Lexus Ls400

itarumaa

Hi,

I am going to see Lexus Ls400 in Saturday, year 1996.

is there anything special for this car I should look out?

v8 auto is good choice to buy since petrol is so cheap nowdays

biko

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/lexus
http://www.carsurvey.org/reviews/lexus/

bazz26

Should be worth your while registering on the UK Lexus owners club: -> http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showforum=48

A wealth of experience and knowledge there with these cars.

Mr Benevolent

From my research it's a great car. Try to get a newer one with higher mileage rather than an older one with lower mileage. A '98 shouldn't be too much more expensive and it's a newer model.

itarumaa

I actually like more the old model (looks) than new one, so I do not mind about that.

I have to check the car completely and then make a desicion.

Big Nasty

Were you not looking for a Skyline last week?

itarumaa

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Were you not looking for a Skyline last week?

Yes, but change of plans because insurance issues.

mullingar

This is a great resource for the Lexus LS range.

It details all the generation specs and upgrades since its first release:

http://www.lexls.com/info/lsgenerations.html

Big Nasty

itarumaa wrote: »

Yes, but change of plans because insurance issues.

Lexus = 4L V8
Skyline = 2.5 Turbo

Lexus would be lower risk but that would be offset to a certain degree by the engine size. Can't see there being much in the difference.

itarumaa

MCMLXXV wrote: »

Lexus = 4L V8
Skyline = 2.5 Turbo

Lexus would be lower risk but that would be offset to a certain degree by the engine size. Can't see there being much in the difference.

Lexus is 900e to insure, Skyline cannot be insured without approval from head office. That is the difference.

With Skyline I have to go trough broker, with Lexus it is just like normal car. Same cost to insure than my previous Volvo S40.

Henry Ford III

Wheeler Dealers did one of the older ones up. Worth searching youtube for.

itarumaa

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Wheeler Dealers did one of the older ones up. Worth searching youtube for.

good one thanks I have to try to find the episode.

Stealthirl

the 2 that spring to mind are

1) they have an issue with the PS pump leaking,as the alternator is under the PS pump it can lead to prematurely replaceing the alternator
2) the air suspension can become tired/worn out and is expensive to replace

Pdfile

Stealthirl wrote: »

the 2 that spring to mind are

1) they have an issue with the PS pump leaking,as the alternator is under the PS pump it can lead to prematurely replaceing the alternator
2) the air suspension can become tired/worn out and is expensive to replace

arent these tuned to bits though, i know they are a big car but this particular engine is popular in america/japan cause the power figures are strong and its a smooth engine too ( lexus/toyota quality :cool: )
The only thing ill say is, OP please dont golden the emblems and badges ( thats been done to death ) but please do maintain it as best you can, put huge wheels on it and enjoy the biggest engine toyota has made commerically sucessful you lucky so n so.

Stealthirl

Well the 1UZ-FE is only 260 hp and 268 ft/lb VVTi took that up to 290 hp and 300 ft/lb in 96-97

The DADY toyota if u ask me is the 5L V12 1GZ-FE from the Century
It uses two ECUs, one for each bank of cylinders :eek:
It is basicly two 1JZ-GE engines shareing a comman crank

The old Lexus dealer trick was to take 50p and sit it upright on the engine cover in the LS and start the car up,the coin stayed virtical
Iv done it on my 1JZ-GTE a few times aswell

itarumaa

Thanks for the advice, I am looking now two different Ls400, one from 1996 and one from 1998.

Lets see how it goes.

itarumaa

Just wanted to inform that I bought a Lexus Ls400, year 1998 today. Car is fantastic and yes the coin stays over the engine, no problems

mickdw

What kind of cash? Where did you buy?

Pics?

unkel

Well wear

And the obligatory pics or GTFU

itarumaa

The price was 2150e, I collected the car today from Longford.

I will post pictures tomorrow.

Stealthirl

well ware,just watch out for that issue with the PS pump,if u catch it early it will save you a costly repare

itarumaa

I hope you can see the pictures. Car runs fine, really easy to drive condering the size of the car. I did polish the car and clean up the interior, but that is it. Looks great in pictures, but if you look closer there is some small issues with paint work, but car is 13 years old so I quess that can be expected.

-Corkie-

Nice motor. Best of luck I hope to buy a Luxobarge very soon too.:D

mickdw

Its amazing what 2k can get you nowadays and many versions to be had for much less too

-Corkie-

mickdw wrote: »

Its amazing what 2k can get you nowadays and many versions to be had for much less too

Very true. I seen another 600 for 2k..

itarumaa

The car has NTC for next year, milage is 147k. Only thing that does not work is the heated rear window, have to see if I could find out why.

I need to change the timing belt sometimes soon, and yes it is a big job, I try to find some one to do this for me.

But still great value for money

But beware, it takes time to find good car like this. Many has issues with background, either old taxi, outstanding finance or other rubbish. And many of there cars are badly maintenanced, dirty interior etc. For instance this car has clean oil, clean gearbox oil as well.

Always check the background of the car, just to make sure. Then just enjoy your Luxobarge what ever brand it might be:)

Mr Benevolent

A gorgeous car, enjoy! Black looks great on the LS400. That version can do 0-60 in 6.2 seconds!

v240gltse

hi itarumaa

that's a lovely looking car and its a great spec for the price you paid. enjoy it in good health

regards

brendan

itarumaa

Stealthirl wrote: »

well ware,just watch out for that issue with the PS pump,if u catch it early it will save you a costly repare

Do you have any more info about this, how could I check the pump and where is that even located in engine bay

And thanks for advice.

unkel

Luxobarges for the win

All is perfect until you tax it though

Mr Benevolent

unkel wrote: »

Luxobarges for the win

All is perfect until you tax it though

Ah feckit, it's alot cheaper than owning a 2011 Golf!

Padraig Mor

Congratulations - looks great! Is there any car that says "luxobarge" more than an LS - I don't think so! I presume the speedo is calibrated in knots?

Stealthirl

itarumaa wrote: »

Do you have any more info about this, how could I check the pump and where is that even located in engine bay

And thanks for advice.

this may help you
http://www.planetsoarer.com/Power%20steering%20pump.htm

its the same layout as far as i know