RE: PH Fleet: Lexus LS400/TVR Chimaera 400

[Garlick]

Ha, yeah that's me! Still never heard it from outside as i'm always driving. Loud isn't it

Were you the lads in the VXR?

[AnnuityAdviser]

I had an LS400 for a while, but mine was the 240 bhp version, pre '92 (Garlick's, being a '97 has the updated engine with around 280 bhp)

[AnnuityAdviser]

I would have loved to get a set of SC430 wheels for it, but they are rare as rocking horse poo

[LesKellet]

jbi said:

wow... you really got unlucky.

The engine is probably the most reliable part of the whole car.

Tell me about it! It was gently wufted along too.
Never mind. Perhaps one day again.

[Jim20vt]

Garlick said:

Ha, yeah that's me! Still never heard it from outside as i'm always driving. Loud isn't it

Were you the lads in the VXR?

I wish! no I just came across it on youtube. Since reading your articles about the TVR I've decided I need one in my life! Cheers for that by the way....

[Garlick]

It's a great clip, nice to hear it for myself. Thanks for posting

[Johnboy Mac]

bodgerben said:

Will the LS400 be remembered as a great car? Plenty of our friends think the LS400 was the best car they ever rode in.

It should be remembered as one of the very best cars ever made imo, and better again it did exactly want it was designed to do too.

[st24kane]

ever thought of putting lpg on the lex garlick? can get the equivalent to 50mpg out of my v6 cougar if i try

[mikeyv]

st24kane said:

ever thought of putting lpg on the lex garlick? can get the equivalent to 50mpg out of my v6 cougar if i try

That's what I've just done, as have quite a few on the owners club forum.

I bought mine partly due to Garlicks article on here, though I'd fancied one for ages, and I do have a bit of history with large Jap cars.

They are great cars, designed to create a luxury brand, and now available for peanuts.

Even at 13 years old, it still impresses everyone who rides in it.

More importantly, I actually look forward to driving the thing, I should have bought one years ago.

[big_rob_sydney]

Similar to my garage when I was in the UK:

LS430
Subaru 22B

Loved every day of it, too. Cant wait to return to the UK to continue this.

[marksmith59]

Stepping on the Gas.
In the interests of economy, and keeping those lovely V8 motors on the road- how about converting the Lexus to LPG? Something to consider? We would all be interested

[Zumbruk]

Alex said:

"I have that all the time with a mixture of engine smells, leather and slight smell of fumes"

but mostly plastic resin and glue.

Not in one that age. It's mostly mouldering carpet.

[marksmith59]

Stepping on the Gas.
In the interests of economy, and keeping those lovely V8 motors on the road- how about converting the Lexus to LPG? Something to consider? We would all be interested

[Garlick]

I could do, I'd be interested too see the results too. I guess I'd need to calculate if the cost of fitting along with subsequent saving warrants the outlay.

I have similar quandary with diesel cars, I'd like a 530d but the cash difference between what the Lexus is worth and what a 530d sells for would buy me an awful lot of petrol.

[Quietlybonkers]

Loved my silver H reg LS400. Did 125,000 miles in it in 5 years, such a quiet smooth ride. Took it up to 145mph without feeling I was going to visit the scenery at speed, revved the engine regularly to 5000 rpm with a pound coin stood on its edge on top, just to amaze my friends. Only sold it when it started a 20 Bensons habit at 183,000.

[GBB]

Makes my fleet look a bit cut price, V8 E39 but only an MX5 alongside.

Perhaps it's the MX5 that should be swapped when funds allow not the BMW.

[pycraft]

Bought a 1991 Soarer (SC400, basically an LS400 in drag) for £1800 in about 2005ish, spent nearly the same amount every year for the next three years getting it through the MoT, with the last one indicating an air suspension rebuild on the cards. Got shot. No idea where this "Lexus=reliability" thing comes from. YMMV.

[Garlick]

pycraft said:

Bought a 1991 Soarer (SC400, basically an LS400 in drag) for £1800 in about 2005ish, spent nearly the same amount every year for the next three years getting it through the MoT, with the last one indicating an air suspension rebuild on the cards. Got shot. No idea where this "Lexus=reliability" thing comes from. YMMV.

In fairness though, most LS cars seems to run on and on but there are always exceptions in every case. Air suspension though? Didn't know the SC had that so I've learnt something there.

[garypotter]

Garlick said:

pycraft said:

Bought a 1991 Soarer (SC400, basically an LS400 in drag) for £1800 in about 2005ish, spent nearly the same amount every year for the next three years getting it through the MoT, with the last one indicating an air suspension rebuild on the cards. Got shot. No idea where this "Lexus=reliability" thing comes from. YMMV.

In fairness though, most LS cars seems to run on and on but there are always exceptions in every case. Air suspension though? Didn't know the SC had that so I've learnt something there.

Also the Soarer was designed and built for the Japanese Domestic Market hence the sir ride suspension and many other differences to the LS model being sold worldwide.

I did like the dash on the soarer.

[motoroller]

Garlick said:

Ha, yeah that's me! Still never heard it from outside as i'm always driving. Loud isn't it

Were you the lads in the VXR?

That was me! In the black 120d :P

Was going to come over and say hi, but your line started moving so I hopped back into the car.