LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

I drank the Kool Aid

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Old 03-05-18, 09:13 PM
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98LS4oo
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Default I drank the Kool Aid

I bought my 1st LS 400 today. It's a '98 with about 222k miles. Came with service history of recent timing belt, water pump, thermostat, a/c recharge, and a bunch of other maintenance work. I was getting too old to keep crawling in and out of my Miata, and the Suburban I owned had horrible MPG. I've always wanted one of these, and I couldn't pass this one up. Body and paint are in good shape, and the interior is in near perfect condition. Previous owner was an 81 year old man that obviously took good care of it. One question: Did all 98's come with an air suspension and if not, how can I tell if mine has it or not?

Old 03-05-18, 09:20 PM
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Losiracer2
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If you have a switch on the center console labeled, High, Norm, Snow or something like that...that's what adjusts the height of the air suspension, if equipped.
Old 03-05-18, 09:21 PM
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eddievegas
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Hello and Welcome 98LS4oo. Congrats on your new LS.

Yours is such a classic beauty in black and looks so durn good. But remember, black is not a color, it's a hobby.

You have a Miata too? Mine is a '90 B pkg with 70k miles. I love my Miata too and it's such a blast to drive, but it is such a comfortable experience when I drive my LS to work.

Most LS2.5's ('98-'00) do not have AS. If yours does, there will be a button in the wood grain area near the shifter for the air suspension.


Eddie
Old 03-05-18, 09:35 PM
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bradland
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If you have the button circled in red you have air suspension...
Old 03-05-18, 09:51 PM
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98LS4oo
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Originally Posted by eddievegas
Hello and Welcome 98LS4oo. Congrats on your new LS.

Yours is such a classic beauty in black and looks so durn good. But remember, black is not a color, it's a hobby.

You have a Miata too? Mine is a '90 B pkg with 70k miles. I love my Miata too and it's such a blast to drive, but it is such a comfortable experience when I drive my LS to work.

Most LS2.5's ('98-'00) do not have AS. If yours does, there will be a button in the wood grain area near the shifter for the air suspension.


Eddie

Thanks for the explanation. Mine definitely doesn’t have air suspension.

I sold the Miata to fund the purchase of the LS. It was a ‘96 M Edition. I loved it, but it wasn’t practical as a stuck in traffic commuter car and I needed a back seat again. Parking is limited where I live so it was time to pass it on. The LS is pretty much the opposite of the Miata in every way, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Old 03-05-18, 10:03 PM
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Twin to my car.Congrats on the buy and the history,good stuff.

Can I ask what you paid for future reference for future buyers? And how the LS400 wound up on your radar?

For me I surfed web.Guy did thing on worst cars.Seemed informed so I looked at his best picks,LS400 was number 1. Hmmmm says I ,lets look further.100 hours later of research and I knew,this car is special and I want one.Rest is history.

More pics if you have them please...

Last edited by spuds; 03-05-18 at 10:08 PM.
Old 03-05-18, 10:12 PM
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98LS4oo
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Originally Posted by spuds
Twin to my car.Congrats on the buy and the history,good stuff.

Can I ask what you paid for future reference for future buyers? And how the LS400 wound up on your radar?

For me I surfed web.Guy did thing on worst cars.Seemed informed so I looked at his best picks,LS400 was number 1. Hmmmm says I ,lets look further.100 hours later of research and I knew,this car is special and I want one.Rest is history.
i paid $3500. More than I had planned on spending, but the seller was firm on his price. I’d been looking for awhile, and this one was much nicer than everything else I’d seen. As far as how I landed on an LS400, I’ve always liked them since they 1st came out. Even at 20 years old, the styling holds up well. The build quality is 2nd to none and the only modern convenience it’s missing is a Bluetooth for hands free calling. I might get a kit to add that in to the stock stereo, but I don’t want to stick an ugly controller on the dash. After years of Volvo’s and other assorted impractical yet fun nonsense, I figured it was time to drive something else for awhile.
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Old 03-05-18, 10:33 PM
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spuds
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Originally Posted by 98LS4oo
I paid $3500. More than I had planned on spending, but the seller was firm on his price. I’d been looking for awhile, and this one was much nicer than everything else I’d seen.
Then you paid the right price IMO. Wish you many many happy miles.Crazy nice ride,eh? Oh,and I like buying from 81 year old men,they take care of business.

Last edited by spuds; 03-06-18 at 02:58 AM.
Old 03-06-18, 07:36 AM
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Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the club. I have a 98 also, but kept my 2000 Miata for the weekends. They are fun to drive and completely opposite of the LS. I enjoy both styles of driving. We need those interior pics, stat!
Old 03-06-18, 10:54 PM
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98LS4oo
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Originally Posted by Legender
Congrats on the purchase and welcome to the club. I have a 98 also, but kept my 2000 Miata for the weekends. They are fun to drive and completely opposite of the LS. I enjoy both styles of driving. We need those interior pics, stat!

A few interior pics. Nothing fancy, but the leather is all in good shape.




Old 03-06-18, 11:03 PM
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Very nice.
Old 03-07-18, 04:48 AM
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You did good!
Old 03-07-18, 08:56 AM
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Everything about that car looks too nice. I think the PO must have rolled the odometer forward.
Old 03-07-18, 01:33 PM
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nice ride and welcome!
driver's side mirror looks a little dull, nothing a little polish can't fix perhaps.
Old 03-07-18, 01:58 PM
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98LS4oo,
Welcome and what a beauty! You thought it was kool aid. You'll find It's champagne. These cars are truly a reward.


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