thinking of buying a used ls400/430
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: California
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thinking of buying a used ls400/430
Anything to watch out for? I recall reading in some thread here that 94 or 95 (can't remember which) wasn't a good year since it was a new redesign and not enough testing was done on toyota's part. The 2001 redesign does not problems like the 94/95 did, right? My dad is looking at used ls's, mostly 2001's, i think the 2002's are more than what he's willing to spend. Also I was reading on edmunds that tires tend to wear out in 15000 miles, any fixes for that?
#2
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: California
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
also, anyone know why midterm reliability is 3 dots?:
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2001/lex...inks..0.Lexus*
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2001/lex...inks..0.Lexus*
#3
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: California
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Test drove 2 cars today. Dont know if it was bad luck, but the 2000 we test drove had a little shimmy in the steering wheel on hard braking. The 2001 had a light squeal from the engine compartment. I did not notice this until the salesman was moving the car back into the spot after test drive.
#5
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Maryland
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I own a '96, my wife drives it most of the time. GREAT CAR. No problems, no shimmy. Never had a problem with it. I have two good friends with the same car in a '95 and '92. They have had the same experience. 90,000 miles. May go to a 430, but I don't know why, except it would be newer.
#6
Lexus Test Driver
may purchase 2001 ls
I am a owner of a 2001 LS430 with marklev/navigation and like my car.I purchased it certified pre-owned at 31,637 miles i guess your father is thinking of cpo if so most of your concerns will be covered for 3 years or 100,000 miles.This put me at ease when i purchased my car it was my first used lexus to date i had owned 4 previous all new when i purchased them so i was gunshy at first but the crazy thing is it was a salesman know dealership owner who told me to buy used he can get new but always told me used is better think of it this way its no way to tell what can happen despite what is said about the 94's or 95's or 2001's even.A car can sound and drive perfect when you buy it but a week after buying go downhill.And if your pre-thinking about things being wrong you tend to hear bad things more.Buy certified pre-owned and that will cover your concerns may cost more than buying from a secondary none lexus dealer but the benefits are as close to buying new in the luxury car segment out there.Example i was going to either buy the S430 benz 2000 or the 2001 Ls430 i have know but benz offers 12000 miles or ayear warranty any extra warranty will cost you so it might help ease your concerns about problems with cpo.GODBLESS you and i hope whatever car you guys choose is problem free and i own one best driving car i have owned i owned a s430 benz before and prefer lexus i know i almost went back to benz but it was because benz offered a great price so i went back but stayed with lexus because of cpo.Not alot of gadgets but great ride the longer you own the more the car gets used to how you drive. P.S the salesman who know owns his own dealership drives a 95 ls 400.He says it gives him no problems he just does all service on time.
#7
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
just got my 1993 LS a couple thousand miles ago. bought it with 71,000 miles. luv it.
issues i've heard of...speedo and tach issues (burnout, or just lifeless)
-$1000 repair by lexus.
-or you can crack it open and follow the repairs listed on this site.
becareful of one equipped with air-ride suspension. make sure it works.
'93 suspensions are not highly rated. i'm gonna play with mine when i need to. right now it's fine.
look it over. no problems...then you can't go wrong. just don't expect to go far in the snow.
issues i've heard of...speedo and tach issues (burnout, or just lifeless)
-$1000 repair by lexus.
-or you can crack it open and follow the repairs listed on this site.
becareful of one equipped with air-ride suspension. make sure it works.
'93 suspensions are not highly rated. i'm gonna play with mine when i need to. right now it's fine.
look it over. no problems...then you can't go wrong. just don't expect to go far in the snow.
Trending Topics
#8
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: California
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you gentlemen (and ladies, if any) for your kind words. Sorry for not keeping you guys up to date on this, but my dad in Jan decided to hold off on buying it. However, now I am selling my peice of crap ford and will be buying my dad's maxima off of him. So now we are back looking at ls's again. We may have stumbed across a great deal from non lexus dealer. The car is silver, 2001, 539xx miles w/navi. Is there any major service for the 60k or anything we should look out for?
Thanks,
Sunil
Thanks,
Sunil
#10
I have a 2000 LS400 and I love it, the cars that you drove just sounds like they may just need a little TLC, They 2000 with the shimmy in the wheel seems like the rotors may just need to be cut. When I got my car I made the dealer give me an alignment, wheel balance, and floor mats.
#11
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: California
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cool, thanks for the replies. That white 00 one we test drove was back in Jan when I started this post. However when we went back to the dealer to see how a new es330 was like, I saw the white one was still there! This time it was $3k cheaper than it was in Jan. Dont know if anything has changed on it. I'm sure my dad wants an 01+ Last question, anyone experience any of these trouble spots which this site mentions? http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/u...ex.cfm/id/2502
#12
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: California
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Picked up a beautiful 02 ls430 today. I think it has everything except for the ultra luxury. It even has this cell phone holder in the console with a cell phone attached to it. Can't wait to learn how to use this stuff, then teach my dad how to use it Thanks for all your help fellas.
#13
Lexus Test Driver
unreali not problems so far.
So far so good as far as my 2001 LS430. I have 45,000 miles now and just did the 45,000 mile service. And I just saw your question about the 60,000 mile service pricing. I asked my dealer here at Charles Barker Lexus Virginia Beach and they said between $500-$600 at that service so beware. Every 30,000 miles has a price on it so save for those services. But its not worth worrying, my car has been problem free so far and drives great. Congrats on the 2002 LS you will love the flagship life. Its not like owning any other Lexus. Trust me I have owned 1 ES300(1998) 3 GS' , 2 GS300's, 1 GS 400. The LS is a different ride all together Congrats again!
Last edited by usermel; 04-11-04 at 08:12 PM.
#14
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: California
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looked at the original sticker, the car came with Navi/Mark Levinson package, sport suspension, Lexus link, and 17" chrome wheels. There was even a built in cradle with a cell phone in it inside the console. If anyone has any info on this, it would be greatly appreciated. The car is back at the dealer right now to have the windshield replaced since there was a big rock chip in the windshield and the service dept was closed yesterday. Bought it from Alex Manazari at Jim Falk Lexus of Beverly Hills. - I told him I'll send people to him
usermel, mucho thanks for the heads up info.
usermel, mucho thanks for the heads up info.
#15
Lexus Test Driver
do mention it unrealii
I'm happy you got the LS430 unrealii. Big congrats again, and no need to thank me for the info. We all like Lexus' so it can only mean we all are brothers in this thing. I can't say enough times how much you will enjoy your car. My 2001 LS430 drives better as it ages. And you have a 2002 LS430 thats still a baby. It's still a new car man, you had great patience to wait for the right car and right deal. Now get ready for problem free driving with a warranty that will have you sleeping like a baby when a problem occurs. CONGRATS AGAIN! And Godbless.