1992 LS 400 Pro/Cons?
01-03-06, 09:29 AM
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1992 LS 400 Pro/Cons?
Hey, my names Kemar and debating whether or not I should invest 6000k into a ls400 or not..I've read a few articles here and there about lexus's, and recieved nothing but the usual, they guzzle gas mess..To cut a long story short, I was just wondering what are some pro/cons that you LS400 owners have noticed with your ls400(90-96 Models)..
RIP.
ACURA VIGOR 93'
RIP.
ACURA VIGOR 93'
01-03-06, 09:38 AM
#2
I picked up my 93 for $3800 a few months ago. 150k, Fully loaded, heated seats, moonroof, trac, nakamichi.
Issues I had:
6 disc changer was dead
Door speakers were dead, replaced with Infinity's, added amps and a sub.
Other than that the car has been great, no issues whatsoever. The power antennae needs to be replaced/relubed. The right rear trailing arm/control arm bushing needs replacing, a few exhaust gaskets replaced and the left rear wheel bearing needs replacement. Rock solid car, people stare at it all day long.
Issues I had:
6 disc changer was dead
Door speakers were dead, replaced with Infinity's, added amps and a sub.
Other than that the car has been great, no issues whatsoever. The power antennae needs to be replaced/relubed. The right rear trailing arm/control arm bushing needs replacing, a few exhaust gaskets replaced and the left rear wheel bearing needs replacement. Rock solid car, people stare at it all day long.
01-03-06, 09:43 AM
#3
hey kemar....actually my 95 second gen has given me better gas mileage than my friend's maxima. as far as problems, all 10 to 15 yrs old cars have minor issues here and there, besides that it a great car and 6k is very high for a 92 ls400, i paid 8k for a 95 with 90k on it from the original owner!!
01-03-06, 03:26 PM
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*Selling party is the original owner? If not, how long has the current owner had it. . .how well has it been maintained. . .look over the service records. . .if he/she doesn't have them, that's a yellow or red flag.
*Consider paying for an inspection service. . .they should run you only $75-100. . .basically an independent (set up to do this. . .with a hoist). . .pops the hood and reviews the chassis and underside of the car. . .there's quite a bit he/she can tell this way. . .unless you already know how to do this yourself.
(Also. . .once you are a Lexus owner. . .you have the right to review the car's service records at any dealership although these electronic records will only highlight what's been done at authorized dealers.)
*Wow, on the 1992-95 LS400 quotes from Forum members. . .$3,800? to think I believed $5,325 for a 1993 LS400 (164K) was a "good deal". . .car was in great shape. . .and still I've sunk in another $3-4K in repairs, none of which were purely cosmetic.
*It is a "rare" find that the owner will part with a first generation LS400 in EXCELLENT shape for <$5-6K!
*Unless you are an incredibly resourceful and knowledgeable handyman/mechanic type (or know someone who is), be prepared to spend another $1-2K minimum in the first year to get the vehicle up to date. . .as the other responders are indirectly telling you. . .there "are" problems (however minor) with these cars whenever a private party is selling below a certain price. . .and possibly even if the price is right (because of age);
*The LS400 mileage is actually pretty good, despite the car's size and tonnage. . .combined city/hwy will yield you at least 20-22 MPG!
*Here are a few things you need to be aware of that could go bad at any time (or are now in need of replacement. . .the selling party probably knows this. . .which is why he/she is looking to sell the car now and have YOU pay for the repairs):
-CD Player (if moderate/heavy played. . .original equipment life is only about 10-12 years);
-LCD Climate Control/Clock Display (a problem with First Generation LS400s - now fixed);
-Worn/beaten down seat cushions and/or seat frames;
-Broken/popped out front side (L and/or R) wood paneling (a problem with First Generation);
-T-belt & W-pump replacement - not cheap - still one of the "achilles heel" for Japanese cars;
-Tune up/valve adjustments - definitely due every 60-90K ;
-Cluster panel display replacement - definitely not cheap (see a Forum Posting with this topic).
