Best smoker barges 1-5 large [Vol 10]

[olly755]

sly fox said:

confused_buyer said:

The LS400 certainly does have character and it is an interesting car. It is the result of a cost no-object single minded determination from one man to make his company build the best car in the world. In short, it is a landmark car which deserves it's place in any museum charting automotive history so far.

They are designed and built like no other car before or since and it is really only as they get older the truly remarkable amount of money which went into them is becoming apparent.

The LS430 is a good car and in some ways better (it is certainly more modern) but it doesn't have the same engineering standards to it in some places and, being the second generation rather than the original, somehow isn't the same.

Interesting comment, i've driven both models and owned an LS430 for 2 years. LS430 is a much better car - it's more refined overall and is faster yet uses less fuel. It's more spacious, the seats are more comfortable. Mark Levinson stereo in the LS430 has to be heard to be believed. I could go on. Other than Air Suspension issues i'd argue it's more reliable too especially from an electrics point of view. One thing that put me off the LS400 was tyres- they are a fairly unique size being fairly high ratio and a bugg3r to get hold of.

You can't see the exterior from the inside- neither are lookers. LS400 interior is seriously dated- LCD displays etc. LS430 - well it's not for some especially the lighter interiors with the red/orange wood.

I'll chime in on this if I may: after owning both side by side, and with a "one must go" ultimatum the '430 was the one that hit the classifieds without a thought.

IMO the 400 is the original and best. The initial brief and philosophy behind the car couldn't be imagined in the present day: create a brand, make one car, with one engine, with no options, make it better than it's contemporaries that practically owned the market, and stick on a bargain price tag. Many things were improved on the '430, but so many of the things that made the original so compelling were not.

I'll agree that it's a landmark car, actually think it's as decent looking and well proportioned as the S class that it caricatured, and yet they are deeply unfashionable to 99% of the population and pretty much worthless. The fact that the engineering quality surpasses pretty much anything on 4 wheels only adds to the disbelief that they aren't more sought after. Mine is coming up for 170k miles and feels like an old car really shouldn't: as been clocked the wrong way.

[Username888]

bob-lad said:

Did you realise you were about to be burgled as you took this photo ?

SpeckledJim said:

I'm envious. Want one.

This one's LPG. From the occasional times that I've looked, they don't seem to be hugely rare. Also has radar cruise on it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-LEXUS-LS430-4-3-LS-...

[SpeckledJim]

Username888 said:

bob-lad said:

Did you realise you were about to be burgled as you took this photo ?

SpeckledJim said:

I'm envious. Want one.

This one's LPG. From the occasional times that I've looked, they don't seem to be hugely rare. Also has radar cruise on it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-LEXUS-LS430-4-3-LS-...

There's a very odd correlation between the type of dashing handsome bon vivant who likes LPG (I'm thinking you and me here) and the kind of boring old-man cars that are most often converted.

Lexus, Volvo and Jaguar S-Type are frequently sent my way by my loosely defined 'anything LPG' eBay searches.

[golfer19]

I like the idea of a lpg Lexus.
Would make a nice daily compared to my usual daily oil burner.

[anonymous-user]

RenesisEvo said:

sleepera6 said:

Just bought this, not strictly a barge but really enjoying it!

300h? Do tell more! What's good, what's bad? Refined, relaxed, ride not too harsh? These are on my radar for when prices fall into my budget (may take a while!)

Of course.
It's an exec spec, 27k miles, 2 years old.
It's very well equipped and futuristic, rare too.
Premier spec is the best, avoid the SE.
Ride is not harsh at all!
CVT is great

Bad bits
Sat nav is a pain!
Rear headroom
Still has manual seats unless you buy a Premier
High list price.

[anonymous-user]

MG511 said:

RenesisEvo said:

300h? Do tell more! What's good, what's bad? Refined, relaxed, ride not too harsh? These are on my radar for when prices fall into my budget (may take a while!)

I'm interested in a 300h too so would be keen to hear how you rate it, and how your experience of Cargiant was (that looks like one of their pictures, is that where you purchased from? They always seem to have a few in stock.

Cargiant were fantastic to deal with and a great price (£16k, 2 yrs old with 27000 miles, FLSH and one owner!)
Very good for the money better than the 3 er i owned (by far)

[Sterillium]

EarlOfHazard said:

Oh and the LS400 was the bonus car in Street Fighter 2.

This has made me very happy.

