Front End Swap?
NELOC Mod
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,201
Likes: 9
From: MD
Our resident guru, Puredrifter, is an excellent source for most questions LS related. However the one pet peeve that he has is that most topics, such as your question, have been discussed numerous times before. He/we are BIG fans of the search feature on this forum and my comment to him was that I knew what he was thinking. He is REAL QUICK to hit the "SEARCH" comment, so in essence I pretty much saved you from getting flamed. We pick on each other alot around here, but is all in good nature tho.
PD lives for these 
Given the cost of body work, the 98+ is a better deal. VVTi motor, better tranny, transpoder key, HID, side seat airbags, more rear seat leg room...lets not forget the 4 piston front brake calipers.
The '01+ are becoming reasonable as well.
Given the cost of body work, the 98+ is a better deal. VVTi motor, better tranny, transpoder key, HID, side seat airbags, more rear seat leg room...lets not forget the 4 piston front brake calipers.
The '01+ are becoming reasonable as well.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: CA
Our resident guru, Puredrifter, is an excellent source for most questions LS related. However the one pet peeve that he has is that most topics, such as your question, have been discussed numerous times before. He/we are BIG fans of the search feature on this forum and my comment to him was that I knew what he was thinking. He is REAL QUICK to hit the "SEARCH" comment, so in essence I pretty much saved you from getting flamed. We pick on each other alot around here, but is all in good nature tho.
yeah i feel u but this site a lil more complicated then other forums and threads thats why i ask i know how to search and all that. Like if it was a honda/acura i feel the same way but this is completely different and this site more confusing. but im not trippin thanx for the most part
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: CA
yeah but it seems like u can find a 01 gs for cheaper then even like a 98 ls430. but in my opinion id rather have a ls430. idk i think ima start with a 90,91 and work my way as up as i learn more
Well I loved my 98 LS. Unfortunetly had to get rid of it, but eventually got into a 97. I'm now in a position to hold on to my project, thank god. But I love it just as much. But if I were you, I would skip the 1st gen. Unless you can find a really clean one. Other then that I would just get a 2nd gen 95-00. You should be able to find one for a decent price. I'm in Washington and have seen them for around 4k. But it's up to you. GL with your search. And welcome.
The overall value of many first gens isn't high so if you dump $$ into it and have a minor incident...it may be a total. As well, you'll probably have plenty of basic maintenance to do to it at this stage. There are clean ones but they are becoming far and few. Skip the first gen unless you get one with known history. These are EOL and finding newer variants will keep you happier longer.
Knowing what you are willing to spend will help us make suggestions.
Knowing what you are willing to spend will help us make suggestions.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: CA
The overall value of many first gens isn't high so if you dump $$ into it and have a minor incident...it may be a total. As well, you'll probably have plenty of basic maintenance to do to it at this stage. There are clean ones but they are becoming far and few. Skip the first gen unless you get one with known history. These are EOL and finding newer variants will keep you happier longer.
Knowing what you are willing to spend will help us make suggestions.
Knowing what you are willing to spend will help us make suggestions.
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Don't buy an LS400. These cars cost $60,000 new and the parts haven't gotten any cheaper with time. The car WILL need maintenance and you'll spend the price you paid to purchase the car VERY quickly.
There are a few of us on here whom will still recommend the first generation ls400, its true they did nothing but get better but IMO (<-- see that?) the 90-94 ls400 was the best build car ever period, I see more of them on the road than any other competing car of that age and mine has yet to give me any significant problems (220k). The new ones brought alot of advancements but also alot of new things to break. have fun in your search this site is a great resource.
Really with basic maint. its all gravy.
Really with basic maint. its all gravy.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
From: CA
There are a few of us on here whom will still recommend the first generation ls400, its true they did nothing but get better but IMO (<-- see that?) the 90-94 ls400 was the best build car ever period, I see more of them on the road than any other competing car of that age and mine has yet to give me any significant problems (220k). The new ones brought alot of advancements but also alot of new things to break. have fun in your search this site is a great resource.
Really with basic maint. its all gravy.
Really with basic maint. its all gravy.
