1st Gen LS400 Owners - How much did you pay, How many miles, What condition?
09-19-20, 08:32 PM
#196
Driver School Candidate
That's an insanely good price! Okinawa makes me think you got it from someone in the service.
I got mine for $2000 with 284k miles. California cars are notoriously overpriced but I felt this one was worth it because it was meticulously serviced at a Lexus dealership up until the 2nd owner bought it at 230k miles. The second owner owned a collision repair shop and took really good care of it as well. I'm hopeful to hold onto this thing for many years!
I got mine for $2000 with 284k miles. California cars are notoriously overpriced but I felt this one was worth it because it was meticulously serviced at a Lexus dealership up until the 2nd owner bought it at 230k miles. The second owner owned a collision repair shop and took really good care of it as well. I'm hopeful to hold onto this thing for many years!
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GenkiLexus (09-20-20)
09-21-20, 08:51 AM
#197
Driver School Candidate
Bought my 99 brand new 21 years ago on September 22, 1999. Currently has 239,000 miles on the odometer and still drives better than anything else in the current market. I wonder how many original owners are out there. You've got me beat by 8 years!
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BNastee (02-07-22)
07-02-21, 07:45 PM
#199
Mom’s ‘96 LS400 Update
I like it when people come back and update. 
It'd be nice if you could hold off on the T-belt til 100K but (not recommended) at the rate you're driving it the car will be 30 yrs old. That's a long time for a belt to last, not to mention all the other parts (bearings and WP) that could seize up. Have you done any other work to it in the last 3 yrs, 30K miles?
It'd be nice if you could hold off on the T-belt til 100K but (not recommended) at the rate you're driving it the car will be 30 yrs old. That's a long time for a belt to last, not to mention all the other parts (bearings and WP) that could seize up. Have you done any other work to it in the last 3 yrs, 30K miles?Timing Belt Replacement
Idler Pulley Replacement
Tune up/Plug Change
Water Pump/Coolant Replacement
Drain and Fill Tranny Fluid
Replace Serpentine Belt
Realize that’s a long time to risk a reactive engine on a timing belt failure and a lot can happen in 32,000 miles. However, the above service will likely cost over $2000 on a car that is barely worth $3000 on Kelly Blue Book, even with low miles and in great shape. Plan on using a Dallas area Lexus Shop called Davenport Motors to handle this work when the time comes. Then hope I can get another 100,000 miles on it before the starter or ECU goes bad. I turn 67 this year, and plan to be driving this car until it’s my time to go to the nursing or funeral home.
Last edited by RobMac; 07-02-21 at 07:57 PM.
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BNastee (02-07-22)
02-07-22, 11:21 AM
#200
Just read parts of this forum and dang near cried. I just bought a '96 LS with just over 100k on it for $7,300 after sales tax. Wish I would've bought one 2 years ago when the market wasn't so inflated like it is now. Probably coulda got it for 4,500! 
However I do love my ls400 and it's been a dream car of mine since I was a kid, so I'm very happy with it!!
However I do love my ls400 and it's been a dream car of mine since I was a kid, so I'm very happy with it!!
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GenkiLexus (02-08-22),
RobMac (02-07-22)
02-07-22, 01:38 PM
#201
1996 ls400
Just read parts of this forum and dang near cried. I just bought a '96 LS with just over 100k on it for $7,300 after sales tax. Wish I would've bought one 2 years ago when the market wasn't so inflated like it is now. Probably coulda got it for 4,500!
However I do love my ls400 and it's been a dream car of mine since I was a kid, so I'm very happy with it!!
However I do love my ls400 and it's been a dream car of mine since I was a kid, so I'm very happy with it!!
02-14-22, 04:43 AM
#202
Anyone who owns one of these LS400 will tell you..."best car I have bought". I for one always wanted to tinker with the car...waited till prices and moderately used.
Bought my 97 Ls400 (Coach) with 134K in 2015. PD 4450. after negotiating with original owner.
