KOOLFELLA

iTrader: (34)

Hey guys I have a question, I was thinking about buying a 98 or 99 LS400 for a second vehicle, but im curious 2 know how is the traction control (VSC) is in the snow...? yea / nah Let it out, im curious 2 know the Pro's & Con's.
Thanks for your help fella's. . . .

KU Lex

Im not sure how much the traction control differs from the 94 to the 98, but my 94 isn't exactly fun in the snow. The Trac is a necessity (i only tried turning it off in the snow breifly and I was sliding everywhere) but I still have to be very careful with turning and acceleration because there is so much power to the back wheels. Having weight in the truck obviosly helps. I also find that since the car is so heavy braking can become hairy, but the ABS stops it if I have to decelerate quickly.

Lexiss_sc430

iTrader: (2)

The 98-00 have a nice lil button called "snow" mode. It basically dumbs down your car as I like to think. It starts off your car in 2nd from a dead stop, it does not downshift until you really hammer it. and it just makes the car soo much easier to drive in the rain and snow. Now I have only driven it in the snow once and the conditions weren’t that bad, but in rain it makes you way more stable in every aspect.

Kansas

My 00 LS400 is the best snow car I have owned in 40+ years of driving. I use Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires on an extra set of wheels and put them on as late as possible in the fall and remove them as early as possible in the spring to maximize their life. Look for the "mountain/snowflake" symbol on the sidewall when buying snow tires to make sure you get the real thing and not just a set of all season tires -- worlds of difference in performance capability in snow.

I have routinely driven my 00 LS400 up steep hills right past 4WD SUV's that were spinning their wheels trying to get up them. The combination of VSC and "snow mode" is infinitely more effective that the older "Trac" system.

Another plus of the 98-LS is that the late LS400 seems to have more ground clearance than the early models. I "high centered" my 90 LS a few times on deep snow during my 13+ years with it but that has never happened in my 00 LS.

I used to carry a few bags (100 lb.?) of sand in the trunk of the 90 LS to add extra weight in the rear but that has not been necessary in my 00 LS.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

The 98+ has a much more advanced traction control system with sensors at every wheel detecting slipping, and or direction of travel. 99+ Also have Auto brake distribution, and 00+ have brake assist as well if I’m not mistaken. Then brake by wire in ’01, then VDIM in ’06-’07 depending on the model.

greenvy2k

Well i only had my ls400 1999 for one year now. when i drove it in the snow it was only about three inches on the ground. but my car with michelin MXV4 with the snow button on, performed flawlessly in the snow. It would get out only if i forced it. Even up a hill under acceleration no problem. But then again we don't see alot of snow here so i don't think it would do well over 9 or so.

iasc300

iTrader: (1)

since the LS is one of the top of the line lexus sedans, if it didnt handle in the snow- lexus would be screwed

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

It snows here ................
Snow button + VSC X 98 LS400 = real easy to drive. It has a small chime that lets you know you are sidways if you need to still know it by then.
I use michelin artic alpins which have so far been burned off by this dry winter with not even an inch of snow.
for them wearing out with no use
for still having my snow blower in my basement.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

That chime scared the hell out of me last time i was entering a Highway ramp, with a bit of sideways action. (slow speed, and even grass all around, so nothing to worry about.) Till that chime went off and scared me the first time.

vedro

Its not the greatest in the snow. I have all weather tires, and with snow on the ground, it handles poorly. At any incline or a ramp i have to time it just right to avoid coming to a complete. Cause when I do my car just slides in the direction of the gravity. In stop and go traffic it's been especially tricky and with a few very close calls.

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

vedro your tires suck by a good set and get some self assured driving if gravity can pull an LS those tires have to go.

bouellet

Get blisacks on all 4 wheels . will handle beautifully

vedro

I've had three sets of tires in the last four years, started with Dunlops then switched to Pirellis and now i have Continentals. I kept changing them, hoping to find the right balance between summer and winter driving conditions, but to no vain. I was planning to put a set of winter tires this winter, but it seems i wouldn't have to bother, Spring came early this year.

jz4203

I own a 96 LS400 (Trac Control but no VSC) and don't like driving it in snow. Didn't waste money on winter tires and leave it home whenever I think snow is possible. However, I recently got caught it that one little 1" snowfall and got home okay, but didn't like going up an incline after being caught at a stop light (spun tires and moved at 2 mph). Cars behind me weren't thrilled.

On the other hand, I drive a 98 GS400 with VSC. The car does okay in winter with all-season tires, but it really has no problems with winter tires (I'm using the Dunlop M3 WinterSports). I noticed quite a big difference with the snow tires and actually enjoyed driving in the snow. I also threw 140 lbs in the trunk for added traction.

Bottomline is that you should feel confident in the 98+ LS as long as you get snow tires and enjoy the other 360 days a year driving a great car.

GKLCPA

Found a set of some barely used Blizzaks today for my 96 LS for $ 225. I wouldn't have known to get them except for this board. I'm set for winter now (Although is wasn't very winter like today with nearly 70 degree weather here).

The guy at the tire shop who installed them said that I would love them. He apparently had to do a test drive with them in an ice rink as a part of some sort of sales training. He thought it wouldn't work, but it did.