1994 LS400 for $800 - Should I buy it?
03-15-10, 08:12 PM
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1994 LS400 for $800 - Should I buy it?
Hello club Lexus forum members, I'm new here, although I have been looking around the forums for the last couple days...
So I have a friend who has a license to buy cars from repo auctions. A couple of days ago he showed up at my doorstep with a 1994 Lexus LS400! Here's a few pictures of it:
He told me that he could get it from the auction for $800-$900!! I was very surprised and thought this to be an amazing deal. I have 10 days to decide if I want it or not. It is on a temporary registration right now and will need to be returned in 10 days.
So today I took the car to the mechanic to have it looked at. He did find a few problems with it, most importantly a heavily leaking coolant valve. It was leaking so bad that coolant was dripping down the hose into the passenger seat floor! A picture:
Along with that, the timing belt is due for a replacement. And the car pulls heavily to the right when driving.
Those are the main mechanical problems. Besides that, both seats have the problem where they recline on only one side, the dash does not light up, the fuel gauge seems to magically travel from 1/4 tank to 1/2 while driving and the interior lights do not light up while the door is open.
So, do you guys think this is a good deal? I am currently a student and don't have too much money to spend on repairs, but I am willing to spend about $1000 if needed. I've sort of fallen in love with this car, and really would like to buy it...
Thanks everybody! sorry for the extremely large pictures by the way
So I have a friend who has a license to buy cars from repo auctions. A couple of days ago he showed up at my doorstep with a 1994 Lexus LS400! Here's a few pictures of it:
He told me that he could get it from the auction for $800-$900!! I was very surprised and thought this to be an amazing deal. I have 10 days to decide if I want it or not. It is on a temporary registration right now and will need to be returned in 10 days.
So today I took the car to the mechanic to have it looked at. He did find a few problems with it, most importantly a heavily leaking coolant valve. It was leaking so bad that coolant was dripping down the hose into the passenger seat floor! A picture:
Along with that, the timing belt is due for a replacement. And the car pulls heavily to the right when driving.
Those are the main mechanical problems. Besides that, both seats have the problem where they recline on only one side, the dash does not light up, the fuel gauge seems to magically travel from 1/4 tank to 1/2 while driving and the interior lights do not light up while the door is open.
So, do you guys think this is a good deal? I am currently a student and don't have too much money to spend on repairs, but I am willing to spend about $1000 if needed. I've sort of fallen in love with this car, and really would like to buy it...
Thanks everybody! sorry for the extremely large pictures by the way
03-15-10, 08:19 PM
#2
that car needs a decent amount of work...TB costs around 800-1200 depending on where u go.
front and rear bumper needs some paint, driver rear door looks scraped. passenger rear door doesnt fit/close right. trunk looks like its a diff color, passenger fender looks off.
front and rear bumper needs some paint, driver rear door looks scraped. passenger rear door doesnt fit/close right. trunk looks like its a diff color, passenger fender looks off.
03-15-10, 08:19 PM
#4
honestly unless youre ready to spend a good $3000 on maintenance and overall repairs dont do it.
If you are a student DO NOT purchase this car. I was a student when i purchased my LS4 and i simply couldnt keep up with repairs. Luckily i had another car.
This ls just looks beat up.
If you are a student DO NOT purchase this car. I was a student when i purchased my LS4 and i simply couldnt keep up with repairs. Luckily i had another car.
This ls just looks beat up.
03-15-10, 08:21 PM
#5
also do NOT make a hasty decision! Research, look around, you will find much cleaner ones in the 1500-2000 range.
if you buy this car, and regret it later, dont say i didnt say so. Im just around the 3k mark in repairs and maintenance... on TOP of what i paid for it
if you buy this car, and regret it later, dont say i didnt say so. Im just around the 3k mark in repairs and maintenance... on TOP of what i paid for it
03-15-10, 08:25 PM
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Well, I don't really care about it looking nice at the moment. But besides cosmetic issues, i don't think the car will take too much to get running correctly. If I don't worry about the cosmetic issues, what do you think?
03-15-10, 08:25 PM
#7
myles....do yourself a favor.......as much as you may want this car......run away from it as quick as possible.......this car will definitely cost you 1,000's to put back in descent running order.....
5ofakind
5ofakind
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03-15-10, 08:56 PM
#8
With the fitment issues and the fact that it pulls to the right, tells me it's been in an accident. I agree with 5ofakind, pass on it.
Depending on where you're at in NV, keep an eye on the craigslist listings for LS400s, you may find a better one and still be able to afford it.
Depending on where you're at in NV, keep an eye on the craigslist listings for LS400s, you may find a better one and still be able to afford it.
03-15-10, 09:21 PM
#10
mylesmyles PLEASE take my advice, hit me up on a PM or something if u wanna chat. If you are on a budget the ls400 is NOT the car for you. I have saved hundreds just by having close friends as very reputable mechanics but that does not change the fact of how much it costs to maintain these things. Sure when they run , they run good... but its costly. Dont you notice most of the threads in the ls400 section have to do with maintenance and repair? Thats the only reason i come here! LOL
03-15-10, 09:22 PM
#11
Cosmetic problems can show you how much the previous owners really 'cared' about the car you want to buy. They probably 'cared' enough not to do any real maintenance too. Its gona be a money pit. Whoever inherits this car from me from a sale or whatever is gona inherit one hell of a maintained car since i did almost every single major thing these cars need to run like normal again
