Welcome to another episode of PakWheels Owner’s Review series. Here’s a 1998 Lexus LS 400 review that will make your day. Altamash Afridi, the proud owner of this car, introduces it in two words: Complete Package, and we couldn’t agree more.
Purchase & Price
You’d think this guy imported a 1998 Lexus LS 400, but nope! This one of its kind car was in the use of Pakistan Airforce, and the previous owner bought it in an auction in 2012. And then, Atlamash purchased this car in 2014 for Rs. 15 lacs.
At the time, the car was not in its best condition. Altamash spent another 15 lacs to restore and modify the car as per his taste. He got some engine modifications, suspension work, metre change, AC, and a couple of other things.
Power
This model comes with a 4.0-litre v8 engine that produces 290 horsepower. But the owner has done some modifications to ramp up the power and engine performance.
Fuel Average
Lexus LS 400 is a true beast with power for days. And the interesting thing is power doesn’t take a toll on its fuel efficiency. The owner says his car has a decent mileage of 8.5 kilometres per litre in the city.
Maintenance
Many are intimidated by the model year of this car and think it’s got to be very high maintenance. But that’s not the case at all. This 1998 Lexus LS 400 is easy and affordable to maintain. The owner gets its oil and filters changed every four or five thousand kilometres and has no problems whatsoever.
Parts Availability
If there’s one thing that’s troublesome about this legendary car, it’s the unavailability of its parts. This car is a rare sight in Pakistan, and its parts are not available in any local market across the country.
In the beginning, Altamash had a hard time getting the body parts for his Lexus LS 400. He had to import everything from Dubai. Good thing he got extra parts and stocked them for the future.
Key Features
Talk about the luxury features of this decades-old Lexus, and the list is long. It’s a fully powered sedan with reclining, heated, memory seats. There are separate air conditioning systems for the front and rear, electric seatbelts, power steering, power windows, traction control, auto adjustable headlights, incredibly soft suspension, and much more.
Missing Feature
The only thing missing in the Lexus LS 400 package is a sunroof.
Final Words on Lexus LS 400
In the words of the owner — “Luxury, drive, comfort, everything about this car is 10 out 10. This 1998 Lexus can beat any modern sedan in Pakistan any day, any time.”
Ah the LS 400 the car that gave Mercedes , B.M.W., Cadillac and Lincoln run for their money and forced them to re-think the luxury cars. Until this day, the LS 400 remains the best than the Lexus vehicles or vehicles that automakers are producing. I have heard that it does not tire you even on long journeys and is fun to drive.
@Khurram
Lexus LS was born because Lexus was inspired from Mercedes S class W126.
@Waqas
You are right brother Mercedes W126 inspired Lexus LS 400 but is it not said that Lexus’s customer service, drive pleasure, features and prices lured customers away from Mercedes and B.M.W. and Toyota itself was surprised when it sold more cars than the target it had in mind. Moreover, the lost job of chief engineer from the Mercedes is also a very well-known fact.
@Khurram
Lexus is a premium brand competing against Mercedes, BMW, Cadillac, Lincoln, and other luxury brands like Jaguar, they are no question ask
They competing each other
Anyway i don’t know about the lost job of chief engineer from Mercedes, but Mercedes is a well known brand for his history of innovation.
Mercedes comfort is among the best in the world, i’ve been in a lot of them, is a prime choice for a lot of head state, celebrity and whealthy peoples, BMW comfort is also good and got a better dynamic drive than Mercedes, thats mean more sporty.
I never went in a Lexus but i’am sure the level of comfort is high, after all among all the premium brands sold in Oman Lexus is making half the sales, which is impressive.
@Waqas
Totally agreed brother I read about this. As regards to lost job, please read through this link:
https://www.motortrend.com/features/2007-lexus-ls-460-4053-miles-580/