Lexus Ls400 Is Ugly

[Rich OB]

Check out this advert on the bay.

http://bit.ly/1mIMVbj

I always keep an eye on the LS's for sale as I would really like one knowing how fantastic they are. But is this really what people that don't know about them think? Is this their opinion? What do people say about your LS?

I'd love a black MkIII With DHP pack.

[Adam Evans]

Hahahaha its been painted with a breeze block !!!!!

[Cotswold Pete]

LS 400 is distinctive, and quite possibly a drug dealers motor, but I like the look, but never been stopped to see if I could sell any class A stimulants.

I prefer it over 430 which looks like a gone-wrong Merc, but like the 460 as it is as distinctive as the 400.

Mind you I do not like the new front end look of most new Lexus models, 450s, 200 etc, which look like a basking shark mouth with LEDs for modern bling. - Are they trying to out-do the Audi look these days!!!

[harrylime]

My wife and daughter do not like the exterior of my LS 400, but it may be the size, they think it's too big. I think it looks elegant and understated. I agree with Pete about the 430, which looks as if it's trying too hard. I think the simplicity of the 400 makes it less likely to appear dated.

[ambermarine]

Just back from my annual 3 month in Flo and appalled at this comment by a phillistine .

The perception of ugliness probably resulted from this guy's wife looking in the mirror before commenting on the car,momentarly forgetting what she was talking about.

He also as a salesman fails miserably and is in fact hiding behind his wife to make comments that are of his own views.

The Lexus LS Mark 1 to 4 as always been a head turner and will remain so because the latest models all look the same as their opposition, something I noticed more and more whilst out in the States as they do more models of the Lexus Range there.

The spindle front grill is ugly and does not enhance the elegance of the rest of the car.

[ROYT]

The LS only appears ugly if you are used to driving a streamlined biscuit tin

[Bluesbreaker]

I wouldn't waste much of my time on commenting on this guys attempt at humour -save for him dragging Stevie Wonder's name into the sales/*******/spiel-he may be blind,but he's got talent.

[Sidleybird]

Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder of course. Actually, I thought the guy's eBay ad was quite funny! And you can't deny that the LS400 does look like a pimpmobile. Still, each to their own. I saw an 220D in a car park the other day and, after having had a good look round it, I have to say the term that came to mind was "bland". Just my personal opinion of course, other opinions are available. Brand loyalty is all very well but let's not kid ourselves.

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

I've always said the LS400 is an "ugly" car. Doesn't change the fact it's is/was an engineering master piece. Just think they could've been a bit braver with the design. :)

[harrylime]

Just think on, if they'd come up with a styling masterpiece, many of us could not have afforded to buy one. Case in point the Mk 2 Jag, a good looking car for which 25K will buy a really good one, compared with the E type Jag with similar mechanical bits, much less practical than the Mk 2 but arguably a more eye catching design, for which 45 - 50K will be needed to buy a really good one. (not the best analogy, as I prefer the Mk2, but a valid point, I think)

[ChrisIS200SportTTE]

I just think they could've put some more curves on it or something. Looks like the designer only had a ruler :lol:

By the way, before you all think I'm trolling, I'm not. I think the LS is an amazing car and the looks don't put me off having one. I may get one yet, been thinking about it. :)

[North west beast]

What's wrong with it . It looks ok to me

[Rich OB]

I have never actually driven one and I only want one because i've never heard a bad comment about them from anyone apart from the look. And the owners on here cannot rate them highly enough. When I show the mrs and say I wouldn't mind one she says it looks like a boat.

[harrylime]

Funnily enough, my wife calls mine a boat. However, many boats are things of beauty, including my little 12 foot Tideway dinghy. The 400 may look like a boat, but what do most modern cars look like? Homogeneous, over designed, over developed, under engineered, soul less, hard riding, expensive to maintain, fast depreciating tin boxes. They all look the same. I watched an episode of Minder the other day (the proper one with Dennis Waterman) and as Arthur Daley drove around in his X, I could name every car and van instantly, because they were so distinctive, with individual personalities. I could not do that now,even if modern cars were interesting enough for me to try.

[noby76]

Lexus engineers are more clever than most of us and there was a reason behind the LS400 looking that way. most will think mmh thats an ugly boxy looking tank but it was designed to be quiet, smooth, sprint from 0-60 quickly for a big luxury car of its size and year, and ability to travel at high speeds of 140-155mph without sounding strained and the actual design gives it a very low drag coefficient cd figure of 0.27 which is very impressive figure for a car built in the 90's.

the LS400 built in 90' has the same drag coefficient as the Nissan GTR built in 2008. the low drag coeffient figure a car has the better it cuts through air resistance and travels at higher speeds comfortably.

