Just bought a 99 LS 400 with 90K miles...awesome
11-25-08, 01:58 PM
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Just bought a 99 LS 400 with 90K miles...awesome
Hello
I just bought a 99 LS 400 with 90K miles, silver, nav, heated seats the works. Awesome car. I had a 93 ES 300 about 10 years ago that I drove until 180K miles. I had 2 jaguars since then-97 XJ6 and 2000 XJ8 VDP. I can tell my stories about those cars another day ;-)
Anyway, I have a few questions
1. There is a whining sound when the engine starts up. I read on the forum about filling up the power steering. Is there a specific type of power steering fluid to use or any will do?
2. Oil change-the manual spec is 5w-30. Any thoughts on using Mobil 1synthetic?
3. Any other recommendations for fluids? brake fluid, coolant etc?
4. At high speeds, approx 70 miles/hr, the cabin seems very noisy. I remember my old 93 ES300 was extremely quiet. The noise seems to be higher on my side, the drivers side. Any thoughts on how to resolve this? Do i need to change the plastic dampers around the edges of the doors?
5. At high speeds, approx 70 miles/hr, the passenger side driving mirror seems to be shaking when i look at it through the window pane. However, the driving mirror is not loose. Is this common?
6. I am reviewing an after market warranty from http://warrantydirect.com. Due to the age and mileage on the car, the coverage is basic, but i can get up to 5 yrs or 100,000 miles for about $1200. Considering the upkeep of the cars, is this worth it? Are there other places which have better warranties?
7. The transponder in the key does not work. Can I get this changed? Does it need a battery?
Thanks, Lexus Forum
I just bought a 99 LS 400 with 90K miles, silver, nav, heated seats the works. Awesome car. I had a 93 ES 300 about 10 years ago that I drove until 180K miles. I had 2 jaguars since then-97 XJ6 and 2000 XJ8 VDP. I can tell my stories about those cars another day ;-)
Anyway, I have a few questions
1. There is a whining sound when the engine starts up. I read on the forum about filling up the power steering. Is there a specific type of power steering fluid to use or any will do?
2. Oil change-the manual spec is 5w-30. Any thoughts on using Mobil 1synthetic?
3. Any other recommendations for fluids? brake fluid, coolant etc?
4. At high speeds, approx 70 miles/hr, the cabin seems very noisy. I remember my old 93 ES300 was extremely quiet. The noise seems to be higher on my side, the drivers side. Any thoughts on how to resolve this? Do i need to change the plastic dampers around the edges of the doors?
5. At high speeds, approx 70 miles/hr, the passenger side driving mirror seems to be shaking when i look at it through the window pane. However, the driving mirror is not loose. Is this common?
6. I am reviewing an after market warranty from http://warrantydirect.com. Due to the age and mileage on the car, the coverage is basic, but i can get up to 5 yrs or 100,000 miles for about $1200. Considering the upkeep of the cars, is this worth it? Are there other places which have better warranties?
7. The transponder in the key does not work. Can I get this changed? Does it need a battery?
Thanks, Lexus Forum
11-25-08, 07:02 PM
#2
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I have a similar 2000 LS400.
The power steering fluid type is stamped on the reservoir cap if I remember correctly. The cap has a built-in dipstick. I have not found the power steering pump on my 00 LS prone to leaking and I've never had to top up the fluid.
You could use an automotive stethoscope to find the source of the whining. I noticed that my A/C compressor whines a bit on start-up.
Mobil 1 oil is fine. I have used it since buying my 00 LS at 38,000 miles to its current 105,000 miles. Back when I bought my first LS new in 1990, synthetic oil was not approved by Lexus and I waited until the warranty on my first LS expired before I used it.
Just follow the maintenance schedule. Has the expensive 90,000 mile service been performed?
Perhaps the door seals are worn and causing noise. I lube the door and trunk seals about twice a year with silicon spray -- I happened to do it today. A door could be out of adjustment but that is doubtful unless the car has been in a wreck.
It is not normal for the drivers side mirror to shake at 70 mph. You could have a tire balance issue but it is extremely common for the strut bars to wear out by 90K miles and cause front end vibration. I had mine replaced at around 75-80K miles on my 00 LS.
