Patsum

Hello everyone

I am not new to CL as I used to own a 2000 RX300 AWD for a few years and loved it..then decided to sell it and go motorcycle only for a year...

Now I am back and after car shopping I have decided that the acuras and bmw's all in the $5-$4500 price range are not in my taste

However..I test drove a 1991 Lexus LS400 with 163,000 miles on it last week and despite its old age and lack of care whatsoever....I fell in LOVE with the car...

I looked high and low for a good LS400 and have found one I like

It is a 1996 LS400 with about 160,000 miles on it for $4500 out the door from a dealer
The car drives like a dream...No lights are on..doesnt smoke..or creak...whisper quiet..all electronics work and the thing is 99% perfect interior wise. I am very much so sold.

What do I need to look out for with high miles? what can I expect to replace? Any advice for the first few weeks of owning it?

I think new fluids and tires will sooth my need to baby this.

What do I need to check for before I buy this thing off the lot?
Clean carFax...never crashed or smoked in...3 owners....

any advice would be seriously helpful. I am 21 years old and have owned a volvo..a chrysler..an RX300 and a 1978 Honda Hawk motorcycle since I started driving at 16.....Lexus is where I find my happiness. I have test driven everything under the sun from $500 cars to $80,000 cars from MB and acura and BMW. This is the car I want. Money aside for under $5000


Things I want to do is have the car detailed... get new fluids all around..and tires....and do the Aux in mod for an ipod and possibly new headlight bulbs

-Patrick

RA40

iTrader: (6)

The usual stuffs, CarFax, run the VIN through the Lexus dealer to check for service history. Go from there depending what you find.

$4K is a better price for a '96 but not too far out if all else on the car is current and in top shape.

Cope

Looking at the cars you have owned, you are going in right direction. Pride in ownership is the way you feel when you own a Lexus. When was timing belt changed? Did it have 30,60,90K service by dealer?

deanshark

The 3 owners is what would scare me with that amount of mileage. The original owner probably traded it in at 100K, so the last 60 had two people. They didn't like it for some reason. More then likely the timing belt/water pump job needs to be done. That's one of the major reasons people sell thier car, alot of money for "preventive" maintanence. If you can't find out when it was done last, count on doing it very soon b/c if it snaps or jumps, you're screwed, the engine will be toast. Check the VIN through Lexus to see what was done, at the dealer. Personally I don't trust Carfax for accident reports, not everyone reports them. Check all the suspension bushings and the color of all the fluids, that will tell you alot. Hope it works out for you, you're still young, live it up. Welcome back to CL.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

as long as the car is properly checked out it won't give you too many surprises....

to give you an idea, it usually takes me about an hour-hour and a half, basic hand tools, a lift/jack, flashlight, and occasionally (if it's a car i'm not familiar with) a FSM to look over a car i'm about to buy. (for myself or a friend)