OldNewLS

I'm looking at a 98 LS400 with about 114,000 miles, asking $5,500 at a dealer. The car looks good and dealer service records look pretty complete - no repairs at all prior to 70,000 miles, and even then it was just brakes. Transmission was refilled every 15k for first 45k, but isn't mentioned again thereafter. Then the fun starts:

80k - front brake job (rears done at 70k)
88k - Water pump, timing belt, nec seals replaced
89k - Master cylinder replaced
101k - PS flush, service throttle body assy, replace front/mid assy
104k - towed in, replace throttle body assy, brake flush
108k - replace power steering hose & pump
111k - towed in, replace battery
112k - replace drive belt, failed bank one post-cat oxygen sensor replaced
113k - check engine light on, "diagnose noise in engine like belt" -- and that's it.

Does this look like a car that's been pretty solidly maintained? The expected stuff seems to have happened about when it's supposed to. Oil changes are every 5k without fail. The car was always dealer serviced and most of the entries are along the lines of "60k service, 90k service" but the tasks mentioned are usually just an oil change and routine inspection.

No mention of spark plugs, control arms, struts or any suspension work, etc. So I'm wondering is this a well-kept gem, or a nice looking car about to explode into expensive repairs? I've got a local mechanic I trust, and there's also a nearby shop that's an import specialist - I figured I'll get one of them to look at it too.

Any thoughts or insights? I'm still poring through the forums - invaluable to say the least!! Thanks!

Legender

The 98 is a good strong car and the best version of the LS 400's (outside of the 99 and 2000 models).

Older cars with more miles on them are more prone to breakdowns... based on what I see above, the first thing I would do is change dealers...

1. Service the throttle body for the first time and then have to replace it it 3k miles... something fishy there. they don't just go bad.
2. Replace drive belt? Why wasn't this done at 88k miles with the timing belt? You'd put an old back one.

I'd say have your local mechanic do a check on it and if it passes then get on board with this low mileage gem.

It's old and will have some problems but access to the board and getting the vehicle up to speed on preventive maintenance will help alot.
Good luck in your search... and keep us posted.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Looks like all the major stuff has been done and you "should" have smooth sailing for another 70-80k at least. Of course no suspension work has been done but that does not mean they are about to fail. Drive the car around town and get on the highway to see how it runs. Listen and feel for the little things. If this car has been in GA all it's life then I think it's a solid car.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

There is a TSB floating around about the throttle body on these engines so maybe the dealer just changed it out instead of going through the headache of diagnosing whatever the problem was on the car. Either way it's a good thing. I agree that he should take it to an independent shop to have it looked over though.

mappo

Overall it sounds well maintained and the price is reasonable. The 90K service should include changing the spark plugs. When you see the car in person check the document binder in the glove box for the service log book. I bet it'll show the plugs being changed there.

If no suspension work has been done you can bet it's getting tired, but that's something you can tackle on your schedule as your budget allows, and if you're a DIYer take care of for not too much money.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

is this a lexus dealership or an independent dealership? i would always be weary with independent dealerships as they are known to cut corners and hide details. this does look like the car is maintained properly, given that the mileage is indeed the actual mileage!

lexus dealership, i would feel more comfortable buying from but it is highly unlikely that a big dealership would sell a car at that price point!

OldNewLS

Thanks for the tips so far.

The car is at an "independent" dealer, and I can't vouch for them either way. That's why I figured all the due diligence would have to be done on my own. That said, I'm hoping they will have the logbook.

The service history I have is pulled from the VIN at the Lexus owners site, and the extent of what I have there is in the service writer's comments.

The actual mileage seems to be accurate. The last service record is only 16 miles different from what's listed now.

"EFI/Throttle Body and air intake servicing for peak performance & fuel efficiency" - performed at 101k.

"Scan engine & electrical system - check for enhancements/updates" - done at 103k, 10 months later. Also in this same service it says "Throttle body defective - customer declined repair, $1,895". This is in 5/11.

Then in 11/11 (104k) the car is towed in, check engine light on, "vehicle moves but not as it should", and "replace throttle body assy - very sluggish when running" is cited as the work done.

The drive belt I don't know anything else about.

mccrimmon

iTrader: (2)

A '98 LS 400, dealer maintained with 114k miles for only $5500??? Wish I lived in GA!! As Timmy stated, if this is a Lexus dealership, I would purchase with no worries but I also agree that the price is suspiciously low for a well maintained, relatively low mileage LS. That's more of a private owner price. Any online links to the vehicle?

