The Japanese Luxury that BEAT Europe’s Best. V8 Americans love / Toyota Celsior/ LS400. JDM Masters.
Vložit
- čas přidán 16. 07. 2024
- "The relentless pursuit of perfection"
This is the motto of Lexus. Born in 1989 at the height of the Japanese bubble economy, it was a time of easy money and expenditure on luxury but also a time of great technological advancement from automotive and electronic manufacturers. The demand for true luxury combined with the latest technology was explored by the luxury brands of Europe's recognised establishment. But it took a Japanese automobile company to not only surpass but revolutionise the segment by creating a high end car that could achieve the then seemingly impossible attributes of comfort, stability, quality yet have a powerful engine that returned excellent fuel economy for its class.
Toyota Motor Co. achieved many industry firsts with the original Lexus LS400. The Lexus brand was a created as a luxury arm for the foreign market to distinguish itself separately from 'bread and butter' Toyota in order to stand toe to toe with the likes of Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar and Maserati. Combining their experience with the already luxury models like status to have Crown and the regal Century with new technology combined in a balanced package with a build quality that is legendary today but an industry eye opener in 1989, the Lexus LS 400 won the praise and admiration of customers, motoring journalists and its rivals.
In Japan, the Lexus brand was introduced in 2006 after the domestic market demanded the recognised status and brand essence from Western markets. We take you back in time where Lexus models before 2006 was marketing and sold under the Toyota brand with names like Celsior, Soarer, Aristo, Windom, Altezza, Harrier.
In this video we review the second generation Toyota Celsior LS400 UC20 and investigate the secrets behind its legendary performance and ability to transform your driving experience into one of effortless elegance. We also highlight the differences between the Lexus version and JDM only special equipment like high quality fabric seats which explores the Japanese thinking of luxury.
Contents:
00:00 Intro
02:24 Introduction, concept & history
06:40 Design, exterior
09:00 Engineering, high quality production
10:19 Dimensions, Elegant styling
14:49 Engine technology
20:59 Suspension, chassis
22:02 Wine glass test on engine block
23:00 Rear seat luxury and features details
26:08 Premium Celsior brochure/catalogue
27:42 Front seat, dashboard feature details
34:17 Drive impression
JDM IG: @jdmmastersofficial
JDM Masters crew: @captbradford @japonic_official
Special thanks to this episode's camera and still photography crew: @aonaminnie , Kyle Johnson
Owner of Celsior & video producer IG: @amateur_enthusism @pascoflyer
You Tube channel: / @amateurenthusiasm
#lexus #toyota #ls400 #lexusls #luxurycar #japan #luxury #jdm #90s #v8 #japanese - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Was a pleasure filming with you Capt!
I love your cinematic shots. Beautifully organized 👍🏼👍🏼
@@Raven-uu7lb Thanks! Lot to learn, but the journey is very enjoyable
@@AmateurEnthusiasm you're welcome. And good luck on your future endeavors 👍🏼
Where is he now !! He is not uploading videos anymore !!
I am still owning my dads 92 LS400 which he bought new. Peace of art and underrated here in Germany.
lucky bastard 😭 im jealous
Wow. How many Km does it have on it?
Lucky guy
sweet
Du glücklichrr 😎
I've been driving since 1948, having owned 45 cars over the years, Some were new, many were "previously-owned." My life expectancy was about 63 years when I was born. I have exceeded that by more than two decades. I will wager that my Lexus LS400, manufactured in 1997, will be my last car and it has been my best. I look forward to riding in the all-electric Lexus equivalent to my LS400, whatever it is to be called, but I doubt it will much quieter or more comfortable than my old veteran sedan with a little over 181,000 miles and no failures on the road. It will be better for the Planet, of course! Thanks for the inside information on Celsior. It's an impressive machine.
Lithium mining is environmentally hazardous.
How old are you?
How much you want for it?
Million mile motors!
electric cars are a bad idea you sound like you're 11
My Dad had an LS400 and LS430 when they first came out. They were so ahead of its time it's incredible how many new cars still don't have half the features they did.
Cool cars! Have you sat in both? Which is better?
