Thoughts on an LS400 I am looking at
06-13-15, 06:21 PM
#1
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Thoughts on an LS400 I am looking at
Hi!
I am new and I am looking at getting a 1993 LS400. I test drove it and I had a few things that I wanted to pitch at you all and get your thoughts.
The car had two previous owners. The car was traded it at a Ford place just recently and is being sold as-is for about $3000. Here is everything that I noticed:
1. The shifter **** is a bit torn. There was also some type of trim piece missing over the cup holders. It looks like a tool or two is missing from the tool kit. Can these items be replaced (cheaply)?
2. There is a steady squeak (sounds like a pulley or idler). The timing belt was done at 100000 mi and that was like 9 years ago. Car currently has 130k. The squeaky noise increases as engine RPM increases. It doesn't quite sound like a squeaky belt, but I did manage to check the accessory belts and they are a little cracked. From the sound of it, would this be fixed with a timing belt kit fix? (timing belt, water pump, all idlers, pulleys, and tensionor, cam seals, and anything else?)
3. There was a very faint smell of gas when she first started up and after she was shut down. My old subaru used to do this on cold days. Should I be concerned? I didn't see any leaks
4. Very very little rust on the body. Only on paint chip locations, which were few, and just a spot under the hood on some cross support bar over the radiator
5. The engine temp gauge was around 3/4 of the way up. Generally, I see them go about half way and stop. It went 3/4 up but didn't go any higher. It did not go red at all. I even floored it a few times and it didn't go higher but it didn't come down either. Is this normal for this vehicle?
6. I will get this car inspected at a lexus dealer. Good idea or should I take it to an import specialist?
Yay or nay on this car? Think it would cost more than $1500 to fix? She started up just fine and ran great.
I am new and I am looking at getting a 1993 LS400. I test drove it and I had a few things that I wanted to pitch at you all and get your thoughts.
The car had two previous owners. The car was traded it at a Ford place just recently and is being sold as-is for about $3000. Here is everything that I noticed:
1. The shifter **** is a bit torn. There was also some type of trim piece missing over the cup holders. It looks like a tool or two is missing from the tool kit. Can these items be replaced (cheaply)?
2. There is a steady squeak (sounds like a pulley or idler). The timing belt was done at 100000 mi and that was like 9 years ago. Car currently has 130k. The squeaky noise increases as engine RPM increases. It doesn't quite sound like a squeaky belt, but I did manage to check the accessory belts and they are a little cracked. From the sound of it, would this be fixed with a timing belt kit fix? (timing belt, water pump, all idlers, pulleys, and tensionor, cam seals, and anything else?)
3. There was a very faint smell of gas when she first started up and after she was shut down. My old subaru used to do this on cold days. Should I be concerned? I didn't see any leaks
4. Very very little rust on the body. Only on paint chip locations, which were few, and just a spot under the hood on some cross support bar over the radiator
5. The engine temp gauge was around 3/4 of the way up. Generally, I see them go about half way and stop. It went 3/4 up but didn't go any higher. It did not go red at all. I even floored it a few times and it didn't go higher but it didn't come down either. Is this normal for this vehicle?
6. I will get this car inspected at a lexus dealer. Good idea or should I take it to an import specialist?
Yay or nay on this car? Think it would cost more than $1500 to fix? She started up just fine and ran great.
06-13-15, 08:50 PM
#3
An as is price would be below 2000. There will be more problems than what you mentioned. How is it for leaks? How about the tightness and sound of the front suspension? Remember if it was a trade in then the Ford place will be making full what ever you pay for it. They set prices for trade ins and pretty much get them for free. Make a very low offer mentioning all the problems, if the interior is not perfect (you said it insn't) and the exterior isn't a 8 or 9 out of 10. Its over priced. The some what low miles is nice though.
06-14-15, 07:21 AM
#4
And overheating is a problem also. Could be a temp sensor but you never know. What was the coolant condition level and color? I think like the others you can do better at that price. And unless you're ready to put a couple thousand into the car for repairs and maintenence making your equity that much more I think I'd pass.
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06-14-15, 03:18 PM
#8
Hi!
I am new and I am looking at getting a 1993 LS400. I test drove it and I had a few things that I wanted to pitch at you all and get your thoughts.
The car had two previous owners. The car was traded it at a Ford place just recently and is being sold as-is for about $3000. Here is everything that I noticed:
1. The shifter **** is a bit torn. There was also some type of trim piece missing over the cup holders. It looks like a tool or two is missing from the tool kit. Can these items be replaced (cheaply)?
