Was looking into purchasing a LS400, I don't know too much about them so i figured this is the place to learn. I'm new so i hope this hasn't been covered already but when do LS400's start to have a lot of issues as far as high mileage is concerned? So far all the LS400's i like seem to be anywhere from 190k to 200k+. Do they need rebuilds around that mileage or is there anything I need to know before trying to purchase one with high mileage? Or are they pretty reilable and just keep up with the oil changes and tune ups and i should be good? sorry for the 101 questions

 

Welcome to Club Lexus.

As nice as the LS400 is, they are like any other car in terms of performing the scheduled maintenance. If the intervals have been overly extended or neglected, there will be problems and $$ spent to fix.

The FAQ is a good overview:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...questions.html

Typical discussions:
starter
shift solenoid
suspension bushings
engine, tranny and carrier bushings
ECU capacitors

If you can get a sample ~100K miles or less along with good service history records your odds improve. Generally, I would say the '91-97 LS400's are EOL so in most cases this will be a short term car. There are good ones out there so it varies on what you'll find.

 

I have a 1998 LS400 with just over 180,00 miles on it and I expect it to go many more miles. I use this vehicle for long trips on a regular basis and I am not concerned about the reliability.

That being said, I have owned this vehicle since I purchased it as a CPO from a Lexus dealer with 28,000 miles on it. The vehicle has has impeccable maintenance for that time and I trust it completely, If you can ascertain whether the vehicle has been maintained properly I wouldn't hesitate to buy a vehicle with that kind of mileage.

 

I just joined with my 1992 LS400. A real "creampuff". 225K and it drives better than my son's 740il, runs better than my wife's mercedes and has fewer repairs so far than any other car I've owned. It's the most comfortable car I've ever owned. On long trips it rides like it's on rails. My personal target is 400k without a rebuild. Oh, and the "helicopter" balanced engine can still run without disturbing a nickle sitting sideways on top of the engine.

 

thanks for the input! i had heard a few things once they reach 200k it's almost around rebuild engine time but i've always been loyal to Toyota and Lexus is by Toyota needless to say so quality is up there as far as reliability but i just wanted to know what i was getting myself into before just buying one. I've always wanted one though I hope i can find what im looking for. I really want to VIP it maybe not so much oni cambered out but lowered on nice wheels and have it reliable and look good is all i want

 

My LS400 has over 200k miles...by default, I am gonna rehab what I can to get it back to how it was when I fell in love with it...lol. Plugs, caps, rotors, wires, fluid flush, oil change, check or repair/replace ecu, among other things

 

my 96 LS400 has 125K and burns NO OIL whatsoever

issues it has had:

ECU capacitors
power steering leak
idle air control valve
climate control LCD is out
cigarette lighter fuse link

overall, I am very happy with my purchase!!

 

Ive had my 92 LS400 for over 2 years now and have put about 30k on it, its currently at about 183,000 and the only "major" repair has been replacing PS pump and alt thatfluid leaked into and killed it. New PS pump and alt later and everything was back to great conditions. Ive also put about double the amount of money into it in aftermarket stuff (rims, paint, interior, etc.) so I just think my baby really loves me and wont give up that easy. Buy LS's with confidence as long as it looks and drive good, and have no major leakage or other obvious problems.

 

Check out some of the LS400's on eBay, 200K, and some 300K+ and they are getting good prices too.