurricanes, and all of that good weather, and it held it's ground beautifully. When these cars are tuned in just right, you simply can't beat them. The frustrating part is when something falls out of tune, like a warped rotor or thrown wheel weight, and you can feel it. It's frustrating because you've witness the excellent ride, and will do anything to get it back! But once it's back...you're in sheer heaven!! I think the only other car I would consider might me the GS430 some day. Same comfy interior, but in a little bit more sporty setup.

I assume you're probably 5 10'? I don't think I've ever heard someone who was 6 feet or taller say they find the LS very comfortable for long trips. Which I can understand completely. They're not big cars on the inside. They're wide, but not very long.

Edward,

I know where Hazelton is and you're not far from me. I'm in Nazareth which is near the Jersey border. A lot of former New Jerseyeans are migrating here being driven out by the high property taxes, real estate and auto insurance in that state. As a matter of fact, I am a New Jersey "refugee" myself.

Sounds like your road trip experience was very similar to mine! I could drive this car all day long as it's just that comfortable. These are great vehicles.

Like you, I had a Mercedes and had headaches with it. A bigger headache was my 1987 BMW 535i. A great car to drive when it was working. Unfortunately, the car was a moneypit. My 1998 Maxima was a good car with low maintenance but doesn't compare to the Lex. The LS is just simply head and shoulders above any car I've owned previously and I'll not have anything but an LS from here on out

Hello All,

My wife and I traveled 11 hour nonstop from Northeastern PA to Nashville, TN. I drove in between 70-80mph the whole way. This 1991 LS400 has 94K on it and got 26mpg!!!! After arriving in Nashville, the only fatigue I experienced were my eyes. This car is 15 years old and I REFUSE to get rid of it. We've had in our family the following cars:

1) 1985 MB 380SE (died at 80K, premature in my opinion)

2) 1996 LS400 (leased it new, been returned after lease :( ) ,

3) 2001 RX300 (still have w/ 70K, no problems, great SUV)

4) 1993 Grand Cherokee Laredo (involved in an accident and totaled)

5) 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (still have, WORST VEHICLE EVER!!!!!!!!)

6) 1999 Toyota HiLux Surf (4Runner in Peru, great SUV, had to sell it)

7) 1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham (couch on wheels, about as reliable as a solar powered flashlight)

Sorry for the non-chronilogical order, but these Lexus cars are the best, barnone. I expect to keep it (and eventually get another LS) for another 10-15 years (hopefully Toyota/Lexus will continue to supply parts). CHEERS

EDWARD R.

I definitely love my Lexus. I spent about 26 hours driving the car round trip and that's still not enough! I just can't say enough about the quality of these cars.

It would definitely be quite easy to become a salesperson for Lexus and give testimonials. Anyone who drives one of these cars is going to sell themselves. At this point, I'll not own any other car than the LS 400/430/460

I drove the LS 460L about a week ago. That car is fantastic

Don't you love your Lex! I drove mine for about 8 hours and did not feel a thing!

I am so happy with the brand that my dream job after I retire would be to become a salesman for Lexus, because, finally I can talk the truth about a car without having to lie about. I believe so much in the brand, that my first act as soon as I can would be buying a brand new unit just to show my clients how much I trust the Lexus Name.

To me it would be a vacation instead of a Job, being part of the Lexus Family. I live in PR an Island with average yearly income of about 14,000 a year, and yet they are selling, at the only Lexus dealer about a 100 units per month. One of the employees told me the dealer is becoming too small for them, if they relocate this would be the 3rd time they do. The LS 460L is a killer of a car.

C. PR

I just completed my first extended road trip in my newly acquired 1996 LS 400. I traveled from eastern PA to Indianapolis Indiana, which is approximately 1,300 miles round trip.

This machine is truly a road car that's just simply incomparable to any other vehicle I've ever driven. I was exceedingly comfortable on the trip. Normally, after driving a distance like that one gets a bit of body fatigue. I did not experience that in this car at all. Power delivery was just outstanding. I was on the PA turnpike hitting speeds between 85 to 100 mph and it didn't even feel like I was going that fast. There was no vibration or unsteady feel at those speeds at all. Simply an awesome driving experience in an awesome car.

Previously, I've jumped around from car to car and have never had the same car twice. That stops now. From here on out, I will only buy Lexus; specifically the LS 400/430/460 series.

I just completed my first extended road trip in my newly acquired 1996 LS 400. I traveled from eastern PA to Indianapolis Indiana, which is approximately 1,300 miles round trip.

This machine is truly a road car that's just simply incomparable to any other vehicle I've ever driven. I was exceedingly comfortable on the trip. Normally, after driving a distance like that one gets a bit of body fatigue. I did not experience that in this car at all. Power delivery was just outstanding. I was on the PA turnpike hitting speeds between 85 to 100 mph and it didn't even feel like I was going that fast. There was no vibration or unsteady feel at those speeds at all. Simply an awesome driving experience in an awesome car.

