Lexus LS400 for under a grand, is it a good idea
Discussion
A v8 for under a grand? What could possibly go wrong!
Pretty bomb proof mechanics, dash boards can sometimes give bother and hard on consumables but all in all a good car if you buy right. Problem when you get to this age/value is a full service/tyres/brakes can retire a car so it's about finding one that has had a pampered life, they are out there but few and far between compared to 5 years ago.
Pretty bomb proof mechanics, dash boards can sometimes give bother and hard on consumables but all in all a good car if you buy right. Problem when you get to this age/value is a full service/tyres/brakes can retire a car so it's about finding one that has had a pampered life, they are out there but few and far between compared to 5 years ago.
About as bullet proof as a barge gets. Check everything inside works and there's no knock n bangs from the suspension. The V8 is silky smooth so if it's not there could be an issue. These things are capable of mega mileage so condition and history far more important the low mileage. If you can get one in budget, from 97 on the came with a better 5 speed auto.
GenePoolReject13 said:
About as bullet proof as a barge gets. Check everything inside works and there's no knock n bangs from the suspension. The V8 is silky smooth so if it's not there could be an issue. These things are capable of mega mileage so condition and history far more important the low mileage. If you can get one in budget, from 97 on the came with a better 5 speed auto.
Agree with this. The Mk4 is the one to aim for with 280BHP and the 5 speed box, but nice ones seem to be hovering around the £1500+ mark. Mk3s (260HP but 4 speed box) are plentiful under a grand.Isn't it always the way that the one you really want is just out of price range!
Suspension is the biggest issue as has been mentioned, ask mr Garlick !
The engines are popular for conversions so if its ok its probably worth most of the price for the engine if something else goes wrong, I think the LS400 was actually as resilient, maybe more than Mercedes at their peak.
The engines are popular for conversions so if its ok its probably worth most of the price for the engine if something else goes wrong, I think the LS400 was actually as resilient, maybe more than Mercedes at their peak.
Starter motors are the only pain which I'm aware of with these. You'll know its on its way out when you try to start the car and it just gives a little click when turning the key. sometimes the car will start, sometimes not.
What makes them so frustrating is where the starter motr is located. To replace, alot under the bonnet needs to be removed and it can become rather costly.
I've got an original GS300 at the moment and the starter motor went. That was a complete 4rse of a job and I've heard its even worse on the LS400.
Apart from that. so much car for so little money.
What makes them so frustrating is where the starter motr is located. To replace, alot under the bonnet needs to be removed and it can become rather costly.
I've got an original GS300 at the moment and the starter motor went. That was a complete 4rse of a job and I've heard its even worse on the LS400.
Apart from that. so much car for so little money.
I bought one with 168k on it in April last year for £800 ('96 Mk3) and aside from some anti-roll bar bushes and droplinks it's needed nothing. It's now approaching 175k and I want to keep it forever.
Admittedly it had Lexus history to around 150k so had clearly been looked after but I absolutely love wafting around in it.
The backlight has gone on the radio (common problem) and the heated seats don't work (another common problem), but those small issues aside it's a great car.
I get around 18-20 mpg around town and 25-ish on the motorway, but I figure that with the mileage I do it's costing me less in fuel than most people are spending on depreciation/leases on their econo-boxes.
Admittedly it had Lexus history to around 150k so had clearly been looked after but I absolutely love wafting around in it.
The backlight has gone on the radio (common problem) and the heated seats don't work (another common problem), but those small issues aside it's a great car.
I get around 18-20 mpg around town and 25-ish on the motorway, but I figure that with the mileage I do it's costing me less in fuel than most people are spending on depreciation/leases on their econo-boxes.
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