donmecca

I posted this a while ago in the regional (South Florida) LS forum, was suggested I post here for better response:
Hello SoFL club members,
I've been lurking on this forum past few months trying to decide if I should sell my '99 LS400 with ~160K or try and bring it back to life. I decided to keep it and get her back on the road. We bought it in '02 from JM Lexus certified pre-owned off the show room floor and has been a great car for my wife since about 18 months ago. I want to let my 17 yr old daughter drive my Titan truck so I will use the Lexus once I correct the following (and any additional issues that inevitably will pop up):
My main issues are:
1) transmission will not engage in D sometimes in R - looking to have new or rebuilt installed with new real seal I'm challenged mechanically so not for me. Any recommendations of a good transmission shop close to Plantation?
2) need new fob/key only have valet - easy, bring original which is in pieces to JM and they will rebuild for $70
3) original diamond pearl paint is shot need to re-paint or auto flex coat it - had the Titan plasti-dipped, looks good but not durable. Autoflex coatings is supposed to be longer life and chemical/gas resistant but still peelable.

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

personally I would sell that sucker and just get another one.. 3000$ will buy one in pretty good shape here in Texas...... to each his own..

donmecca

Believe me I have thought hard about it, so far best offer has been $800.00

RA40

iTrader: (6)

How is the condition of the rest of the car? mechanical running? Interior?

A fluid drain of the the tranny and maybe shift solenoids might fix the shifting. A few fluid changes would bring results and doesn't cost much. If it is determined the transmission needs a rebuild then I'd be thinking like Billy. The paint, that's $$

donmecca

The scary part is I have NOT turned over the engine in the last 18 months, need to get a new battery this weekend. Paint is horrible, sat under a mango tree so its covered in a film of black moldy looking substance that I'm pressure washing off slowly. common sense says to let her go, move on but I really love this car, had it since 2002.

anesthesia

I'm very surprise to hear the transmission has issues at 160k, these transmission are extremely durable with just fluid change can easily go 300k without any issues. How often did you change the fluids and did you use Toyota type IV?

donmecca

Can't find the service records for that but we routinely took it to dealer, JM lexus for routine maintenance/oil changes etc , but I'm guessing they did not do anything with transmission. Once the tranny started slipping a mechanic drained and refilled using Toyota type 4 but said the fluid was black that came out.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Roughly we're similar, bought ours in '02 as well. You've had this a good spell so you know the mechanical background. The dealer had done the ATF fluid on ours at 60K miles. I've done the regular 2 quart drains beginning at 100K miles every 15K thereafter. With yours I would suggest the 2 quart drain until the fluid is fresh red again. To cycle this through the system you'll probably need to do this about 4-5 times. These transmissions respond well to this simple fluid change. If you can DIY the cost and time are worth it. Buying another car/LS400 may bring specific issues to pay for. Tough call though I would be inclined to keep the one you have and work through what is necessary. The cosmetic issue is going to be $$ for good paint. May have a detailer look at it and see if there is something they can do.

lextout

you would be surprise what a good detailer could do the car and bring the paint back to life for 300$, the paint on these cars especially your tri stage pearl white is really hard to discolor, lexus invested alot of money into that paint code.

go to the junk yard get a tranny for 300$ and have it installed for 300$, these trannys and engines are cheap to buy used for a reason, there rarley in deman cause they rarley break.

donmecca

Sounds like a plan, thanks.

dicer

18 months under a tree? If a car is going to set there is no excuse for sun caused paint problems, that is what car covers are for, but they have to be layered well and
weighted down so wind won't blow it and abrade the paint. And every time the cover is put on the car has to be washed, dirt is not your friend under a car cover. Also simply keeping it waxed or even paint coatings will protect the paint job from UV damage.

donmecca

I agree, no excuse on my part but the ugly truth is it happened so I gotta deal with it.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Any pics of the paint close up? Curious how it is.