Most all mechanical work was performed by me. lets see. front struts and control arms..all that steering rack r&r. rebuilt trans at 160K (shop did that)
starter, timing belt etc.etc. coils, a few sensors. Rear wheel bearings...oh yeah. that was fun !! replaced the upper control arms and coil overs.... what haven't I done, right?
I have learned so much working on this car. and with all the help reading about what everyone else has done i.e. problems and solutions.
bottom line. 196K. Got my prints on just about every bolt on this thing. Love my lil coach. cruises at 80-90 and get 22mpg on hwy. 26-27mpg if I keep my foot out of it.
Bought my 97 Ls400 (Coach) with 134K in 2015. PD 4450. after negotiating with original owner.
Most all mechanical work was performed by me. lets see. front struts and control arms..all that steering rack r&r. rebuilt trans at 160K (shop did that)
starter, timing belt etc.etc. coils, a few sensors. Rear wheel bearings...oh yeah. that was fun !! replaced the upper control arms and coil overs.... what haven't I done, right?
I have learned so much working on this car. and with all the help reading about what everyone else has done i.e. problems and solutions.
bottom line. 196K. Got my prints on just about every bolt on this thing. Love my lil coach. cruises at 80-90 and get 22mpg on hwy. 26-27mpg if I keep my foot out of it.
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Peacebay (02-14-22)
02-14-22, 10:23 AM
#203
Racer
First let me say that I am still loving this car! It may look a bit dated (BTW so do I!) but is so responsive yet smooth and quiet both in the city and on the highway. Now that I’m retired and it is my daily driver, I am finally putting some miles on it. I put at least 200 miles a week as a Meals on Wheels volunteer delivery driver and take regular road trips in Texas and Oklahoma. Mom got Meals on Wheels lunches the last 9 years of her life and I get some satisfaction using her old car to return the favor. Now have about 68,000 on the clock and other than a four wheel alignment, 5,000 mile tire rotations and full synthetic oil changes every 10,000 miles, the only service I had done was a brake fluid swap. The engine runs very smoothly and I am getting 17.5 to 22.5 MPG. Still plan on holding off 2-3 years until 100,000 miles to do the following:
Timing Belt Replacement
Idler Pulley Replacement
Tune up/Plug Change
Water Pump/Coolant Replacement
Drain and Fill Tranny Fluid
Replace Serpentine Belt
Realize that’s a long time to risk a reactive engine on a timing belt failure and a lot can happen in 32,000 miles. However, the above service will likely cost over $2000 on a car that is barely worth $3000 on Kelly Blue Book, even with low miles and in great shape. Plan on using a Dallas area Lexus Shop called Davenport Motors to handle this work when the time comes. Then hope I can get another 100,000 miles on it before the starter or ECU goes bad. I turn 67 this year, and plan to be driving this car until it’s my time to go to the nursing or funeral home.
Timing Belt Replacement
Idler Pulley Replacement
Tune up/Plug Change
Water Pump/Coolant Replacement
Drain and Fill Tranny Fluid
Replace Serpentine Belt
Realize that’s a long time to risk a reactive engine on a timing belt failure and a lot can happen in 32,000 miles. However, the above service will likely cost over $2000 on a car that is barely worth $3000 on Kelly Blue Book, even with low miles and in great shape. Plan on using a Dallas area Lexus Shop called Davenport Motors to handle this work when the time comes. Then hope I can get another 100,000 miles on it before the starter or ECU goes bad. I turn 67 this year, and plan to be driving this car until it’s my time to go to the nursing or funeral home.
