nows the time to buy. Dealers will take anything. Unfortunately this is due to the virus.

 

Just so happens there is a 99 GS400, V8 motor, garage kept, just over 100k miles, not far from me. Clean looking. Car has spoiler on it, is that standard?
timing belt just done. good maintenance history.
any known problems? further input? just so I can get a feel for everything out there.
thanks

 

The 400s all had the spoiler.

Those cars are pretty solid, its just really old...if its a daily and all of a sudden you start driving it a lot, you're going to have stuff to take care of

 

He's a lexus fanatic, the car is garaged and clean, asking pocket $$$ for it, even if it just filled the gap till I find something newer. As long as engine and tranny are solid most everything else is easy fix.
and I don't really drive a lot, much less than 12k a year

 

Engine and tranny should be solid...but there is no escaping the fact that its 21 years old.

 

It's a 2nd Generation GS. You should ask around in the 2GS sub-forum for long-term owners of the V8 GS to give their input.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...1998-2005-184/

 

I agree with Blaze876 on the GS350; rock solid and a lot of update features. That being said, I have LS400 history:
1990 LS400 - totaled in a hail storm in 2012 at 245,000 miles.
1998 LS400 (replacement) in July 2012 with 171,000 one-owner mint condition dealer-maintained miles. Took me 3 months to find it. $6,400 (original owner paid $62,000). Wanted to upgrade to the first significant technological upgrade in the series. 2008-2010 got 5 speed transmission, VVTi, drive by wire. I replaced all struts, lower control arm bushings, motor and transmission mounts; a worthwhile investment. Now at 204,000 I just replaced timing belt and all front pulleys, S-belt tensioner, valve cover gaskets and front cam seals. The car is a beautiful (get lots of compliments) and totally reliable long range cruiser (30mpg @ 80mph-really). I looked at the LS430s, but in that model the car got fat, ugly and reliability has waned (a friend bought one and has all the usual issues). The LS400 does not have so much technology; it's "clean." Also has a massive moonroof, if you like that sort of thing.

LS400 notes: Never, ever get one with air suspension. Yes, the front suspension is complex and if you have to R&R upper control arms, they're like $450 each. The UZFE V8 is a legendary engine. The only sore point is the starter location: you'll be down to the block by the time you find it. Had to replace it on the 1990 - ouch! Other than that, a well-maintained high-mileage 2008-2010 will be an excellent buy and good daily driver. If I replaced it, I would likely go with the GS350.

BTW, in December I bought a mint condition 2005 SC430 with 100k miles. That originally sold for $64,000; picked it up for $10k.

 

Good point about the starter, thats a trouble point for the GS400 too

 

LS430 as well. Entire intake comes off, and someone just did the job on the 3rd gen forum, and doesn't work. there are connectors that are brittle and wires. The problem with the job is the poor quality of aftermarket parts, I had to do this 3X with my Nissan but that car is easy.

funny when doing the job one gets in a zone. When I did the plugs I thought, ah, what a funny place for a dipstick, no wonder so many people take their cars to the dealer and only 7/8 plugs are replaced (actually I think it's the rear pass side that's skipped).

 

My SC (basically same powertrain) had 103k when I bought her 2 years ago. The PO had rebuilt (???) the starter and the VVTi solenoid on the driver's side was replaced but I suspect the maintenance was sub-par on that car. Another issue is the alternator; the power steering pump leaks onto it frying the insides; I had this happen 5 days before I left for Europe and had the joy of paying my Mercedes indie to replace the alternator in my Lexus. Don't do that ($$$$). Again the GS forum would be a good place to sniff around but go drive it; see what condition it's in. Ask about the starter, power steering and alternator. If it's in good shape, has a maintainence history and you're ok with the occasional repair it might be a good choice depending on how much they are asking.

How much are they asking?

 

Having owned an LS400, LS430, and now an LS460, the LS400 remains the most iconic to me....especially the 98-00 as you have pictured here. That's a beautiful car you have, incredible ride, silent, reliable, and great point about the big moon roof!

 

If I had the garage space and a mint condition LS400 showed up wet and cold at my door I'd have a hard time turning it away. The LS430 shares some of those cars DNA but the Gen1 and Gen2 cars' look is going to become a classic.

 

i had an '00 gs400... drivetrain was bulletproof for 6 years and about 70k i think, despite abuse. i LOVED that car.

 

I wonder if the door handle style will go back to like the LS400. My 1998 Nissan is like that. If we look at steering wheels, they've gone from 3 to 4 to 3 to 4 to 3 spoke. Even a 2013 S63 AMG is 4 spoke, when a 2014 is 3. One would almost think the LS400 style is aerodynamic. Although functionally I like the current ones especially for opening with a smart key....

 

If you’ve never owned a Lexus just about any of them will feel comfortable and smooth not to mention very reliable with of course as any car a few kinks. Ls400 is a pain to replace the starter on the 1uz but it’s an incredibly smooth ride as are the ls430 and ls460 both very reliable/powerful/smooth. I currently drive a 2001 is300 and it’s very much a different car then LS and GS models you feel the road quite a bit more in the is lol the 1uzfe inside the ls400s and sc300s are amazing motors truly and if you’re gonna get an ls400 I’d say either 1990 or 1998+ because 1990 is classic and 1998 and newer have a lot more features/modernization with a hp upgrade as well