Toyota Stunned America with the Lexus LS 400

Wow the first ever recall they gave you a signed letter, went to your home to pick it up and left a courtesy car. Fixed the issue and returned it with a full tank and car wash??? WTF That type of service feels unheard of today.

My Dad bought a Lexus in the mid 1990s and kept it until he passed away. The service he got from the dealership was unbelievable. He was treated as if he were a rich man. Once he got that car, he swore he would never buy another American brand car. This was quite a change considering he had been a life-long Buick fan.

This video ignored the other aspects that was revolutionary with Lexus. Our family was a Mercedes family. We also previously owned American cars like Dodge, Oldsmobile, and Ford. Lexus redefined the sales and service experience. When you brought your Lexus in for maintenance or service, they would give you a loaner car free of charge with zero fuss. It shocked my parents. The Lexus team was so professional and friendly. It was so different from any other car service. Meanwhile, I brought in my dad's Mercedes for him when he wanted an oil change and the guy tricked me into a $700 repair (and this was in 1992 money). In fact, I never liked taking a car to Mercedes who had an entitled view and viewed us like we should want to spend extra for German luxury. Nowadays a free car loaner seems almost common but it wasn't in 1985. Lexus made everyone up their game. Even Mercedes.

You didn’t mention one thing, the real winner of the Lexus was the Camry. It became a Lexus lite and destroyed the US and world car market. There was a huge difference between pre and post Lexus Camrys. Just massive.

One of the highest quality machines ever made. Peaked with the LS430 two generations on. Mine has a bajillion miles and still looks and drives like new, every last of its countless electrical doodads and gizmos work flawlessly. Maintenance costs on par with a Corolla. Show me a German car that can claim the same.

19:58 In the case of the LS400 it was 110% of the performance and quality of the Mercedes S class for 60% of the price.

Photos comparing Lexus with Mercedes stunned Germany and the world. Automotive journalists had a field day. Incredible engineering and paradigm shift.

Dad had one. It still survives with no issues

My grandmother’s is still running. It’s an amazing car.

My uncle still has his ‘96 LS400, which he bought in 1997, and it’s a spare, along with his LS430. The LS is the greatest full size luxury sedan to own, and easily the most important car to come out in the 90s. Lexus cars are made to be owned; Mercedes, Audi and BMW cars are designed to be leased and thrown away before the warranty expires.

Small correction, the engine did not weigh anything close to 4000 pounds. I think you mean the weight of the whole car.

I really appreciate how you always translate the price/cost to today’s dollars. Inflation is a real thing.

I'm from Australia, but I wasn't shocked at all when the LS400 was released. Toyotas in the mid 80's had a very high level of quality, with some high points like the '87 Cressida and Supra demonstrating Toyota was a powerhouse company on the way up!

I sold a new 2002 Mercedes E Class within the first year and swapped it for a new Lexus LS400. The ride was smoother and quieter. The navigation included a color touch screen vs Mercedes monochromatic dial only for entering an address. What a pain. Loved that car.

"Moved to California, ate at expensive restaurants and watched Asianometry videos" I see what you did there. Well played (and great video!)

Seems like we are getting closer to the Japanese motorcycle video somehow.

Love the episode. I was hoping in your section about Lexus' advertising blitz that you would bring up the Lexus LS400 ad with the champagne glasses. That ad is the main thing for most of us older folks would remember Lexus' introduction to tthe US.

This is the Toyota development that other companies should have followed. Instead of kicking back and milking profits out of what you have, build something better. Improve the product, and everyone benefits.

Toyota had a headstart making this as they had already been making luxury domestic cars for decades, most notably the Century, in any event I would love to hear Sandy Monroes recollection of how Detroit reacted to the LS 400, and particularly how much of this from his perspective was 'I told you so' in regards to Aluminium heads and so on.

I drive a 1986 toyota Cressida, and its surprising how big the strides they made with the LS400 were, to the point that they killed the cressida after 1992 due to the LS400's success. Im not as big of a fan of the LS400 styling, but it would've been jaw dropping when it came out. Especially with Toyota's reliability.