Intro Post
01-25-11, 09:58 AM
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Intro Post
Hi Folks,
I just bought my first Lexus yesterday...a 1993 LS400 with only 71k miles on it. Pearl/grey exterior, tan leather interior. It's in awesome shape with a perfect body (no dings or scratches) and nearly perfect interior (only some stretched stitching behind the rear seats). It does have a few minor issues, which I think are mainly associated with age and a long period of time in storage/disuse. I will be correcting these issues soon.
This is my first "practical" car. Historically I've been exclusively a sportscar enthusiast, most of my cars are small, lightweight two seater sportscars (Miata, Lotus Exige, Ariel Atom). I'm really looking forward to enjoying the luxury of this Lexus and getting to know another side of the car enthusiast hobby.
When I was looking for an LS400, I really gravitated towards the first gen LS's because I like their understated lines and design. I consider myself very fortunate to have found such a low mile LS400, and after some stringent negotiations was able to purchase it for a very fair price, too. This particular LS is a time machine...no dings, excellent paint, the interior is nearly perfect. Awesome!
At this point I'll be mainly using the forum as a place where I can do some research into DIY maintenance and care for the LS. It'll also help me in solving some of the minor issues I've found with the car, as well as developing some vendor knowledge (where to buy the cool stuff for it as well as specialized services).
As for my plans for the LS, it's such a clean example that I don't want to get too radical with it. Maybe update/modernize the existing stereo system, install UV/infrared blocking tint for the windows, polish the OEM rims or swap them out with polished OEM rims...and perhaps install VIP curtains. However, not looking to much more than that. Not planning to lower it, not going to stance it or install aftermarket wheels, or do any mechanical upgrade mods (unless it makes the car more reliable).
Looking forward to hanging with you folks! I'm also very open to suggestions or tips you may have for me. Thanks!
-David Woolery
I just bought my first Lexus yesterday...a 1993 LS400 with only 71k miles on it. Pearl/grey exterior, tan leather interior. It's in awesome shape with a perfect body (no dings or scratches) and nearly perfect interior (only some stretched stitching behind the rear seats). It does have a few minor issues, which I think are mainly associated with age and a long period of time in storage/disuse. I will be correcting these issues soon.
This is my first "practical" car. Historically I've been exclusively a sportscar enthusiast, most of my cars are small, lightweight two seater sportscars (Miata, Lotus Exige, Ariel Atom). I'm really looking forward to enjoying the luxury of this Lexus and getting to know another side of the car enthusiast hobby.
When I was looking for an LS400, I really gravitated towards the first gen LS's because I like their understated lines and design. I consider myself very fortunate to have found such a low mile LS400, and after some stringent negotiations was able to purchase it for a very fair price, too. This particular LS is a time machine...no dings, excellent paint, the interior is nearly perfect. Awesome!
At this point I'll be mainly using the forum as a place where I can do some research into DIY maintenance and care for the LS. It'll also help me in solving some of the minor issues I've found with the car, as well as developing some vendor knowledge (where to buy the cool stuff for it as well as specialized services).
As for my plans for the LS, it's such a clean example that I don't want to get too radical with it. Maybe update/modernize the existing stereo system, install UV/infrared blocking tint for the windows, polish the OEM rims or swap them out with polished OEM rims...and perhaps install VIP curtains. However, not looking to much more than that. Not planning to lower it, not going to stance it or install aftermarket wheels, or do any mechanical upgrade mods (unless it makes the car more reliable).
Looking forward to hanging with you folks! I'm also very open to suggestions or tips you may have for me. Thanks!
-David Woolery
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01-25-11, 12:30 PM
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I think the first few things I want to do are:
-Replace all 4 brake rotors (open to suggestions for a good brand and where to get them)
-Find someone to swap the aftermarket cold air intake kit (currently installed on the car) with a stock setup. I want the engine bay to be OEM.
-Do a preemptive timing belt/water pump change. I figure the timing belt might need to be changed simply because of age by now.
Last edited by mrwoolery; 01-25-11 at 12:41 PM.
01-25-11, 12:54 PM
#11
Hi David,
Welcome to club Lexus!
