skidude

I want to buy my first LS and need some advice. I found a private-party '98 I like. It has 106k and in decent shape. No apparent body work, I confirmed with the Lexus dealer that the 90k mile service was done in November (timing belt, water pump, drive belt)...is anything else done at that time like oil change, tuneup...? Asking price is $13,500 but I don't know if these cars tend to sell at or below bluebook value. The bluebook value is $13,275 for excel, $12,325 for good and $11,025 for fair.

My concerns are about the history and transmission. The current owner bought it two years ago in the San Francisco area (but lives in Roseville 130 miles inland) and knows nothing more than that. Further, he said he has kept no records during his ownership. I test drove it with these observations. While parked I slowly increased RPM - there was a roughness or vibration around 1800-2,200 and smooth otherwise. Also when driving the the motor seemed to rev up a little a couple of times while shifting into 2nd or 3rd gear. Is this normal? I'm concerned that this may indicate a worn out transmission. How long do these transmissions typically last and how much is a new one?

Finally, there is some corrosion in the nooks an crannies of the chrome wheels where they don't get washed. Also some hazy, cloudy look with rough pitted surface on the outside headlight an parking light lenses. Can anything be done for this? A full set is$1,000 from the dealer. I suppose the headlight issue could be caused from salt air or sun exposure.

Would it be advisable to pay the dealer for a checkup and/or order a carfax or is that less than helpful?

Thanks a lot for enduring this lenghy post but I'm new to Lexus.

braheem

iTrader: (4)

The car typically keeps it's price well, especially if it has a nivagation and HID, I sold my 98LS400 HID, NAV with 140K miles 2 years ago for $16,500. The 16,500 price was for a quick sale I could have probably waited and got $18,500.

I dont know about the shaking while @ 1800-2200 RPM, I do howver know that the transmission is VERY smooth, if you are feeling ANYTHING during shifts it is not normal. Transmissions on that car will easily last 300K, I am not a fan of transmission repairs or replacement once a transmission is repaired it is never the same I have a LOT of experience with this DO NOT MESS WITH A TRANSMISSION.

Hopefully there's nothing wrong with it, Good luck.

Ibrahim

Kansas

The vibration you noticed could be caused by worn engine and tranmission mounts -- I began to notice similar vibration on a previous LS when it passed about 100K miles and the mounts were the cause.

You might get a Lexus dealer to see if services were performed at a Lexus dealer. I don't know if this is commonly done but the local Lexus dealer checked for me and confirmed that all the services were dealer performed and up-to-date when I purchased my current LS from a non-Lexus dealer.

One odd thing I have noticed about my similar 00 LS is that the engine rpms are sometimes excessively high before the transmission shifts -- this only happens when the engine is cold. A Lexus dealer rep told me that this is normal -- something about protecting the VVTi valves from damage until the engine warms up enough. After driving a few blocks, the transmission shifts normally.

Be sure you get the options you want! Lots of 98's didn't have HID and aftermarket HID does not compare very well with the OEM with its automatically leveling. There were lots of options available in 98: seat heaters, Nakamichi, air suspension, wood steering wheel and gear shift, etc. Even the CD player and sunroof were options. It is far less expensive to buy a car with the options you want than trying to add them later. Options in the 98 LS were more individualized. Beginning with the 99 LS, options came in "packages", e.g. "premium package",

I just noticed I have the option list for the 98 LS:

Individual Options

- One-touch open, power tilt-and-slide moonroof with sliding sunshade
- Lexus Navigation System[3] with touch screen (not available with Nakamichi Premium Sound System)
- In-dash, six-disc CD auto-changer
- Lexus/Nakamichi 280-watt (max power) Premium Sound System (requires CD auto-changer)
- High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with self-leveling system
- Wood-and-leather trimmed steering wheel and shift ****
- Electronic Air Suspension (requires moonroof)
- Heated front seats
- Lexus Chrome Wheels
- All-season tires (no-cost option)


It is normal for the chrome wheels to corrode. Mine were really bad when I bought my car at 38K -- lucky to get them replaced under warranty. The chrome wheels on a coworker's 99 LS were in awful shape when he bought his car at 80K miles. You should be able to have yours rechromed or exchanged -- lots of sources.

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

Here is a thread i made a few days ago it may help alleviate some anxiety as i have a "higher mileage 98 LS"

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...opic=30762&hl=

skidude

Anyone know if the hazy roughness on the headlights can be removed, or do I have to buy new ones? I'd like to find a product like some sort of buffing paste made for this that will work.

Alan D

I bought some Mequire's plastic polish at Pep Boys and used it with a foam pad on my buffer. It helped a little but I think it needs a more aggressive compound first and then follow with the finer polish. I have seen some kits on ebay that are like this, you might look there.

skidude

Thanks to all for the help. I'm continuing my search since the risk seemed too high for the '98 with fogging on the headlight lenses (buying a set of new lights if I can't get it out is too much). I found a '97 I like with 91k in pretty good shape, save for a possible oil leak at the rear of the engine (possibly an intake manifold leak?), front end alignment needed and a little hardening of the upholstery behind the rear seat where it meets the package tray (I wonder if there's a product to soften that up to prevent premature cracking). It drives very well, although noticably less powerful than the '98 - and the owner said the highway gas mileage was 23-24 ( the '98-2000 folks seem to report 26-26mpg highway. Maybe the '98-2000 years are worth the extra cash for more power and more gas mileage (if they actually do get better mpg).

braheem

iTrader: (4)

The differrences between the 97 and 98 models are numerous and are a LOT more than just cosmetic changes, if the price is in the same vacinity it's a no brainer definitly the 98+ model.


Good luck.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

a 98+ car is almost 30-40hp up AND it gets a 5spd auto trans. if ur worried bout headlight fogging then just buy some used ones.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Even with the headlights fogging... the HID's will light up better then any pre 98.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

we have both a UCF20 and a UCF21 in my house and trust me, the UCF21 is a MUCH better car.

skidude

As for price, I'm considering a '97 with 91k miles for $13,000 firm (I think), a '98 with 105k miles asking $13,500 and a 2000 asking $13,500. The '97 and 2000 are in the best condition. As for equipment, the '97 and 2000 (don't know if the 2000 has HID lights) have pretty standard equipment and the '98 has Navigation and air suspension. Haven't decided whether to choose one of these or keep looking. Do these prices sound reasonable?

Oh, I saw a "90 advertised today with 78k miles for $7,000. It's spent all but it's last year in Palm Springs, CA. The priced is above book, but I would think the severe heat may have taken a toll, not to mention just age along. Any thoughts on this?

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

at this point i concede defeat. you havent done ANY research by the sound/look of all your posts. good luck in life and ur car.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Welcome to CL.

Any of the threads here or on LOC pretaining to pre-owned things to watch will provide you some good info. AAA used to offer some literature on buying pre-owned...in this day, finding check lists on the net will be easier.

Keep us posted on your decision and we hope to see you in an LS.