Looking into getting a high mileage LS400, Advice?
#16
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Spoke to the guy today and he said the car was bought from the dealer and he does not know if he is the second owner and he does not know if the 90k mile service was done so that makes be nervous.
#17
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
for 90-94 cars, there really isn't anything to be nervous about since the motors are non-interference. if the belt does break, it will just cause a stall. to me it's an indicator to work the price down since it is a $1000-1500 job. i've seen belts go well into the 150k mark w/o a replacement. it's really the water pump that i feel will fail first, or contribute to the belt failing.
you can always check the history at the dealership using the VIN number, if it indeed was bought and maintained at the dealership (factory dealer, not a 3rd party used car dealer).
you can always check the history at the dealership using the VIN number, if it indeed was bought and maintained at the dealership (factory dealer, not a 3rd party used car dealer).
#18
Lexus Champion
recommend a 95 or newer due to several improvements on the car, 98+ had many more improvements
the main thing is you want to see the CARFAX and you want a never wrecked car
I would never buy any car without seeing the carfax first, you would not believe what I have found on a carfax before! - it could be a Hurricane Katrina or Nashville flood car for all you know, cars get shipped all over the country! - Never buy a flood car.
a wreck in the history tends to destroy the legendary Lexus reliability, take your time and find a one-owner cream puff!
I looked at LS400's for 4 months before buying my 96
the main thing is you want to see the CARFAX and you want a never wrecked car
I would never buy any car without seeing the carfax first, you would not believe what I have found on a carfax before! - it could be a Hurricane Katrina or Nashville flood car for all you know, cars get shipped all over the country! - Never buy a flood car.
a wreck in the history tends to destroy the legendary Lexus reliability, take your time and find a one-owner cream puff!
I looked at LS400's for 4 months before buying my 96
#22
Lexus Champion
how much is a timing belt job on this vehicle?
Last edited by LScowboyLS; 02-26-13 at 09:55 PM.
#23
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (20)
if the dealer charges that, im sure shops can do half the price.
#24
If I could do it over I'd get a 95-97 over my 98. Sure it has 30 less horsepower, but it's a pain to replace the camshaft seals on a 98 (10 hours labor on top of the timing belt & water pump change charge). It cost me $2300 to have the timing belt, water pump, pulleys, camshaft seals & crankshaft seal done.
Camshaft seal replacement on pre-98 is pretty trivial (minutes of work).
Camshaft seal replacement on pre-98 is pretty trivial (minutes of work).
#25
I have driven our family's 2000 Avalon since I was 16 and just got my license. That car is now 13 years old and has 225k miles on it. Honestly the shocks feel a bit "worn", if you're driving a curvy road, as it leans more than it should in corners and feels a bit sloppy.
Driving it over a worn/bumpy interstate at 70mph it still feels just fine. It just kind of floats/smothers those imperfections, honestly even at this mileage its one of the best riding cars I've ever been in, and I've owned two full size RWD Cadillacs for comparison. The old Avalon tracks more precise in a straight line than those old Cadillacs as well. Its almost too precise, as I find it easier to drive straight ahead with a little bit of slosh like those old Cadillacs had in them.
BTW old Cadillacs tend to drive pretty damn straight if the alignment/ball joints, pitman arm, control arm bushings, all the front end parts are working correctly. Once they get more than 70-100k miles on them they tend to get that sort of wander about them, that sort of big car slosh in the steering if you don't do some front end work on them. Cars living in the rust belt with lots of pot-holes tend to really wear out those front end parts quick
Which is why I love the Lexus LS400, they tend to track pretty damn straight at 100k, 150k, 200k.
#27
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
I just bought a 99 with 228k for $4800. from the 2nd owner, first was a Dr. who drove between Dallas & San Antonio and ran up the miles to 168k , Sewell replaced TB/WP at 130k, second owner put 60k on it, all 4 struts & bushings, new brakes, and just wanted out before 230k job again.
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