My First v8 lexus ls400 at just 20 :D

[brt900]

Kev T360 said:

Very nice, can we see the big ol' motor and the luxury interior?

i'll get some pictures up later on. being the VVT model the engine is mainly plastic covers and hoses though and the interior is a lovely cream colour with stained back seats currently. Just pricing up some dye kits to try get them as good as new.

MAin reason of getting the 'old timer car' it's only marginally worse so far than the mx5 mainly due to different driving styles and it's a big 5 seater that's unbelievably comfortable and quiet and is extremely reliable

[iacabu]

I'd definitely be interested in the difference in running costs from an MX5. I don't find mine good on fuel, which I was aware of beforehand.

[Baryonyx]

brt900 said:

Plans are to LPG it, get some lowering springs, free up the v8s vocal chords with exhaust and cone filter then find some 350z gt rays wheels

These are such lovely cars. It seems a shame to whack these chav mods on it and spoil a classy slice of Japanese business cruiser. I looked at a couple of these before I bought my A8. In particular, there was a graphite grey one with gold badging that was rather attractive in a Japanese way. However, the A8 just had that bit more 'spark' which sealed the deal for me. However, the LS400 is a superb piece of design.

[dragonheart]

WHY?????

[stuart-b]

Strange why you swapped a seemingly mint MX5 convertible for an old jap barge with extremely low re-sale potential and horrid MPG.

More pics of the MX-5 please?

[Escy]

I couldn't rock one of those at 20. It's an old mans car. I'd much prefer your MX5.

[ajb85]

The only barge I wanted at 20 was a BMW 740i, and I wanted it to be identical to Bond's in Tomorrow Never Dies. Sort of managed it a year or two later with an e39 528i, that too was rather mature looking in Oxford green with cream leather. The Jap lot never did it for me; I don't know, too well engineered and a little bit sober and unemotional perhaps.

[plastic orange]

A great choice of car and certainly better than your MX5 in just about every way. Check this out to see what this 'barge' does on the track:
http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/82016...

I've owned a Mk4 for 5 years - one of the cheapest cars overall I've ever run. I've spent more running my wife's very low mileage Yaris T sport than the Lexus. Main expense is timing belt every 62k, then tyres and discs - enjoy.
It's easy to get 30+mpg.

Pete

[Dave200]

plastic orange said:

... better than your MX5 in just about every way

WTF?

plastic orange said:

I've owned a Mk4 for 5 years

Ah...

[Synchromesh]

Top man! I'm 21 and definitely see the appeal of a barge, in fact I came very close to buying a mk1 LS400 a few months ago. Sadly, by the time I'd made my mind up after going to view it, it had been sold. Now rocking a '98 Jag XJ8 which baffles family and non-PH friends alike, but these old boats make a classy way to travel. A welcome relief from the hatchback (1.2 twinport though innit) crew.

I also had a Volvo S60 when I was 19, and still crave a Rover 75. More the happy for the rest of our demographic to keep writing these choices off while values stay consequently depressed.

Impressed with that MPG too. My XJ8 3.2 got 20.5 mpg on the 850 mile roundtrip to Le Mans last weekend

[sc0tt]

Baryonyx said:

a classy slice of Japanese business cruiser..

Are you aware you said that out loud?

[brt900]

Had this piece of kit turn up today



Hopefully reduces the running costs a little. Seems simple enough to install i'll try to take a few pictures of the install

[FrankUnderwood]

Jonny_ said:

Dave200 said:

It might be a while since I was 20, but I can't imagine what the attraction is with spending so much to insure an old-timer's car...

I can see a few that would have appealed even at that age...

Big V8.
Comfy seats.
Gadgets.
Decent stereo.
Room for your mates.
Different to the usual tatty hatchbacks.
Insurance hardly cheap even on a clapped out Corsa.

You've just illustrated the biggest problem with the Lexus. It's an entirely rational choice. It's bought for a list of perfectly good reasons, and that's it.

It's still a great bit of engineering and I respect it enormously.

Technically miles ahead of the Jaguar XJ, but the thirsty, less well built Jag is the one I would have.

Edited by FrankUnderwood on Tuesday 8th July 12:29

[FrankUnderwood]

iacabu said:

I'd definitely be interested in the difference in running costs from an MX5. I don't find mine good on fuel, which I was aware of beforehand.

The comparisons between the Lexus and MX are pointless, the two cars are completely incomparable.

The Mazda was £14000 new and bits cost peanuts. Second hand gearbox is £40 and new brake discs are £17.

MX isn't amazing on fuel but the pay off is an engine that is massively understressed. Typically 27mpg with some hard driving, 35 if I'm taking it easy.

[brt900]

FrankUnderwood said:

You've just illustrated the biggest problem with the Lexus. It's an entirely rational choice. It's bought for a list of perfectly good reasons, and that's it.

It's still a great bit of engineering and I respect it enormously.

Technically miles ahead of the Jaguar XJ, but the thirsty, less well built Jag is the one I would have.

Edited by FrankUnderwood on Tuesday 8th July 12:29

i don't think a luxury v8 barge is ever a rational choice haha, my mk1 would never see above 30mpg, guessing you have the later vvt one?

[FrankUnderwood]

brt900 said:

FrankUnderwood said:

You've just illustrated the biggest problem with the Lexus. It's an entirely rational choice. It's bought for a list of perfectly good reasons, and that's it.

It's still a great bit of engineering and I respect it enormously.

Technically miles ahead of the Jaguar XJ, but the thirsty, less well built Jag is the one I would have.

Edited by FrankUnderwood on Tuesday 8th July 12:29

i don't think a luxury v8 barge is ever a rational choice haha, my mk1 would never see above 30mpg, guessing you have the later vvt one?

I had the MK2, which had an improved cylinder head design.

Straight line heroes (yawn) don't understand them, whereas any proper driver who wants to understand how a car behaves on the limit of grip loves them.

MX5's are total rust buckets though and I won't ever touch one again.

Funniest sight I ever saw with a Lexus LS400 was someone drifting one around a roundabout, very impressive given it's comparable in size and weight to the Yamato.

Edited by FrankUnderwood on Tuesday 8th July 18:21

[Troubleatmill]

While the Lexus isn't as much fun as other marques - it is very relaxing to drive.
And if needed - sufficient progress can be made.

Does seem to be built of sturdy stuff.

Following this thread with interest.

OP - Have PM'd you regarding LPG conversion.

[brt900]

Went and picked up an lpg tank this morning, 90L one which slots in the boot quite nicely.


And here are some pictures of the car i took recently











champagne bottle holder

[SturdyHSV]

Take the exhaust off and do a burnout please? That should wind 'em up a bit more!

[brt900]

SturdyHSV said:

Take the exhaust off and do a burnout please? That should wind 'em up a bit more!

all in good time plan is to move the cats further down the system and then run a butterfly valve to swtich from open manifold and full exhaust system. There's plenty out there and i'm going to beat on this till it dies which it probably wont