Pineroot

!st post on this forum but already see some great resources....
Short story: My 97 Nissan truck died a couple weeks ago with 250,000 on it. Managed a deal with a friend for a 95 ls400 with 110,000 miles for $2000 and some barter. I know nothing about Lexus, but did some research online and found only great things about this car. I thought I would drive it for a year maybe and then trade up for another truck. But I "rode" it from NC to PA and decided I'll keep this car forever. She likes to go 80. I'm a new Lexus fan and I love this car!

mduarte

I just bought my first lexus and i love this car.

xxmariolxx

welcome i bought a 90 about a month ago. love my car. these are accually one of the most reliable cars ever built. there was a ls400 with 900k on it on ebay. these cars are known to go over 350k if well maintained. reapiars can be expensive though if your not a diy type of guy. if you are. its just about as much as a toyota to own. congrats on the pick up

Legender

Sounds like a great deal... Welcome to the club and pics are welcome.
Congratulations and welcome to a new world.

dapimpee

Welcome to Lexus.

mappo

I just bought a 2000 last week, my first. I flew to Dallas to get it and drove it back to Maryland. What a highway cruiser! 80 mph most of the way, felt like I was puttering around 35.

This site has been an amazing resource for me already. I'm sure I'll be coming back for more.

Pineroot

When I got this car, I was just looking for some wheels. My little Nissan truck just blew up and my only other set was a 99 Tahoe that gets 13 MPG. I commute 100 miles round trip for work each day and can't afford that gas cost. Not to mention the Tahoe has power steering, brake and heat problems. I carry two kids to school half the time and they hated packing into the bench seat of the truck. Elbows were flying.
So I had a friend selling his Lexus and he also needed some specialized work done that I could do and we made a barter deal.
I didn't know **** about Lexus but took the car because I was in a bind and needed wheels.
Soon as I drove it, I was like "WTF!" This is an amazing freaking car! Almost 20 years old and it drives like this?? My 11 year old said "it feels like we are flying".
So I get online to do research and find so many positive testimonials to this car and feel very fortunate to have acquired it for such a great deal.
Also, this forum seems to have a great deal of useful information about repairs. I need new hood struts, new master key etc... Still haven't gotten into the trunk. Maybe there's some golf clubs or a Picasso in there.

LScowboyLS

^This is accurate.^

here are the main areas that you will need to polish up your DIY skills on:

● timing belt
● tune-up (caps, rotors, plugs, wires)
● strut bar bushings
● transmission mount
● ECU capacitors
● lower EGR pipe
● cigarette lighter fuse link
● positive battery terminal
● upper control arms
● power steering leaks (critical to fix now to prevent alternator premature death)


everything else is pretty much bullet proof on the car!

Pineroot

Thanks for the tips Cowboy. The car seemed to have pretty good maintenance records and the previous owner is a friend so I can find out more info.
It runs fine but has minor issues, (very minor compared to my old truck and my Tahoe)
Hood struts are shot
Seat belt retractors weak
Can't remember steering wheel placement when I put the key in. It seems random.
Wiper fluid reservoir cracked won't hold fluid
Stereo LED is shot, so I can't see the station or see what the 6 disc cd is doing.
Master key is lost so I can't open the trunk
Title transfer next week so I can get key prob fixed with proof of ownership at nearest dealer an hour away.
I'll post a pic as soon as I wash it. Pearl White all stock.

mappo

My hood struts were flat too. I got a new pair off of ebay for less than $34 delivered. They fit and work perfectly, and were at my door three days after placing the order. Trunk struts seem to be harder to get and cost more though.

Amskeptic

May I suggest that you acquire the factory service manuals? These are complex cars and you can very easily get lost in the fog. The factory manuals are like infrared goggles on a dark night.
Colin

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

You can't even tell your cruising at that speed right? I always have to monitor my speedometer to keep myself in check.

Pineroot

I live in the mountains of Western NC. So whenever I drove the old 4 cyl truck my foot was on the floor going uphill, and I would slow down and have to downshift. Got my $ worth out of that truck but... never had to worry about a speeding ticket on the interstate.
I'm not a speed freak at all but I must admit, riding the Lexus to PA, I was tempted to take it over 100. No car has ever tempted me before. Seduction is probably a better description.
But you are right, 80 is easy and cruise control can keep me from drifting higher.
btw, I drove 420 miles on a full tank and still had a quarter tank left. When I filled it up I calculated that I got just shy of 30mpg. All interstate, mostly no AC. Around here on the curvy mountain roads I get about 21-23. I don't do any stop and go city driving. That mpg is equal to or better than the old 4 cylinder truck. Plus I get the nice ride.
I'm keeping this car forever