TMaxxTim

Hey guys, I'm usually over in the SC forums, I have an SC300 5spd. But I'm tired of getting 16mpg in the city, 18 on the highway and not being able to fit friends and stuff in my car. I'm still torn about getting a new one because I've put so much work into mine, but I think its time to say goodbye.

Anyways I found a 1995 LS 400 with 95k on it for $5900. Originally had it listed for $6900, dropped it $1k over the last month. The guy is claiming it has over 200k because of a mileage descrepency, however I looked it up on Carfax, its registered one owner between 95 and 03 with 60k, 2nd owner til 06 with 90k. 3rd owner is dealership and they've had it since Nov, 06. The owner told me he's been driving it around occasionally and only listed it recently.

Anyways, he's advertising over 200k because he claims he pulled up the Lexus service records and back in 03 or 04 registered 150k+ on their service records. Called up the local dealership and they only have one service record in march of this year for a defroster fix at 92k, this is at their dealership, the lady that looks them up nationwide was gone for the day so I'm calling back tomorrow.

Now I'm starting to think this guy is just trying to be up front and honest so I don't find something bad later on. But all the evidence points to it having low miles. Either way I'm not scared if it does have 200+, mine has 176 personally.

The outside is silver and interior is blueish gray. Interior looks like a low mileage car. Steering wheel is in good shape, and so is the drivers seat.

The only problem with the car is I feel a small transmission clunk when letting off the gas at 40-50, feels like the torque converter locking up, my dads escape does it, but my uncles 96 LS does not, doesn't seem like a big deal.

I'm worried about the 90K service on the car, probably hasn't been done since it transferred owners at 91,000 miles. I did the timing belt on my SC300, it was HARD! So i was wondering if anybody with personal experience wanted to chime in on the work involved in this car.

Here's a few pics. Just wanted some opinions before I pulled the trigger soon.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Looks like the paint doesn't match on the front quarter and door. Does it have all the original panels? Price wise, it seems ok...I'd want verification of the miles first. Still plenty of good samples to choose from.

TMaxxTim

Paint does match, all VIN numbers on all the panels, I think its just the way the light caught it, I went over this car with a fine tooth comb making sure all the body panels lined up, and no repainting, except maybe the rear bumper, I counld't tell, but rear bumper isn't that big of a deal.

I'm going to see what the Lexus dealership says tomorrow about their nationwide service records and go from there, I'll post what they say here.

And really, in my area, theres only about 3 LS's I can find for sale, one guy raised his price from 7800 to 8800 and its a smokers car . Other one is just a piece so thats a nogo.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

if the mileage issue checks out then all is well


transmission issue is MOST likely just a simple dead rear trans mount (about $40+shipping+1hour of ur time)

if the mileage is really around 120-150 id say its a reasonable price for about 5900.

Suneet

Just wanted to point out that your gas mileage isn't really goign to improve by that much.. You'll still probably get 18/22 or osmething like that. But you will be able to fit friends comfortably

chubby

i purchased my 95 @ 97k miles for 7500. if you can get all of this straightened out and if it checks, it'll be a very good bargain

bunta

thats what i did.. .from SC3 to LS

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I too came from a 93 SC400 to a 99 LS400. The LS400 is a much better car, even though I'm more into sport coupes than large 4-door sedans. Anyway, the price definately reflects a 150-200K mile car. I would be very caution and check and double check everything. Try and get a hold of as much DMV information as possible. IF you are planning on keeping this car forever, I'd say if all else checks out it might still be worth it. If you are planning on selling this car one day in the future, you better make sure the mileage is correct or it will have no market.

TMaxxTim

I pulled up the Lexus service information adn everything matches up in milage until 2003 at 60,000, then it looks as if the odometer was replaced sometime thereafter. Going to have the car checked out by the Lexus dealership before I pull the trigger. It has a little transmission clunk if you're hard on the gas and let off completely, hopefully it just needs a new mount and maybe a fluid flush.

From the service history, it looks like its gotten all the regular maintenance services, and was in for something about every 6 months, radio was replaced twice for some reason in 96 and 98?? But other than that just oil changes and such.

Also, today when I looked at the car with my Dad, verified every body panel had the VIN still, they all did and all matched, every door, the door sills, front fenders in the engine, etc.