Why I love my '95 LS400
09-15-11, 07:16 AM
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Why I love my '95 LS400
Hello all,
First, may I thank this forum for being such a great place to gather information. Before I bought my car, I spent probably 30 hours on the 'net doing research..and this forum was invaluable. I bought my LS with "eyes wide open"...knowing so much more about what to look for, probs to investigate...
Ive had my '95 for 3 weeks now. Still the "honeymoon period". But I am pleased indeed. I just cannot believe what a tremendous bargain these cars are...if you find a good one. Mine is not 100% perfect, but it's a real good car.
A bit about it:
1995 (built in Oct 1994)
Ebony Teal Pearl
122K
Completely up to current service specs ($ 700 to get there)
All available options (yes...including air ride) except stock wheels
Everything works to spec except the heated seats
new Kumho tires (came with it)
Interior 90/100
Runs GREAT
Some paint issues, scratches stone chips (currently touching-up and compounding/buffing with PC buffer)...gonna look real real good.
Paid $3700, total to date $4400 no work needed from here, for now
I love the history of this model...how it took on Merc, BMW, etc
The long-term reliability history is really something (despite the probs we read about here)
The build quality seems just outstanding...rivaling anything out there
I love the styling, it's a subjective thing but...it's not a "tater bug" that could be any one of numerous brands these days
I do not need a faster car than this one!
Best seat for my body Ive ever sat in.
It has the Nak stereo (I know I know..)..Ive had some intermittent probs in hot weather...( working 100% lately tho)...it's a great environment to monitor test audio mixes (Im a recording engineer by hobby/passion)
I love the way it handles
All in all...I cannot believe how great a bargain a LS 400 is if it checks out well.
Im aware of what probs may be surfacing in future (air ride etc).
I'd be OK investing a bit in this car as needs arise...the resale value does not interest me...the car was great except for brakes for the 3700 I paid...what car of this quality can be had for that? NONE.
Yes..it is old and complex. But if you check them out before you buy properly, and the miles are low-ish, I dont see a prob.
LS 400...one of the most reliable motor cars ever made by anybody at any time.
For peanuts.
First, may I thank this forum for being such a great place to gather information. Before I bought my car, I spent probably 30 hours on the 'net doing research..and this forum was invaluable. I bought my LS with "eyes wide open"...knowing so much more about what to look for, probs to investigate...
Ive had my '95 for 3 weeks now. Still the "honeymoon period". But I am pleased indeed. I just cannot believe what a tremendous bargain these cars are...if you find a good one. Mine is not 100% perfect, but it's a real good car.
A bit about it:
1995 (built in Oct 1994)
Ebony Teal Pearl
122K
Completely up to current service specs ($ 700 to get there)
All available options (yes...including air ride) except stock wheels
Everything works to spec except the heated seats
new Kumho tires (came with it)
Interior 90/100
Runs GREAT
Some paint issues, scratches stone chips (currently touching-up and compounding/buffing with PC buffer)...gonna look real real good.
Paid $3700, total to date $4400 no work needed from here, for now
I love the history of this model...how it took on Merc, BMW, etc
The long-term reliability history is really something (despite the probs we read about here)
The build quality seems just outstanding...rivaling anything out there
I love the styling, it's a subjective thing but...it's not a "tater bug" that could be any one of numerous brands these days
I do not need a faster car than this one!
Best seat for my body Ive ever sat in.
It has the Nak stereo (I know I know..)..Ive had some intermittent probs in hot weather...( working 100% lately tho)...it's a great environment to monitor test audio mixes (Im a recording engineer by hobby/passion)
I love the way it handles
All in all...I cannot believe how great a bargain a LS 400 is if it checks out well.
Im aware of what probs may be surfacing in future (air ride etc).
I'd be OK investing a bit in this car as needs arise...the resale value does not interest me...the car was great except for brakes for the 3700 I paid...what car of this quality can be had for that? NONE.
Yes..it is old and complex. But if you check them out before you buy properly, and the miles are low-ish, I dont see a prob.
LS 400...one of the most reliable motor cars ever made by anybody at any time.
For peanuts.
09-15-11, 09:46 AM
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The build quality seems just outstanding...rivaling anything out there
I love the styling, it's a subjective thing but...it's not a "tater bug" that could be any one of numerous brands these days
All in all...I cannot believe how great a bargain a LS 400 is if it checks out well.
Yes..it is old and complex. But if you check them out before you buy properly, and the miles are low-ish, I dont see a prob.