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

yeah be weary with indy dealerships but it seems you are doing your best, and came to the right place to seek advice.

all lights seem to still be green with this car. a drive belt is very minor but should have been taken care of at the timing belt service. replacing it yourself takes 15mins and one tool! you did right by checking the VIN against the lexus owners site! a throttle body change is nothing to be scared about, and it's been taken care of already so no more worries about that. this sounds like any other car you would get used from a private owner, so take care of the usual maintenance work that has not been mentioned yet and you will be golden.

now how does it look like from your perspective? seats worn out? paint condition? tires all matching and good? you can also judge from how the car is presented.

OldNewLS

Thanks again for the input, guys. I really do appreciate it.

From the service history, I'm guessing it's a single owner who moved from NJ to FL. The first 9 years and 99,000 miles were in NJ. The last 6 / 14k have been in Naples, FL, and it looks like that's where the usual maintenance suspects have caught up with him.

So my specific question is: is there anything obvious that hasn't been done yet? That I need to be concerned about?

My thinking was that things like the master cylinder, power steering pump and throttle body were a plus from my perspective, since they've now been replaced - and by a dealer, even better. It looks like the belts and other services have been done on time, so I guess I was just hoping that the "probably will fail" parts will have already failed and been fixed - and it looks like they have been, for the most part. Things like battery, tires, and brakes are just a bonus.

Any other "this will fail any minute now..." parts that are missing here? Sounds like the suspension might still be good to go -- pending inspection, I get that. If, as sha4000 said, I'd be in for 70-80,000 miles of smooth sailing, then I'd be spectacularly happy! I'm going to hopefully get an in-person look / drive of the car tomorrow, and fingers crossed that the logbook/service records will show things like spark plugs, etc.

What about the "bank one post catalyst oxygen sensor?" Normal wear and tear? It went out and was replaced at 111k, so hopefully that's good for awhile. I'm no expert by any means, so my main concern in the service history was something like repeated electrical or computer problems. Looks okay in that regard, I think.

I'm not a hardcore DIYer when it comes to car repairs, but it's amazing what a high-$ estimate can do for motivation. Fluids, filters, and brakes are the extent of my experience so far - are these more easily done on an LS400 than other cars? About average?

Thanks again to everyone responding. I've read enough through the forums that if this particular LS400 doesn't work out, I'm almost definitely going to be on the hunt for another. There should be a warning on this site: if you don't already have a Lexus, you will soon!

dicer

High $ estimate and motivation.
Just remember as long as its a good reliable car fix it place, there is good reason for that High $ deal.
If you do it yourself and are not a mechanic, and goof things up bad, its all on you, also you have zero warranty on the fix. One reason for high $ to fix cars is first the techs need a paycheck, and two if its all guaranteed for a certain amount of time they have to cover their rears so to say. Just say its a rebuilt transmission a simple part can fail like a seal ring that has porosity, (I've seen that) its a part that the rebuilder has no control of so not only does it make him look bad but costs time and more parts to redo. Some times the costs are too high with no reason, but with liability etc. you would also have to charge that. And lastly doesn't your time and banged up hands mean anything? Sorry to rant. And be off topic. DIY has its place for some folks it does not.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

This why A lot of ppl come to this site. To save some money and bang up their hands in the process. No one would suggest anyone diy a tranny rebuild without any background in doing tranny work or any other work on the car.

OldNewLS

dicer - that's a fair point. I'm not a mechanic.

And I exaggerated there. Any actual repairs beyond "unplug the old one and plug in the new one" is more than I'll be doing myself. Transmission rebuild? Not in a million years. New wiper blades? I'll take a crack at that...(So it's actually backwards from what I said: it's the little stuff that's motivating)

Luckily I do have a great local mechanic - so that leads to another noob question. Keep going to the general-purpose repair place I already know? Or should I be checking out the Japanese auto specialty shops? There are several in the area with good reviews. I guess this would apply to both a pre-purchase inspection and then later on down the road.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Go to the place you TRUST. If they are honest they will let you know when they are at their knowledgeable limit.

mccrimmon

iTrader: (2)

^^^ What he said. These aren't BMW's that require special tools. Any competent mechanic can do the repairs on our cars. A trustworthy mechanic is gold!

P.S. You probably already know this but just in case... Always use OEM parts when possible or at least research the forums on the quality of non-oem. Amazon, Rockauto, Sewell Lexus, etc. all have good prices on oem parts.