May 03, 2008 03:30 PM
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The first-generation Lexus LS400(1990-1994) is quite possibly one of the top five best cars in the world. In speaking to some owners of this car, I heard comments like "…best car I've ever owned", "…this is a great car", "…fabulous ride". One owner summed it up by saying "This may be the last car I ever buy."
In 1989 when Toyota introduced this car to America as a 1990 model, the automotive press thought it didn't have a chance against the likes of Mercedes and BMW. Toyota knew how to build great economy cars and small family sedans but this is the big league. Jokes circulated about this folly, one of which I remember on a TV drama where a car thief who specialized in stealing expensive cars pulled up with a Lexus. When his partner saw him and gave him a look, he said "it was dark, I thought it was a Mercedes." As a matter of fact, the only LS400 that I have ever known to break down was in the 1991 movie "The Grand Canyon" starring Danny Glover(a movie I otherwise highly recommend.)