Toyota spent Billions of dollars on designing every aspect of this car in the 90's and yes things have moved on since then in terms of car design and in order for the LS400 to achieve this low drag coefficient figure it had to look that way. thats why its one of the smoothest quietest cars ever rolled out of a production line. Rolls Royce of the same era was not as quiet and as smooth as an LS400

[Chris CPT]

Lexus engineers are more clever than most of us and there was a reason behind the LS400 looking that way. most will think mmh thats an ugly boxy looking tank but it was designed to be quiet, smooth, sprint from 0-60 quickly for a big luxury car of its size and year, and ability to travel at high speeds of 140-155mph without sounding strained and the actual design gives it a very low drag coefficient cd figure of 0.27 which is very impressive figure for a car built in the 90's.

the LS400 built in 90' has the same drag coefficient as the Nissan GTR built in 2008. the low drag coeffient figure a car has the better it cuts through air resistance and travels at higher speeds comfortably.

Toyota spent Billions of dollars on designing every aspect of this car in the 90's and yes things have moved on since then in terms of car design and in order for the LS400 to achieve this low drag coefficient figure it had to look that way. thats why its one of the smoothest quietest cars ever rolled out of a production line. Rolls Royce of the same era was not as quiet and as smooth as an LS400

I agree. There's a reason it cost 1 billion dollars to develop over 5 years, and that's partly down to substance over style, with the drag co-efficient being extremely low. In fact it's still better than many brand-new models today! It's part of the reason why they get the best mpg out of the big luxury car line up of the era too. Personally, while I think the LS 400 isn't beautiful, there's still something handsome and masculine about it as it barges its way down the road.

[Bluesman]

I have never actually driven one and I only want one because i've never heard a bad comment about them from anyone apart from the look. And the owners on here cannot rate them highly enough. When I show the mrs and say I wouldn't mind one she says it looks like a boat.

I think they are beautiful. Mike

[hihihi]

What about the Lexus LS resembling a Mercedes? I mean in a positive way.

And yes, the 400 has probably the edge in blandness over the 430, thus is more likely to be less offensive, or put yet another way, the LS400 is more likely to become the classic (looks wise). But all that is from the pedestrian's point of view...

...whereas, what matters most to me, is what I see when I spend time with my car, ie driving. And the LS 430 has a very handsome cabin!

PS I thought that eBay advert quite surprising and entertaining

[ambermarine]

Couple of points I need to correct on posts to this subject which I thoroughly enjoyed and recognise the sheer enthusiasm for a groundbreaking vehicle in every respect.First of all John the development of the LS400 started in 83 there were 75 prototype bodies and 250 prototype engines. It was known to Toyota as the F1 project.I recognise of course that further money was spent on the LS during the 90s in enhancing the Marque but initial bulk funding was in the 80s.The concept body design was very close in the Mark1 to the Mercedes S class of the period and to that extent there may have been a bit of copying going on ,automobile manufacturers do it all the time so Lexus as the car Marque became probably started out looking a bit like the Mercedes S class. There the simalarity ended because the build quality and engine transmission design knocked the Luxury car Market sideways couple that with a price that the rest of us could afford and this Brand was always destined to be a winner.

[The-Acre]

Me too Mike (think they're beautiful that is) And after wafting home late last night from London's West End back to Sussex, I reminded myself why they're so hard to part with!

[Adam Evans]

Ill tell you what is pretty ugly about my LS400

.........................................

All the cobwebs in the engine bay because I never have to lift the bonnet because it doesn't break down

How awful is this !!!!!!!

[Titch LS]

The LS400 will become a timeless classic in future years. The motoring press the world over recognises what a great car Lexus produced (except Top Gear of course, with its slavish devotion to all things German).. Even on Jag and Merc forums you find a begrudging ackowledgement of this cars refinement and reliability when compared to theirs. As to the latest front end 'look' from Lexus i.e. the 'basking shark' front grill --I find it growing on me. Nice aggressive touch.

[Rich OB]

This post makes for a great read. Thanks for all the comments.

To me there is something about the LS which makes it different to all the other cars in it's class of that era. Maybe it's because when you buy a make of car you can buy in to the marque or brand if you like. You become automatically aware of only those cars on the road and in turn they grow on you.

I can remember when i just passed my driving test in 1995, i was besotted with the Mk1 GS300 Sport, always said I'd own one. I have always just liked large, powerful, luxury saloon cars and I suppose the LS is the best you can get. Well for the budget available of course.

Trying to find a good one is a mission though, especially those DHP Spec.

Keep enjoying yours guys.

[cleverdick]

Well, seeing as it's a Mk3 then maybe he does have a point... ;)

In all seriousness, I will admit that I don't consider the LS400 to be the best looking car (of its type) ever made. But that's not why I bought one, nor you I suspect. For me, having grown tired of Granadas that never quite delivered what they promised in terms of smoothness, reliability and freedom from irritating faults, it was a no-brainer. Reading in the sales brochure about the driveline which was designed straight so as to minimise vibration totally struck a chord.

The Crown Vic/Grand Marquis or LHS of the same age are infinitely more elegant IMO. But they can't compete on refinement or longevity, as the reviews on Carsurvey will testify.

[Tulpen]

There is some interesting information on the LS 400 in the Daily Telegraph.........Honest John Classics:

http://classics.honestjohn.co.uk/reviews/lexus/ls400-xf10