New LS400...
07-16-02, 01:03 PM
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
New LS400...
New for me anyway 
Traded my 96 LS400 in on a 99 LS400. Major diff/improvements:
Alpine Silver/Gray vs Quartz/Ivory
290hp vs 260hp
290tq vs 270tq
V VTi (variable valve timing with intelligence)
MUCH broader torque curve
5 speed vs 4 speed
HID lamps
wood wheel
wood shift lever
wood trim over console
factory CD
5 spoke factory wheels
tinted windows
in dash mileage computer
VSC vs traction control
auto recirc feature on a/c
MUCH quicker off the line
MUCH more power before and after shift points
MUCH smoother
MUCH more solid feeling
Smells NEW!!!
All in all... I am REALLY enjoying this car. I will take it to HRP for some 1/4 mile testing soon and report. The 96 ran 15.4 @ 91mph. I am guessing 14.9 @ 95mph... we shall see.
Traded my 96 LS400 in on a 99 LS400. Major diff/improvements:
Alpine Silver/Gray vs Quartz/Ivory
290hp vs 260hp
290tq vs 270tq
V VTi (variable valve timing with intelligence)
MUCH broader torque curve
5 speed vs 4 speed
HID lamps
wood wheel
wood shift lever
wood trim over console
factory CD
5 spoke factory wheels
tinted windows
in dash mileage computer
VSC vs traction control
auto recirc feature on a/c
MUCH quicker off the line
MUCH more power before and after shift points
MUCH smoother
MUCH more solid feeling
Smells NEW!!!
All in all... I am REALLY enjoying this car. I will take it to HRP for some 1/4 mile testing soon and report. The 96 ran 15.4 @ 91mph. I am guessing 14.9 @ 95mph... we shall see.
Last edited by JBrady; 07-16-02 at 10:19 PM.
07-16-02, 09:07 PM
#7
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Guys, thanks for the "backslapping" 
Horta, my 96 had 89,700 miles, had been in a front fender bender (before I bought it in 2000 and I didn't notice till later
) and that cost me So they listed the trade at $16,015 but in reality only gave me $13k. Actually, the car had many "small" problems and I was never completely happy with it. I was VERY excited to get it 2 years ago but am EXTREMELY happy to be steppin' up! The 99 was listed at $39,900 but was discounted to 33,900. They "adjusted" my trade by selling it at 36,850.
jt, you are right, the 5 speed with the broader torque curve and more power is nearly seamless. SWEET!
loule, whats up? let me know if you want to go with me to HRP, maybe Sunday?
UPDATE: on 59 south this evening a rock bounced up and cracked the windshield
I will find out tomorrow what the insurance situation is. What a bummer.
Horta, my 96 had 89,700 miles, had been in a front fender bender (before I bought it in 2000 and I didn't notice till later
) and that cost me So they listed the trade at $16,015 but in reality only gave me $13k. Actually, the car had many "small" problems and I was never completely happy with it. I was VERY excited to get it 2 years ago but am EXTREMELY happy to be steppin' up! The 99 was listed at $39,900 but was discounted to 33,900. They "adjusted" my trade by selling it at 36,850.jt, you are right, the 5 speed with the broader torque curve and more power is nearly seamless. SWEET!
loule, whats up? let me know if you want to go with me to HRP, maybe Sunday?
UPDATE: on 59 south this evening a rock bounced up and cracked the windshield
I will find out tomorrow what the insurance situation is. What a bummer.
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07-16-02, 09:32 PM
#8
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
LS400 power stats
1998-2000 models
Horsepower 290 @ 6000 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 300 @ 4000 RPM
1995-1997 models
Horsepower 260 @ 5300 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 270 @ 4500 RPM
Power comparison at various engine speeds
RPM_____96_____99
4000___200est___228hp
4500___231hp___245est
5300___260hp___275est
6000___240est___290hp
Notice in the higher RPM the major advantage of the VVi engine.
Here is one source for details: http://www.virtualroadtest.com/LS400spec.htm
1998-2000 models
Horsepower 290 @ 6000 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 300 @ 4000 RPM
1995-1997 models
Horsepower 260 @ 5300 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 270 @ 4500 RPM
Power comparison at various engine speeds
RPM_____96_____99
4000___200est___228hp
4500___231hp___245est
5300___260hp___275est
6000___240est___290hp
Notice in the higher RPM the major advantage of the VVi engine.
Here is one source for details: http://www.virtualroadtest.com/LS400spec.htm
Last edited by JBrady; 07-16-02 at 10:37 PM.
07-16-02, 10:51 PM
#9
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: CA, USA
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jbrady: congrats on the '99. I have a couple points - one a question, one a comment.
