Going to buy a 94 LS400, any last minute advice?
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Going to buy a 94 LS400, any last minute advice?
Just like it said. I would like to know if there is any last minute advice on what to look for. It is at a dealer in Roswell, GA and I am driving 3.5 hrs to look at it. The Carfax is clean. Two owner 151000 on the clock and it is supose to run like a champ. The only thing that they said is wrong with it is the trim piece around the shifter is missing which is funny but I guess I can find another one. Please if you have anything let me know. I hope this board can become home for me for a while. Thanks guys and gals.
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check everything, which you probabaly already know. under the hood, under the car, the wheels, see if the seats work. Mine was in mint conidition but i looked at 7 other before buying mine. the other 7 were said to be in fantastic condition but you are bound to find something wrong in a 10+ year old car
#3
The Climate control readout will likely be marginal at best--use that to bump the price down. Check for blue smoke right at startup--valve guides, push all the buttons and verify they work. If you have a jack, check the U joint and CV shafts for play.
Hope this helps.
Dan
Hope this helps.
Dan
#5
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Make sure the instrument cluster lights and needles work. Check for odd steering like lag when you turn, or steering wheel doesn't return to zeroed out position. That could be a sign of worn steering rack bushings and/or worn lower control arm bushings. Clunking when you put the transmission into gear might be worn transmission bushing.
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#8
Dealer car? Says it runs like a champ?
I wouldn't even waste my time with a dealer. 90% are liars that will say anything to bring you to look at the car. This is from tons of experience. When you get there, you will find tons of problems.
I wouldn't even waste my time with a dealer. 90% are liars that will say anything to bring you to look at the car. This is from tons of experience. When you get there, you will find tons of problems.
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Based on experience, I would not buy from a dealer either (unless you know them and have a solid working relationship with them going back years). I once asked to test drive a Mercedes coupe, v. flashy convertible, and the dealer just raved about the car. On my way back to their shop, I stopped in to let my (reliable) mechanic (who specialized in imports) have a look see, and he spent about 5 seconds on it before telling me to drive it straight back to the dealer and tell them that they were not going to suceed in pulling a fast one on me. The underside was rusted out (patched of course), it had been in a serious collision, etc. The car was a joke, basically, but it looked good. They had gone to a lot of trouble with an expensive paint job, etc. I (literally) threw the keys on their counter when I returned the car. Then I said something that I cannot repeat here and stomped out. I am sure someone else bought the car. They just play a waiting game until someone comes along who doesn't know any better. That's the sad truth.
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Also, since I HAVE a '94 LS400, I can tell you that right about now is when things are starting to 'go'. In the past year, I have replaced the power steering system and the timing belt, both v. expensive repairs. The year before that, I had to replace air suspension in the front..also v. expensive (but got a deal on the air shocks through Arnott). The track light has been coming on lately. I have been told that that, potentially, could run a few grand if it is the ABS computer. Or, it could be a few hundred. I am afraid to have them run the codes on it!! Unless you are DIY, I would not advise buying a 13 year old car.
#12
Also, since I HAVE a '94 LS400, I can tell you that right about now is when things are starting to 'go'. In the past year, I have replaced the power steering system and the timing belt, both v. expensive repairs. The year before that, I had to replace air suspension in the front..also v. expensive (but got a deal on the air shocks through Arnott). The track light has been coming on lately. I have been told that that, potentially, could run a few grand if it is the ABS computer. Or, it could be a few hundred. I am afraid to have them run the codes on it!! Unless you are DIY, I would not advise buying a 13 year old car.
#13
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Also, since I HAVE a '94 LS400, I can tell you that right about now is when things are starting to 'go'. In the past year, I have replaced the power steering system and the timing belt, both v. expensive repairs. The year before that, I had to replace air suspension in the front..also v. expensive (but got a deal on the air shocks through Arnott). The track light has been coming on lately. I have been told that that, potentially, could run a few grand if it is the ABS computer. Or, it could be a few hundred. I am afraid to have them run the codes on it!! Unless you are DIY, I would not advise buying a 13 year old car.
#14
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Also, since I HAVE a '94 LS400, I can tell you that right about now is when things are starting to 'go'. In the past year, I have replaced the power steering system and the timing belt, both v. expensive repairs. The year before that, I had to replace air suspension in the front..also v. expensive (but got a deal on the air shocks through Arnott). The track light has been coming on lately. I have been told that that, potentially, could run a few grand if it is the ABS computer. Or, it could be a few hundred. I am afraid to have them run the codes on it!! Unless you are DIY, I would not advise buying a 13 year old car.
Han Solo says "Do Your Own Mods and Repairs".
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Well lets just say that, I should have went with my instincts. Yeah, I have not had much luck with dealers in the past. But, I thought I found a good one. I had all the paperwork on this LS and I had done my homework (on here of course). So, sort of to my surprise, when I got there I spent literally 1 minute with the car, didn't need to start it. It was hit on the drivers side and been sprayed all over. He lied to me on several occasions. I had multiple pics of the car. It is hard to tell in pictures if it has been painted. So, I will never buy from a dealer ever again. Also, I will never buy a car in Atlanta, GA again. I spent Sunday the whole day over there looking at 5 different LS's all of them hit. So I am just going to buy a Maxima my other car love until I can afford a 97 or newer LS. I figure that it will be a year or so. But I will keep doing my research. If anyone knows of a good 93 or 94 LS I will take a look but I will be buying a maxima until I find a good one. I appreciate all the help. I pay cash for all my cars so that is why I can't just borrow the extra 2-3 grand for a newer one. I will have one just not right now.