Azn_Pride

Hey, my uncle is selling me this ls400 for 3,000 dollars. Wondering if its a good deal knowing that my own uncle won't rip me off. interior is really bad. Seat is scratched up, ripped, and very very bad condition. Something is wrong with the speed meter. Everything in it seems to be working but the mph needle and rpm needle is not seeming to move, any suggestions? or how to fix? missing one center for rim. speakers are going out on it, is it easy to replace with aftermarket? Any where i can get a leather cover? or have new seats? Thanks for any suggestions. Engine looks brand new thou. I want to add a cold air intake....possible? Wow, i see alot of potential in this car.


Calvin Tran
InFam0us Production

P.S. I have pictures but i dont know how to post them?

damon

Calvin,

You don't mention either the mileage or previous maintenance on the vehicle. You are correct that the 1UZ-FE engine in this vehicle is near bullet proof. There are several things it is not famous for however & prime among them is modability. It is a very expensive proposition to get this engine to pump out more HP if that is indeed your goal. Also beware that this model is not famous for good gas mileage though not bad for a V-8.

The search function is a valuable tool here. There are many previous post that can tell you potential maintenance pitfalls with that generation LS. Leatherseats.com occasionally has really valuable powerbuys on their replacement seat products. There are people that can deal with your instrument cluster problems for a reasonable fee. It is a common problem.

good luck!

Azn_Pride

Thanks damon for your points. The car has about 250, 000 miles on it. i dont know the history of the maintaince on the car. I'll be happy if i can get about 20 miles to a gallon if not more. Gas price is so high these days. any other suggestions would be great.


calvin

Lsportline43

I would think the first thing to do is to get the car in proper running condition. That's if the previous owner, your uncle, didn't take care of it. When I say take care of the car I mean performing the scheduled maintenances, fluid changes, cleaning and waxing the body, and cleaning and caring for the interior. I would say these are the most important things to get to. As for the cold air intake I would say that's an "extra". That's something you won't need for the car to run properly from day to day. I personally would rather have a car that's properly cared for than a car that has minor modifications. Many people want to modifiy their cars, but never seem to remember the little things that they have to do. I'd give more credit to someone who has their car in superb condition than someone who modifies their car and can't remember the last time they did a routine check under the hood.

P.S. If your uncle didn't take care of the paint job I would say that is one of the first things you can do. Get a car wash and buff out those swirls and scratches. Maybe a clay bar wouldn't hurt. Then get a proper wax for it. You can find about this stuff at " www.autopia-carcare.com". The car is over 10 years old, I would imagine the years have dulled the paint job. That's if your uncle didn't take care of the paint job.

damon

First things I would be diligent about would be:

1) How many times has the timing belt been changed & what is it's present condition? Spark Plugs?

2) Complete change of the Automatic Transmission Fluid unless I know that it has been maintened recently?

3) Check condition of Motor/Transmission mounts & EGR pipe assembly.

4) Power Steering Pump & condition of the Fluid.

5)Condition of Brake Pads & Rotors & New Brake Fluid.

6)Condition of Suspension components ( Struts, Control Arms, etc.)

A Daunting list I know but keep in mind 2 things. A search here will guide you to economical ways to do the work above & many vehicles are still doing very well beyond the 250,000 miles your 94 has accumulated.


First big hint: You can remove your Instrument Cluster & send it off for repair & still have use of your vehicle. You just have to be your own instrument panel in the interim & not speed excessively.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

dont even think of 20mpg. i have a 95' with 130,000miles on the clock and its in near perfect mechanical condition(near perfect coz the bushings are worn).

on city driving i avg equal to or less than 15mp (but i drive harsh) and on highway MAYBE 18

though our V8;s arent guzzlers, they dont sip fuel either.

usermel

I say, with no disrespect to your uncle intended, do a vin# check. How many times have we seen on TV and in person family business go bad. Some of the worst business deals in the world are done with family. Not saying something is wrong with the car, but take it from me business is business and family and friends should not be a reason for trust with your hard earned money. Those items you have to fix can be costly and 250,000 miles is up there. Pay now to find potential problems or pay for it later.(Love GOD not money , GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME)

usermel

Your local Lexus dealer will have in there system if any of the services were done at there service department, if your uncle went there. If not, cross your fingers and hope for the best. Just take the car to the local dealership and ask them to check on the services done on the car at the service department. (GOD NEVER SHOT A MAN, WOMAN, OR CHILD SO STOP BLAMING HIM)( GOd BLESS THE HURRICANE VICTIMS, MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU)

reincheque

Unless you have loads of money and are willing to spend it on restoration/mods or you are a mechanical genius who can do all the necessary work yourself, I'd avoid this like the plague. I've just come out of a 2 year relationship with a bad (as in, "not good") LS and it cost me a small fortune to keep the car on the road. I had to spend almost a grand just to get it roadworthy enough to sell on

A Lexus with "issues" can be like a great money sponge.

I'd advise you to increase your budget and invest in an LS that's in better shape. Don't do what I did and buy a Lexus "at any cost", just to own one...


djp

damon

Don't want to scare you but here is a "real-world" maintenance log for my 94 LS400:

11/23/2001 Repair Drivers Side Brake Light
05/15/2002 Leaking Heater Control Valve replaced .

