0a's 1999 Lexus LS400 Mk4 (Barge 1-5 Content)
Discussion
Have you had the boot carpet and spare wheel out to inspect the boot floor and drain plugs (failed boot seal)?
My cabin filter looked like the original item, and made the climate more effective once switched out. Easy job via the glovebox, which has a neat flap cutout specifically for the job.
My cabin filter looked like the original item, and made the climate more effective once switched out. Easy job via the glovebox, which has a neat flap cutout specifically for the job.
I haven’t but will soon!
The car was very comfortable on my long trip and got 31mpg which is good considering I didn’t hang about.
The car is in with my The Man to have the wheels refurbed and tyres replaced (I didn’t like the look of them). It turns out that they are at least 12 years old, which backs up the low mileage for the period.
The car was very comfortable on my long trip and got 31mpg which is good considering I didn’t hang about.
The car is in with my The Man to have the wheels refurbed and tyres replaced (I didn’t like the look of them). It turns out that they are at least 12 years old, which backs up the low mileage for the period.
r129sl said:
Marvellous acquisition, Oa. I like that a lot. Keep us posted, although I bet you have little to report on it.
I’m hoping that this will be my reliable, comfortable car which allows me to indulge my old merc passion. For the money I paid it is a lot of capability. I have to say though - go out in the wet, use the “PWR” mode on the gearbox and turn off traction control... the Lexus responds well enough. The normal gearbox mode whispers around and makes the throttle really unresponsive. Deliberately I guess, for refinement and comfort.
It is. I'm rather impressed by the interior. Not the prettiest design, but it feels like it will last forever and is of really good quality. One example: the Jaguar looked lovely, but reach your fingers around the back of the steering wheel and there was nasty sharp plastic. Not so in the Toyota (sorry, Lexus!). I even like using the sat navigation, as it tells you what has changed since 1999.
I did note that the key is identical in format to my Sister's slightly later Yaris key!
I did note that the key is identical in format to my Sister's slightly later Yaris key!
Edited by 0a on Sunday 8th April 23:10
Hmm, you're rather putting these on my radar, 0a.
Of course, I've always been aware of the LS, and oft admired them from afar, but I'm now thinking an example of Lexus' flagship should be my next car.
Also (rather controversially, I suspect), I genuinely prefer the look of the 430 over the 400.
ETA: If I did go for a 400, it would be the MkIV, but still prefer the look of the 430.
Of course, I've always been aware of the LS, and oft admired them from afar, but I'm now thinking an example of Lexus' flagship should be my next car.
Also (rather controversially, I suspect), I genuinely prefer the look of the 430 over the 400.
ETA: If I did go for a 400, it would be the MkIV, but still prefer the look of the 430.
I don’t mind the look of the 430.
In many ways it’s very easy to forget how old the 400 is. It’s a bit blobby, doesn’t have too much feel, is easy to drive, and heavy. It therefore has a modern car feel in many ways.
Yet I was revising for my GCSE mock exams in 1999 when my LS rolled off the production line for its first owner! That is a long time ago. A 430 could be significantly younger.
Everything still works bar the boot seal seeming to leak a little, the bonnet struts, and on this cycle the washer fluid low light (will run it down to see if the float moves). Fairly impressive.
In many ways it’s very easy to forget how old the 400 is. It’s a bit blobby, doesn’t have too much feel, is easy to drive, and heavy. It therefore has a modern car feel in many ways.
Yet I was revising for my GCSE mock exams in 1999 when my LS rolled off the production line for its first owner! That is a long time ago. A 430 could be significantly younger.
Everything still works bar the boot seal seeming to leak a little, the bonnet struts, and on this cycle the washer fluid low light (will run it down to see if the float moves). Fairly impressive.
0a said:
In many ways it’s very easy to forget how old the 400 is. It’s a bit blobby, doesn’t have too much feel, is easy to drive, and heavy. It therefore has a modern car feel in many ways.
I'll gloss over the fact you're younger than me, 0a, and will focus instead on your point about how modern some old barges feel these days. Older small cars feel "old". Tinny doors, lots of road/wind noise, rudimentary facilities, etc. Whereas older barges still have a sense of security and comfort, rivalled only by the best new cars (of any size).
I have a theory (bear with me). Designers and engineers of small cars look to the big boys for inspiration. This is why a 2018 C-Class is as insulated and refined as a 1998 S-Class. Caveat: Comparison entirely arbitrary, and without basis.
So, whilst we tool around in 20 year old barges, smug brand-new Kia Rio buyers are marvelling at how their £17,000 hatchback "drives like a much bigger car".
Has to be the facelift 430, if any - the early ones are 'challenging' from the front at best
Do get the springs/ball joints etc checked - the coil spring fractures on mine shook me up a bit, especially as i normally transport the family at motorway speeds. Ball joint failure would be much worse i imagine.
New shocks/springs/insulators, front discs/pads, oil/filter, gearbox fluid going in/on + wheel alignment - can't wait to get it back now
Do get the springs/ball joints etc checked - the coil spring fractures on mine shook me up a bit, especially as i normally transport the family at motorway speeds. Ball joint failure would be much worse i imagine.
New shocks/springs/insulators, front discs/pads, oil/filter, gearbox fluid going in/on + wheel alignment - can't wait to get it back now
I used to be a serial Mercedes botherer but fell out of love when the quality went (sob!) my last one I loved was a 95 SL 500 and that was fabulous, the SL 500 that replaced it (2005) was not 'quite' as good! So since then I have been bobbling about in old British bruisers which are fast and comfortable and dreadfully expensive to maintain, in fact, cripplingly so! 
I have a watch list full of Lexus cars now and one will be gracing my disabled parking spot shortly (I hope). I want an LS460 but fear tha they may be as expensive to run as my current heap so I am looking at 430s but the looks are a challenge... The LS 400, is a car I have long admired and I had a friend who ran one to about 300K miles before he changed it for another, lower miles mk4. There was nothing wrong with the old one, he just started to worry about the mileage!
I;m also thinking about the newer shape GS300 which seems to have a similar spec level and build quality but rather more handsome (as am I - properly gorgeous me
). So if I may say, well bought and keep up the reports please though I think you may struggle for things to write about... another report with : Car has been totally reliable, may have to wash it for the ninth time this week later, is not going to thrill readers
I have a watch list full of Lexus cars now and one will be gracing my disabled parking spot shortly (I hope). I want an LS460 but fear tha they may be as expensive to run as my current heap so I am looking at 430s but the looks are a challenge... The LS 400, is a car I have long admired and I had a friend who ran one to about 300K miles before he changed it for another, lower miles mk4. There was nothing wrong with the old one, he just started to worry about the mileage!I;m also thinking about the newer shape GS300 which seems to have a similar spec level and build quality but rather more handsome (as am I - properly gorgeous me
). So if I may say, well bought and keep up the reports please though I think you may struggle for things to write about... another report with : Car has been totally reliable, may have to wash it for the ninth time this week later, is not going to thrill readers Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff