faz

We own a 1994 LS 400 with 239,000 miles (at least) on it. The odometer didn't register when the dash wasn't lit in the winter for 2 years. We just fixed that. The power steering pump or the rack and pinion needs to replaced now. Other than that we LOVE this car. It's got some rust starting on one of the rear panels above the back wheel, and a few minor dings. It rides well and we almost feel like it's become part of the family, but is it worth fixing. We replaced the power steering pump in 2007. Suggestions?

willhickey

iTrader: (1)

you tell us? what could you buy for the grand if you paid somebody to fix it? id keep it thats me... if the pump was replaced in 2007 did it stop leaking or did it just slow down?

SLORICK

Keyword you wrote is LOVE (all caps). We got ours three years old, 30K miles, so I put "LS400" into Google and read what the Internet said: I learned it is a CLASSIC car.
BEST Luxury Sedan in 1994. In 1995, they redesigned it a little larger and added $20K to the sticker price, so our 94 is almost inbetween an ES330 and LS400/430. I like the looks of it the best of them all. Seems VERY reliable. Never replaced shocks, headlights, the BEST of Toyota Engineering. Now ask yourself two things: How bad is the Power Steering, really? Do an autopsy. If PS Pump, you gotta repair or it will leak down onto altenator and ruin it (expensive). My rack developed a slow leak from it's seals and mechanic says $1,000. I just drive it to buy smokes once a week, so let it leak on garage floor and add p.s. fluid once a month when it growls. I figure it leaks onto the road, and I use p.s. fluid with the 'stop leak' in it, because if it gums up the whole system, I have to install a rebuilt rack anyway, new hoses and pump isnt much more. My transmission is starting to slip, and I made decision to limp along and if and when it goes out, to pay lexus mechanic to rebuild it. It's that good of a car.

Second Thing to ask yourself: How bad is the rust? Cosmetic or structural? Pay a mechanic to do autopsy like you were going to buy the car. If frame is rusted to where car would crumple during a collision and not protect the occupants, then it is time to be realistic.

Finally, yours is probably paid for, low insurance rates, low plate fees each year. Like first guy said, how good a car could you get for the $1K to $2K investment in Power Steering? That's like only two to four monthly car payments.

faz

Thanks, Love the car is certainly the keep word. Just bought some stop leak, and giving it a try in a couple of minutes. Thanks for the message.