@@kecupabece4000 I sat in both a lot. The LS400 was more special because it was groundbreaking. The LS430 felt like an evolution of it.
@@sodazmanwhich do you think is quieter, smoother and comfortable?
@@kecupabece4000 I would say they were about the same in quietness. The LS400 was more comfortable.
@@sodazman In the 80s Japan was in every good financially so Toyota decided yea we have endless money here is few thousands engineer
Those shots, camera angles and that intro. Ooh thats hot. :D I love it.
Thank you!
This guy has the coolest tone of voice!
That's why I listened to the end! LOL!
Sounds like Karun Chandhok
I really enjoy the understated style of this era of luxury cars.
The best.
Simple clean lines... Such beauty .. do you think this style could ever come back ?
Now they all look ridiculous
Finesse
Back when Toyota/Lexus made actual luxury cars.
Japanese cars are the best and most reliable in the world, congratulations from germany, great channel!!!! 🇯🇵👍🏻
Germany makes amazing world-class cars as well! Love from Japan to Germany. Long time friends 🇩🇪🤝🇯🇵
German cars are na zi
@@tanthaman Ok and?
SEIJIRO world class cars without world class reliability like the Japanese...
German cars are the best overall (just look at the Porsche 911, Taycan, Mercedes S class, Bugatti Chiron etc.). Japanese cars are the most reliable though.
Yakuza vibes are strong in this one ^^
My 1990 Lexus LS400, with 426k miles, running well.
a car designed almost half a century ago still looks good and is better than todays cars
I just bought a '98 LS400 in october. My first car, the best decision I've ever made.
I really regret selling this one.
@@AmateurEnthusiasm lil update my first one got rear ended, but I loved it so much so I drove all the way down to Baltimore to get another!
@@TheCinderDude hell ya!
@@TheCinderDudeyo, how its going?
@@c3lsior.pl4ya31 kept that second one, did a full interior swap from the first and it has a starlight headliner and I swapped the engine and trans as well :p it’s a beautiful car I try to keep it as nice as possible. If I post a video about it I’ll link that here
Just picked one up the other day, & I got to say wow... the tech & the luxury is so good. Doesn't compare to any new luxury car. Fell in love with the ls400
My step father loved his 98 LS400. Perfect condition and only driven on sunny days. He passed couple years ago and my mother can't let it go. It's going to sit in the garage for awhile. Smells brand new everytime I get in. 70k miles. Light green/tan.
Funny because my stepdad had the same version when I first et him.
I had an ls 400 for about 3 years. I saved it from the junkyard and once I got it running and driving it was one of the best reliable driving cars I've ever owned.
I sold it not to long ago and if I ever want another luxury car I'm for sure getting an LS series. It's by far the best car I've ever owned
I don’t care what anyone says but Toyota and Lexus will be forever the best
JDM cars are the best especially the 90s cars top class
My dad still has his 1995 LS400 that he purchased in 2003, i sincerely hope he never sells it.
They are pure bullet proof models. If it does attemp to sell it, tell him about how this thing can last for a very long time, ever hear of million mile Lexus?
@@toyotabrony yeah i know about Matt Farah's million mile LS
@@LosihoTTT 😎👌🏼
When he does sell it, please call me.
I have a 2000 LS 400 almost 2 years of ownership, its a nice car lots of quality, no complaints from me.
Previously I had owned one the this car Lexus 400, it’s excellent car, comfortable ride and very reliable, looking back I regretted for sold that car, piece of classic and beautiful car.
Owning an LS makes you feel soooo gangsta 🥰
Yeah. Dirt cheap s class
Yep! Every time I drive my 96' I feel pretty G
@@rolutarboi1306 with gangster reliabilty and quality
":awesome:"
:awesome:
Amazingly well-restored Celsior is a joy to behold ... Toyota made Asia proud by creating this marvel of engineering ... still looks great after 30 years ... greetings from Singapore/Malaysia.
Its a testament to Japanese ownership that this celsior isn’t restored at all. Only thing I did to it was change the oil.
@@AmateurEnthusiasm I'm looking at importing one of these to Australia next year when it's 25 years old. Can I ask what spec this would be? F Package? And roughly what something like yours would cost to buy in JPN these days.
