dame3780

About 6 months ago I purchased a 1 owner 1990 LS in Black Jade. I've mostly replaced worn suspension components as the older owner let go of some maintenance the last few years. I love this car! The previous owner only put on 8k miles in the last 10 years and I put on 15k miles in 6 months. I commute 100 miles a day and just recently returned from a long road trip to Pennsylvania from California. I purchased new tires, 4 wheel alignment, throttle cleaning, and changed oil to prep for my trip. The space in the trunk is amazing! I cannot believe how much I was able to store inside. This left the inside of the car mostly empty.

The LS performed immaculately. I never would have thought I would be driving a 90 across the country (currently at 155k miles). The car is super smooth when cruising down the freeway. I drove across the Southern states including California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas on I-40. Then off to Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and PA. I felt the extra weight with all of my belongings and coolers. The car still was able to merge on the freeway just fine and keep up to speed and more with 80mph zones. Some of the states I had the cruise set to 90 and just relaxed. It's pretty straight depending on the trip you take (Northern or Southern route). The a/c worked just fine in the 110 degree heat through the desert. I still need to add up my gas receipts and estimate mpg's but gas cost should be around $600. Best highway mpg was definitely 24mpg on one tank. I checked the oil once I arrived, 2,700 miles later, and she was still full and looking clean. When I returned, the oil was still full but a little bit dark.

I would like to hear other stories of driving across the country if anyone has done it in the LS. I love this car so much I catch myself looking for another one! Is it wrong to want 2 of them? haha

Michael88

Drove my 98 from Indiana to Las Vegas to Los Angeles. Put it on a cargo ship to Oahu, Hawaii. Drove there a couple years and cargo shipped it to Maui for another 4 years. Back on a cargo ship to Los Angeles, then to Las Vegas and then drove it back to Indiana. Still have it, and still driving it. IF I were you I would take it to Lexus for a water pump and timing belt check up before the next cross country trip though.

dame3780

That is a trip! Nice. Glad to hear you still have it. How long have you owned your 98? The timing belt, cam shaft-seals, water pump all were done about 20k miles ago at Lexus but time wise was 10 years ago. Yeah Lexus inspected when they did the alignment and only mentioned the rack starting to seep on one side. Trying to figure out when I should have the timing belt replaced again.

Michael88

I have owned my 98 for 18 years. I did my timing belt and water pump at 175k miles, and there was a bit of fraying on the belt. I did a Denso OEM waterpump and belt and I plan on getting another 150k before doing it again. I am glad you like your LS400. I love mine. Something about the weight, ride, handling, performance, and reliability that is hard to come by.

Legender

Nice long trip. Glad it was so smooth, but you're in a Lexus, would not have expected anything less. Glad you're enjoying the car and getting a chance to get it on the road. 2 of 'em... Go for more, I say. Get 'em before you can't find 'em anymore.

dame3780

I agree with everything you guys are saying. It's convincing the other half that we need another LS haha. We actually need a large SUV that can also tow so I've been keeping an eye out for a gently used LX. I do see less of these cars on the road. It's quite sad. I was happy to get it on a long road trip though. I received a lot of looks!

Losiracer2

These 1UZ engines are amazing. At 291k miles, mine doesn't burn any oil with 5-6k mile oil change intervals.

spuds

I would hop in mine right now and go cross country. I have that much faith in it.Almost a quarter million miles and it runs excellent.