felo3769
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I am a current LS owner. This is my first car (second vehicle - 1st was a Jeep Grand cherokee). (I know what some people might think about me by saying this, but I am 18 years old and going to be a junior in college - so these thoughts are from a not so experienced car owner).
This car was first purchased by my parents for my mother in 1999. Last year my mom got the new CTS while trading in the Jeep and gave me the LS. My main comparisons are going to be drawn from driving both of these cars.
Performance:
The LS V6 engine is very powerful despite the manufacture 210 hp. It has very good accelration but the automatic shifting isn't the best. You could really feel it struggle getting into second and third gear. Maybe if it were the SST then you could control it better (or even the manual that came out the first year). I havent had an problems with the engine because we have kept up with the service. Oil change every 3,000-5000 miles (54,000 miles by next week). One time though, a hose broke and the engine overheated and I was left stranded but that has hopefully been my only problem.
Ride and Handling:
As far as handling, the LS is pretty fun to drive. I put Eibach springs to lower it a bit, but IMO the handling was not affected. The braking on the LS is also not to my standards. Very hard to press and a lot of noise (I would take it to the dealer because of the noise and they could never find anything wrong with it and they were also clean too). The stock Goodyear tires are horrible! The were extremely loud, no traction (going 40-50 mph on amoist off ramp off of the interstate and I ended up losing control. I put Michelin's on now, and the ride is a lot better. Less noise, very comfortable, but the traction still isn't what I am looking for. The quietness in the LS isn't great compared to the Lexus and Mercedes cars.
Interior:
The 2000 Ls came with leather bucket seats and wood grain which is very classy. The stock stereo is very clear with the factory 8 speaker Alpine stereo option. But if you are like me and like to hear your music very loud with a hint of bass, then thats something else.
Exterior:
Speaks for it self.
On mine, I installed the LSE package just recently. (LSE was a 1 year model that was a V6, manual and appearance package).
In comparison to the CTS, the LS lacks the performance and handling. The CTS V6 is alot more powerful, the accelartion is a lot quicker. The transmission is a lot smoother, and quick with "Sport Mode" engaged. Braking is also more effiecent and softer. The styling does not grab my attention as much as the LS, but eventaully I guess it grows on to you. Also, I feel less comfortable in the CTS than in the LS. Now, because the LS is mroe comfortable or just that I am use to it? W/e it is, I like my LS a lot better. If anything, if the LS was a V8 then performance might be different, or if it were a newer LS with the V6 better tuned.
What I really want, is some aftermarket engine mods to give the V6 some more power.
Well, hope everyone finds this helpful.
Thanks!
This car was first purchased by my parents for my mother in 1999. Last year my mom got the new CTS while trading in the Jeep and gave me the LS. My main comparisons are going to be drawn from driving both of these cars.
Performance:
The LS V6 engine is very powerful despite the manufacture 210 hp. It has very good accelration but the automatic shifting isn't the best. You could really feel it struggle getting into second and third gear. Maybe if it were the SST then you could control it better (or even the manual that came out the first year). I havent had an problems with the engine because we have kept up with the service. Oil change every 3,000-5000 miles (54,000 miles by next week). One time though, a hose broke and the engine overheated and I was left stranded but that has hopefully been my only problem.
Ride and Handling:
As far as handling, the LS is pretty fun to drive. I put Eibach springs to lower it a bit, but IMO the handling was not affected. The braking on the LS is also not to my standards. Very hard to press and a lot of noise (I would take it to the dealer because of the noise and they could never find anything wrong with it and they were also clean too). The stock Goodyear tires are horrible! The were extremely loud, no traction (going 40-50 mph on amoist off ramp off of the interstate and I ended up losing control. I put Michelin's on now, and the ride is a lot better. Less noise, very comfortable, but the traction still isn't what I am looking for. The quietness in the LS isn't great compared to the Lexus and Mercedes cars.
Interior:
The 2000 Ls came with leather bucket seats and wood grain which is very classy. The stock stereo is very clear with the factory 8 speaker Alpine stereo option. But if you are like me and like to hear your music very loud with a hint of bass, then thats something else.
Exterior:
Speaks for it self.
On mine, I installed the LSE package just recently. (LSE was a 1 year model that was a V6, manual and appearance package).
In comparison to the CTS, the LS lacks the performance and handling. The CTS V6 is alot more powerful, the accelartion is a lot quicker. The transmission is a lot smoother, and quick with "Sport Mode" engaged. Braking is also more effiecent and softer. The styling does not grab my attention as much as the LS, but eventaully I guess it grows on to you. Also, I feel less comfortable in the CTS than in the LS. Now, because the LS is mroe comfortable or just that I am use to it? W/e it is, I like my LS a lot better. If anything, if the LS was a V8 then performance might be different, or if it were a newer LS with the V6 better tuned.
What I really want, is some aftermarket engine mods to give the V6 some more power.
Well, hope everyone finds this helpful.
Thanks!