A LS400 with 71k miles, that is gold!! Congrats!
I think a lot of car enthusiast go this route, sports cars at younger age, then luxury car when we are more mature. I went from Celica -> R34 GTR -> WRX STi -> LS430 then I needed something sporty for the weekend so I got a SC430.
Do you mind sharing the few minor issues you are having with your LS400? It is always good to know these kind of things
Welcome to club Lexus!
A LS400 with 71k miles, that is gold!! Congrats!
I think a lot of car enthusiast go this route, sports cars at younger age, then luxury car when we are more mature. I went from Celica -> R34 GTR -> WRX STi -> LS430 then I needed something sporty for the weekend so I got a SC430.
Do you mind sharing the few minor issues you are having with your LS400? It is always good to know these kind of things
01-25-11, 03:55 PM
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Hi David,
Welcome to club Lexus!
A LS400 with 71k miles, that is gold!! Congrats!
I think a lot of car enthusiast go this route, sports cars at younger age, then luxury car when we are more mature. I went from Celica -> R34 GTR -> WRX STi -> LS430 then I needed something sporty for the weekend so I got a SC430.
Do you mind sharing the few minor issues you are having with your LS400? It is always good to know these kind of things
Welcome to club Lexus!
A LS400 with 71k miles, that is gold!! Congrats!
I think a lot of car enthusiast go this route, sports cars at younger age, then luxury car when we are more mature. I went from Celica -> R34 GTR -> WRX STi -> LS430 then I needed something sporty for the weekend so I got a SC430.
Do you mind sharing the few minor issues you are having with your LS400? It is always good to know these kind of things
I have the interesting habit of keeping just about every car that I've ever bought. I still have my first car, a 1990 Miata, which I've modified extensively. I also have an Ariel Atom, a Lotus Exige, a '71 Dodge Charger, and an '88 MR2. Unfortunately the MR2 got rearended in November and is being totalled out, which prompted my buying the LS400 as my new daily driver.
As for the issues I'm facing with the car, here's what I've found so far that need to be corrected:
-Brake rotors need to be replaced (warped or runout issues). I'm ordering these and will be replacing them myself.
-There's evidence of an oil leak(s) somewhere in the front lower half of the engine. I think it's caused by gasket rot from sitting so long. I plan to have a Lexus specialist go over the engine and correct this when I have the timing belt done. I'm open to any suggestions for where to go for this service (if anyone know a really good shop, let me know).
-Fuel gauge doesn't work (usually just says E, but wildly fluctuates between E and F occasionally).
-Speedo and Tach don't work until the car warms up. Once warm they work fine.
-Speedo needle only partially illuminates.
-The clear lens portion of the gauge bezel is cracked. I'm looking to replace that piece. If anyone is selling, I'm buying.
-I'm not sure I trust the coolant gauge yet...it indicates, though it's showing slightly cool engine temps.
-The master power window switch doesn't work for all the windows. It'll roll down the rears, but won't raise them. It doesn't work at all for the front passenger window.
-The front passenger window switch doesn't work, either. It may be that the motor, switch, or regulator is bad.
-There are a couple of seams starting to get to the point where they might split on the top of the back seats. I'll be taking the car to an upholstery shop to correct this before they actually split.
-There's an aftermarket cold air intake installed on the car that I want to swap back to an OEM air intake (anyone wanna swap)?
I plan to remove the gauge cluster and send it out to have all the gauge issues corrected, tested, etc. so I'm not too worried about that. Seems that most of the issues are electrical (as I would've expected), and the engine issues will be easily dealt with in the course of some preventative maintenance (doing the timing belt).
I think the car will be totally awesome in no time.
Last edited by mrwoolery; 01-25-11 at 04:02 PM.
01-26-11, 03:16 PM
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Well, all the gauge cluster issues will be corrected soon. I placed an order for a replacement lens (cracked), and will be getting all the gauges/needles/LCD's corrected over the next couple of weeks. I also have replacement brake rotors on order...
Next is to find a fix for the power windows, and then get the timing belt stuff taken care of.
Next is to find a fix for the power windows, and then get the timing belt stuff taken care of.