2. There is a steady squeak (sounds like a pulley or idler). The timing belt was done at 100000 mi and that was like 9 years ago. Car currently has 130k. The squeaky noise increases as engine RPM increases. It doesn't quite sound like a squeaky belt, but I did manage to check the accessory belts and they are a little cracked. From the sound of it, would this be fixed with a timing belt kit fix? (timing belt, water pump, all idlers, pulleys, and tensionor, cam seals, and anything else?)
3. There was a very faint smell of gas when she first started up and after she was shut down. My old subaru used to do this on cold days. Should I be concerned? I didn't see any leaks
4. Very very little rust on the body. Only on paint chip locations, which were few, and just a spot under the hood on some cross support bar over the radiator
5. The engine temp gauge was around 3/4 of the way up. Generally, I see them go about half way and stop. It went 3/4 up but didn't go any higher. It did not go red at all. I even floored it a few times and it didn't go higher but it didn't come down either. Is this normal for this vehicle?
6. I will get this car inspected at a lexus dealer. Good idea or should I take it to an import specialist?
Yay or nay on this car? Think it would cost more than $1500 to fix? She started up just fine and ran great.
I am new and I am looking at getting a 1993 LS400. I test drove it and I had a few things that I wanted to pitch at you all and get your thoughts.
The car had two previous owners. The car was traded it at a Ford place just recently and is being sold as-is for about $3000. Here is everything that I noticed:
1. The shifter **** is a bit torn. There was also some type of trim piece missing over the cup holders. It looks like a tool or two is missing from the tool kit. Can these items be replaced (cheaply)?
2. There is a steady squeak (sounds like a pulley or idler). The timing belt was done at 100000 mi and that was like 9 years ago. Car currently has 130k. The squeaky noise increases as engine RPM increases. It doesn't quite sound like a squeaky belt, but I did manage to check the accessory belts and they are a little cracked. From the sound of it, would this be fixed with a timing belt kit fix? (timing belt, water pump, all idlers, pulleys, and tensionor, cam seals, and anything else?)
3. There was a very faint smell of gas when she first started up and after she was shut down. My old subaru used to do this on cold days. Should I be concerned? I didn't see any leaks
4. Very very little rust on the body. Only on paint chip locations, which were few, and just a spot under the hood on some cross support bar over the radiator
5. The engine temp gauge was around 3/4 of the way up. Generally, I see them go about half way and stop. It went 3/4 up but didn't go any higher. It did not go red at all. I even floored it a few times and it didn't go higher but it didn't come down either. Is this normal for this vehicle?
6. I will get this car inspected at a lexus dealer. Good idea or should I take it to an import specialist?
Yay or nay on this car? Think it would cost more than $1500 to fix? She started up just fine and ran great.
06-15-15, 08:25 AM
#9
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a 1999 LS400
Hello everyone,
I am looking at a 1999 LS400 found here: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...01877578&Log=0
The owner says that the timing belt and wp have not been replaced. Work has been done on the vehicle so it appears to be well taken care of. Is the price he is asking reasonable? From the research that I done on autotrader, he is way too high. Sure it has all of the extras, but 16 years of depreciation kills a lot of the offset.
How much do you think it is worth given it needs a TB and WP service?
I am looking at a 1999 LS400 found here: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...01877578&Log=0
The owner says that the timing belt and wp have not been replaced. Work has been done on the vehicle so it appears to be well taken care of. Is the price he is asking reasonable? From the research that I done on autotrader, he is way too high. Sure it has all of the extras, but 16 years of depreciation kills a lot of the offset.
How much do you think it is worth given it needs a TB and WP service?
06-15-15, 08:54 AM
#10
Hello everyone,
I am looking at a 1999 LS400 found here: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...01877578&Log=0
The owner says that the timing belt and wp have not been replaced. Work has been done on the vehicle so it appears to be well taken care of. Is the price he is asking reasonable? From the research that I done on autotrader, he is way too high. Sure it has all of the extras, but 16 years of depreciation kills a lot of the offset.
How much do you think it is worth given it needs a TB and WP service?
I am looking at a 1999 LS400 found here: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...01877578&Log=0
The owner says that the timing belt and wp have not been replaced. Work has been done on the vehicle so it appears to be well taken care of. Is the price he is asking reasonable? From the research that I done on autotrader, he is way too high. Sure it has all of the extras, but 16 years of depreciation kills a lot of the offset.
How much do you think it is worth given it needs a TB and WP service?
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