ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

hey there

i currently own a sc300, which i was in the process of hopping up, but now have changed my mind. i will keep the sc as my driver, and want to build a LS400 VIP style. not to much motor work, i pretty much want slammed, 19s/18s (whatever you recommend) and clear signals for now, body kit later.

so i have a few questions for you.

1)what year ls are best to get? i see plenty of 90-93 for under 8K...are those good years to get?

2)what are the typical problem areas i should look for on those cars, before i buy?

3)they vip style guys, do they slam it with springs or coilovers, and if so about how much should i spending here? ( i have never slammed a big car, so i want to know before i start the project)

4)i dont like the dual color body parts of the car, are there any years where single color was made? i notice black works best for VIP look. so is black or pearl white, you guys recommend?

5)i want black leather definitely, and want to know waht year is black leather available, and with what exterior color is black leather available. thanks for your help.

my current ride :

LOTC

93 is the most reliable. The only thing that usually go wrong with the LS's is the rear right bushing and the power steering pump. The VIP guys in Japan use either a air system or coilovers with fender mods. I would never use springs on the LS if you want to go VIP. You can paint the bottom portion of the body panel to match the upper part.

Here is a pic of my LS, but it is going to be taken apart later this year if I have the funds. I prefer White on White for the LS

LOTC

Here is my LS before with a more aggressive kit and different rims.

SQ-LS

Eric, you forgot to mention the LCD screen and A/C screens not working or being able to read.

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

thank you guys for your response

yeah i know all about the power steering pump and LCD screens because SC's have the same problem

ok 93 it is

so all of them come dual color? no single black colored lexus?

also how much will it be to usually paint the bottom part?

how do you know if the right rear bushing is out, while test driving, any signs to look for?
what kind of fender mods are you talking about?

i want it to sort of handle, so air ride system is not for me.

celcior--how come u took teh aggressive body kit off?
your car looks nice

ATSOU

I'm selling my 93 LS400.....check it out: www.sounddomain.com/id/kenjitsou. If u are interesting, let me know......since u are also in CA, it'll be easier to show u the car. I just change the timing belt and water pump about 6 months ago. And my LCD never broke down before so does my power steering pump. 93 LS is the most reliable year IMO.

LOTC

What I might by fender mods is that if you want to slam the front you will need to roll the fenders. Get some coilovers, it will be a worlds difference in the LS.

I crashed my car before thats way I took the aggressive kit off, plus now that I look at it, it never really looked right on the LS compared to the other VIP kits.

Ken, what are you planning to buy next?

ATSOU

Hey E......Narrow down to only two cars, 2001/2002 GS430 or 2000/2001 BMW 740iL Black. I might go for the 740iL.....Is that a stupid thought???

LOTC

Yes it is, stick with the Lex. We still have to meet up one of these days lol..

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

thanks guys

so the hunt for the 1993 begins

how much should i be paying for them? wahts the usual market rate?
i live part time in souther ca, and have a place in norther ca..so anywhere will do


requirements: black leather, black exterior

kenjitsou--your car is awesome!, but black only for me

ryanSC300lover

iTrader: (1)

also i notice a lot of the LS400s have had timing belt change at 60K

is that whats recommended? every 60k??

LOTC

I would look for a pirvate party, probably some old guy with a LS. If so it should be driven softly, also check the matienence records. As for the timing belt I changed mines when it was over 100k lol... but the engine is interference free so the internals will not be damaged.

Lvangundy

Timing belt - I went 120K on mine and it was very lightly cracked. I'm also not in a harsh weather environment.

1990-1994 - 90K-100K miles for timing belt replacement. I've heard more that the first gen 1uz-fe engine is non-interferance than it being interferance type.

1995-199x(?) - Timing belt at 60K. Interferance type engine.

This is just what I've heard from different independant shops. Don't know about any truth.

LOTC

Well I saw a chart of the non interferance motor at my Lexus mechanic and he was the one who told me, I did not even know.

Anways Lee, the JICs on the LS makes the difference in the world. I took some street turn at 50mph and it barley rolled but its too fast for my blood. Also my tire widths of 19x8.5 in the front and 19x10 in the rear helps out a little too. The injen intake should be here tommorow. I am glad you like your current exhaust setup. Any vids yet?

Lvangundy

I'll take one.

Glad you're enjoying your coilovers. I wish I had some interest in this car otherwise I''d go for it.

I'm going to go GS400 someday. Hopefully before the end of the year. LS is too slow and doens't have the handling I want. Besides, like ryanSC300lover I want black on black.

This wasn't available until 1993 anyway.