What's the higher-mpg LS400 equivalent?

Assuming I will always have the Miata to take over DD duties in case it ever breaks down, what would be the (at least semi-reliable), but higher-mpg equivalent to either the earlier LS400 or the '98-'99 model? I don't need the larger size, but a more luxurious interior would be nice.

Also trying to avoid costly repairs, which steered me towards the LS400 in the first place. 25mpg highway is just a bit low for what I'm going to be using it for.

2nd Gen Prius?

Did the Lincoln Zephyr ever come as a hybrid?

EDIT: answering my own question, no it didn't. Changing my answer to Mercury Milan 4-cylinder.

LS300 or SC300

+1 on the LS300. Or you could go with a wildcard 00s Passat TDI.

Uh... Lexus ES 300?

Sorry, no LS300s were made, just the SC300.

25 mpg is pretty good for a V8, 290 hp Luxobarge.

My 225 hp V8 Luxobarge (according to the instantaneous readout on the tripminder) hovers between 20 and 25 mpg at 60 mph. Any faster and it drops off rather quickly due to the highest gear in the transmission currently being 1:1 (3,000 rpm at 70 mph, yada yada). It sucks the gogo juice like a third generation lush around town too.

What did the Lincoln LS' with the V-6/stick get?

Appleseed wrote: What did the Lincoln LS' with the V-6/stick get?

Worse than 25mpg highway and less reliable

GS300?

oldtin wrote: GS300?

Pretty much gets the same MPG as an LS400. I've had both.

Lexus ES 300 or Infiniti i30?

Four banger BMW, like a 318?

Infiniti G20?

What's oldest hybrid Lexus luxury sedan?

From what I've read, the GS300 gets the same mileage as the GS400, so why bother?

LS400 is the way to go. I've got a 98 and a 99. 26 on the highway at 75 MPH with the cruise on. 24.5 combined city/highway. Really, really comfy.

what kind of mpg can you get out of a toyota avalon? when we bought our house our realtor had 2nd gen one, it was pretty nice to ride around in, i liked the dashboard and its not a bad looking car.

also i kinda like the last gen hyundai azera as far as sedans go but its a bit smaller

Did the Lincoln Zephyr ever come as a hybrid? EDIT: answering my own question, no it didn't.

Yes they did, but they called it the MKZ at that point.

What's oldest hybrid Lexus luxury sedan?

2005 GS450h. A sweet car, if you ask me.

IMHO:

The only answer for an equivalent is a hybrid Ls, or maybe an Ls430/460, which is going to cost you more than you'll save in gas $. Leave well enough alone, Ls400s are fantastic cars and for their size they're quite frugal.

Passat TDi?

carbon wrote: IMHO: The only answer for an equivalent is a hybrid Ls, or maybe an Ls430/460, which is going to cost you more than you'll save in gas $. Leave well enough alone, Ls400s are fantastic cars and for their size they're quite frugal.

That's what I suspected. Are there any problems towing 1000lbs in trailer + gear? I'm sure the car can handle it, but is the transmission up for it or will it need a cooler? I'm guessing no.

Transmission is the same as is used in the similar year Tundra and Sequoia, it will be fine.

failboat wrote: what kind of mpg can you get out of a toyota avalon? when we bought our house our realtor had 2nd gen one, it was pretty nice to ride around in, i liked the dashboard and its not a bad looking car. also i kinda like the last gen hyundai azera as far as sedans go but its a bit smaller

I had a 2004 Avalon for several years it got around 30 mpg highway and 24-25 in mixed.

LS400's have a surprisingly high tow rating. They come with bolt holes ready to bolt on a class 2 hitch. I am seriously considering adding a hitch to one of mine and using it for towing instead of the RN Truck.