Automotive Reminder

"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind) 04/28/2016 at 16:04 • Filed to: Lexus

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For a brief moment, a Lexus was the “Fastest Production Sedan in the World,” and had a shorter braking distance than a Ferrari.

In 1997, the second generation (1997-2004) S160 GS400's under 6 second 0-60 mph run and an ungoverned top speed of 162 mph (149 mph regulated) allowed Lexus to market the model in the US as the “Fastest Production Sedan in the World” at that time. (Variable valve timing and a 5-speed were a great advantage). Of course most of you know that the E34 M5 was discontinued still and that the E39 M5 hit the US market months after the GS400 in 1998. That said, the GS outperformed the current E-Class in all luxury aspects while beating out comparative 5-Series variants in all performance metrics (“feel” is not a metric). Hell, the braking distance was apparently shorter than what a Ferrari F355 could manage in the sam testing. In fact the performance was quite like the E34 M5 but with Lexus reliability

Of course all this is specific to 1997, before the updated E-class and 5-series were updated.

Here is the Michelle Krebbs article from the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! about the ‘97 Lexus GS (written towards Winter of 1997). You’ll notice that the way people talked about Lexus during that time and the reaction to the 2nd generation GS Sedan seems to read like EVERY article written about Lexus. Examples can found easily by looking up first drives of the IS-F, or LFA, or RC... I’m certain the upcoming LC will continue the tradition of, “Lexus is so boring, EXCEPT for this brand new model!!!”

Here is an article a week after the Krebbs one in the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! by Jim Mateja. I just find the article fun because it proves automotive journalism has not changed in almost 20 years. Same gripes, just different numbers.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Wobbles the Mind 04/28/2016 at 16:08

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I really want one of these. And an is300 SportCross. And a Ls400. And an Sc400. Damn. I just want a bunch of cars with 2jz vvtis and 1uzs

EL_ULY > Wobbles the Mind 04/28/2016 at 16:15

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I’d take one of these with the 3UZ 4.3 V8 . Also a fucking bulletproof machine that has so much more power hidden in it than what it put out.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > EL_ULY 04/28/2016 at 16:18

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Except they’re not as bulletproof as the 1UZ engines of yesteryear - thicker rods, mind.

EL_ULY > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 04/28/2016 at 16:20

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Oh sweet baby this looks good!!

LongbowMkII > Wobbles the Mind 04/28/2016 at 16:21

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Wouldn’t that just make it the fastest sedan in the US?

Milky > Wobbles the Mind 04/28/2016 at 16:22

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Never forget. With solid axles and that 5.9 V8.

TheHondaBro > Wobbles the Mind 04/28/2016 at 16:24

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I completely forgot about these... I may have to add it to my list.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Wobbles the Mind 04/28/2016 at 16:27

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My dad had a ‘99 GS300 in the same color as the one pictured above when I was a kid. That thing was a stunner. Great car too. My friend currently has this ‘04 GS430, which I have driven and can confirm that it’s a bit of a hotrod.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > EL_ULY 04/28/2016 at 16:29

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My friend has a GS430. I got to show him how to do a burnout when he got it.

Wobbles the Mind > LongbowMkII 04/28/2016 at 16:33

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Lexus said it was the fastest in the world, but I don’t know the world market well enough to confirm or deny it. Obviously I believe it’s true from a US perspective, but I don’t want to just call them liars because I don’t believe the “world” part. Like I said, it was true for a few months at least.

PlasteredClover > Wobbles the Mind 04/28/2016 at 16:35

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Just recently purchased the gs430, absolutely love it. Just as fast as the 540i of the same era, with none of the unreliability or badge snobbery. RWD+v8+stealth sedan.

Wobbles the Mind > TheHondaBro 04/28/2016 at 16:39

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Was thinking of you since you’re still working on that SC400. Thought it would be too much info for a reply, but would widen your search since they SC400 came standard with VVT-i, the 5-speed, and all the other luxury stuff. 97 SC400s are pretty rare in good conditions and at the right price. GS400 and 430s might give you the same experience with an easier track down rate. Still love the SC, don’t get me wrong!

MultiplaOrgasms > Wobbles the Mind 04/28/2016 at 16:54

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What would really interest me is how it’d compare to a Holden VT GTS, which was launched the same year and had a LS1 plus T56.

EL_ULY > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 04/28/2016 at 17:00

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yessss!!!!!!!!

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > EL_ULY 04/28/2016 at 17:04

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And it’s got a 2JZ. Wagons didn’t come with a manual, but the sedan did.