World Class Bargain: 1995 Lexus LS400 – Sold?

February 10, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call Rudy directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

One of the best values in the emerging collector car marketplace is the flagship Lexus sedan known as the LS400. What it lacks in a catchy moniker it more than makes up with in world-class construction and unflappable reliability. This clean 1995 LS400 originally listed in December 2020 on Craigslist in Northern Virginia has over 200,000 miles and an asking price of just $3,000. While enthusiasts are generally aware of the LS400’s many assets, it’s still considered a decent used car by most insurance agencies, so Hagerty doesn’t rate it just yet; according to the NADA Price Guide, the “Average” retail should set you back $5,475.

Any number of automotive personalities have taken the plunge into high-mileage LS400 ownership, and most have reported back that even neglected examples need relatively little compared to its peers in similar states of repair from the likes of BMW and Mercedes. Lexus set out to topple the luxury car hierarchy with the LS400, and when it emerged onto the scene in the early 90s, there was little doubt the company had arrived. Bank-vault construction, high-quality materials, and a dealership experience that made every LS400 owner feel like a millionaire (yes, there were plenty that weren’t!) cemented the model’s reputation as a flagship almost immediately. In retrospect, it was incredible how perfectly Lexus emulated the top-shelf Mercedes products of the era, from the conservative styling to the quiet prestige baked into its DNA.

Because Lexus didn’t mess with a good thing, it’s possible today to get into a higher mileage example like this one and have it still look relatively fresh despite being 25 years old. The styling barely changed over the course of the first generation model’s lifecycle, with only subtle enhancements from year to year like the Gold Package this example was optioned with. The seller doesn’t detail any recent maintenance needs having been addressed, and therein lies the risk with a model like this – it’s so good that some owners skimp on the upkeep simply because the LS400 will tolerate it. While that may not be the case here (notice, even with 200K, only the gas light is illuminated in the instrument cluster), it’s worth asking the seller whether this luxury icon has visited a Lexus dealer recently, or if the new tires listed in the description is the only love it’s been shown. Good luck with the purchase if you decide your driveway needs an upgrade!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Up for sale is my 1995 Lexus LS 400 gold package vehicle runs and drives excellent body is in great condition paint is very good interior is very nice has brand new tires everything is working as it should vehicle has 202,000 miles always has been maintain on time currently asking $3000 best offer please contact for more information.“

Do you have a Lexus LS400 story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!