Hutch88

I am looking to buy my first preowned Lexus LS400. I've been searching for the 91-93 years but also keeping an eye out on a steal for a mid to late nineties as well. I've been looking around the forum the past few days, taking notes of general issues with these cars and also getting very excited about owning one. But I would like to hear your opinion on what questions I should ask the owner about the car and what I should keep an eye out for. Thanks guys.

Legender

Here is someone else's experience that should prove helpful...
Can't remember where I found it... and take no credit for it. But feel it does give you a place to start.
Good luck and hope you find what you're looking for...

LScowboyLS

I would look hard at the 95-97 models, they have improvements over the 90-94 generation and the price has dropped down to essentially the same pricing on both generations, so the 95-97's are the bargain.

98-00 are even further improved (a lot of improvements), but have not dropped down in price far enough to be quite the steal the others are, but will over the next couple of years.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

follow cowboys suggestions, stay away from 90-94 IF you can... 95-97 MUCH better and not much more $$$.
you will eventually want a 98-2000 because it is MUCH MUCH better....

Hutch88

What do you guys think about this? http://kalamazoo.craigslist.org/cto/4140396773.html

LScowboyLS

nah, it's not a creampuff, wheel & converters have been replaced, for example - find one all original, garage kept, 1 owner

EmpPenguin

What exactly are the improvements of the third generation (1998-2000) over the second (1995-1997)? The things I notice right away are the 5-speed transmission versus the 4 for better fuel economy, and the absence of the power-mast antenna and use of the diversity antenna. What else?

Sc0pe

iTrader: (1)

VVT-i kicked in, bro.

You also get a center headrest for the rear passengers, lower fog lights, optional HIDs, and a contemporary front end. Not to mention some fancy informational displays on the dash cluster (not sure if those are shared between all 95-00s or not) and OBDII.

xtremex626

iTrader: (3)

everything in general on the 98-00 is better than the previous gens.. aesthetically and performance wise. not hating on the older gens but think about it.. it took lexus 8-10 years to perfect the ls400 till they moved on to the even better ls430.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

how is this:

LScowboyLS

the big improvements to me are:

● much more power
● much improved theft deterrence
● much improved traction control
● side air bags
● no more pesky caps & rotors!

Legender

I gave my 93 to my dad and upgraded to the 95... then gave that to my mom and upgraded to the LS430... then found a creampuff 99 to get back into the LS400... of all three 400s I had... only the 99 is the one I really want to hang on to... easy to work on, great improvements in ride, handling, performance. And love the classic look ... I'd stay with 98-2000 if I was looking. Love the headlights also.
I did keep the creampuff LS430 not stupid...

j5ive

I found the same price discrepancy with 98+ LS400 when I was looking. Without going into the details, the essentials are:

90-94 is first generation. 250hp

95-97 is second generation. Totally new car (90% new or redesigned). Longer Wheelbase while maintaining overall length (more rear legroom, less trunk capacity). 260hp, lighter, more fuel efficient, and improvements all over from dual zone climate control to bigger brakes.

98-00 is facelifted, but still second generation for the most part, with various improvements. The BIG changes are the VVT-i head on the motors, which made power jump significantly to 290hp and a 5-speed transmission. These changes made it even more fuel efficient, while being quicker and more powerful. Not a big deal to some, but the radio antenna was also integrated into the glass, removing the exterior antenna mast.

I picked up a 96. It was low mileage, and the price was great. I personally like the pre-facelift version better, as it still has that distinct LS400 look to me. But if I had found as good of a deal on a 98+, I'd take it for the HUGE performance improvements while being more fuel efficient.

The other thing with the 95-97s is, a lot of non-car people can't tell the difference between them and the first generations. This means a seller sometimes checks out the going price online, then lists it according to prices that include the first generation models because they look similar. This is how you can sometimes find a great deal on a gen 2.

EmpPenguin

That's what I was asking earlier. Aside from the powertrain and diversity antenna, I don't see much of a difference between generations 2 and 3.

j5ive

That's because 98-00 is NOT Third Gen. It's a facelifted 2nd Gen. Third Generation are the LS430s from 2001-2006. Many incorrectly call the 98-00 Third Gen because of how different the front end looks.

Another example to help clarify would be the Nissan 240SX for example. The 95-96 models had a more rounded front end while the 97-98 models is more squared off. But they're both considered the same generation (S14)