Like driving on a magic carpet (Lexus LS 400)

Member Name: lilythepink

Product:	Lexus LS 400
Date:	27/06/06 (1701 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Absolutely fantastic to drive, every bit of luxury you might want

Disadvantages: Urban cycle petrol consumption, a tad long for parking at times

Since the last reviews the price of this car has dropped considerably. You should be able to get one for under £2.5K. For this sort of money you cant get a more luxurious car that is also reliable. We have owned one for just over a year now - in that time absolutely nothing has gone wrong - we have done 9,000 miles without a single misfire. Apart from a service - not cheap but you can buy very good non-lexus service parts for a lot less than Lexus parts now - we have not had to spend any money. On a motorway run we do around 26mpg.

The interior is leather with wood trim. There is an electric sunroof and windows. Cruise control is good to avoid zooming down motorways at over 100mph (which would be very easy in this car as it is so powerful). I have been told by people who work for lexus that they have seen these cars with over 300,000 miles on the clock without needing to take the engine out - the old ones are meant to be the most reliable car ever (I read this on an American website extolling their virtues). Our one only has around 125K on the clock so is a relative baby.

I find that when I am driving this, no-one tries to cut me up on the motorway or roundabouts. I occaisionally get a boy racer trying to beat me at traffic lights - but I either don't bother or just one touch of the accelerator (setting the gearbox to sports mode) and I am away beating any souped up fiesta or corsa. To be honest though, a little like the Lexus ads of a few years ago, I usually feel so relaxed when I am driving this car, that beating people at traffic lights or on the motorway is of absolutely no concern. I still havent tuned my radio to radio 3 or classic FM though.

The boot is a great size - as you would expect. I have no idea what the safety rating is but it is sturdy and well built. I can park this car better than I could park the focus I had previously despite it being a lot longer. It has airconditioning, electric mirrors, electric adjustable seats and stearing column.

I won't keep it forever - I shan't be doing as much motorway driving as I have been doing so won't be needing the comfort that this car provides on long journeys. For short trips to the supermarket, it is wasted - and would not be good for its powerful beautiful engine (a bit like keeping a tiger caged in a 6x6 space). However, I am so glad we had one for a while - and would definately buy another lexus in the future.

Summary: If you want to drive something a bit different, with good spec, for under £2.5K this is for you

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