1997 Lexus LS400
Discussion
I had a few requests for pics on my latest purchase - after looking at quite a few rough examples with rust and electrics generally not working I settled on this one. 89,000 miles, pretty straight with 12 months MOT, full sevice history and everything working as it should. Will give it a proper detail, machine polish and clay when I get chance, throw in some mats and touch up a couple of stone chips and it'll be pretty immaculate.
Will randomly update to let people know if it ruins me or is solid depreciation free barging.
Will randomly update to let people know if it ruins me or is solid depreciation free barging.
Edited by itz_baseline on Monday 24th August 18:02
Now I really like that, and have a bit of a hankering for one. I'm moving house to the West Highlands soon and will have a 20 mile commute each way to work ( won't need the car every day ) so the economy shouldn't be a factor. Just like the idea of cruising at 60 in almost complete silence, and enjoying the alleged superb sound system.
Could I ask roughly how much you paid for yours ?
Nice motor, hope you enjoy lots of stress free miles
Could I ask roughly how much you paid for yours ?
Nice motor, hope you enjoy lots of stress free miles
Just thinking out loud here, but check that the boot seals aren't letting water into the boot puddle under spare wheel) and check that the power steering pump isn't leaking onto the alternator. I had those problems with my first 250k mile LS400, my current 1998 LS has only 150k miles and is still factory fresh 
You will grow to love it, and because yours only has the 16" tyres on it (rather than the £250 each 245/45/17's my DHP car has) you can powerslide it at every T-junction in the wet
You will grow to love it, and because yours only has the 16" tyres on it (rather than the £250 each 245/45/17's my DHP car has) you can powerslide it at every T-junction in the wet
Well, 1 year on and it's just flown through it's MOT with no advisories. Guy at the garage couldn't believe how tidy the car was for 20 years old and commented on how solid everything still is.
Only cost so far has been a new battery and a derive with MOT.
Just goes to show that old sheds aren't always ruinous.
Here's to another year of wafting.
Only cost so far has been a new battery and a derive with MOT.
Just goes to show that old sheds aren't always ruinous.
Here's to another year of wafting.
aww999 said:
Happy days! Your LS experience mirrors mine in that nothing ever goes wrong. I'm looking at selling mine though, a much longer commute means that the maths doesn't stack up any more. I will miss the jolly green giant though!
Ah you can prove keeping any car with the correct man maths. Why spend an extra £2k on a car which might have something go wrong with it when you are happy what you have is reliable. I would rather keep the Lexus and spend the extra money on petrol. Unless you just want a change of car, in which case change the man maths to show its much cheaper to spend the money on a different car.
aww999 said:
Happy days! Your LS experience mirrors mine in that nothing ever goes wrong. I'm looking at selling mine though, a much longer commute means that the maths doesn't stack up any more. I will miss the jolly green giant though!
Hi, where are you advertising your LS, just out of interest?!!itz_baseline said:
Only cost so far has been a new battery and a derive with MOT.
Just goes to show that old sheds aren't always ruinous.
The Japanese are the best at high quality manufacturingJust goes to show that old sheds aren't always ruinous.
Toyota are the best of the Japanese
Lexus engineers are the best of Toyota
The original LS400 was the best of Lexus
yeah, that should be a pretty high-quality shed I'd say!
Well 2 years on and it's just gone through its MOT again with no work required at all. It has cost me £0 between last year and this apart from petrol, tax and insurance.
By far the most reliable car I have ever owned, even cars bought from new.
I am thinking of maybe selling it now as I like to change cars semi regular just because I get bored, but with so much wafting and comfort and such impeccable reliability (to date, touch wood etc) I'm just not sure I can bring myself to sell it.
By far the most reliable car I have ever owned, even cars bought from new.
I am thinking of maybe selling it now as I like to change cars semi regular just because I get bored, but with so much wafting and comfort and such impeccable reliability (to date, touch wood etc) I'm just not sure I can bring myself to sell it.
That looks really nice.
I bought my 98 back in Jan/Feb - did the cambelt soon after and just this week replaced the compressor due to rumbling away and it not sounding entirely Lexusish.
I keep thinking i *need* to try a x308 XJR or an E39 530/540, but most decent examples are 4-5x what I paid for the Lex. I can't think what else would provide the same level of comfort, ability and reliability in the 1-2k bracket
I even clay barred and waxed it yesterday; pics hide a multitude of parking dings, but still presents well:
I bought my 98 back in Jan/Feb - did the cambelt soon after and just this week replaced the compressor due to rumbling away and it not sounding entirely Lexusish.
I keep thinking i *need* to try a x308 XJR or an E39 530/540, but most decent examples are 4-5x what I paid for the Lex. I can't think what else would provide the same level of comfort, ability and reliability in the 1-2k bracket
I even clay barred and waxed it yesterday; pics hide a multitude of parking dings, but still presents well:
Well I have decided to put the car up for sale. I normally only keep cars for 12 months but this has been so good it sucked me in to a couple of years ownership. My wife has just got her company car back after returning to work from maternity leave so I've decided to use hers for general family duties, keep my Merc 4x4 for winter and maybe some green laning and sell the Lexus to put towards a fun track car of some sort.
The most reliable car I've ever owned, and that includes brand new cars from the factory.
Will miss it for sure, but it's itched a scratch I had of owning a big old lazy barge.
The most reliable car I've ever owned, and that includes brand new cars from the factory.
Will miss it for sure, but it's itched a scratch I had of owning a big old lazy barge.
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