So pick ANY two or more of the above items. . .it will run you at least $1-2K in total.
On balance, this is still a great, economical way to pick up a terrific luxury car that will definitely go 300-400K+ in miles. . .just have your eyes open. . .cars break down. . .even Lexuses. . .and the older (>10 years) the more likely and frequently this will happen!
Hope this helps. . .good luck!
*Consider paying for an inspection service. . .they should run you only $75-100. . .basically an independent (set up to do this. . .with a hoist). . .pops the hood and reviews the chassis and underside of the car. . .there's quite a bit he/she can tell this way. . .unless you already know how to do this yourself.
(Also. . .once you are a Lexus owner. . .you have the right to review the car's service records at any dealership although these electronic records will only highlight what's been done at authorized dealers.)
*Wow, on the 1992-95 LS400 quotes from Forum members. . .$3,800? to think I believed $5,325 for a 1993 LS400 (164K) was a "good deal". . .car was in great shape. . .and still I've sunk in another $3-4K in repairs, none of which were purely cosmetic.
*It is a "rare" find that the owner will part with a first generation LS400 in EXCELLENT shape for <$5-6K!
*Unless you are an incredibly resourceful and knowledgeable handyman/mechanic type (or know someone who is), be prepared to spend another $1-2K minimum in the first year to get the vehicle up to date. . .as the other responders are indirectly telling you. . .there "are" problems (however minor) with these cars whenever a private party is selling below a certain price. . .and possibly even if the price is right (because of age);
*The LS400 mileage is actually pretty good, despite the car's size and tonnage. . .combined city/hwy will yield you at least 20-22 MPG!
*Here are a few things you need to be aware of that could go bad at any time (or are now in need of replacement. . .the selling party probably knows this. . .which is why he/she is looking to sell the car now and have YOU pay for the repairs):
-CD Player (if moderate/heavy played. . .original equipment life is only about 10-12 years);
-LCD Climate Control/Clock Display (a problem with First Generation LS400s - now fixed);
-Worn/beaten down seat cushions and/or seat frames;
-Broken/popped out front side (L and/or R) wood paneling (a problem with First Generation);
-T-belt & W-pump replacement - not cheap - still one of the "achilles heel" for Japanese cars;
-Tune up/valve adjustments - definitely due every 60-90K ;
-Cluster panel display replacement - definitely not cheap (see a Forum Posting with this topic).
So pick ANY two or more of the above items. . .it will run you at least $1-2K in total.
On balance, this is still a great, economical way to pick up a terrific luxury car that will definitely go 300-400K+ in miles. . .just have your eyes open. . .cars break down. . .even Lexuses. . .and the older (>10 years) the more likely and frequently this will happen!
Hope this helps. . .good luck!
01-03-06, 09:20 PM
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^
Thanks for the break down..Id rather spend 100.00 to find out whats wrong with my car before i get it instead of paying 3gs for a car plus 2k more to redeem it..Thanks alot!
I was looking through a few sites checking out prices on parts and I noticed how EXPENSIVE LEXUS AFTERMARKET PARTS ARE..WHOA!!
Thank you....
I hope I dont buy the WRONG LEXUS!
Thanks for the break down..Id rather spend 100.00 to find out whats wrong with my car before i get it instead of paying 3gs for a car plus 2k more to redeem it..Thanks alot!
I was looking through a few sites checking out prices on parts and I noticed how EXPENSIVE LEXUS AFTERMARKET PARTS ARE..WHOA!!
Thank you....
I hope I dont buy the WRONG LEXUS!
