Latest Lexus soothes a manic brow, but extras are frustrating

The timing was right. After weeks of merger mania here in newspaperland, I had arranged for a week of soothing sedation behind the wheel of a Lexus LS 400.

Being sealed in a sensory deprivation tank couldn't have been more calming. Ahhhh!

This luxury sedan is whisper quiet inside and soooo smoooooth that you feel like a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Nothing wrong with that. We could all use a little caressing.

But these fancy wrappings come at a premium. The LS 400 carries a base $51,200 price tag that screams "Lease me!"

And surprisingly, there are a lot of options on the LS 400, including carpeted floor mats and a trunk mat for $110 and $63, respectively. At 51 grand I've got to pay extra for floor mats? All told, the options brought the silvery gray test sedan to $59,353. And remember, there's a luxury tax on top of that.

At that mortgagable price, the LS 400 had better be a delight and it was.

The first generation LS 400 was a dream, and a bargain at about $35,000. The price is up, but then Lexus has done nothing but improve the car since its introduction five years ago.

This incarnation shed 200 pounds, was stiffened some and has had its 4.0-liter V-8 refined, all moves that further pump up the LS 400's pedestal.

Leg 1 ends here Smooth Ride

The ride is smooth and refined thanks to a double-wishbone suspension with anti-lift and anti-squat geometry that helps keep the car level during acceleration and braking. It also improves the car's handling, which is good for a large luxury sedan. V-rated 16-inch tires also do their part in smoothing the ride and giving the car excellent grip.

An optional air suspension system ($1,700) on the test car also improved its ride. The system uses semi-active, independent four-channel adaptive damping that senses changes at each wheel and individually adjusts the suspension to smooth out bumpy roads. It also automatically lowers the car an inch at highway speeds to improve the car's aerodynamics.

The system can be activated by pressing a button on the console, allowing the driver to raise the car an inch. That gives it more road clearance in lousy weather. However, you won't notice any difference in the car's feel.

While the ride is super, the revamped aluminum alloy engine is a pleasure to drive.

Lighter than its predecessor, the V-8 delivers 260 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. That's strong enough to quickly push the car up to highway speeds, the power remaining smooth and constant up to near Leg 2 ends here triple digits. Fun to Shift

Shifting the Lexus also is fun for us folks who like to control our transmission shifts. This is a four-speed automatic, but is notched in the center console so a driver can slip through the gears, sans clutch, if so desired. Each gear engages quickly, although there's a tiny lag when going the manual route.

However, when you shift the car into drive in the automatic mode, it's easy to bump it over into third gear. I found myself in third several times.

Braking remains strong in the Lexus. The LS 400 uses vented discs on all four wheels and backs it up with an anti-lock system. Amazingly, though, the traction control system is optional, for only $1,900. It should be standard at this price.

Inside, the Lexus cuddles you. The test car had a two-tone tan leather interior attractive and comfortable.

The cozy 10-way power seats are easy to adjust. They are firm enough to give good support, but soft enough to feel good on a long ride.

The test car added a $750 seat position memory system. That's nice. And on chilly Wisconsin mornings you can turn on the standard seat warmers.

Headroom and legroom are plentiful in the LS 400, both front and rear. Visibility is good and there are two cup holders front Leg 3 ends here and rear.

The dash is beautifully laid out with everything within easy reach. The automatic climate control system is among the best I've found, never kicking into a high, and noisy, fan speed. Plus there are dual temperature controls up front, one each for passenger and driver. Rock While You Roll

Like to rock while you roll?

The test car replaced the standard 195-watt sound system with a premium Lexus/Nakamichi system that delivers a nearly ear-bleed-inducing 280 watts.

Lexus also puts its optional CD changer ($1,000) into what looks like the glove box. It's a nice idea for those of us who don't like crawling into the trunk to insert a few CDs. Even with the CD up front, Lexus found room for a glove box.

There are more doodads, too. The steering wheel not only tilts, but telescopes. You can electronically adjust the shoulder harness height. Headrests also are power operated. And when you turn off the ignition, the steering wheel rises out of your way for easier exits.

The locking system also is a high-tech number. If you don't open a door within 30 seconds of unlocking it, all doors relock.

Yet for all its electronic gadgets, there is no on-board trip computer as in so many European and American luxury cars. I like those, and there should be Leg 4 ends here one here at this price.