07/30/2002
Brake Rotors & Pads changed . Bradi Rotors , Rotex pads from
Ricambi Sport
Front & Rear: Mileage 130,345

12/06/02 Air Filter Replaced. 135,862

05/02/03 Power Steering Fluid complete flush: Mileage 139,004

06/05/03 Transmission Fluid complete flush Toyota T-IV fluid : Mileage
140,312

08/08/03 Cabin Air Filter Replaced: Mileage 143,216

08/14/03 Front & Rear Struts replaced, OEM components. Front upper Strut Assembly replaced.
143,322

08/18/03 4 New Kumho Ecsta HP4 716 Tires. Mileage 143,546 installed at Costco

10/19/03 Bosch Windshield wipers


12/10/03 BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner added. Mileage 148,423
BG MOA Oil Treatment added with oil change. Toyota oem filter
used.
BG Cooling System Flush added.
Complete flush of radiator and cooling system / Add 1.3
Gallons Toyota long-life coolant.

02/17/04 Brake Fluid Flushed by JP Importz:Replaced with Ate Super Blue
Fluid.
Coolant level checked and made 50/50. 149,318

03/18/04 EGR Pipe assembly replaced at Tines Automotive. New motor mounts &
transmission mount
installed by A-1 United Transmission (972) 278-9807. 149,566

03/27/04 Fuel Gauge Capacitor C-142 replaced on Circuit Board. Work done
152,151

04/01/04 State Inspection / Registration sticker applied. Oil Change 153,875

06/04/04 AC system checked for leaks / none found. 4 oz. of refrigerant
added at Blendair 156,729.
www.blendair.net Owners name: Mark

Due: Next Oil change 158,875

08/16/2004 New Battery from Autozone

09/16/2004 Oil Change with Mobil 1 Synthetic 159,515

12/23/2004 Tires rotated

01/10/2005 Current Mileage 165,500

Just started to have delay in Dashboard Instruments Display. Solution:
Replace
10uf 16v EC cap. Its on the processor or smaller PCB board. Reference is C212

03/07/2005
167,180 Oil Change to Mobil 1 Extended Life 15,000 mile

3/14/2005
167,565 Air Filter replaced.

03/22/05 Lower Ball Joints replaced (front) Tines $50.00
05/10/05
Mileage 168,475
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Timing Belt replaced:
Got real serious here & replaced a slew of parts while the engine was "torn-down" so to speak.
13568-59045 Timing Belt
13540-50030 Tensioner
13503-0f010 Idler Bearing Left
13505-50022 Idler Bearing Right
Front Cover Gaskets
11319-50010
11329-50010
11346-50010
11347-50010 2 Total
11357-50010
90311-A0001 Front Crank Seal
90311-38036 Cam seals ( 2 Total )
Cooling:
16100-50022 Water Pump
90916-03084 Thermostat
16325-62010 Water Inlet, Gasket
16571-50021 Upper Radiator Hose
71538 Lower Radiator Hose (Dayco Part #)
Hayden Fan Clutch #2656
16307-50011 Bracket Support for Fan
Accessories:
Alternator Parts
90099-10192 Front Alt. Bearing
90099-10194 Rear Alt. Bearing
27370-75060 Brush & Holder

Power Steering Pressure Hose (rebuilt at Hose-Fast)
5060885 Serpentine Belt (Dayco Part #)
89255 Tensioner (Dayco Part #) (This part was modified)
89026 Pulley (Dayco Part #)
Drive Belt Pulley Bearing NTN 63011LL (A&W Bearing)
Electrical
19101-50020 Dist. Cap X 2
19102-50020 Rotor X 2
Spark Plugs
BKR6EIX-11 X 8
All items between these lines were part of TB maintenance.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/14/05 mileage 171,211
Replaced Brake Lines w Stainless Steel
Rotex front pads installed
7/12/05
Leak found in Coolant Bypass line. 171,813
Toyota Sealant & O-ring
2 Rear Brake Light bulbs changed & check ground on Drivers side rear connection

7/20/05
Power Steering Flush & refill.

07/22/05 Transmission Fluid drain & refill.
2 qts. Toyota T IV

Due: Differential Lube change

Luxury_LEX

^ damn!!

damon

I would be considered a lucky LS owner since only the Timing Belt maintenance was a really big ticket item & I did my first one at 170,000 plus!!

Most LS owners have had an AC compressor replaced, Power Steering Pump replaced & usually a rack & pinion steering unit replaced by that amont of mileage & I am OEM on these 3.

Important to note that only 2 mechanicals have taken this 94 off the road. 1) Failure of a bearing in the fan bracket support. 2) The leaking O-ring in the manifold/water by pass line.

good luck!

Azn_Pride

Thanks, you guys are a big help. I think i'll take it to my lexus dealer where ipurchased my gx470 at and let them take a look at it and see what they think and what needs to be replaced. I'll post some pictures up if anyone could show me how. both the Ls400 and my gx470. By the way, are any of you guys going to nopi in atlanta sept 17?


Calvin Tran
InFam0us Production

damon

My 94 never saw a dealer for any of the above. With the help of the Forum and cheaper online parts & good Indy mechanics all the work above was done fairly reasonably.

Good idea to have this one checked by a dealer however. Get ready for sticker shock. Should give you a good bargaining chip!

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Along with the advice you have received already. Do a compression check if you are set on this car before you buy. If a group of cylinders is less than 140 psi you know the engine is wearing. 120 psi...it will drink oil and be pretty weak. This $120 or so may save you lots of $$ and headaches down the road.

The above said, I'd let it go. There are other samples that will be in better condition relative to the price you will pay in the end. I'd suggest a 95+.