dvdchance

I'm looking at a 95 LS400 with just 120,000 on the clock. It is a one owner car and seller says maintenance has been up to date with the exception of the timing belt.

How much is the cost to replace it? What about other repairs and maintenance on this car, is it noticeably more expensive then say a 97-01 ES300?

Here's the one I'm looking at, any opinions?
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/4368350208.html

mccrimmon

iTrader: (2)

Wow... I wish he was closer to Arizona. I'd buy it at that price. Replace that timing belt asap. If the car has the original not only is it about 30k miles overdue it is also 19 years old. You can get good deals on oem timing belt kits at Rockauto or Amazon. As for cost, I can't speak for the LS400 (I've only had mine for a few weeks) but my 2GS is very reasonable to maintain especially if you can do most of the work yourself.

dengman

If you plan on keeping it stock and driving it around $3k with interior clean as that is a good deal. Timingbelt is about $600-1200 depending on who does it and what parts are used. A well maintained LS400 will last forever. The suspension would be next once the engine bay is taken care of. Being old radiator and hoses would be worth looking into for peace of mind.

Greg5OH

parts are cheap guy. Jusr ordered an OEM Denso front o2 sensor for mine for 41$ shipped from rock auto.
OEM timing belt kit with waterpump and all idles can be found for 200 bucks on the internet. Silly things like trim pieces that are OEM only are pricey (but so is all OEM trim for any car really). (for example trunk seal is 110$)

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Looks real good as far as pics go but if he has some detailing experience why does the engine bay look like that? He also talks about the famous power steering leak which kills alternators so you have to address that as well as the timing belt.

LSpho

Cop it if it all check outs well, change that belt asap as deng said 600-1200 is common price, not bad at all very affordable.
Paint and interior looks mint from pictures, but even though pictures may hide imperfections that engine bay looks gross and coated LOL

dveneman

I have detailing experience, but the first time I opened the hood was to take this CL pic.
At least he seems to disclose the problems and items needing attention. Looks like a fair deal.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

BUT: do NOT top off the power steering fluid (hope he didnt) with power steering fluid..
use ONLY dexron ATF.. if he used PS fluid, that is probably why it leaks, just flush it out.,
Manual says use Dexron II (or above) ATF for power steering fluid ..

steve2006

It's been detailed so well that leaves have managed to settle below the wind shield and the engine cover has completely disappeared.
It's had regular services apart from the cam belt...why?
TBH it sounds like it's been run on a low budget with the PS leak and missing TB replacement so what else has been neglected?

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Billy and Steve bring up some very important issues. That power steering fluid may not be a "minor problem" when considering the alternator and steering rack. Pics are to small to gauge overall condition. Where is the top engine cover? From how dirty it is, that cover has been off for a spell. At least the coolant is red.

TB service, all fluids changed. It will need a tune so plugs, wires, rotors and caps. With the Jersey roads, there will be suspension bushings and more to look over-replace. Engine tranny mount, vacuum hoses, ECT sensor, ECU capacitor fix. If you want a top running LS, you could drop another $2K+ into it easily.

LScowboyLS

they are expensive to own if you have to take it to Lexus for repair

if you can turn a wrench, it seems almost everything that fails is less than $50 in parts, i.e. transmission mount, strut bar bushings, ECU capacitors, Idle Air Control Valve bearings, positive battery terminal, cigarette lighter fuse link, power steering hose & reservoir o-ring

RA40

iTrader: (6)

There can be lots of those $50 parts. The last Sewell run was over $100 in vacuum hoses. Taking into consideration I don't want to brute force some of the fittings so buying hose and clamp pliers added another $30. The 50' roll of Gates vacuum hoses for the generic runs was ~$25.

Rubber and plastic parts are the largest $. I'll be in for a suspension freshening later this year at the 200K mile mark. Upper arms, lower ball joints, rod ends, rack bushing inspection, carrier, engine mounts...if it is rubber related, it is likely to be replaced.

The oil dipstick O-ring, and I have to check the tranny pan seal. I'm getting fluid migration signs but luckily no obvious drops. Just a greasy grimy underside around the tranny pan. Cams seals when the TB is done. Ugh...I can see an easy $2K total.

Once that is done, the car potentially can go another 100K miles. Will see what the most recent oil analysis reveals.

LSpho

^ what oil are you running? I plan to switch to redline synthetic like my previous cars when it comes time

LScowboyLS

Pennzoil Ultra 5W-30 is the best synthetic I know of that will work in our cars, at any price, hard to find though.

On newer Lexus's, you might be stunned to find out that the new Toyota 0W-20 is outperforming every oil out there, (it is a custom recipe manufactured by Exxon/Mobil)

Yamae

Compared with a Mercedes W140 S500, my Celsior needs only 1/10 of the maintenance cost. The biggest payment for the Celsior last year was the engine oil and next came the oil filter.