Lexus4me

Hi,

I saw a 1990 LS400 with 168,000 miles. how reliable would this car be at 16.8k miles? how much would you pay for it?

I plan to see this car in the afternoon, I like to know what do I need to watch for even if the engine sound smooth.

First time thinking about a used car... please help.

LexLS

What, a 1990 with 16,800 miles??? hmmmm I would be very suscpicious, sounds too good to be true. The only situation where that would make sense is if someone bought the car and almost never drove it for 13 years. Otherwise, I would think that a new odemeter was installed at some point. See how it drives and ask lot's of questions during your test drive.

Check out the other thread about LS owners help for specific questions.

BrianV

I'd make sure all the rubber parts weren't all dried out, sounds like the car never got out.

Lvangundy

It might not be the buy you really want..

Where is the car located?

The mileage is extremely low (if real) and time and age seem to be more of a problem for these cars than mileage.

Have it checked out (preferably by a Lexus dealer - have them do a full inspection)

For being 13 years old, it hasn't got enough miles on it to even go through a medium sized maintenance routine. The fluids could be still as they were 13 years ago! not good..

Lexus4me

my bad, it is 168,000 miles...

I've decided not to buy 1st gen LS, it seems better to buy newer one instead of spend money on new parts for 1990

gs400998

If the current owner hasn't done all the major maintenances recently such as timing belt, water pump, brakes, new tires...... it can be a lot of money after this purchase

LexLS

Of course, too good to be true because it was....168k, now that makes sense. Now, that seems about right for a 1990.

Your descision is valid, just buy what you can afford.

LS400

Be sure to thoroughly investigate the history of this 1990 LS400 (maintenance, replaced OEM parts, etc.) .

For the most part, 1990 - 1994LS400's have been very reliable (engine, transmission, etc.) and make good used cars if (of course) have been maintained properly.

Of course, for a car of over 10 years, things usually wear and tear so problems (70% chance) will arrise.

Here's a quick list of some problems that occur with a large percentage of first-generation LS400's (1990 - 1994) over time:

Dash Board
Temperature/Clock LCD
Control Arms
Power Steering Pump
Alternator
Leather Cracking

I am probably forgetting more, but those are the main problems that are prone to break/fail (if they haven't already).

If you decide to go with the purchase, I would advise getting a full tune-up (flushing out fluids, clean the fuel system, etc.) and full point system check on the car.

durightman

I have a 90 LS with 115,000 miles on it. I got it from a dealer and I have the service records. She is a beauty.

Skip

In August of 1989 I bought my mom a LS 400 from the Lexus dealer in Torrance California. She had me put rubber floor mats ,to cover the carpeted ones in it ,before we drove it home. The car is always garaged and never has had any food or drinks in it. The interior still smells like new. The car is in new condition. My mom still drives the car daily to the store and church. The car still has the original tires on it. The car has only had two people in it a few times and I am not sure if anyone has ever sat in the back seat. Now we get to the best part. The car has just turned 14,000 miles and my mom just turned 89 years old. Both are in great shape. My wife has a GS 430 that we bought new over two years ago and she just turned 2,000 miles. I know this sounds like a story, but I swear that it is true. Skip

azari

skip,

How regularly has the car been driven, or has the engine been started??? In other words, during all these years, would she not drive the car for long periods of time and the car just sat still? If that's the case, then even though it has so few miles, it's most likely not in as good a shape as you'd think it is in! However, if she drove it, say at least 2 times a week to grocery store or church which are 2 miles away from your house, then it's great. By the way, have you spent ANY money on repair on this car at all? how many times have you changed the fluids/oil? Also, say you're about to sell it now, how much would be your asking price?
The reason I'm asking these questions is because as you said it sounds like a story, and like any great story, you'd want to know more about it A few months ago, I bought my first LS400, a 1991. With only 72000 miles and the price, I thought I was getting the greatest deal of my life! Because 72000 miles on a 1991 sounded incredible and very pleasing. But now you're telling me that there is a lexus, a 1990 with 14000 miles on it,,, lol I want that car so much,

Skip

You are pretty close on your figures. The car is driven usually about twice a week. Church is about 1.5 miles away and the market is about .75 miles from her house. The car is serviced (oil etc) twice a year. The line of people starts forming to buy her cars the day she gets them. It is the 516th LS 400 brought into the states. The car does not even have a door ding ! I have owned many cars and had a few race cars, and in my opinion, a Lexus IS the best car on the planet ! Skip

1994 LS400

Hey ~
This car sounds Like a true GEM ! If you have the time I am sure many of us would love to see some pics of her ! Near Perfect Leather on a first Gen LS ................. I forgot what that looks Like if you find the time PLEASE some
Paul

azari

yea, great idea!!!
If you have the time, take as many pictures as you can from both interior and exterior of the car... we all would love to see this car.

Skip

I will take some pictures of it and post them on the board, Skip