Wishing Lexus Made A Decent Large Estate Car To Compete With Mercedes

[OtleyDominic]

I have a LS400 and being a large breed dog owner, why did they never make a decent estate version to compete with Mercs? :)

[Parrot of Doom]

I can't think of anyone who makes large estate cars in the same vein as the old E-class Merc, or the Volvo 940. Most estates these days are "lifestyle" estates, and Lexus make an IS version of that.

[The-Acre]

Something I've never understood, an LS estate would be fantastic, it would mean I don't need to own a Vauxhall!

[OtleyDominic]

My other car is a W124 Mercedes e280 estate and it is really good, even with 180k miles on the clock.

[mikeyv]

The Japanese made some cracking big estates, including a Lexus in all but name, Toyota Crown estate, trouble is, they kept them to themselves.

The Camry estate was a big lump, but pretty rare sight on our roads.

Nissan used to do a 280C estate, complete with USA style mock wood body panels, I ran one for a while and loved it, rotted like a pear though I'm afraid.

They also did a Skyline based estate, which I've seen on eBay a few times.

I'd be in the queue for a LS400 estate too.

Unfortunately, the UK isn't keen on large Jap cars, so not worth their trouble importing them I guess.

Here's a 2001 Crown

[mikeyv]

Nissan 280C estate showing tastefully applied stick on wood, Nissan StageA below.

[Titch LS]

That Crown looks superb. Would love a drive in that just to see how it compares with the LS. I've always admired the old Datsun 280C estate too. Hardly any left now, they all turned to iron oxide years ago. The few still running must be held together with Waxoyl.

[Malc]

I remember, maybe 12 years ago, driving a customers Toyota Camry estate, huge and dark green ....... fabulous. ....... was it a 4 ltr too I wonder ?

Malc

[mikeyv]

I remember, maybe 12 years ago, driving a customers Toyota Camry estate, huge and dark green ....... fabulous. ....... was it a 4 ltr too I wonder ?

Malc

4 cyl 2.2 or 3.0L V6 were the UK options IIRC.

I had the 2.2 saloon, but always hankered after the estate.

Due to scarcity of the estates though, I went to Honda Aerodecks for a while, and, in fairness, they never let me down.

[Malc]

It was a K reg, prob 1992, drove a dream

Malc

[bigjap]

back in the eighties i had crown estates,the first 1975 crown custom estate,had loads of kit for the day

a/c 8 track,electric everything,alot for 75,i had 2 old english sheepdogs at the time,2 kids ,we all fitted in,then i changed it for a 1979 one, a squarer shape ,that had the wood panel on the back,and twin wipers on the tailgate,we had a cressida estate as well,they were all great reliable cars too

[Cotswold Pete]

I remember, maybe 12 years ago, driving a customers Toyota Camry estate, huge and dark green ....... fabulous. ....... was it a 4 ltr too I wonder ?

Malc

4 cyl 2.2 or 3.0L V6 were the UK options IIRC.

I had the 2.2 saloon, but always hankered after the estate.

Due to scarcity of the estates though, I went to Honda Aerodecks for a while, and, in fairness, they never let me down.

I did once consider an Aerodeck for the missus, not a bad motor, but she got impatient and ended up with Accord.

Having been in (but not owned Merc Estates) I found them roomy but soul-less. One reason why I am not keen on the LS430, looks too much like a Merc to me.

Even once looked at Omega estate, but several people said problems with dropped tailgate after about 6 years, which means I stuck with saloons.

Also with the saloon, less likely to get filled with crap for taking to local tip, and not being a dog owner, not sure I ever want a dog making the car smell that much

[BigMartin]

Always wanted to see as LS Estate. With aging parents I would like a 6 seat, 4WD Estate too.

I've looked at a Mercedes R-Class as a fix for this, but cannot bear to let the Lexus go.

[royoftherovers]

And mine is a W210 with 190,000 on the clock !!

Regards

John