Thinking about buying an LS
03-16-11, 10:45 PM
#1
Thinking about buying an LS
Hello guys, I'm from the 3rd gen section but have recently got the bug to purchase an older LS to fix up as a show car. I have been looking at the 98-00 body style. I have found a couple but just wanted some input from you guys on which year I should lean towards, mileage, any major issues or concerns I should look for or ask about. I'm looking to spend between 6k - 9.5k. Currently I have found a couple with 140+ miles but looking to spend on the lower end of my price range only because I am going to do some major upgrades (air, audio system etc....) Your input is helpful.
Thanks.
Thanks.
03-16-11, 11:32 PM
#2
maint. records for any LS, but especially for a 98-00 are key. most things you will be able to find by searching which as a 3 year vet you should already be familiar with 
here are a couple key points for a 98-00 LS400:
-Timing belt/water pump are every 90k miles (IMPORTANT since this is an interference motor)
-make sure trans has toyota t-iv fluid or equivalent
-no major clunks from the suspension, though some are ok (ie-front strut rods are a simple fix, but ~80-200usd)
-Upper ball joints f+r are NOT cheap to fix
-tilt/telescope on steering column had TSBs, make sure both fxns work.
-make sure the fronts have the nice big 4pot calipers (yes, i have seen them swapped with 1piston calipers from the old LS)
-no ABS/VSC lights on dash
-dash works right (no lighting issues, overly sticky needles)
-door lock actuators work (power door locks, cheap but annoying to fix)
-driver's side door handle sometimes cracks
there's more but it's been covered. the 98-00 is mostly dependable, and since you're going to replace a lot anyways i went past the well known stuff.
here are a couple key points for a 98-00 LS400:
-Timing belt/water pump are every 90k miles (IMPORTANT since this is an interference motor)
-make sure trans has toyota t-iv fluid or equivalent
-no major clunks from the suspension, though some are ok (ie-front strut rods are a simple fix, but ~80-200usd)
-Upper ball joints f+r are NOT cheap to fix
-tilt/telescope on steering column had TSBs, make sure both fxns work.
-make sure the fronts have the nice big 4pot calipers (yes, i have seen them swapped with 1piston calipers from the old LS)
-no ABS/VSC lights on dash
-dash works right (no lighting issues, overly sticky needles)
-door lock actuators work (power door locks, cheap but annoying to fix)
-driver's side door handle sometimes cracks
there's more but it's been covered. the 98-00 is mostly dependable, and since you're going to replace a lot anyways i went past the well known stuff.
03-17-11, 12:25 AM
#3
maint. records for any LS, but especially for a 98-00 are key. most things you will be able to find by searching which as a 3 year vet you should already be familiar with
here are a couple key points for a 98-00 LS400:
-Timing belt/water pump are every 90k miles (IMPORTANT since this is an interference motor)
-make sure trans has toyota t-iv fluid or equivalent
-no major clunks from the suspension, though some are ok (ie-front strut rods are a simple fix, but ~80-200usd)
-Upper ball joints f+r are NOT cheap to fix
-tilt/telescope on steering column had TSBs, make sure both fxns work.
-make sure the fronts have the nice big 4pot calipers (yes, i have seen them swapped with 1piston calipers from the old LS)
-no ABS/VSC lights on dash
-dash works right (no lighting issues, overly sticky needles)
-door lock actuators work (power door locks, cheap but annoying to fix)
-driver's side door handle sometimes cracks
there's more but it's been covered. the 98-00 is mostly dependable, and since you're going to replace a lot anyways i went past the well known stuff.
here are a couple key points for a 98-00 LS400:
-Timing belt/water pump are every 90k miles (IMPORTANT since this is an interference motor)
-make sure trans has toyota t-iv fluid or equivalent
-no major clunks from the suspension, though some are ok (ie-front strut rods are a simple fix, but ~80-200usd)
-Upper ball joints f+r are NOT cheap to fix
-tilt/telescope on steering column had TSBs, make sure both fxns work.
-make sure the fronts have the nice big 4pot calipers (yes, i have seen them swapped with 1piston calipers from the old LS)
-no ABS/VSC lights on dash
-dash works right (no lighting issues, overly sticky needles)
-door lock actuators work (power door locks, cheap but annoying to fix)
-driver's side door handle sometimes cracks
there's more but it's been covered. the 98-00 is mostly dependable, and since you're going to replace a lot anyways i went past the well known stuff.
08-30-19, 05:30 PM
#4
Driver School Candidate
Definitely go for the gen 2.5 (aka series IV) '99-'00. Newer capacitors. More available parts. Best engineering before the 430 which, I agree, doesn't look as good.
08-30-19, 06:21 PM
#5
Intermediate
If its a show car then try to get a 1990 or 1991. The 98-00 is the better daily of them all. I'm pretty new though. But if I was you I would shoot for a fully loaded older one.
The following users liked this post:
bradland (08-30-19)
08-30-19, 09:40 PM
#7
Racer
Can't go wrong with any year really. Personally I'd like a 92 or 94
Trending Topics
08-31-19, 08:08 PM
#10
Racer
09-01-19, 04:39 PM
#11
Pole Position
First thing I thought.Correct.
But to a point. There's gotta be hundreds of these threads asking what to look for and what's better if ya search so giving an answer to an 8 yr old question that has already been answered 8 yrs ago doesn't seem right. At this point it starts to be an opinion thread on who likes what yr LS.Just pointing out something I've noticed alot lately.
09-02-19, 02:39 PM
#12
09-05-19, 03:14 PM
#14
Racer
09-06-19, 05:07 PM
#15
Lexus Champion
Nah I think Bitcoin then to now would have been a better investment. But as they say, if me auntie had a pair of bollocks, she’d be me uncle!
