Lexus LS - Optional Extra

Optional Extra bonus video about the Lexus LS.

Link to my other channel - Big Car:

#littlecar

[benzinapaul]

One thing I can add to this is the quality of the brochure. Back in 1990 brochures were very important media - I remember writing to Lexus as a 16 year old prospective buyer as you did back still have the brochure, it came in a slip case and was beautifully produced. I also have BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class and Jaguar XJ brochures from the same era and the Lexus brochure is leagues ahead. Interestingly the Audi V8 brochure which I also have is of the same quality as the Lexus brochure, that car was a total flop.

[chrispnw]

After the LS 400 entered the market and was well received in the United States. Mercedes made a number of drastic changes. The philosophy of over-building their cars was seen as more of a liability than benefit driving greater sales. Both BMW and Mercedes tested what decontenting /rationalizing what the customer would accept. In addition, surveys commissioned by Mercedes indicated styling and cabin technology influenced buyers more than the behind the scenes capabilities the customers could not see. Finally, the Germans conceded to the wants of American customers (bigger cupholders, more bling, etc, ) as the LS 400 project heavily researched the U.S. market and affluent customers.

Thank you for this episode.

[tonygichuki]

I hold great respect for Toyota and their ability to obsess for excellence...and ultimately achieve it.

[simonacuthbert]

Nice bonus with more interesting insights that complement your earlier documentary. Well done and a nice little addition.

[The_R-n-I_Guy]

The first gen LS400 is my favorite of all of them. I'm not into new cars. Actually the first Lexus is newer than I prefer. But it's so good that I make an exception for it. In my opinion the best cars were built between 1963 and 1973. And there are very few cars made after 1988 that I actually like. The Lexus LS400 is one of the few. And since they're so old now, I might actually be able to afford one

[MilesDeluxe]

I love each and every video on your channel. Not too long, not too complicated but always with the right amount of data and information. So my heart jumped in joy when i saw there is finaly a video about one of my cars. I own a late 2007 LS460 and i adore it. Keep up the fantastic work and i cant wait for the next one! (i am secretly hoping for an S2000 one, since this is the other car i own and love)

[JoshuaC]

Always loved the outtakes, excellent video sir

[ScottALaFollette]

When you spoke about air suspensions…
I thought it important to mention that the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham
of 1957–1958 was the first automobile (that I’m aware of) to have an air suspension.
Thanks for your wonderfully informative videos and you’re calm demeanor
delivering facts and history that deserves to be remembered.
Will continue to subscribe.

[deathghost]

It'd be cool to see a video or videos focussing on local car markets that were affected by import restrictions. I know you mention a lot of the unique South African models (in the videos on Fords and some Chevy/Vauxhall cars) but given the uniqueness of the market there and the availability of the historical data, I think it might make for an interesting video.

Thank you for the lovely channel and detailed videos. It's a great way to learn about the histories of these different models and marques.

[AndreasBruehl]

Here in Germany we have a Lexus LS With 1 Million Kilometers and the original engine.

The youtube Channel "Auto Motor und Sport" Featured this Car in a Video...

[JeffKing]

Great extras and fun bloopers. Thanks!

[MikeArott]

Not directly related, but the same way the LS lead to better quality Toyotas, and pushed the competition to up their game, makes me think of how General Motors completely mismanage Saab. GM wanted them to badge engineer GM products, but Saab did their thing anyway. I feel GM should have instead given Saab the lead in developing their cars, that GM could then badge engineer into some of their US brand, trickling down quality across the board, as with the Lexus LS and Toyota. I reckon we would have seen better cars from GM overall, and Saab would still be with us. We'll never know.

[JK]

4:58 can confirm, here in Italy very few Japanese cars were sold before the mid 90's (and they were mostly 4x4s).

[RIlianP]

The "Lost generation" is referring to the generation of young people that were on the Japanese job market after their economic system failed, the companies in Japan hire once or twice a year (note that they prefer to hire fresh collage graduates) and promote exclusively from within. After the economic bubble burst the companies stopped hiring or limited drastically the new here numbers a lot of people missed the window and couldn't apply later, due to fresh college graduate preference, so they started either living on their parent money or working low paying draining "part time" jobs, at this time we see the skyrocketing of the "hikikomori" or "shut in" population, the Japanese government tried to take measures to help those people but its too little too late.

[warmstrong]

Surprised you didn't mention the BOSE suspension concept LS400. Seeing a car actually jump over an obstacle was incredible.

[reynardkitsune]

Around 1990, the dad of a friend was looking for a replacement for his Celica GT-Four and noticed the LS. My friend and I were so hoping that he would get the Lexus (having in mind that we were borrowing the car for Saturday night cruises 😁)...but in the end, he made the decision of buying a Nissan Maxima. His decision was mainly based on the fact that the LS' price sticker was double that of the Maxima, and the Nissan matched his needs as well.

Damn. 😉

(To be fair, the Maxima was no bad buy either; and he kept this car until he died in the 2000s.)

[anthonygray]

The 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham had an air dome assembly at each wheel. It was offered for three years. Buick jumped on board in 1958. Lots of problems caused them to be removed from production. I think the next US Car to have air suspension was the Continental Mark VII.

Speaking of Buick it reminds me of the old saying. When better cars are built, Buick will build them. When better Buicks are built, Lexus will build them.

[mattcocky]

Big fan, sir. FYI the Lincoln Mark 7 had air suspension in the very late 80s but it was a terrible failure and very unreliable. Keep up the good work buddy!

[AllCarswithJon]

OMG, this was great!
Loor... attract". HAHAHAHA!
Thanks for sharing this! You could have done another 30 minutes about the lack of success of Lexus in Europe, success in China, and how they changed the luxury auto landscape.

[tng]

When I see Prince Albert of Monaco using a Lexus as a daily limousine instead of a Mercedes or a BMW or a RR / Bentley I see how far Lexus has advanced.