Mk1 What Are They Like?

ls400lpg · February 22, 2015

I personally think that the MK1 is really cool now. I have had a mk3 and now mk4. Both superb. But has anyone owned a MK1 and is there much difference in performance and handling etc. Obviously the interiors are different.

Malc · February 22, 2015

My Mk3 is a better car all round than the Mk1 and Mk2 I have had

Malc

hihihi · February 22, 2015

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mikeyv · February 22, 2015

I ruled out the older models on the following.

Up to ten years older than mk4, so obviously more likely to have corrosion and age related faults.

Slower acceleration, even crappier looking wheels (not much in it, I admit!), and, when I bought mine, not much difference in price.

I don't dislike the looks of any model, I even like the orange lenses cars, and can't understand why people put clear lenses on them.

runsgrateasanut · February 25, 2015

I ruled out the older models on the following.

Up to ten years older than mk4, so obviously more likely to have corrosion and age related faults.

Slower acceleration, even crappier looking wheels (not much in it, I admit!), and, when I bought mine, not much difference in price.

I don't dislike the looks of any model, I even like the orange lenses cars, and can't understand why people put clear lenses on them.

Its a matter of personal taste but colour is a high consideration for me. I've bought clear indictors for the mk 2 but do I buy chromed bulbs or have the fried egg look. Such a difficult choice to make, Hahaha. I do prefer the styimg of the mk 2 to the later models as I think the front wings especially of later models look too slab like, without the crease that runs front to back. I know Mercedes did the same thing (how they copy one another in styling). but for me I also prefer the front bumper being slightly yank in its styling. Don't know the Mk1 well enough to comment, but still givng my 3 penneth worth. Certainly right about older vehicles likely to need more expense and not quite as powerful.

Malc · February 25, 2015

Been some 7+ years since I had my Mk1 ..... until then the very best car I had driven ....... ever .......... and I drove most of what we had on our garage forecourt ... . Bentley, RR, Aston Martin, Jag etc . the Ls400 was the very best daily driving car I could have wished for..................... on reflection, guess it wallowed a bit, 15 inch brakes and wheels didn't compare to the hugging and braking performance of the Mk2 on 16" stuff.. and I loved my Mk2 ....... it seemed markedly better than the Mk1.

Engine performance ....... well tbh I can't really tell now the probable slightly appreciable difference in the Mks, all being superb with 4ltr power.

I do like the PWR mode in my Mk3, which I leave it in for my daily drive, it's just magical.

Looks, well, I do really like the Mk1 and Mk2 bodystyle best, but then I am old and a bit old fashioned in my outlook ...... preferring say the 1961 E Type Jag to later models and the 1960's RRs..

I think good well kept Mk1s will be very collectable at some time .............. but possibly not very useable as a daily driver coz one wants to keep classics for sunny days and in cotton wool a bit too.

That's what I like about my Mk3, it's a very useable daily driver that can be used, is worth bugger all and irreplaceable except with another Ls400.

Malc

cruisermark · February 25, 2015

(as above) main difference for me was it wallowed a bit compared to the others and brakes - stopped when it wanted to LOL

Chris Skelton · February 25, 2015

Chris Skelton · February 25, 2015

The article is about Ser 2 to 3 changes though. Helps?

Bluesman · February 25, 2015

What a great post Chris. Mike.

Spottedlaurel · February 25, 2015

That article is an interesting read. I would still like a Mk1 as a 'classic', and I do think it looks better, but as a reliable old barge to waft about in when I want to drive something more entertaining than my diesel Avensis I concede that my MK3 is a better compromise.

Malc · February 26, 2015

......... nice to know the subtle differences ....... I doubt I would have fathomed them myself. GREAT article and many thanks for finding it.

Malc

Chris Skelton · February 26, 2015

I only swapped from a Ser 3 to a 4 because the 4 had Traction Control. (I'd wiggled the back end on a turn one damp night and given myself a fright!)

Obviously Lexus, with their 'Kaizen' philosophy, would have gradually improved them. But I have another article somewhere comparing a Ser 1 with a Jag and a Rolls; and saying the Lexus is as good or better than the Rolls, except in aura!

So even the Ser 1 is starting from a high level. It did cause a stir when it appeared! (Except in hidebound UK?)

petrolhead239 · March 16, 2015

I'm new to the club, and therefore new to the forum. I have a 1991, LS400 in Metallic Grey with tan interior; it has a small scab on the rear nearside wheel arch (which is about to be sorted) and the clock, heater temperature screen is blank....Apart from these two little things, the car is sparkling. It has 205,000 miles on it and it's as smooth as silk. Ride is great, road-holding excellent and general comfort superb.

I have owned many top-class cars over the years, Cadillacs, Rolls-Royces, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and I also own a 1999 Audi A8, £.7 - 40 valve...a true beast of a car!

My Lexus has to be my daily choice though, it has a presence about it which is hard to match and all but impossible to exceed. I might gas the car, (My Audi is on gas), but I get very good mpg as it is; around 22 in town and more than 35 on a run, Can't fault that in a 4 litre car!

Big plus....the car is on Classic insurance so costs pennies to insure.

Bluesman · March 16, 2015

I'm new to the club, and therefore new to the forum. I have a 1991, LS400 in Metallic Grey with tan interior; it has a small scab on the rear nearside wheel arch (which is about to be sorted) and the clock, heater temperature screen is blank....Apart from these two little things, the car is sparkling. It has 205,000 miles on it and it's as smooth as silk. Ride is great, road-holding excellent and general comfort superb.

I have owned many top-class cars over the years, Cadillacs, Rolls-Royces, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and I also own a 1999 Audi A8, £.7 - 40 valve...a true beast of a car!

My Lexus has to be my daily choice though, it has a presence about it which is hard to match and all but impossible to exceed. I might gas the car, (My Audi is on gas), but I get very good mpg as it is; around 22 in town and more than 35 on a run, Can't fault that in a 4 litre car!

Big plus....the car is on Classic insurance so costs pennies to insure.

Hello David, Welcome to the friendliest car forum on the internet. I cant help you with your present problem but there are many knowledgeable LOC members who will be only to pleased to help you with answers to your present and future queries. Mike