bahbay

Greetings and best wishes to all forum members and visitors,

I have a 96 LS 400 that recently shorted out the wires in the driver's side visor/mirror area. In my efforts to locate the short, I over-fused the circuit to keep juice flowing to the still-working elements of the circuit. *MISTAKE* When I finally did locate the short and took it to my trusty wrench for repair, he pointed out that, in addition to the short at the visor, I had fried the wires traversing the headliner to the map light/interior light and passenger vanity light areas. Sooo, don't do this.
I have read here that a common short site is the trunk lid bracket - no prob there just yet. So I thought I should alert you all to the possibility of the visor area for potential problems.

Although I am relatively new to Club Lexus, I have owned my LS 400 since July of '06 when I purchased it 10 years old with 96k on the clock. It is 100 miles short of 193k today and, other than regular preventive maintainance, has been relatively trouble free. I get rattles and pings here and there occasionally, but nothing that has stopped me from trusting it.

This summer we did a 6,700 mile loop of the States and averaged 27.74 MPG overall. I am eyeing the various threads pertinent to the LS 400 and learning alot. At first I was thinking in terms of replacing it with a 430 but then started thinking more along the lines of extending the experience with this one as long as possible first. It looks like a new (to me) ride can be found in a matter of weeks so I 'm not worried about that.

Anyway, looks like I'm running on now so I will close with gratitude to those of you who have gone on ahead and taken the time to share your experience.

Bob
Central California

CBAILEY629

the LS400 is a great car. i have a customer with a 94 with 600k on it. (94 LS400 was one of the best years)

if you decide to upgrade the 04-06 LS430 is the next best thing. dont get a 460, good car but more problem (and more expensive problems) than the LS430.

bahbay

Thanks for the 430 info.
Wikipedia (for what it's worth) rates the 430 models by year as follows:

01 -1st
06 - 2nd
02 - 3rd
05 - 4th
03 -5th
04 - 6th

Since I am so new, I don't pretend to know anything. I'm sure there are a variety of opinions hanging around this site.
Sure would like to hear some of them...

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Thanks for reporting in on your trusty LS. The second gen is well documented and there are plenty of ways to keep these well built cars on the roads even longer. In spite of your minor electrical gremlin, with due care, the engine and drive line are capable of many-many more miles. In that regard, you have trusty car to rely on.

The 430 is an equally fantastic car and it has a set of problems unique to it. The 430 section and FAQ there will provide additional insight if you are considering a replacement.If you want the improved safety standards or more interior and trunk space, the 430 seems huge in comparison.

Personally, I say stick with your LS400. Getting the MPG you post is

CBAILEY629

i work at a lexus dealership and am just going off what i see and hear on a daily basis. if i talk to the technicians that have been there for 20 years they say the 1994 LS400 is "hands down the best lexus ever made," thats coming from the guy thats been working on them almost as long as i've been alive.

bahbay

WOW!

THANKS!
I put much more credibility in the opinion of someone working in the field than someone manning a keyboard.

I've seen some atractive 04s that I shied away from cuz of the wikipedia deal. You have changed my mind and I thank you.

Do you, by any chance, have a preference for the remaining years of the 430? A non-wikipedia ranking?

Sc0pe

iTrader: (1)

The general consensus with buying older cars is to get the latest year of that particular generation, as most of the issues that have plagued previous model years would have been dealt with and you typically get new features as an added bonus. See if you can nab an Ultra Luxury-spec LS430, as those seem to hold their value fairly well. Another thing to look for is for good routine maintenance and that the timing belt and water pump have been replaced (if it's a high-miler). At least that's how it is with the LS400s.

Gene01

The only problem I am aware with on the '04 LS430s is the transmission recall. If the service records show that it was done, it is very little different from the 05 and 06. The general advice to get the latest year of your favorite model is sound.
P. S. You can get the records of all service performed by a Lexus dealer from their web site.

CBAILEY629

i would say look for an 06. check to see if the T-Belt was replaced. the only problem i see with them is the front lower control arm bushings go bad. they are a hollow rubber bushing filled with a hydraulic oil, the rubber starts to dry rot and then the oil leaks out.