Discussion
I am seriously thinking of buying an early Lexus LS400 with a friend as a second car to be used for a bit of weekend wafting.... I have always had a soft spot for them and they are SOOO cheap right now...been watching a few on Ebay which are up for a grand or a bit more. From what I understand, unlike Jags and Beemers of the same era, they generally don't give a huge amount of trouble with age and miles...
Anyone owned one and able to offer some advice to a potential purchaser? I cant help thinking that eventually people will cotton on to these cars as they get rarer and values will climb. Along with the Mazda MX-5 and original Honda NSX, these were class leading Japanese masterpieces when new in 1990....
Anyone owned one and able to offer some advice to a potential purchaser? I cant help thinking that eventually people will cotton on to these cars as they get rarer and values will climb. Along with the Mazda MX-5 and original Honda NSX, these were class leading Japanese masterpieces when new in 1990....
I had a 95 M plated one in 2008. It cost me £650 so maybe they're appreciating already.
Suspension go, I replaced mine with poly bushes as originals are expensive. The LCD screen for heating controls becomes unreadable after about 10 years you can buy replacements with a little bit of DIY. Other than that everything worked as it should.
I wouldn't have another but glad I ticked the box.
Suspension go, I replaced mine with poly bushes as originals are expensive. The LCD screen for heating controls becomes unreadable after about 10 years you can buy replacements with a little bit of DIY. Other than that everything worked as it should.
I wouldn't have another but glad I ticked the box.
If you're shedding, buy the early one (UCF10 model?) with the non-interference engine so you won't have to worry about the cambelt.
However, the earliest ones have a tendency to leak PS fluid over the alternator and destroy it. Maybe Mk1 only?
I love mine (a later model). Bought to do a euro road trip and then sell afterwards, but we just couldn't let it go.
However, the earliest ones have a tendency to leak PS fluid over the alternator and destroy it. Maybe Mk1 only?
I love mine (a later model). Bought to do a euro road trip and then sell afterwards, but we just couldn't let it go.
Had a 97P for a brief time in 2011. Purchased for a trip to the South of France. Was exceptionally cheap, the only things not working were the CD player and the screen for the radio. Suspension was a bit clonky too. Also came with a number of partially smoked joints in the ash tray which made customs a bit more exciting.
Did about 3000 miles of wafting in temperatures up to 38C and it didn't put a foot wrong. Huge boot, supremely comfortable, surprisingly swift on the Autoroute if we fancied, we couldn't have had a better car for that holiday.
Got rid before the mot as we did not want to spend any money on it. A good one must be a lovely thing.
Did about 3000 miles of wafting in temperatures up to 38C and it didn't put a foot wrong. Huge boot, supremely comfortable, surprisingly swift on the Autoroute if we fancied, we couldn't have had a better car for that holiday.
Got rid before the mot as we did not want to spend any money on it. A good one must be a lovely thing.
Best car I ever had, very fast and practically indestructible. Worked out about £85 per month all in including the cost of purchase and trade in value.
Good for 150 mph easily.
My LS 400 story
Good for 150 mph easily.
My LS 400 story
Picked up a 1990 H reg one two weeks ago, needed an auto, Jeep was off the road, sick of looking at rusty Mercs. 145k miles approx (odometer stopped working), previous owner before the dealer had it for 21 years and had done 2k per year before it stopped so unlikely to be over 150k.
It's got a few war wounds, no history, alarm goes off when unlocking it, odometer doesn't work, leaky boot, spare needed powder coated as it was looking like it was trying to crumble away - powder coaters think it was an aggressive cleaner left on, other 4 could do with a tidy up. Basically looks to have been a retired gents pride and joy that's got a bit too much for him as he got older.
It owes me £800 has a full years MOT, starts every time I get in it and wafts in silence. The sensation of wafting along is amazing, 50-90 all feel the same, stereo is good for 25 years old. Classic car insurance was cheap too.
Will see how this progresses but signs are a shed to see me through a few months could stay for a bit!
It's got a few war wounds, no history, alarm goes off when unlocking it, odometer doesn't work, leaky boot, spare needed powder coated as it was looking like it was trying to crumble away - powder coaters think it was an aggressive cleaner left on, other 4 could do with a tidy up. Basically looks to have been a retired gents pride and joy that's got a bit too much for him as he got older.
It owes me £800 has a full years MOT, starts every time I get in it and wafts in silence. The sensation of wafting along is amazing, 50-90 all feel the same, stereo is good for 25 years old. Classic car insurance was cheap too.
Will see how this progresses but signs are a shed to see me through a few months could stay for a bit!
MUDGUTZ said:
Best car I ever had, very fast and practically indestructible. Worked out about £85 per month all in including the cost of purchase and trade in value.
Good for 150 mph easily.
My LS 400 story
hah thats a intresting thread , amazing how that was missed by all the pro'sGood for 150 mph easily.
My LS 400 story
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