@@bentleyv8t Surprisingly, they haven't spiked much. I bought this for 450,000 yen in 2018. Now, something like this would be maybe 800,000 yen. I believe this was the CF package.
That intro is gold!!!
Yazuka gold.
Fire
those old lexus rides better than any vw today
VW’s are ok when they are new, but after around less than 50k miles. They fall apart easily. And they are endless money pits.
Lexus/Toyota are true luxury cars.
Celsior and Century are the best Sedans 🥰
One of the best i say: Nissan Laurel, Toyota Crown, Toyota Mark 2, Toyota Chaser and yes this Toyota
@@B5Limo Century ..!!!!
No Aristo love?
@@interstate366 Aristo is cool, but only as 2JZ-GTE.
@@TheS1PikesPeak that’s what mine is
At 0:26 I imagined that he was telling him: Let's close the Suez Canal with this Vessel, and then he did it at @0:43 which made me laugh madly..
The build/material quality on these things was absolutely top notch as was the engineering. Superior to the S class of that time. Fact.
VIP at it's finest.
The "Y" in the license plate means the owner is a US soldier, just a trivia.
For Yankee? 🤔🤣
😲
Actually it means they’re SOFA. Civilians working for the US government are Y as well.
this car is the pinnacle of japanese engineering for the time. such a beautiful, time-less car
Lexus LS were amazing. They Lost that with the latest generation that launched in 2018. I still have LS460 though.
Best looking LS generation. Timeless and elegant.
Love my LS400
The epitome of innovation in late 1990's. Many of them are still running today. I drove this car and it is naturally aspirated V8, glides on the road, no turbo lag and has exceptional power to accelerate even at 100 km to 160 kmph or more in seconds.
Plus the quiteness, luxurious ride is impeccable
@23:15 you can instantly hear the soundproofing as soon as he closes the door
I remember this car when first came out. Very well received from the beginning and a huge wake up call for the German big 3.
I still drive my 2000 GS400. It’s smoother than my 2017 LS460.
Currently own a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, known as ASX in Japan(and a few other nations), and it has been a wonderful car for the price I paid. For a compact car, it has good comfort, ride quality and an absolute beast in the snow.... oh yeah....and properly reliable!!!!. Once I seek a decent luxury car....Lexus is my first choice(maybe Acura second) I will not touch Euro or US Luxury brands as they seem to have many problems. The reliability of Toyota and Honda is well known all around the world. I have worked in my profession with lots of people from Africa and they sing praises for cars made in Japan for being reliable in the tough operating conditions in their countries, like Cameroon and Kenya. When seeing a car that says "Made in Japan" is a real deciding factor for me because I know with a Japanese car, when I turn the key, is going to actually start in the morning!
Japanese luxury Will not only beat any luxury brand but it will win in reliability as well.
I still have the 1998 model drives like a charm , great car .. smooth engine
The UZ-FE was certified for use in aircraft by the American FAA in 1997. That's all that's needed to show it was built to a higher standard.
This is such a thorough review. I wish he could do the Celsior/LS430 next.
I remember having a conversation with a retired gentleman years ago at Lake Geneva in Wisconsin where lots of wealthy Chicago residents vacation. He was a longtime Caddy owner and had just bought his first LS, the same generation as this. I remember being surprised that Toyota could make such a good car. Now I am a two-time LS owner myself.
Why are there so many Lake Geneva’s in American ahaha. Glad he saw the light.
I drove this car in the US 200k miles. Reliability is amazing.
I've owned a 2001 Camry, and an '97 Facelift LS400, Toyota was really at the top of their game, the LS400 really did everything for me and was surprisingly strong in the corners too.
I'm almost saved up to buy a Century later this year, wish me luck!
Owning a Century would be badass! The new model looks insane as well. Best of luck!
Buy xrp instead and buy 10 century's
@@Speedyspeeds98 Xrp is shitcoin
I bought one, got my dream car - the Century. It's a cut above the LS400/Celisor for sure but they're close!
This is the epitome of Japanese engineering philosophy and business culture. Beauty in simplicity and continuous quality improvement (Kaizen).
This just come up on my YT recommended page, really enjoyed it and sub'ed to your channel.
