Looking to Buy a Low Mileage UCF20, Some Questions
 

Hi,

After finding a 1997 Ebony Teal Pearl LS400 with 133K miles for my 86 year old mother, I am considering looking for one myself. First a funny story about the paint. I went to DMV to get a title, and tags for the car, and I thought the car was BLACK!!! Imagine my surprise when I noticed the color on the title as GREEN!!! At first I was kicking myself for not noticing a respray, but the door jambs and under the trunk and hood were the same color. Then I found out about Ebony Teal Pearl.

For cars that are getting on 20 years old, what is the lowest mileage you would consider for a well maintained LS400? Is the 95-97 a simpler car to maintain? I see some 1997 Coach Editions that are for sale, and am curious about them. Is the leather any different from the standard LS400 leather? One thing I found impressive was the quietness while at highway speeds, quieter than the BMW 750iL I used to own, or any Cadillac, Buick, or Oldsmobile I have owned. Are all second generation LS400's equally quiet? How does the ride/quietness compare with the LS430? I have had fusion surgery, so I want something soft riding, and have a profound hearing loss, and was able to comfortably have a conversation in my mother's car.

What interior colors were available in those years LS400s? I saw a list of paint colors, but wanted to know if there were any colors prone to fading or clear coat flecking off?

Any help would be appreciated.

Seth Anderson
Moon, VA

Thought I would share a photo of my mom's LS400 that is GREEN!! Looks black to me in overcast or in the shade, a little greenish black in bright sunlight. Love it!!


https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...e616e51b78.png


Mom's New 1997 Lexus LS400 that is GREEN!!!

The '98-'00 is significantly improved over the '95-'97. It has more horsepower, better mileage, more airbags, HID headlights, child seat anchors,and gets rid of the failure-prone mast antenna. If you have the choice, get a 98-00.

The 430 has an even quieter ride than the 400. The 17"-18" wheels on the 430 will give a slightly harsher ride than the 16" on our 400s, but both are quite cush.

If you don't crawl under cars and get dirty and greasy. Do not get an old car.

As far as lowest mileage goes, my LS400 had 33,000 miles on when I picked it up last June. The miles had been consistently applied through the years though and the car was like new. I've put 14,000 miles on since with only a CV axle replacement and routine maintenance. I say buy the lowest mileage car you can find that has good records.

I have a 95 so im in the "old car" category. ive had mine 3 years and has been a dream to drive. its had a few hiccups but no major issues.

the sweet spot on these cars is around 165k miles. that means it wasn't driven to death but was driven enough to be normal. plus at that milage everything that normally breaks has been replaced already. ive had 4 of them and every one ive gotten at around those miles has been a dream. over 300k miles they may be a problem soon, and I wouldn't go anywhere near a 20 year old lexus with 50k on it for obvious reasons. just my $0.02

Those were tough old cars...

My '94 is that dark green. Man, it looks black 90% of the time. :)

Mike

my sister had a black jade pearl 94. I thought the color was exquisite. It's so beautiful when the sun shines on it. I wonder how much of a difference there is with black jade pearl and ebony teal pearl.

Have a beauty Alpine Silver 98. Dream car. As for the paint/clear coat? Some knuckle head went around egging cars in my neighborhood and sure enough, there was egg on my baby LS. Hearing what eggs can do to paint I panicked and ran an grabbed a towel with hot water and it came right off. ZERO damage. 18 year old paint/coat that has seen sun. I heard Lexus was pretty rigorous with their paint standards. I also own a 97 and it's just not the same car. Go with the 98-00