Previously, I've jumped around from car to car and have never had the same car twice. That stops now. From here on out, I will only buy Lexus; specifically the LS 400/430/460 series.

I forgot to mention that even after driving at 85-100 mph, my fuel mileage was still 25 mpg. If I had used the cruise control, it doubtlessly would have been higher---a truly impressive vehicle!

My fathers 90 ls400 turned 500k 3wk ago. developed ball joint probs that would require at least 2 at

$600 a pop- so he traded for an ls430 with 30k.

He changed the oil every 2-3k. He changed the timing belt every 100k (and water pump, since it was right there).

And he drove the hell out of it.

Ac went. dash lcd went. leather wore. Engine sounded a little louder (but he cant hear thunder, so he didn' notice).

Had to put a rear strut on. Rust rear quarter panel.

Never ever broke down except for a heater hose I replaced by the side of the road.

Cheapest car he ever had.

He figured Lexus should give him a new one as a testament to durability, but they didn't.

Now that's inspiring! It sounds like I'm going to have my LS 400 with 41K miles for at least ten years. That's fine by me as I'm really not the type of person to trade frequently as that tends to burn up money. I just came out of a Maxima which I sold to my daughter with 175K miles and I'm looking to get at least that from my LS

I think thats a fair price for a great car. I paid 11,500 for a 95 ls400 with 67k miles so i think ur doin well considering the mileage. U will love this sight, its very helpful and also nice to know that others here have a great taste in cars ;)

It's good to know what you paid for your 1995 for comparison purposes here. Based on the low miles, I felt pretty okay on the price I paid, but you've just provided confirmation. Thanks.

This site is great and I've learned a lot just lurking here for the last month or so.

With a 38" inseam, I think you are going to have some trouble. I have a 33" inseam (I'd say that I have slightly more length in my torso than legs.), and I could certainly use about 5 more inches of legroom to call myself truly "comfortable" (I've unbolted the seat and mocked it up to tease myself.). I love Lexus cars, but the lack of interior space is going to make it very easy for me to replace this car with another brand in a few years. But hey, I'm a glutton for punishment and it gives me something to !Removed! about for the time being! LOL Here I am in my '95...to give you an idea of what you are up against:

You really look like you don't have a lot of room in the picture. I'm a fairly big guy with a 32" inseam and I'm extremely comfortable in my car. As a matter of fact, I'm so comfortable that I'll never go back to driving a mid-size vehicle again.

Welcome to the 96 club! I've put 60k on mine and not one problem. You've got a gem with only 36k on the dash. Take care of it, keep it clean and maintenanced and you won't be disappointed. If I were you, I'd get all the fluids, plugs, and filters changed just in case. It hasn't been driven much and, if you don't have maintenance records, you may need some new blood in it. That thumping sound may also be because of the lack of driving. Let a dealer or shop that specializes in Toyota/Lexus take a look at it. A lot of people on the site use independent service centers. Start a good relationship with one and you'll save yourself a lot of money! Good luck.

Thanks and that's sage advice that I'll act on. There's an independent service center near my job and I think I'll take it by there during the next couple of weeks.

What do you guys think about the price I paid? I think it may be a bit on the high side when I look at TMV per Edmunds (about $ 9,300). Kelly Blue Book indicated a range of $12,000 to $14,000 for a 96. The dealer (non-lexus) wanted $ 16,000 initially.

My car is a New York City car that was driven an average of 3,000 miles a year. Apparently, the owner had a home in Florida and only used the car when he came North. I found it on the internet.

big choice going for the 96. Congratulations on your purchase. I find myself touching my 1998 LS in the middle of the night singing to her

Thanks. This car is simply a superb piece of machinery. I had the opportunity to drive a LS 460L yesterday and found that many of the features of my car remain a main stay in the newest version. I actually think that my car is slightly smoother in feel as the LS460 has a tighter almost racier sort of feel to it. The newer model is definitely very quick however.

Pound for pound, I just think these cars are just the best thing around and I can hardly wait to take a 1200 mile road excursion I've got planned for next week. I've had this car up to 90 mph and it does not even feel like one is going that fast; no vibrations, just smooth power delivery that makes you feel as if you're going 50 mph. My fuel mileage is better than my Maxima. I'm averaging about 21 mpg in combined highway and city driving.

I'm new to the forum. I purchased a mint 1996 LS 400 with 36,000 miles on it about a month ago for

$ 14,000. The car is virtually brand new. I had a choice between this car and a 1999 with 85K miles, but decided to go with the 96 as the 90K maintenance interval is at least three years out from now.

The car rides perfectly except that I've noticed a sort of dead sound from the left side when going over bumps, can some one tell me what they think that might be?

I've previously owned Mercedes (190E), Volvo (740 turbo), BMW (535i) and a Maxima and this car beats them all. The BMW and Mercedes were money pits.

Power delivery and ride are absolutely awesome. I'm finding excuses to drive the car and I look forward to driving this car for many years to come