[bob-lad]

SpeckledJim said:

There's a very odd correlation between the type of dashing handsome bon vivant who likes LPG (I'm thinking you and me here) and the kind of boring old-man cars that are most often converted.

Lexus, Volvo and Jaguar S-Type are frequently sent my way by my loosely defined 'anything LPG' eBay searches.

As I've said before, way back when, I ran a D2 S8 for 100k on LPG when I was properly hammering the mileage. I was young(er) and it was a laugh.

Wouldn't dream of interfering with Jags though, they are left as the factory intended.

[defblade]

bob-lad said:

Username888 said:

I haven't got radar cruise, but I wish I had.

My first choice was the dark flint grey, but this silver one had a decent LPG install so I went for that. I agree that the looks aren't the best, but I still like it, - I think the air suspension adds to it's majestic look as it floats along the road, - and it's size makes it somewhat imposing. Ultimately though, it's just a mode of transport, - I brought it for chilled out long distance cruising and so far it's done that brilliantly

Did you realise you were about to be burgled as you took this photo ?

No, no, no. His rear parking sensors have packed up and so that's his new distance control... just move gently towards her bum until you hear a scream.



Which, by some co-incidence, is just how I lost my last job

[W00DY]

Lpg is great as long as it's a decent set-up and with a hidden filler.


My only ownership experience of it was a homebrew system fitted to a '77 Citroen CX which I would suggest is asking for trouble, were anyone to consider similar. But when it worked it was ace.

[Mikedknight]

Just put my lpg'd 540 on eBay it was the only way to make it reasonable to run, I just couldn't justify running one on petrol. Great if you have at least two lpg stations nearby I had a couple of issues with ones pump being out of order.

[W00DY]

On a slightly O/T note, how good does the new S90 look! I pass a Volvo dealership most days and they have a couple of the handsome beasts. Up there with the current XJ as bargain barges of the future.

[Private Pile]

Mikedknight said:

Just put my lpg'd 540 on eBay it was the only way to make it reasonable to run, I just couldn't justify running one on petrol. Great if you have at least two lpg stations nearby I had a couple of issues with ones pump being out of order.

Or you can have your own LPG tank at home and cut out the petrol station visits.

[Mikedknight]

That would be good, I'm guessing heating lpg is the same stuff ;-)

[Private Pile]

Mikedknight said:

That would be good, I'm guessing heating lpg is the same stuff ;-)

Yes, it's all the same stuff. Only downside is you can't buy Starbars when you fill up.

[Krikkit]

I think an LPG barge may be on the cards if I can get rid of my MX5 in the spring.

W00DY said:

On a slightly O/T note, how good does the new S90 look! I pass a Volvo dealership most days and they have a couple of the handsome beasts. Up there with the current XJ as bargain barges of the future.

I said the same when I saw it, I might try and blag a test drive on a quiet day. 4-pot diesels only which is a shame, but the interior looks magnificent.

[Thankyou4calling]

I'll add to the Lexus debate as I've had my 430 for three months now.

I bought it at an indecently low price and it continues to grow on me.

A couple of things irk they being it sits at an odd angle when stationery so I guess something is amiss with the air suspension but I'm moving house soon so money is tight but I'll get it looked at soon.

The second is that today I rather foolishly locked the keys in the boot!

I have a spare key but it doesn't release the boot and the fuse has gone on the dashboard boot release. Guess where the fuse is located? That's right, in the boot!!

A dilemma that needs resolving. Any bargistas suggestions welcome.

On the plus side, driving like miss Daisy I can get 35mpg on a dual carriageway/motorway run and as others have said the infinitely adjustable seats are superb.

[cat220]

Krikkit said:

I think an LPG barge may be on the cards if I can get rid of my MX5 in the spring.

W00DY said:

On a slightly O/T note, how good does the new S90 look! I pass a Volvo dealership most days and they have a couple of the handsome beasts. Up there with the current XJ as bargain barges of the future.

I said the same when I saw it, I might try and blag a test drive on a quiet day. 4-pot diesels only which is a shame, but the interior looks magnificent.

Volvo seem to be upping their game again. Had a good look around a new xc90 the other day, t8 with the polestar upgrade, 425bhp, what a machine!

[Private Pile]

Re the Lexus with the keys locked in the boot. It doesn't have a ski hatch behind the armrest?

[Thankyou4calling]

Private Pile said:

Re the Lexus with the keys locked in the boot. It doesn't have a ski hatch behind the armrest?

Good suggestion. However it has the premium pack fitted so it has a fridge!! Can't see a way into the boot at all.