Hey everyone. I just picked up my first Lexus, and wanted to show it off a little.





It's got 126k miles and I got it for $6500. I think I got a pretty good deal. Mechanically it's flawless and the interior is perfect. The exterior has a few scrapes/dings but nothing too terrible looking. It doesn't have the Nakamichi stereo, but the Pioneer stereo sounds so good that I'm not too disappointed.

I absolutely LOVE it so far. It's quite different from what I'm used to since I usually drive lightweight sports sedans/coupes (my prev. car was a 328i, and my weekend car is a modified Miata) but it's so unbelievably comfortable that I had to buy it to make NYC's roads more tolerable. I keep looking around when I'm driving and saying "I cant believe I own something THIS nice."

Unfortunately it didn't come with the owners manual, so I need to try and score one on e-bay. Obviously I know how to work 90% of the features, but one always finds things they never knew.

I've got a few questions though:
-The turn signals don't make the usual ticking sound when they're on. Normal?

-The stereo keeps spitting my Sony tape adapter out, but plays regular tapes just fine. I was planning on getting a new head unit for it, just not so soon. Anyone have success with a particular brand tape adapter?

-Does anyone have a PDF of the repair or wiring manual? I like to look through those things.

-I haven't really looked too closely at it yet, but how hard is it to pull one of the timing covers off to inspect the timing belt? Or is it one of those things that everything's gotta come apart first (fan, radiator, etc..) before you can even get to it?

-Does the car's trip computer have a maintenance/oil change reminder?

That's all for now. So happy to be here!

You can view the owners manual online at https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home without registering but you might want to register to see if you can see any of your car's maintenance history.

Inspecting the condition of the belt is not worthwhile since it's other components in the timing belt system that usually take out the belt. The recommended timing belt change interval is 6 years/90 miles. If you change it, be sure to replace all the ancillary parts ... idlers, tensioner, water pump, etc.

No, the turn signals don't "click" - you'll get used to it.

"Somewhere" on this forum is a link to PDF's of much of the repair manuals for a similar 2000 LS400 but it doesn't include the very important diagnostic section or the wiring manual. You might try doing a search for something like "manual" in the LS400 section.

The trip computer does not have maintenance reminders.

You may be better often having the standard Pioneer audio system than the Nakamichi like I do since there are conversion harnesses for installing aftermarket audio systems -- none for Nakamichi equipped cars. Also, the standard Pioneer can be repaired but I've been told that replacement parts are no longer available for Nakamichi.

It looks like your car is reasonably equipped. I assume it has HID headlights since it has heated seats and the optional wood steering wheel and shift ****. HID headlights have "D2R" inscribed on the headlight lenses. You can view the 98 LS400 specs at http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/1998/1998LSspecs.pdf

Enjoy!

Thanks for posting that link. Very helpful! I tried to join but it was reporting a system error so hopefully it'll work later. I was planning on replacing everything involving the timing belt anyway, unless it was done already recently, which is what I'm hoping to see in the maintenance records.

Yeah my car has HID's, and they work beautifully.

Nice!!! Welcome to CL. You can find almost any answer by using the search feature in this forum, (it's your best friend) lots of useful info floating around here. Black leather with wood trim is awesome. And for $6500, I think you got a damn good deal even if you need to do the timing belt job, which includes water pump, idlers, tensioner, etc. When you eventually get registered into that link, the maintainence records are mostly for what was done at a Lexus dealer, so if the previous owner brought it to an independant shop it might not show on there. If the timing belt hasn't been changed, think about doing it very soon b/c it's past due.
This will help you out some; http://home.student.utwente.nl/gombertm/lexus/lsrm/ it's the 1998 - 2000 manual.

This is the link I mentioned searching for in my post but it is missing the very important diagnostic (DI) section. But at least it will show you how many components fit together.

Loving the color and the interior.

The pioneer HU can be put in diagnostic mode and the level of the sub increased relative to the speakers. Hold 1 and 6 while pressing CD 3 times. Give it a few seconds then hold the AM button until it beeps. Cheers.

Cool easter egg! Thanks I'll try it out!

lol its in the FAQ! check the stickied thread at the top of the LS forum and hit UCF20/21 FAQ.

Welcome to CL! Congrats on the new purchase and please remember a few rules to live by:
-SEARCH before you start ANY new thread...or if you have any questions really.
-be kind to us and you shall be rewarded.

YES!!!! According to Lexus' records, it appears the full timing belt service, incl. water pump and idler pullies were done at 86k miles. A ton of other stuff was done as well, all four struts, lower ball joints, upper control arms, alternator. Everything was done by the book! Whoever owned it was meticulous. No wonder it drives so well. I'm SO happy to see this!

Man, with all that done, I would say you got a friggin' awesome deal on that car.

Insanely good price for a great-looking car. You could probably sell it for more than after driving it for a year+!

Congrats!
Nice comments posted on that other forum too.