ok, so on a whim I checked out a car on CL today. It's a 96 LS, dark blue, with a dark tan or light brown interior. Nachamichi sterio, with 159k miles. the engine runs like new smooth and the trans shifts perfectly. the interior is fairly clean, I'd give it an 8 out of 10. the tires are nearly shot. there is no evidence of any body or paint work being done to the car. There are no dings in the panels at all. The rear bumper has enough scratches to warrent a re-spray. it has a clean car fax with 2 owners. there is a squeak sound coming that comes from the front right wheel when going over a speed bump. the shocks do seem a bit worn. The only mods are an after market alrarm system, and HID lights. The car is currently owned by a small time car dealer that claims he purchsaed it from his Uncle. I can't tell if the timing belt has been changed or not. I'll check with lexus to on Monday to see if there is anything in maintenence records in their systm. The guy is asking 4500 and it's been on the market for a couple of weeks. I have a feeling I can get him to take 4000. I am guessing that if I purchase it I'd throw on a set of tires, struts, and take care of the front right corner. I am guessing it's the lower control arm bushing which is replaceable. As for the TB/WP thing, i'd inspect the belt and if it looked fine, hold off on doing any work since it's a non interferenec enigne anyway. Thoughts?

 

You sure?

The other fixes are minor and provided all the fluids are in good shape. Price is ok though lower makes it nicer.

 

Don't get it! It's old and will only get older as time goes by. Unless you like spending money and time under the car, don't buy it.

 

96 are interference engines.

 

There may be some good ones out there though I wouldn't be looking at LS400's. Just far to many miles and with 3-4'th owners, it is a sign that it will take money to make them decent. This forum now is filled with problematic posts and dealing with them.

 

after some more digging, i think you are right. thanks.

 

I haven't had many problems with my '98. I bought it with over 200K miles and in last 15K of driving it had cats, and an alternator go bad. I changed most of the fluids; it runs great.

 

How much did cat replacement cost you? How long until your speedo and tach needles burn out? How long until your climate control and audio control screens bleed pixels through and turn black? How long until the starter goes? How long until the P/S starts leaking?

 

I replaced both cats, with direct-fit aftermarket units. They were about $400 with labor. The alternator replacement was about a 1/3rd the cost. Both times I used new parts.

The speedo and tach needles haven't burned out - they were sticking for the first 10 minutes of drive-time during the summer months (over 100 degrees heat) but seem to work fine.

No problems w/ the climate control and audio controls. The starter works fine; I run synthetic oil which is easier on Toyota starters. The P/S unit has been dealer-replaced by the previous owner and has no issues.

 

I bought my 97 LS400 at 154k and am at 175k now and no major problems. Changed the strut rod bushings, rear axle and trailing arm bushings for under 200.

4000 would be a good price