drseth

Hi,

I am going to look at a 1995 LS400 with 117K miles, one owner, and garaged. The car has 20 inch aftermarket wheels, dark tinted windows, and has a touch screen DVD Player head unit. The owner also has the stock wheels and tires. Service also includes new alternator, timing chain, spark plugs, wires, and computer. The owner states that the car has no damage history and has all service records.

What other items should I look for, as far as service records are concerned? Control arm bushings? Motor mounts? Power steering leakage?

Any other suggestions as far as what to look for? If the car looks and test drives ok, what else should I look at before making an offer?

jaaa

No matter what the mileage, you want the timing belt to have been done somewhat recently. You don't want a ten year old belt, or at least price a timing belt change in. I'd also take a good look at the undercarriage to make sure it had never been slammed.

drseth

According to the ad, the timing "chain" was changed, along with the plugs, wires, and alternator, so I assume the belt and water pump were changed. I will read the service records to make sure.

I have noticed that some LS400's have been lowered, which I don't care for. Would slamming the car, then put back to stock cause any damage to the car?

It also seems there is a common problem with leaking power steering pumps. Would changing fluid help prevent a problem?

jaaa

You would want the "timing belt" to have been done recently(last year or so).
If your car has been slammed at some point, there is most likely damage on the undercarriage.
Power steering leaks wouldn't be solved by changing the fluids. You have to repair the leaks.

dicer

Yes it can, especially the under side hitting and scraping. Sometimes people cut holes in the shock towers for clearance, the shock towers are structural members and made the way they are for a reason.

Banshee365

Was/is the car lowered or not?

djamps

To add to this I'd check on leaks, engine and suspension noises, especially given the soft bushings and struts are being constantly abused by the addition of low profile tires and heavy aftermarket wheels. Due to the under-tray it's hard to see many of the leaks. Mine was leaking very badly and it was mostly collecting onto the under tray, so I didn't realize it until a couple weeks of ownership. Ended up being a mix of oil and PS fluid, requiring a new PS pump, some hoses and valve cover gaskets which although the parts weren't very expensive, it was all a PITA to install and a shop would have charged huge labor. And even though it seemed to drive OK at first glance, it ended up needing a plethora of bushings after clunks, creaks and instability at high speeds were slowly starting to bug the heck out of me. Looking back at the service history, it seems the engine/trans mounts and strut rod bushings seem to go out often. They were serviced as early as 80k miles and WAY gone again when I bought it at 190k.

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

A 1998 or newer

Stereorob

I wouldn't bother with one that's had modifications of any kind. could mean they were more concerned with vanity then mechanics

pmarr

I agree. Have had a 91, 97, 98, 99. The last of the great LS400's are superior in my opinion.

ultm8mind

iTrader: (3)

Not all people who mod care more about looks than ensuring it's running how it should. Kind of need both, can't look good broke down.

96UCF20

Unfortunately, I believe this is becoming more of a trend. The person who I purchased my LS400 from opted to purchase and install low quality aftermarket coilover suspension rather than replacing the non-functioning hood struts or replacing the completely worn out strut rod bushings. The list goes on and on...