lamls400

Hello All, My first post. Tomorrow I'm going to take an ls400 (2000, platinum w/ Navi) to my local lexus dealer for a pre-purchase inspection.

I would like to know anything any an experienced ls400 owner would recommend I have checked before buying. (especially for 2nd generation, series 4, ls400 ie. 1998-2000 models)

Many thanks in advance for your helpful replies,

Lee
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more detail and questions, if you would care to address them:
According to carfax, It is a two owner car, Never wrecked, no issues.

It was maintained at lexus dealer only by first owner until 92k miles, all recommended maint done. Second owner never took it to lexus dealer, no service records available from second owner; it now has 105k miles.

Last Major recommended service performed at lexus dealer at 83k (by first owner in June 2006)
I do not know if the timing belt has been replaced, will ask lexus service rep tomorrow. What else should I ask the rep to look up in the detailed history? (which is more trouble for the rep than looking in the summary history)

I drove the car once for 20 minutes. Overall, it drove like a dream. But I did have two things that I noticed (I am very particular):
- deceleration from 40 to 30, with foot off throtle, consistent slight vibration at 35mph, felt like wheels or tire balance issue, but what do you think it could be?
- when I returned from the drive, I turned it off and restarted it, but it did not start. I think I did not hold the key long enough. It seems to take about 2 or 3 seconds with the key in the start position for it to start. Is that an abnormally long time to have to hold this beast's key in the start position?


thx again, lee

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

please search

we've done a lot of buying guides.

timing belt/water pump for sure
trans mount (cheap)
front and rear strut rods

Kansas

You might want to check the date of the navigation hard drive and even consider if you really want to buy a car with the old nav system -- a $100 portable nav from a discount store would likely be superior. When I searched for a used 2000 LS400 in 2003, people who owned 98-00 LS and GS cars with nav recommended that I exclude cars with nav from my search. I also excluded cars with air suspension.

The most recent update for the 98-00 nav system is July 2004 -- likely the very last update. Lexus policy is to provide navigation system updates for a minimum of only 4 years after a car is manufactured. My 2000 LS400 was manufactured in June 2000 and it is 208 from the end of the LS400 run -- June or July 2000 was likely the last month an LS400 was made.

If you buy the car, make sure you get the navigation system manual -- functions other than nav are controlled through the screen. Also, a 98-00 with nav shouldn't cost more than one without nav.

You might want to know the manufacture and original in-service dates of the car. Verify which TSIB's have been performed. If your 2000 LS400 was manufactured before the tilt/telescope steering wheel revisions were implemented at the factory and the TSIBs on the issues haven't been performed, you might be looking at a $1,500+ repair. The TSIB on the trip computer "miles since refuel" is a crap shoot -- don't worry if it hasn't been performed because the TSIB often didn't fix the problem.

Check the front suspension and especially the strut bar bushings. Mine were shot well before 90K miles and caused front end vibration at highway speeds.

If the car is original, it should have the same wheels that were standard on the 2001 LS430.

Here is a link to the 2000 LS400 specs and options: http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/2000/2000LSspecs.pdf

TJW98LS

iTrader: (1)

Is this LS in Louisville? I think I've seen this one on the internet. I was thinking about taking it in for an inspection myself.