Price: In May, here in So Cal, I purchased a '99 LS with 60K miles, listed for $30,902 + TTL. My trade was a '96 Maxima. They gave me $4K for it, and my $5K cash down, got the car for a little under $25K out the door. Mine had Nav, HID, DRL, heated seats + new tires (4), and like yours smelled NEW. I got it from a Toyota dealership and may be why it was "cheap" compared to yours. Local dealership here in San Diego listed their CPO '99's with ca. 40K miles at $38,700. Is yours a CPO for the price you paid ? Just wondering...
Comment: You say that your '96 had a fender bender when you bought it but you did not know. How did the dealership find out ? What tell tale signs showed this at trade in when you didn't notice earlier ? This is of interest to me bcos I just went through some harrowing experience where a dealership claimed my '99 has had an accident and tried to rip me off $1600 + tax for suspension work, but another dealership and I could not find any accident evidence nor any suspension problem anywhere in the car....
I'd appreciate your response on this.
Price: In May, here in So Cal, I purchased a '99 LS with 60K miles, listed for $30,902 + TTL. My trade was a '96 Maxima. They gave me $4K for it, and my $5K cash down, got the car for a little under $25K out the door. Mine had Nav, HID, DRL, heated seats + new tires (4), and like yours smelled NEW. I got it from a Toyota dealership and may be why it was "cheap" compared to yours. Local dealership here in San Diego listed their CPO '99's with ca. 40K miles at $38,700. Is yours a CPO for the price you paid ? Just wondering...
Comment: You say that your '96 had a fender bender when you bought it but you did not know. How did the dealership find out ? What tell tale signs showed this at trade in when you didn't notice earlier ? This is of interest to me bcos I just went through some harrowing experience where a dealership claimed my '99 has had an accident and tried to rip me off $1600 + tax for suspension work, but another dealership and I could not find any accident evidence nor any suspension problem anywhere in the car....
I'd appreciate your response on this.
07-17-02, 11:16 AM
#12
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
oac3,
This car is Lexus Certified Pre-Owned. 3 years from date I purchase, bumper to bumper (almost) or 100k total vehicle miles. This adds several thousand dollars to the deal. It wasn't the best deal but it worked for me.
Regarding the accident. It was noticeable with close visual inspection but I was too happy when I first got it and made the problem with the assumption that certified cars had not been wrecked. Anyway, the dealer Monday told me they use the "finger" test using the sense of touch to sense the paint work. Knowlegable body guys do this well. The other is a paint thickness meter. The factory paint is quite uniform in thickness and body work will always be different. Don't know about your experience but mine was obvious.
Wazzup Sick! BTW what does the O.G. I am considered stand for?
CG, thanks for the post
This car is Lexus Certified Pre-Owned. 3 years from date I purchase, bumper to bumper (almost) or 100k total vehicle miles. This adds several thousand dollars to the deal. It wasn't the best deal but it worked for me.
Regarding the accident. It was noticeable with close visual inspection but I was too happy when I first got it and made the problem with the assumption that certified cars had not been wrecked. Anyway, the dealer Monday told me they use the "finger" test using the sense of touch to sense the paint work. Knowlegable body guys do this well. The other is a paint thickness meter. The factory paint is quite uniform in thickness and body work will always be different. Don't know about your experience but mine was obvious.
Wazzup Sick! BTW what does the O.G. I am considered stand for?
CG, thanks for the post
07-17-02, 02:59 PM
#13
Bwahahahahahaha!!!! 
O.G. stands for original gansta.
I would love to go to HRP this weekend but Texas Heatwave is this weekend in Austin.
Unfortunately my Lex won't be done but I wanted to go to scope out the competition in my SQ class.
We will do something a time else.
Maybe get a true Houston get together sometime.
O.G. stands for original gansta.
I would love to go to HRP this weekend but Texas Heatwave is this weekend in Austin.
Unfortunately my Lex won't be done but I wanted to go to scope out the competition in my SQ class.
We will do something a time else.
Maybe get a true Houston get together sometime.
07-17-02, 10:51 PM
#14
Originally posted by jbrady
LS400 power stats
1998-2000 models
Horsepower 290 @ 6000 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 300 @ 4000 RPM
1995-1997 models
Horsepower 260 @ 5300 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 270 @ 4500 RPM
Power comparison at various engine speeds
RPM_____96_____99
4000___200est___228hp
4500___231hp___245est
5300___260hp___275est
6000___240est___290hp
Notice in the higher RPM the major advantage of the VVi engine.
Here is one source for details: http://www.virtualroadtest.com/LS400spec.htm
LS400 power stats
1998-2000 models
Horsepower 290 @ 6000 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 300 @ 4000 RPM
1995-1997 models
Horsepower 260 @ 5300 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 270 @ 4500 RPM
Power comparison at various engine speeds
RPM_____96_____99
4000___200est___228hp
4500___231hp___245est
5300___260hp___275est
6000___240est___290hp
Notice in the higher RPM the major advantage of the VVi engine.
Here is one source for details: http://www.virtualroadtest.com/LS400spec.htm
thanks again jbrady