A Car Shaped Itch to Scratch

[Glassman]

Talking to a mate who buys and sells a few cars here and there, I said I wouldn't mind smoking around in a big Lexus, like an LS400. I've always liked them and this fancy was probably tickled whenever I passed a blue one on my way to walking the dog. One day, on my way back from work, I saw it being loaded onto a truck and it looked like it was on its way to a breaker. In its place now stood a gold LS420 which, as nice as it looked, didn't have the same appeal as the earlier 400. I started to wonder if this was one of the last to be seen.

Driven by curiosity and with a bit of time on my hands, I looked around online. Surprisingly, there were a few up for grabs. This search expanded to a really nice looking GS300 Sport:




About a week later, I went out to repair the windscreen on a customer's 991 GT3 where he stores it. I got chatting to the site manager and by coincidence, the GS300 was being stored at one of their other sites. I was tempted to go and test drive it, but didn't take it any further because a health issue took over soon after that day. That health issue now (thankfully) in the past and I'm looking around at big cars again. Even during my convalescence I continued looking at big cars with big engines and super-comfy/luxurious interiors.




The GS300 is still for sale and because it was not ULEZ compliant, I carried on looking to see if I could find something similar that was. A list of cars started to grow:

• a BIG Lexus;
• Phaeton;
• Volvo T5R;
• Honda Legend (maybe)
• perhaps even a massive American car...

All along, my car-buying-and-selling mate had an 2009 RS6 Avant which he fell in love with but couldn't justify keeping.
That too went on the list. It's the V10. I love it. It ticks many boxes but the maintenance is the scariest factor compared to others on that list. He took me out for a hoon in it. I really like it. But the but is a big apprehension.

I'm now undecided. This itch must be scratched. It's an itch to drive around in a big engined car and give zero fks about anything else other than enjoying driving it. Paying the ULEZ charge would piss me right off, mind.

A V6 or a V8 with settees for seats. The appeal of the earlier Lexus is that it was ahead of its time and loaded with extras.

Suggest a car...

[Huzzah]

It could be yours for £6.66

https://retroste.com/competition/chevrolet-capri...

Edited by Huzzah on Wednesday 10th September 16:06

[Glassman]

Huzzah said:

It could be yours for £6.66

https://retroste.com/competition/chevrolet-capri...

Edited by Huzzah on Wednesday 10th September 16:06

Somehow I feel disappointed that it's RHD!

[MDT]

If you can get over the ULEZ issue a older Jaguar XJ8 would not be a bad choice. £3-4k would get a nice one.

[Robertb]

My father had an 1990 LS400 when they first came out. The engine really was unbelievably good, and the luminescent dials were interesting. I agree they got progressively worse looking with each new iteration.

An X350 XJ could fit the bill for you- really comfortable but has all the modern bits and bobs you might need. Don't dismiss the 3.0 V6 either as it suits the car very well and its ULEZ exempt (the V8 may well be too, not sure). Just watch out for subframe rot.

[Chris_i8]

I used to sell those gen1 GS300's when new - fabulous things, super super rare nowadays. That example looks lovely, the only thing missing is the larger rear wheels which were an option when new.

What about a Toyota Century?????

[Scootersp]

I had a GS300 Aristo just like this, same white two tone.

Some oldish 2000-2005 Mercs and BMW's are ok for ULEZ

[Glassman]

Chris_i8 said:

I used to sell those gen1 GS300's when new - fabulous things, super super rare nowadays. That example looks lovely, the only thing missing is the larger rear wheels which were an option when new.

What about a Toyota Century?????

Century

https://dyler.com/blog/637/the-toyota-century-v12-...

[Chris_i8]

Glassman said:

Century

https://dyler.com/blog/637/the-toyota-century-v12-...

Life's not a dress rehearsal!...get one bought.

[ZX10R NIN]

3.7 Q70:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202504211...

3.0TT Q50:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403067...

Genesis:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202509036...

Mark X:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/116754798585?_skw=toyot...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205710747269?_skw=toyot...

V8 Crown Majesta:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/257096712028?_skw=toyot...

[Timoo]

Would you consider any german options?

BMW 750i with a V8 or, alternatively a 760i with a V12. If you’re open to a big coupe, could also consider a 850i with a V12.

Audi S8’s also have some great engines, with the 2006+ ones having the V10 and V8 before that.

Then there’s of course Mercedes with a whole range of options, the S600, E55, S55..the list goes on.

[Gad-Westy]

I think you had it right first time with the LS400. The GS is a nice enough car too but the LS really stands out as something special. They still aren’t crazy money either. Sounds like a good itch to scratch to me.