First Car Search, Part IV: Is "old" school the way to go?

"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg) 04/05/2014 at 13:37 • Filed to: None

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Right now, Lexus is in the same spot as Cadillac. They've seen their market grow older, and are looking to sell to younger buyers again. Though selling sixteen year-old me an old LS400 is probably not what they had in mind, it is the only way I can afford to contribute, as a $65,000 GS350 F-Sport is a little out of reach, and an LFA, well, you get the idea.

I know a lot of your probably aren't fans of the old, 90's LS (Lexus, not Lincoln). For many people, myself included, a fancy Toyota could never compete with the desirability of a European car. But right now, a German or British car may very well be the wrong choice for me. They are more expensive to work on the a Lexus, and pulling up in even an twenty year old one at my high school will likely get a few people to mutter about "spoiled rich kids" under their breath. The Lexus is too old man for people to remember that it isn't much different from an old S-Class, and I like that. I don't remember where I read this quote or who said it (it may very well have been right here on Jalopnik), but it talked about how ex-old people's cars are perfect for sixteen year olds. They fly under the radar, they are loaded with features, safety and non, they usually have powerful, reliable six or eight cylinder engines, and they have usually been dealer-maintained.

These are all the reasons I like the LS400. Big V8, RWD, safe, good-looking enough, and with more luxury features than I could ever need. But I still have some questions, even with a choice as seemingly safe as this.

A) Gas milage. I know this isn't a Civic, but it's also not a Suburban, and a 4.0 V8 is one of the smaller V8's you can buy in the US today. Could I get 18 city mpg out of this thing without driving it like Betty White?

B) I know these are cheaper to repair than a Mercedes or BMW, but with all those electronics, I still feel like there is a large potential for problems. Any repair horror stories for these, or are they as trouble free as legend says?

C)I know this isn't a high priority, but is it cool? I know that beige models are most common and driven by the elderly, but !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! is black. Plus, they used one in The Sopranos, so it can't be completely dorky. Right?

Any other advice/comments would be greatly appreciated!

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/05/2014 at 13:42

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A bit expensive, but nice. Also,

does not register on dorkometer!

Zohaibman72 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/05/2014 at 13:44

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C) Biggie Smalls had a black Lexus LS, it can't be that uncool. I personally find the Lexus LS to look pretty mafia or gangster, when in black or white. I am 17 so this opinion might be shared with someone at your school.

Edit: never mind it was a GS in the movie and a LX in hypnotise. Still, Lexus' are rap cars, so they cant be that dorky.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/05/2014 at 13:48

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What exhaust setup/how much?!?!

Manuél Ferrari > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/05/2014 at 13:50

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The older the LS the better. The early model years of the LS400 were some of the most reliable cars ever made. As in best cars in the history of mankind.

Reigntastic > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 04/05/2014 at 13:51

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Dat snarl.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/05/2014 at 13:52

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I'd recommend getting the older Lexuses such as the ES, GS and LS. But for the love of god, do not perform tasteless modifications that are half-finished. Some guy had a first gen Aristo/GS with Junction Produce parts and the kits weren't even painted nor installed properly.

bob and john > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/05/2014 at 13:59

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nice cars. built like a friggen brick shit house. sound really mean too.

but if something DOES fail. may god have mercy on your soul

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 04/05/2014 at 14:08

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Unless I can find a tasteful set of wheels, I plan to leave this car well alone.

bob and john > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/05/2014 at 14:12

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oh and to answer your questions:

A:I dont know about fuel econ. fuely says they egt ~20mpg.

B: they are trouble free, really

C: black, tinted winder, black rims, exhuast and HID's. you be ballin

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/05/2014 at 15:13

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I think these look great. Also, you should get it. Like all the other folks said: reliable, comfortable, affordable.

Merkin Muffley > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/05/2014 at 15:31

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GeorgeyBoy > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/05/2014 at 16:12

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I'll never forget Christopher's in the Sopranos. The first episode Tony runs a guy down in it. So epic.

God, I miss this series.