BNR34

iTrader: (1)

Mine just hit 80k, aside from the failed air suspension which is expected, everything else is flawless. From everything I have heard, they stay flawless until 200k+.

The LS430 is much more durable as any Camary or Accord because the flagship Toyota is extremely solidly build. Think cheap IKEA cardboard furniture vs. solid wood furniture.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

From the way my car feels, I think with regular fluid changes and driving it gently, the original engine and tranny would definitely last 300k miles while feeling the same. Just have to replace all the wear items like radiator, CV boot or joint, plugs, belts, tires, brakes, battery........etc.

Buying it used and driving it to 300k miles, the Lexus LS is definitely the cheapest car to drive in the world. Because most Camry/Accord fall apart at 200k miles and they are not that much cheaper to buy then a used LS.

whitetooth

With this in mind I bought a 1990 LS400 and I was right: After 20 years and 235k I only replaced the temperature LED and recently the climate compressor.

I tried the same with the LS430 which has now 120k on the odo but it seems that she is not that robust as her predecessor. Sensors failed but OK, the Gen 1 LS400 has none for airsus and parking.

Nothing compares to the LS. There is simply nothing better for the same money. From the historical standpoint the first gen LS400 has a lot in common with the LF-A but Toyota this time takes what it is worth.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

Agreed 100%. From my observation, the 1st generation LS is definitely the most robust LS Lexus ever built, and each generation after that get progressively worse, the latest LS460/600 is the worse so far. But we have to keep in mind that each generation also get progressively complicated so there is more things to break.

I don't think I agreed completely with that. The LS400 was revolutionary. The LFA is simply an extremely good Ferrari 599, but it is not revolutionary. The only thing I give to the LFA is it sounds extraordinarily good, and it is probably a lot more reliable and durable then the 599. But they are the same price, and anyway you look at it, a Lexus would never be as cool as a Ferrari, doesn't matter how good the car actually is. At that price point, coolness is everything, no one get a $400k sports car as a basic transportation.

jpcdmd

Had a 1993 LS400, drove it from 118K to 200K, only thing I remember replacing on the motor was the pullet tensioner. When I got rid of it, it really needed all the front suspension components replaced, they were all worn out. Had minor issues like the temp display, gauge needles going dark, etc.

My current 01 LS430 has 160K on it. I replaced the front suspension components including the air struts at 120K, and tranny mount at 100K. Cant recall much else except for a cracked coolant overflow tank. My nav, tilt steering wheel, auto door closers, etc, all work fine. Need to clean my power mirror switch though, mirrors wont adjust. Motor still runs like a dream.

Would like to get some replacement leather for the front seats, the drivers seat is getting worn. Unfortunately nobody makes it yet.

AlexusAnja

I'm using synthetic oil in my LS, so I'm 100% confident that the engine would make it to 300K miles, but the WS sealed transmission... I'd have doubt as to any large number of any automatics making it to 300K without issues.

Honestly, I'd be more than happy to make it to 200K intact, everything after that would be gravy/icing for me. I'm 234,000 miles from 300K, so I've got some time.

vollandt

I've owned ever version (90, 96, 98, 2001 x 2, and a 2008) and I have observed the exact opposite.


As for hitting 300k miles for any LS (or most modern cars for that matter), assuming it isn't neglected, I don't thing that if a car doesn't hit 300k its likely to be because of an engine issue. I've seen a few references on this website of retiring very high mileage LS cars with the engine still running like new. However, I have never heard of an LS engine just dying of natural causes what ever the mileage.

Bocatrip

Most engines of various makes across the board hold up to very high mileage these days. It's the electronics and everything else other than the drive train that makes it too prohibitive cost wise to keep these cars running. Good example is the Volvo 240 of which they must have made a zillion cars before stopping production in 1993. Engines and transmissions just did not die. Everything else did making it super expensive to repair on an otherwise worthless car. Thus, we find very old Toyotas and Hondas on the road today and not so many older European cars (Mercdedes, Audi, BMW). Asian cars seem to have reliability with other items than just Engines and Transmissions.