Crybicki

So I thought I would share this with you all since I am still in shock over the discovery.

I bought my 92 LS400 at an auction for $1900 in July of 2014 (My second LS400). When I bought it, the car's odometer read 89,000. I KNEW that was incorrect because I could see scrapes on the ticker where someone used a screwdriver to change it. However the car seemed to be in really great condition and so I just went with it. Looking at the new car, I figured it had around 175ish or so because of its condition.

I entered my VIN into Drivers.Lexus.com website just a few minutes ago to look up the service history and wow did I get a slap in the face! The last dealer report was in May of 2006 and the mileage was entered at 205,479!! There are no reports after that.
Overall the car is still in great condition, I just finished rebuilding the interior, changed it from grey to tan. Also had the transmission rebuilt last month. All it needs right now is CV axles, tire rods, and maybe the fuel injectors replaced.

Anyways, 9 years of driving after it's last report, what do you think? Approaching 400k probably? I haven't fixed the odometer yet but have been keeping track of what I put on it since July.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

How would you fix the Odometer? Any number would just be a random one. That's roughly 14k a year since the last reading.

Crybicki

Well, I can't necessarily "fix" the odometer as I do not have the correct mileage. But I need to get it set at something so I can track it properly. I have put about 9k on it since July. Once I think I have an accurate mileage for it, I will set the odometer at that. I am not sure what else to do about it.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Well technically that would be illegal but I understand your dilemma. Have you thought that maybe the Previous owner had a used engine put into the car and had the odometer adjusted accordingly?

Crybicki

The engine is original, I have already matched the VIN numbers up. I know it's illegal but it would be worse to have no mileage tracking at all on the car. Also, I didn't mention this but when I bought the car and it read 89,000, the odometer did not work. The numbers did not turn at all, I assume because they tampered with it. I replaced the odometer with one from the junkyard but have not set the mileage on this one yet because I don't know what to set it at.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

oh ok, On my 90 the odometer went out at 161k and I was still a couple of years away from the knowledge I have garnered on this site. What mileage did you register the car?

Scratchy

Florida, like Illinois, doesn't care what the mileage says if the car is over 10 years old.

I did the same thing, OP. and also knew the mileage was wrong before buying. Ended up having 270k. I'm not too worried since I don't drive much. I put 400 miles on it since I bought it 2 months ago.

Kingsoup

Crazy!!! that is pretty high!

Stereorob

ive seen this a few times. im guessing the cluster was replaced sometime in its past.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Ok that clears some things up for me.

Scratchy

I'm not sure how emissions feels about it though. I haven't had mine tested since I bought it yet but they usually write down the mileage, so hoping I don't get dinged.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

crazy story, sorry to hear but glad you are still keeping it. usually here in cali we are only obligated to register up to 100k between title transfers. anything after is really up in the air.

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

As long as you specify "EXEMPT" on the title paperwork. If you want "original" or "true" mileage, you'd better have the correct mileage.

Crybicki

Thank you for all the replies! I registered it as exempt so fortunately the only concern is getting the mileage right for me, not the DMV. I'm still satisfied with the car. Im thinking that I will put it at 315K or so. Once I get the Carfax report on it, that should get me a better idea of where it stands.

ffcgary1

Some cars ecu's store the mileage as well as the odometer, so it might be worth checking with lexus if that is the case, then you will be able to correct to almost the true mileage, also the odometer is the distance the car has travelled not the engine for legal reasons, so if the engine had been changed and the owner at the time had it reset to the lower figure he has broken the law.
( well here anyway )
Gary.