If you have 90K miles on your car, an extended warranty might be good for only another 10,000 miles. I wouldn't bother with one. An extended warranty wouldn't have been worth it on either of the LS cars I've owned.
Sure you can get a new key battery. Most Lexus dealers or repair shops will replace them while you wait.
The power steering fluid type is stamped on the reservoir cap if I remember correctly. The cap has a built-in dipstick. I have not found the power steering pump on my 00 LS prone to leaking and I've never had to top up the fluid.
You could use an automotive stethoscope to find the source of the whining. I noticed that my A/C compressor whines a bit on start-up.
Mobil 1 oil is fine. I have used it since buying my 00 LS at 38,000 miles to its current 105,000 miles. Back when I bought my first LS new in 1990, synthetic oil was not approved by Lexus and I waited until the warranty on my first LS expired before I used it.
Just follow the maintenance schedule. Has the expensive 90,000 mile service been performed?
Perhaps the door seals are worn and causing noise. I lube the door and trunk seals about twice a year with silicon spray -- I happened to do it today. A door could be out of adjustment but that is doubtful unless the car has been in a wreck.
It is not normal for the drivers side mirror to shake at 70 mph. You could have a tire balance issue but it is extremely common for the strut bars to wear out by 90K miles and cause front end vibration. I had mine replaced at around 75-80K miles on my 00 LS.
If you have 90K miles on your car, an extended warranty might be good for only another 10,000 miles. I wouldn't bother with one. An extended warranty wouldn't have been worth it on either of the LS cars I've owned.
Sure you can get a new key battery. Most Lexus dealers or repair shops will replace them while you wait.
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11-28-08, 09:03 PM
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Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your purchase.
Prices on used LS's are dropping like a stone. I've been seeing a lot of LS 430's priced below the 20K range , with a lot of the older ones going in the 14-17K range. I'd like to upgrade, but can't justify getting rid of a perfectly good vehicle, not to mention the general caution about big tickets items about right now.
Prices on used LS's are dropping like a stone. I've been seeing a lot of LS 430's priced below the 20K range , with a lot of the older ones going in the 14-17K range. I'd like to upgrade, but can't justify getting rid of a perfectly good vehicle, not to mention the general caution about big tickets items about right now.
12-06-08, 10:03 AM
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I agree on the cabin noise issue
Sounds like you got a great LS. Congrats.
I do agree on the cabin noise; in my '99 it is excessive. Like yours, my noise seems to come from the windshield area. But it isn't wind, it is road noise. Like there is a metal to metal contact doing the noise transmission from road to cabin. Driving on nice, new asphalt the car is as quiet as a crypt. I tried three sets of tires and settled on Michelin Premisys. Someone mentioned in another post that the LS is designed for summer-only tires to be the most quiet, meaning I guess that all-weather or winter tires would be noisier. I drove a '90 LS for 5 years and that car was quiet, all the time.
Please post if you ever solve the noise issue. I'll do the same. My car had 79k on it when I bought it last May. Now at 85k. Paid $11,799.
I do agree on the cabin noise; in my '99 it is excessive. Like yours, my noise seems to come from the windshield area. But it isn't wind, it is road noise. Like there is a metal to metal contact doing the noise transmission from road to cabin. Driving on nice, new asphalt the car is as quiet as a crypt. I tried three sets of tires and settled on Michelin Premisys. Someone mentioned in another post that the LS is designed for summer-only tires to be the most quiet, meaning I guess that all-weather or winter tires would be noisier. I drove a '90 LS for 5 years and that car was quiet, all the time.
Please post if you ever solve the noise issue. I'll do the same. My car had 79k on it when I bought it last May. Now at 85k. Paid $11,799.
Last edited by Griff48; 12-06-08 at 10:15 AM.
12-11-08, 09:17 AM
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congrats on your new toy, welcome to the club! I think the 98-00 look great and I prefer them over the 01-03 ls430s. I have a 90, and when I upgrade, I will probably do the 98-00. I was thinkin of the 04-05LS430's but naw, the 400's are solid and will be for a while.
Last edited by EastWind; 08-17-11 at 01:40 PM.
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