Hello LS forum members. I'm a long time SC and Club Lexus owner, and I require a four door vehicle as my wife and I are expecting our first baby in a few months. My first thought was to buy a 2005 LS430 for under $20,000, but maybe it's not such a good idea with the uncertainty of child care costs, our labor room insurance deductible, and various other things that I'm not completely sure about. So, the idea of buying a cash car crossed my mind and I've decided to pick up an old LS400. I'm going to look at one in the next few days which is a 1994 and has 141k miles. It's been owned by the same family since 1998 and looks decent for the age. It's black on black which is a plus

Anyways, I just wanted to quickly introduce myself over here as I'm a pretty active member and may have questions. What should I be looking for during the initial inspection? Obviously the main things I'll be requesting is service history including the timing belt 90k service. I've basically ripped apart my entire SC inside and out so I know how Lexus builds their vehicles. I'd like to know some common issues and possible tales of abuse at first glance.

If any of you live in the Metro/DC/NoVa area and know of a car for sale with low miles for around $4,000 or less, let me know.

 

Hello and welcome to the LS world... I think you'll find there are as many opinions on that subject as there are CL members...lol...
But I think most will tell you to steer towards the 98-2000 model years for the greatest improvements and least amount of known problems.
I just picked up a 2000 model for $5k and put about $800 to get her standards up... clean two owner with most of the records available on lexus website.
Look for one owner, preferably older couple, good maintenance records and garaged.
Service history is important.. but know you'll have to put some money in to get it to your standards/needs no matter what type of work they had done on it. Others will chime in here I'm sure...

 

I agree with legender as to the year of the LS to consider. I just bought my 99 3 weeks ago and very happy with with ( one owner, older couple, maintenance records and garaged) I guess I got lucky. It has 107k on it and I paid $5.1K. "KNOCK ON WOOD" I replaced the hood struts and fixed the "Tail lamp failure" and very happy with with.
Good Luck!

 

i recco that if you can afford it, you swing the ~$6000-8500 for a '98-00 LS400, the extra safety (side curtain airbags and VSC), economy, and power will be more bang for your buck.

 

i just bought a 94' and am so happy i did as my son was just born 8 days ago. super clean two owner grandpa car. stoked.

GL man

 

being a car of age I'd be concerned of bushings and engine maintenance.

 

I bought a '91 with 210,000 km's (kilometers, I live in canada lols) for $1,400 (yep.) And it hasn't given me any problems. Needs new plugs and wires and o2 sensors, but that's nothing. These cars are built pretty damn sturdy.

 

Get under it with a good strong light and check out the suspension bushings, shocks and seals. Leaking around power steering parts. Might want to stay away from the models that have air ride. Look at the coolant reservoir for sighns of cracking or leaks. Good luck!

 

Thanks for the feedback. My wife and I are discussing our options. She doesn't want this car to turn into another project vehicle like my SC. We might elect on a newer LS430/460. Thanks again for the responses.

 

You can buy my 95 and save tons
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lex...-ls-400-a.html

 

with the precious package on board, extra safety is a must though first gen LS are pretty sturdy. PureDrifter hit it on the head with a 98-00 model being best bang for buck, but if you can afford a newer one, why not go for it!

 

I live in the Wash met area as well there are a few in our area 98-00 starting at about 8k-12k with mileage from 46k - 140k. Check out Autotrader.com and craigslist for our area. A 98 with 178k for $7k sold at Lexus of Rockville about two weeks ago. Good Luck.

GH5T

 

FYI

Was just looking at CARS.com and saw a 96' at the Import Gallery in Manassas for 3999.00.

GH5T