01-09-06, 06:09 AM
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my .02...
bought my 92 w/ 85k 3 years ago and am very pleased.
w/ that said, most everything that is mentioned here as common problems has happened to me--
climate control lcd,-- paid jim walker $300 and replaced myself
power steering pump-- did myself $200 and 14 hrs. just noticed yest it's leaking again a year later.
slight hesitation when accelerating under light load in SOME conditions/gas--
little sagging driver seat-- no fix
instrument needle on the tach was out-- no fix
all door speakers have blown and i replaced w/ sonys- $80
front ball joint- paid local mechanice $120 to fix
i get 19.5 mpg in back road driving... 22 - 24 on highway.
burn no oil and it runs perfectly.
hope this helps.
jc
bought my 92 w/ 85k 3 years ago and am very pleased.
w/ that said, most everything that is mentioned here as common problems has happened to me--
climate control lcd,-- paid jim walker $300 and replaced myself
power steering pump-- did myself $200 and 14 hrs. just noticed yest it's leaking again a year later.
slight hesitation when accelerating under light load in SOME conditions/gas--
little sagging driver seat-- no fix
instrument needle on the tach was out-- no fix
all door speakers have blown and i replaced w/ sonys- $80
front ball joint- paid local mechanice $120 to fix
i get 19.5 mpg in back road driving... 22 - 24 on highway.
burn no oil and it runs perfectly.
hope this helps.
jc
01-09-06, 08:26 AM
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I had a 90 LS for ~3 years. I bought it with 118,000 miles and sold it with aorund 180,000 miles.
Things mentioned above are all valid. Personally I would recommend the 1993/4 LS if you're looking to stay in the 1990-1994 generaiton. The 1993-4 cars has passenger airbags and larger wheels and brakes. The 1990-92 cars are fine, but 93-94 had a few 'improvements.'
The lower ball joints wear out and should be replaced along with the control arm bushings. The control arm bushings are available from TM Engineering (a vendor here). The dampener/shocks and possibly the springs should be replaced. There are also rear arms (?) that can be replaced with new bushings.
Change all fluids, power steering, coolant, differential fluid, transmission...
The climate control LCD will burn out eventually, there are replacement kits available but they are not 100% close (visually) to stock, but it provides the same functionality.
I drove my LS pretty hard and around 150,000 miles it started to burn oil. By 180,000 it was burning a LOT of oil, nearly a quart every 4-5 days.
The IAC valve started to wear out and gave me a strange throttle and idle symptoms. I think this is commonly mistaken as a MAF sensor problem.
http://planetsoarer.com/IAC/iac.htm
Most importantly, take the time to find an LS in GOOD condition, don't buy a junker unless you really want that..A decently cared for LS is usually in better condition.
If you're looking for a daily driver that runs OK, you'll need to spend about $2,000-$3,000. If you want to restore the car look at $7-$12K.
Things mentioned above are all valid. Personally I would recommend the 1993/4 LS if you're looking to stay in the 1990-1994 generaiton. The 1993-4 cars has passenger airbags and larger wheels and brakes. The 1990-92 cars are fine, but 93-94 had a few 'improvements.'
The lower ball joints wear out and should be replaced along with the control arm bushings. The control arm bushings are available from TM Engineering (a vendor here). The dampener/shocks and possibly the springs should be replaced. There are also rear arms (?) that can be replaced with new bushings.
Change all fluids, power steering, coolant, differential fluid, transmission...
The climate control LCD will burn out eventually, there are replacement kits available but they are not 100% close (visually) to stock, but it provides the same functionality.
I drove my LS pretty hard and around 150,000 miles it started to burn oil. By 180,000 it was burning a LOT of oil, nearly a quart every 4-5 days.
The IAC valve started to wear out and gave me a strange throttle and idle symptoms. I think this is commonly mistaken as a MAF sensor problem.
http://planetsoarer.com/IAC/iac.htm
Most importantly, take the time to find an LS in GOOD condition, don't buy a junker unless you really want that..A decently cared for LS is usually in better condition.
If you're looking for a daily driver that runs OK, you'll need to spend about $2,000-$3,000. If you want to restore the car look at $7-$12K.
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