In 2016 i planned 3600 miles round trip in Europe and needed a car. Criteria were very simple: it needed to be big, comfy, reliable and reasonably quick. And on top of that it needed to be cheap as chips as i didn't want to keep it beyond. After extensive internet search only one make kept coming back, Lexus LS. So i bought 2001 LS430 , 210.000 miles on the clock , dogdy paint, fair amount of rust and absolutely no service record car. All that for £1.000.
Not only did it survive constant abuse on German autobahns with speed well in excess of 120MPH for hundreds of miles but i end up keep it for 4 more years afterwards.
I was so impressed with it i bought myself a 2002 LS430 in mint condition, 79.000miles, 1 owner with full Lexus dealership history and planning to keep it for a very long time.
If i were to change anything i would swap my leather interior for the wool in an instant.
Thank you for sharing your LS story with us. Hope you keep you car running well for the years to come. Cheers
My god, I never know that Celsior has wool interior options like Century. And reversing camera was huge innovation back in 90s, started by Mitsubishi Diamante 😍
I love my 1996 Zenki UCF21 Spec C. Imported to USA in May 2021, and it is just beyond everything I ever expected. Such an amazing car.
I want to see more VIP cars in the US
What an amazing piece of art converted in a video, I love the part when both of you are chatting in the car, that's JDM PASSION conversation. Thx once again for the video
I remember buying my first new car red Toyota Corolla in 1989 and visiting the dealership ( before the Lexus dealerships went on their own ) some time afterward - and seeing the LS 400 . I stared at that car for so long and imagined so many great things about my self . I even took their mantra ‘ the relentless pursuit of perfection ‘ to heart with my own business. It was truly what results when you apply yourself to accomplishing the best that you are able to.
I’m in love with mine. Gonna keep it forever. And buy as many more 90s imports as possible!
I have the small lexus is250 and im in love with the clean low key styling
Absolutely a great in depth review video on the Celsior/Lexus LS400. I bought my 97 LS when it was a year old, fell in love w/ it & still have it to this day. I've got lucky again & bought another 00 LS a few years ago in pristine & like new condition. It's really hard to believe even after 21 years, the car still smells brand new. My oldest son loves it so much so I gave it to him. It's truly a world class & a fine automobile!
The year is 2021. I own 5 Toyota vehicles between 2 drivers. I come home one day and tell my wife, I found a car we need to buy, she asked what it was, and I told her, It's a 95 LS400. She didn't even bat an eye. Guys I married the right damn woman, i swear. She'd rather drive the 95 LS400 than an 07 Rav4, because she understands the difference between the two cars. And it is now snuggled in quite at home in our fleet :)
Wow this is quite a different but great video! 👍🏼👍🏼 I love the cinematic shots on this one
My brother picked up a gs300 for under £1k a few months ago, it's the first luxury car I've sat in
I adore thee wool seats, just feels warmer to the touch than leather, rub my face in it soft
They Vibrate too, so if you're rubbing your face, make sure that function is off!
When I bought my Aristo at an importer last year, they had a Crown Majesta that had the wool seats. I was very surprised how soft they felt. They’re almost unexplainably soft.
The wool dont burns your butt the car was long parked in the sun.
Excellent work as always!!!
I have Lexis L S 430 2003 130000 miles still runs great looks great best car
Iv used ls400 98 for ten years its legend and now am useing ls460l 2010 from six years till now
LS400 one of the nicest cars I've owed great for motorway cruising. Loved the review added to favourites 👌
It’s like a magic carpet
Production has a different vibe. Great job.
It took quite some time!
love the intro looks dope !
Captain and the LS400 looking *slick*
0.07,anyone noticed the mismatched rear left wheels?I owned the 1990 Celsior and it was a joy to own with all the VIP mods.Thanks for the video captain.
Yessir, that tire was unsafe, all sorted with fresh rubber now :)
I’ve seen those Crowns (that look like the LS400) in the middle east being modified to switch the driver side from right to left. I’ve been inside a Crown taxi there and it was the most comfortable ride I’ve ever had in my life, very quiet and rides like a cloud.
