The late 90's LS400's remind me of Merc's from a distance, I think they're better looking than the 430. More classic. That's arguably one of the quietest, most solid feeling cars I've ever driven. I read that that V8 is pretty bombproof too. If I could find a good one from some geezer I'd buy it. The only ones I ever run into are right up against a timing belt change ($$$$$$) or have leaky head gaskets due to improper coolant use.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

I saw a TV commercial for one of these silly ricers in a hotel last week. The main message was something like; if advanced technology is how you measure luxury, then this car is the most luxurious. They then proceeded to show all their silly gadgets. I don't remember which car, but does it really matter?

Come on! As Elchivito says, the LS400 was obviously a direct ripoff of the W124 design. Look at the cladding, look at the overall shape. Absolute design emulation.

Rgds,
Chris W.

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Objects in closer are mirror than they appear.

The asians can talk about safety all they want, Mercedes virtually "invented" safety and in a wreck, I know which brand I would want to be in. Mercedes is the real deal.

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Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)

Back in the 1980's Park Place Mercedes in Dallas had a smashed up 116 out back they would show customers so they would know just how safe a Mercedes is.

I think Mercedes also displayed such a car at the Paris Auto Show in the late 1970's.

Just saw a TV commercial where a full sized car/suv was show sitting on a large flatbed copier and copies were being produced . . . I didn't catch the make, but could it have been a Lexus commercial?

Just remember that the Lexus owner makes less trips to the mechanic for repairs.. I've had 2 MB's and was entertaining a third recently, but bought an 08 Lexus... I'm glad I did, wonderful car ...without the "status" badge

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1995 E320 smoke silver / parchment

Yes, a Toyota is cheaper to own than a Benz.

That's arguable. My Toyota was far more expensive to buy and own than any Benz I've owned... (I've owned about 12, and 1 Toyota.)

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

I think it's safe to say that in an "apples to apples" comparison a ricer will be cheaper to buy and operate than a benz. If one person buys a new E350 and another buys the toyota clone, after 5 years the benz owner will have spent more money on average.

You've clearly never owned a MK3 Supra turbo...not a clone at all! High priced parts since it was and has always been toyota's flagship sports car. Very well built, solid, fast and sophisticated, definitely not a rice rocket.



Maybe I've found the one exception?

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

I've never owned any ricer, and intend to keep it that way. I was trying to compare similar types of cars. From the photos, I cant tell what the MK3 Supra is a copy of.

Lol calm down...it's justa car.

people on this forum are so open minded...love it.

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Current cars:
2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles
2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles
1995 S320, 207k Miles

Nowadays its harder to find an "unsafe" car than it is to find a "safe car" at least in the US.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Wait until stuff starts to break, my friends dad just paid $500 to have the dealer fix one of the Xenon headlights on his old 2003 GX470. He went out and bought a 2011 to get under warranty again.

As they get close to 10 years and 100k miles every repair is quite expensive.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200