LS 400...one of the most reliable motor cars ever made by anybody at any time.
For peanuts.
I love the styling, it's a subjective thing but...it's not a "tater bug" that could be any one of numerous brands these days
All in all...I cannot believe how great a bargain a LS 400 is if it checks out well.
Yes..it is old and complex. But if you check them out before you buy properly, and the miles are low-ish, I dont see a prob.
LS 400...one of the most reliable motor cars ever made by anybody at any time.
For peanuts.
Mike
09-15-11, 10:12 AM
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09-15-11, 10:51 AM
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Thanks to all for your comments!
It really is amazing indeed that a car of this quality can be had for so little.
If there are any Doubting Thomas' reading, just take a look at Craigslist to see what is available for around 5K. Then, do what I did and do heavy 'net research as regards the long-term reliability of what you see for sale, even for up to 10K.
I have no doubt that you will find that the "price rivals" were never in the same class as the LS 400 when new, do not show nearly the same results in the long-term dependability surveys (Consumer Reports, JD Powers, Edmunds, etc etc), never recieved the mass acclaim from the pro reviewers, and on-and-on.
My research showed me that the LS 400 does indeed age well, when cared for as a car should be. I had not had the LS 400 in mind when I began my studies, but it was coming up time and time again. Of course Toyota was doing their very best to crack that market, to establish the Lexus brand, and when Toyota is "on a mission" they can do work that rivals ANYTHING build quality-wise. My 2000 Tundra a prime example...I have not taken care of it, 235K, had to replace the alternator since new. Period.
It really is amazing indeed that a car of this quality can be had for so little.
If there are any Doubting Thomas' reading, just take a look at Craigslist to see what is available for around 5K. Then, do what I did and do heavy 'net research as regards the long-term reliability of what you see for sale, even for up to 10K.
I have no doubt that you will find that the "price rivals" were never in the same class as the LS 400 when new, do not show nearly the same results in the long-term dependability surveys (Consumer Reports, JD Powers, Edmunds, etc etc), never recieved the mass acclaim from the pro reviewers, and on-and-on.
My research showed me that the LS 400 does indeed age well, when cared for as a car should be. I had not had the LS 400 in mind when I began my studies, but it was coming up time and time again. Of course Toyota was doing their very best to crack that market, to establish the Lexus brand, and when Toyota is "on a mission" they can do work that rivals ANYTHING build quality-wise. My 2000 Tundra a prime example...I have not taken care of it, 235K, had to replace the alternator since new. Period.
09-15-11, 12:19 PM
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The thing with the LS. You can get a great car at a very good price. As we move forward I only see the prices go up. The cars are be coming more popular and collectable with time. You can see by this forum people are saving & restoring these cars. My 98 is my primary car I drive. I just enjoy it. Heck a riding lawn mower can cost you 4 grand & doesn't have air!!!
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09-15-11, 12:51 PM
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09-15-11, 01:39 PM
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09-15-11, 01:53 PM
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I was told that the '95-'97 have the fewest problems and best build quality of the breed.
However, I don't know of a bad Lexus, so I'm confident that I would be very happy with a 430.
The one pictured here in posts #63-#65 would be my first choice for an LS430. http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread...=369953&page=3
The car is just awesome!
Mike
09-16-11, 05:43 AM
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Wow Mike, that IS a beauty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want one too!!!!!!
It is bound to be an extraordinary car!
As regards the LS400, Ive been told that 95-97 slightly edged out the other years...same as you have heard. At the same time the 2000 LS400 recieved the most perfect score from Consumer Reports Ive ever seen for a car.
I want one too!!!!!!
It is bound to be an extraordinary car!
As regards the LS400, Ive been told that 95-97 slightly edged out the other years...same as you have heard. At the same time the 2000 LS400 recieved the most perfect score from Consumer Reports Ive ever seen for a car.
02-12-13, 10:37 PM
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Wow Mike, that IS a beauty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want one too!!!!!!
It is bound to be an extraordinary car!
As regards the LS400, Ive been told that 95-97 slightly edged out the other years...same as you have heard. At the same time the 2000 LS400 recieved the most perfect score from Consumer Reports Ive ever seen for a car.
I want one too!!!!!!
It is bound to be an extraordinary car!
As regards the LS400, Ive been told that 95-97 slightly edged out the other years...same as you have heard. At the same time the 2000 LS400 recieved the most perfect score from Consumer Reports Ive ever seen for a car.
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