Fantastic presentation Captain Bradford, I enjoyed every minute of it. Please continue to deliver the content at the quality you have consistently shown and we've consistently come to expect. Cheers!
Best car ever
Thank you 🙏🏼 I have a LS430 I love ❤️ your contents .
The 430 is my favorite LS. Especially with the 5-spoke wheels.
love this car !! the videos was great, thank you
Glad you enjoyed it!
I love those gauges from the 90s , I wish my RC350 had those
Japanese quality and reliability is so above the crowd. JDM 😝. That v8 sound rhythm to the soul the Ls loved by many enjoyed by some
I really like the intro, btw your guys' vids are awesome, you guys sparked my love for JDM cars!
Please continue to review luxury cars!!! so many tiers of Crowns; always facinated by them
Crown is the best.. i drive one, am in love.
Great video. Have a 2006 LS 430 and never letting it go.
Me too bro 🤝👍🏾👍🏾😎
2004 LS 430 here we 10 years in together she staying . Very great automobiles.
I own a Toyota Crown Athlete 2007, 315HP, 400Nm, V6. I freaking loveeee it!
It has a muffler delete and sounds awesome!
Actually faster and more efficient than the V8 Majesta
Great, now I want one
Nice video
Damn, 1:30 into the video and already some nice shots! Hilarious / Cool intro and love the curtain logo reveal.
The video is well presented by the host and a joy to watch. He really know well about the background and history of LS400 and the automotive market of that time. UCF21 bodyshell is my favourite of the three body shapes of LS400. I always love the understated elegance of luxury cars of that generation: LS400, W126, E32, XJ40. The design held up in LS430, E38, X300/X308 and all manufacturers had gone for higher waistline, beefier body designs.
Thank you for the educational video!!
So refreshing to watch and the music in the video is classic
Please do one on the LS430 & LS460 and how they compare to the LS400/celsior:)
Great video really enjoyed it. One detail I really like on these is the lack of rear vent glass. Gives the side a really clean profile and I would imagine rear passengers would appreciate the unobstructed view out.
Very good video. What a fine car!
1UZ-FE has 800 horse power engine with unlocked version. Thats impressive at the Pinicle time of Japan's Automotive technological Advancement.
on stock internals no less, they really are a monster of an engine and the addition of the VVTI in the later generation makes them a viable engine in many motorsports applications even to this day.
The thing to remember is you can run these as hard as you want and they don’t strain.
Days when Toyota was making luxury, rare and premium cars.
23:50 Indeed this is the best car cover seat in the world, we used to import Japanese right-steering wheel cars and we found this kind of luxurious wool in Toyota Crown, chaser, cresta, mark 2 and more.. It was very comfortable.
The sound of sliding into the seats of this thing is pure ASMR
Nice vídeo
is great classic car 👍👍👌
This is a awesome Channel!
Absolutely love my 05 flint Grey Ls430, every time I get in it I feel like a high class mafia and I'm always catching some attention here and there 😊
I bought that car for my son last year!
Hi hello bro thanks for reviewing and promoting Lexus ls400 and Toyota celsior ufc21🤩🤩🤩🤩😍😍😍😎👌👌👌👏
That was cool - thanks for the work
This video is the reason I'm subscribing. Well made video.
That sony A7II though
Excellent video as always gentlemen!
Wow. That is a nice find. That is one optioned out ls. Just beautiful. I love my 2000 platinum. I’m glad I found this video.
Finally someone has properly told LS400 story and has ignoliged Japanese legends in general.
I'm sick of this Euro crap, especially here in Ukraine.
How about building only one decent car yourself before calling successful brands Euro crap?
@@PrimoStracciatella A man is entitled to his opinion and while I disagree with it, you don't need to be a chef to tell someone their food is bad.
Looking fresh captain and love the intro
The different wheel was triggering me jaja
Nice video! Top notch quality as usual!!
I also spotted that immediately.
Sweet! The theory about next wave JDM cars like these coming to U.S and Europe as really sought after cars is already in motion. I've noticed here in the North of EU that the JDM importers are generally bringing in more and more full size sedans compared to sports cars or even so called regular ones.
This has always been one of the greatest cars to come out of Japan and a game changer
A true classic. magnificent vehicle