So I'm picking up a 1994 LS400 with 98k miles on saturday.
07-05-06, 07:52 PM
#1
So I'm picking up a 1994 LS400 with 98k miles on saturday.
Hey guys, I've been on this forum for a while - I used to have a 1994 GS300 which I replaced with a 01 GS430. Besides the GS I also have a Civic, which is my daily driver, but I am now replacing the Civic with the LS400, which will be my new daily driver.
I will be picking it up in Pompano Beach this coming saturday. It's a 94 with 98K miles, from the pictures seems to be in pristine shape. I know these cars can easily go for over 200k miles, but I'm sure that like with any car they require maintenance. So when I come to pick it up, what should I look for? What are some common problems on these vehicles?
I will be picking it up in Pompano Beach this coming saturday. It's a 94 with 98K miles, from the pictures seems to be in pristine shape. I know these cars can easily go for over 200k miles, but I'm sure that like with any car they require maintenance. So when I come to pick it up, what should I look for? What are some common problems on these vehicles?
07-05-06, 08:22 PM
#5
Maintainance:
-Make sure Timing Belt was done.
-You didnt mention if it had A/S or not, so make sure it works and doesnt leak.
-make sure all the dials/gauges/lights work on the dash, these can get somewhat pricey to repair/replace.
-check for even tire wear, uneven wear suggest at the least a need for an alignment and at worst accident/frame damage.
and FYI, all LS' didnt come with LS400 badges until '95.
-Make sure Timing Belt was done.
-You didnt mention if it had A/S or not, so make sure it works and doesnt leak.
-make sure all the dials/gauges/lights work on the dash, these can get somewhat pricey to repair/replace.
-check for even tire wear, uneven wear suggest at the least a need for an alignment and at worst accident/frame damage.
and FYI, all LS' didnt come with LS400 badges until '95.
07-05-06, 08:34 PM
#6
Originally Posted by PureDrifter
Maintainance:
-Make sure Timing Belt was done.
-Make sure Timing Belt was done.
Originally Posted by PureDrifter
-You didnt mention if it had A/S or not, so make sure it works and doesnt leak.
Originally Posted by PureDrifter
-make sure all the dials/gauges/lights work on the dash, these can get somewhat pricey to repair/replace.
Originally Posted by PureDrifter
-check for even tire wear, uneven wear suggest at the least a need for an alignment and at worst accident/frame damage.
I'm also wondering how are suspension parts on the LS? I know GS are notorious for balljoints problems, I think the ball joints on my GS are pretty much due to be replaced. Is GS based on the LS platform at all? Do they share any components?
07-05-06, 09:45 PM
#7
actually theres a lot of debate on the LS' 1UZ motor and whether or not it is an interference engine. do a search, shouldnt be TOO far back.
it can be done but it wont be cheap unless u can find a wrecked car since ul need a few other parts besides the springs and shocks.
normally you have problems with bushings in the front susp and sometimes in the rear. most of the time its the control arm and sway bar bushings. search and check out www.lexls.com for tutorials/other common issues.
im pretty sure the chassis are completely different and few (if any) components aside from the motors (on a gs4) could be shared (and they didn't have gs400's back in 94)
I bought it from ebay, they don't state whether it has A/S or not. If it does, it could be replaced with regular shocks/springs in the future, right?
I'm also wondering how are suspension parts on the LS? I know GS are notorious for balljoints problems, I think the ball joints on my GS are pretty much due to be replaced. Is GS based on the LS platform at all? Do they share any components?
im pretty sure the chassis are completely different and few (if any) components aside from the motors (on a gs4) could be shared (and they didn't have gs400's back in 94)
Last edited by PureDrifter; 07-05-06 at 11:02 PM.
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07-05-06, 10:45 PM
#8
Originally Posted by PureDrifter
actually theres a lot of debate on the LS' 1UZ motor and whether or not it is an interference engine. do a search, shouldnt be TOO far back.
it can be done but it wont be cheap unless u can find a wrecked car since ul need a few other parts besides the springs and shocks.
normally you have problems with bushings in the front susp and sometimes in the rear. most of the time its the control arm and sway bar bushings. search and check out www.lexls.com for tutorials/other common issues.
im pretty sure the chassis are completely different and few (if any) components aside from the motors (on a gs4) could be shared (and they did have gs400's back in 94)
it can be done but it wont be cheap unless u can find a wrecked car since ul need a few other parts besides the springs and shocks.
normally you have problems with bushings in the front susp and sometimes in the rear. most of the time its the control arm and sway bar bushings. search and check out www.lexls.com for tutorials/other common issues.
im pretty sure the chassis are completely different and few (if any) components aside from the motors (on a gs4) could be shared (and they did have gs400's back in 94)
07-06-06, 10:53 AM
#12
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That LS is clean as hell, wow....looks like my leather. I just bought a 93 with 170K from an old character. The leather is cleaaaaaaaan.
Nice buy, man..good luck with it!
I had my timing belt changed as soon as I bought it, because from research/speaking to a Lexus mechanic I know, I found it is an interference engine, so if the timing belt goes.....it's baddddddd...So I splurged and paid the 400 for the timing belt/water pump swap...It's well worth it, rather than gambling and finding out the hard way it's not a non-interference engine.
Keep us updated on your ride!
Nice buy, man..good luck with it!
I had my timing belt changed as soon as I bought it, because from research/speaking to a Lexus mechanic I know, I found it is an interference engine, so if the timing belt goes.....it's baddddddd...So I splurged and paid the 400 for the timing belt/water pump swap...It's well worth it, rather than gambling and finding out the hard way it's not a non-interference engine.
Keep us updated on your ride!
07-06-06, 04:50 PM
#14
Originally Posted by MeanLex
It has a leather steering wheel. Do you mean a wood steering wheel? 
A 94 is non-interference.
Paint color looks like it's a Dark Emerald Pearl.
A 94 is non-interference.
Paint color looks like it's a Dark Emerald Pearl.
07-06-06, 04:55 PM
#15
Originally Posted by absolut
Check for power steering fluid underneath the engine. The PS pump on 1st gen LS's have a tendency to leak onto the alternator causing it to prematurely fail.
Also, what is a good way of determining whether the odometer has been tampered with? The car has been owned by the same person from 94 to 2001, and only racked up 50,000 miles during that time. Sounds kind of low for 7 years, but it was in Delaware, which is a tiny state, so I guess it was driven for long distances.