lexaus

G'day from the land of Oz. I've been a lexus forum lurker for a few years and now that I've totalled my trusty old merc I'm in the market for an old LS400.
I've read all about the legendary lexus reliability and all the cars between 1990 and 1995 that I have driven have been in excellent condition with full service hstory.
I can afford a high mileage 1995 or a much lower mileage earlier model.
I'm leaning towards a 1995 with 363,000kms (226,000 miles), but I would welcome any comments or suggestion from all you lexus owners.

ariasuriah

I used to own a 90, and now own a 96. I thought the 90 was awesome but as soon as I drove the 96 I fell in love all over again. I can't wait to drive a 00. Anyway moral of the story is......get the 95 you wont regret it. Assuming it was serviced properly I say go for it. Me personally, I love the 95-97 body style the best out of all the years. Good luck my friend, these cars are truly some of the finest automobiles on the globe.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

serviced '95 please

just make sure to do the timing belts when it comes around, '95+ are interference engines.

trukn1

95 with service. As PD stated, get the timing belt done, as snapping one in the 95 WILL destroy the engine. The 90 IS lke an old reliable friend, BUT the work you WILL put into her will make you think twice. Not because it is unreliable, but the car is aging and WILL need stuff.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

I say 95-97 is your best bet, I have driven most all, and my driver is a 96, see "cars I have owned" below

steve2006

There are a lot of the older JDM Toyota Celsiors out in Australia, nothing wrong with them but check if it is rebadged as a Lexus LS400 because some had air suspension which will cost a fortune to repair if it fails.

lextout

if you can get a 98 and up ls400, you wont regret it. or if you cant get a 96-97 ls400, they had minor improvements over a 95

RA40

iTrader: (6)

What have you found in your search?
OP hasn't been logged in since 3-09-12. Hoping for an update.

denverdog

money always matters. how much for each of these cars? if the differential in price is enough, could you get the '90 and do a lot of maintenance for the same total outlay? newer is better, but the '95 is soon to be an 18 year old car. you're talking about old versus older, not new versus old. and i agree that i'd avoid air suspension, unless you are ready to convert it as soon as it goes. besides tining belt and wp, have the front steering and suspension parts been replaced? power steering ok? starter? tires? add it all up to see what the real deal is.

lextout

Avoid air suspension at all costs, standard suspension is just as nice.

lexaus

Thanks for all your suggestions. I went with the high mileage 1995. I checked all the key points you mentioned - full service history, plenty of time before the next timing belt change, Australian delivered, no air suspension.
Cars are more expensive in Australia than the US. My model was $150,000 brand new in 1995. Mine cost $6,000 from a dealer. As I said in my original post earlier LS400s with lower mileage go for around the same price even at a private sale.
I checked the evolution of LS400 and there seems to be a lot of improvements in my gen II.
I know my car is 17 years old but if you couldn't see the odometer you would never know it. It has been meticulously maintained and the only indication of it's age is slight fading and drying of the leather on the driver's arm rest and to a lesser extent the driver's seat cushion. I've already checked elsewhere on this forum and I'm confident I can restore that to good as new.
The body work is immaculate and mechanically it just purrs.
What to do with the stereo?
I got the dealer to put in an FM modulator while I decided. I was pleasantly surprised with the quality so I might leave it at that. Musically I'm stuck in a 60's and 70's. I have all my favourite Pink Floyd, Doors, Dylan, Stones, Beatles etc on CD. So I can load up the CD stacker plus have 8gb of MP3s on my Android phone playing through the FM modulator.
I prefer the look of the oem stereo, the CD quality sound great and the modulator is fine for the MP3s. If I get sick of it there a zillion upgrade options on this forum.
I'll post some piccies when I get a chance

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

if alll you want is a proper auxiliary input there's a link in the UCF20 FAQ to my hardwired aux-in tutorial.

also, congrats on the purchase!

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Congrats on the car!
Looking forward to some pics.

chknlittle

iTrader: (3)

Congratz, can't go wrong with any of the ls models imo...