Thinking about buying an LS
Thinking about buying an LS
Hello guys, I'm from the 3rd gen section but have recently got the bug to purchase an older LS to fix up as a show car. I have been looking at the 98-00 body style. I have found a couple but just wanted some input from you guys on which year I should lean towards, mileage, any major issues or concerns I should look for or ask about. I'm looking to spend between 6k - 9.5k. Currently I have found a couple with 140+ miles but looking to spend on the lower end of my price range only because I am going to do some major upgrades (air, audio system etc....) Your input is helpful.
Thanks.
Thanks.
maint. records for any LS, but especially for a 98-00 are key. most things you will be able to find by searching which as a 3 year vet you should already be familiar with 
here are a couple key points for a 98-00 LS400:
-Timing belt/water pump are every 90k miles (IMPORTANT since this is an interference motor)
-make sure trans has toyota t-iv fluid or equivalent
-no major clunks from the suspension, though some are ok (ie-front strut rods are a simple fix, but ~80-200usd)
-Upper ball joints f+r are NOT cheap to fix
-tilt/telescope on steering column had TSBs, make sure both fxns work.
-make sure the fronts have the nice big 4pot calipers (yes, i have seen them swapped with 1piston calipers from the old LS)
-no ABS/VSC lights on dash
-dash works right (no lighting issues, overly sticky needles)
-door lock actuators work (power door locks, cheap but annoying to fix)
-driver's side door handle sometimes cracks
there's more but it's been covered. the 98-00 is mostly dependable, and since you're going to replace a lot anyways i went past the well known stuff.
here are a couple key points for a 98-00 LS400:
-Timing belt/water pump are every 90k miles (IMPORTANT since this is an interference motor)
-make sure trans has toyota t-iv fluid or equivalent
-no major clunks from the suspension, though some are ok (ie-front strut rods are a simple fix, but ~80-200usd)
-Upper ball joints f+r are NOT cheap to fix
-tilt/telescope on steering column had TSBs, make sure both fxns work.
-make sure the fronts have the nice big 4pot calipers (yes, i have seen them swapped with 1piston calipers from the old LS)
-no ABS/VSC lights on dash
-dash works right (no lighting issues, overly sticky needles)
-door lock actuators work (power door locks, cheap but annoying to fix)
-driver's side door handle sometimes cracks
there's more but it's been covered. the 98-00 is mostly dependable, and since you're going to replace a lot anyways i went past the well known stuff.
maint. records for any LS, but especially for a 98-00 are key. most things you will be able to find by searching which as a 3 year vet you should already be familiar with
here are a couple key points for a 98-00 LS400:
-Timing belt/water pump are every 90k miles (IMPORTANT since this is an interference motor)
-make sure trans has toyota t-iv fluid or equivalent
-no major clunks from the suspension, though some are ok (ie-front strut rods are a simple fix, but ~80-200usd)
-Upper ball joints f+r are NOT cheap to fix
-tilt/telescope on steering column had TSBs, make sure both fxns work.
-make sure the fronts have the nice big 4pot calipers (yes, i have seen them swapped with 1piston calipers from the old LS)
-no ABS/VSC lights on dash
-dash works right (no lighting issues, overly sticky needles)
-door lock actuators work (power door locks, cheap but annoying to fix)
-driver's side door handle sometimes cracks
there's more but it's been covered. the 98-00 is mostly dependable, and since you're going to replace a lot anyways i went past the well known stuff.
here are a couple key points for a 98-00 LS400:
-Timing belt/water pump are every 90k miles (IMPORTANT since this is an interference motor)
-make sure trans has toyota t-iv fluid or equivalent
-no major clunks from the suspension, though some are ok (ie-front strut rods are a simple fix, but ~80-200usd)
-Upper ball joints f+r are NOT cheap to fix
-tilt/telescope on steering column had TSBs, make sure both fxns work.
-make sure the fronts have the nice big 4pot calipers (yes, i have seen them swapped with 1piston calipers from the old LS)
-no ABS/VSC lights on dash
-dash works right (no lighting issues, overly sticky needles)
-door lock actuators work (power door locks, cheap but annoying to fix)
-driver's side door handle sometimes cracks
there's more but it's been covered. the 98-00 is mostly dependable, and since you're going to replace a lot anyways i went past the well known stuff.
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Pole Position
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From: ct
First thing I thought.Correct.
But to a point. There's gotta be hundreds of these threads asking what to look for and what's better if ya search so giving an answer to an 8 yr old question that has already been answered 8 yrs ago doesn't seem right. At this point it starts to be an opinion thread on who likes what yr LS.Just pointing out something I've noticed alot lately.
Instructor
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From: ca
Lexus Champion
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From: NA
Nah I think Bitcoin then to now would have been a better investment. But as they say, if me auntie had a pair of bollocks, she’d be me uncle!