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Lavoisier (02-15-22)
02-15-22, 12:13 PM
#204
First let me say that I am still loving this car! It may look a bit dated (BTW so do I!) but is so responsive yet smooth and quiet both in the city and on the highway. Now that I’m retired and it is my daily driver, I am finally putting some miles on it. I put at least 200 miles a week as a Meals on Wheels volunteer delivery driver and take regular road trips in Texas and Oklahoma. Mom got Meals on Wheels lunches the last 9 years of her life and I get some satisfaction using her old car to return the favor. Now have about 68,000 on the clock and other than a four wheel alignment, 5,000 mile tire rotations and full synthetic oil changes every 10,000 miles, the only service I had done was a brake fluid swap. The engine runs very smoothly and I am getting 17.5 to 22.5 MPG. Still plan on holding off 2-3 years until 100,000 miles to do the following:
Timing Belt Replacement
Idler Pulley Replacement
Tune up/Plug Change
Water Pump/Coolant Replacement
Drain and Fill Tranny Fluid
Replace Serpentine Belt
Realize that’s a long time to risk a reactive engine on a timing belt failure and a lot can happen in 32,000 miles. However, the above service will likely cost over $2000 on a car that is barely worth $3000 on Kelly Blue Book, even with low miles and in great shape. Plan on using a Dallas area Lexus Shop called Davenport Motors to handle this work when the time comes. Then hope I can get another 100,000 miles on it before the starter or ECU goes bad. I turn 67 this year, and plan to be driving this car until it’s my time to go to the nursing or funeral home.
Timing Belt Replacement
Idler Pulley Replacement
Tune up/Plug Change
Water Pump/Coolant Replacement
Drain and Fill Tranny Fluid
Replace Serpentine Belt
Realize that’s a long time to risk a reactive engine on a timing belt failure and a lot can happen in 32,000 miles. However, the above service will likely cost over $2000 on a car that is barely worth $3000 on Kelly Blue Book, even with low miles and in great shape. Plan on using a Dallas area Lexus Shop called Davenport Motors to handle this work when the time comes. Then hope I can get another 100,000 miles on it before the starter or ECU goes bad. I turn 67 this year, and plan to be driving this car until it’s my time to go to the nursing or funeral home.
With so few miles, if the paint and leather is still in good condition you could be anywhere from 6-12 grand in today's market.
The cheapest LS400 in the nation currently for sale with 176,000 miles is $5000.
Last edited by 400fanboy; 02-15-22 at 12:20 PM.
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BNastee (02-21-22)
02-21-22, 10:33 AM
#205
[QUOTE=
Plan on using a Dallas area Lexus Shop called Davenport Motors to handle this work when the time comes. Then hope I can get another 100,000 miles on it before the starter or ECU goes bad. I turn 67 this year, and plan to be driving this car until it’s my time to go to the nursing or funeral home.[/QUOTE]
Support the use of Davenport for this work. Have used them for both my Lexus and Toyota vehicles and have no problems. Congrats on the retirement and the service work you're doing. Greatly appreciated. Nice to find a volunteer position that allows you to use your Lexus.
Plan on using a Dallas area Lexus Shop called Davenport Motors to handle this work when the time comes. Then hope I can get another 100,000 miles on it before the starter or ECU goes bad. I turn 67 this year, and plan to be driving this car until it’s my time to go to the nursing or funeral home.[/QUOTE]
Support the use of Davenport for this work. Have used them for both my Lexus and Toyota vehicles and have no problems. Congrats on the retirement and the service work you're doing. Greatly appreciated. Nice to find a volunteer position that allows you to use your Lexus.
10-25-23, 06:53 PM
#207
Studs don't just snap off. Someone did some mickey mouse **** to that car. Sorry that happened to you.
10-26-23, 08:33 AM
#208
Pole Position
Funny thing, (not when it happened) I bought the car and instantly started having fun with it, drifting around every corner til I hit the highway. This was almost 40 years ago, before drifting was popular. After about 10 miles on the highway, I felt a shake from the rear end. So.....I kept driving.
When I got home, (about 40 miles) my friend that was following me said, "I kept seeing things shoot off the car". I looked at the rear tires and there was only one lugnut left on the right rear, 4 of them snapped off. Damn rust.
But yea Anthony, Sorry to hear your troubles. Hope it didn't cause too much damage to the car. It's nice when we find a 30 year old car with no rust. (mine has only surface rust on the undercarriage.)
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