rwmj5

I'm considering buying a used LS 400 tomorrow, and I'm going to head down to New Jersey to check out some cars I've seen on the internet, specifically Autotrader.com. I was wondering if there is anything I should watch out for and if there are any specific maintenance items I should be sure to check like when was the timing belt replaced, how the shocks are etc. The cars I'm looking at are around 91-93 with around 130,000 miles on them. Should cars like this still hold up pretty well? Also, I am kind of interested in getting the air suspension. How can you tell if a car has it, and has anyone had any problems with theirs or do they start going after a certain number of miles? I know it's about 1 grand a pop to replace one corner.

Thanks

nagasakki

i got my 93' ls4 when it was 125K and I still drive it and it's 216k now.
i had transmission replaced at 205k.
brakes...198k, I go really easy with the brakes so it lasted me awhile.
timing belt soon to be replaced before 5 months, which is this summer.
hm you may get minor problems at past 190k like...LCD smearing, which is biggest issue for 90-94 LS' but it's fixable and most common and power steering pump leaking also at 190K, but that's not huge problem also, i used stop leak steering fluid, and helps pretty much, and then later I got it replaced with rebuilt steering pump.

**as long past owner of the lexus has it maintained well, and when you get it keep it maintained also and your car be running like brand new for a long time.** ***make sure it's a lexus-certified** mine was lexus-certified also**

also when i got my LS4 at 125k it drove like i just bought a brand new car. and car is very quiet, almost feels like your engine isn't even on.

hm you gonna love the nakamichi system.
And engine is nearly indestructable, big V8 4 cam 4.0L

350z

I've had both a 92 and 93 with air suspension. They both went out around 130k. Costs around $4000 to fix if they go out so i'd stay away from the air suspension.

vinh

iTrader: (8)

check for that goddamn blacked out climate control. I hate seeing mine blacked out. But seriously these things are rock steady cars. I havent had any major problems for like 50 thousand miles! and im at 130k!!

Janeth

Yeah, the climate control went on mine also. I got it fixed along with the instrument cluster board at Mikado Engineering. $500 for both.

lorenzo816

Great car.

issues are a stated:

power steering is common, hose and pump aren't cheap but you can shop around.

rear main seal leak common problem.

air ride is expensive.

LED can be fixed, I haven't bothered on mine.

Rear deck speaker is a pain to replace without OEM.



shocks and bushings usually need attention on older cars. ---> you'll get lots of help using the search button here at clublexus once you buy thecar.


Also, you can take the car to any Lexus dealership (VIN search) and that way you will know what has been done by the pros. But you never know unless you ask the man selling the vehicle if he knows what was done elsewhere.

A good to clue to see if it has been taken care of is to see what kind of oil filter is on the car and does it smoke a lot//???

Other than that they're solid cars.


Lorenzo
1992 LS400 170k

rwmj5

thanks for the replies everyone. I went and saw a couple this weekend, one had a real crappy interior and the climate control and radio lcds were completely blacked out. One I drove was really nice, very smooth without any major problems. The only things that were wrong were that there was a whining sound that could be heard coming from the engine as it was accelerating/ deccelerating, there was a loud noise when you cranked the wheel to one side when parking (power steering pump I'm guessing), and the fact that it was some blue-ish/greyish that I had never seen before that looked really old. This is one that I am particilarly interested in since it is the color I want, it is '93, and it is fairly cheap. However, It looks like one of those things that just might be too good to be true- e.g it might have been in an accident etc. I did a carfax on it and nothing was reported, but you never know for sure from those reports. What does everyone think?

Autotrader LS 400 Link

lorenzo816

4800 with near 130k! that's cheap. Or good for NJ,

I got my '92 for 6g at 150k in NC. I guess the man "got" me....

Whining? What whining? Weird.
Check the tires, see if you are going to have to buy new ones soon. I don't put cheap'o tires on the Lex. That's 3-6 hundred right there.
If you got the money, you can tune up the car and wait to see what happens next or buy a Cert PO lexus from the dealer.
Ever thought about driving it to a Lexus Dealer and seeing if it has had any service to it from the Pro? I'd be cautious of owners trying to cut corners too often for electrical/mechanical maintenance. But there are some things that the "stealer" Charges too much for.

The blacked out screens would **** me off especially the Radio. I'd fix the radio screen.
And if it is the same car with the messed up leather and blkd out screens, I wouldn't buy it.
I can't stand messed up leather in my vehicle. I try and get mine cleaned an treated as often as possible because I don't have a garage. Too expensive to buy and replace or "fix" with leather putty and look like crap. Too expensive to fix "all" the LCD's and leather.
I've seen too many LS's with messed up leather, like a dog tore them up. What's up with that?
They're supposed to be nice cars, not Ford Escorts.
I put my money into maintaining the car, not cosmetics. I'd rather have a car with decent cosmetic appearance to start of with; instead of dumping cash into a car to make it look better, dump cash into the car to make it drive better and last longer.

Up to you bra, just remember we all have to replace/fix the steering sooner or later. Its not like its going to last forever.

Lorenzo
92 LS400 170k

azari

hmmmm, it's the first time I'm hearing about a transmission replacement on these cars (from Nagasaki's car). Anyone else has replaced transmissions or has had major work done to it? Or do you know of anyone who has???

Are the tranny's on these cars reliable (bulletproof like the engine is?)?

nagasakki

my car is 216k miles. the gear wasn't shifting up or down or "neutral drive" likes, so i got tranny replaced around 210k miles.

rwmj5

lorenzo- yeah there was definately a whining sound that corresponded with the engine speed. it seemed like it was just a belt or something, nothing too big. I went down to jersey again today, saw a really nice 94 with like 120,000 miles on it. looked really good but I didnt get to drive it. saw a green 92, but it had all sorts of problems with its interior and its transmission (im thinking torque convertor). The I saw the car that is in the ad up above. The interior was flawless- perfect leather. I took it out and it drove phenominally. I couldnt see anything wrong with the exterior. The guy had just replaced the power steering pump. Everything worked with the exception of the backlight for the climate control display. (The LCD didn't leak, it just doesnt illuminate when you turn the lights on). Plus its exactly the color I wanted which was black with tan leather and it was a '93 which is the year I wanted. It was $5000 and it has 130,000 miles on it. I told the guy to hold it and that I'd be back at the end of the week to pick it up.

lorenzo816

I'd get the car if I were you. Hoping that the man who did the steering job did it well.
You'd be kind of lucky to get a good car that is over ten years old.
Especially for the quality of a Lexus.

5g's is good price here in NC, Don't know about jersey though....

About the LCD.....
Talk to these guys who fix it for $295

MIKADO ENGINEERING
1435 Huntington Ave
San Francisco, CA 94080

(650) 615-9966

or


Here are some links to fix the climate control LCD.

lexls link

lextreme link

never heard of these guys


PEACE


Lorenzo
1992 LS400 170k