urbs4

Hello all - JUST signed up. My son is asking me to go with him to look at a pair of LS's today - a 1991 w/ 140K miles, and a 1994 with 195K. He is looking to purchase his first car (he is 21 and just separated from the Navy). I know nothing about pitfalls specific to Lexus (if any - my initial research indicates these are fairly stout and reliable cars if maintained). Has anyone ever posted a list of items to look at when looking over a possible purchase ? If not - are there any things i should focus on that would make or break a purchase ? I am assuming neither of these guys will be the original owners, and thus not know if the timing belt has been replaced, so we are taking that into consideration - but - are there other areas i should concern myself with ? Thanks in advance ! urbs4

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

yes, links to common issues are found in the stickies (links at the top of the LS400 forum). You would need the UCF1x FAQ.

maintenance is key. An abused LS can become a money pit but if reasonably maintained they drive better than most other vehicles in a similar price range with maintenance being alright as well.

LScowboyLS

although the LS400 is the one of the most reliable vehicles ever made, these are still 20-23 year-old automobiles you are looking at, so they are going to have some issues, such as PS leaks, tranny mount (easy fix), lower EGR pipe, ECU capacitors, strut bar bushings, upper control arms, and others. - the trick is, don't spend the entire budget on the car, set back about $1500 or so for tires, and some of the items mentioned above.

my rule of thumb is:

how they took care of the exterior and interior of the car tells you a lot about how they likely took care of the drivetrain - and nothing is a better overall barometer of cosmetic condition than the driver's seat, the first thing to go!

also, keep in mind that LS400 got substantial generational improvements in '95 and '98 (especially '98) - so like if there was a '94 and a '95 that were about the same price, I would likely go for the '95, all else being equal.

make sure to do an Autocheck on the car (more reliable than a CarFax)

PS - one advantage of '94 and earlier models is that if the timing belt should break on those, you are just stranded, but the engine is at least not toast!

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

the two you mentioned, 91 & 94, choose the 94, many improvements over 91.. and like cowboy said 95+ is the way to go if you can..