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I just bought this new 1996 Lexus LS400, with about only 100,000 miles on the odometer. Everything is in decent shape, will definitely need some maintenance and cosmetic adjustments. But I’m very excited to share my car with you all regardless! I don’t really have plans to VIP it, I want to work out all the minor issues before I give it my own touch.
Anyways, I’m glad to be a new member and I look forward to the years to come!
Welcome to the club and let us know of any updates. Do you know how many owners?
Hi!
This car has two previous owners. It was bought brand new in 1996, and in 2001 it was sold to someone in Brooklyn with around 26,000 miles on the odometer. I am the third owner, bought it with 100,084 miles on it.
The previous owner was an elderly gent, and he put about 4,000 miles on it each year. However, I am assuming he did not do maintenance work on this aside from oil and tires because it’s been idling around 1500 RPM ever since I purchased it (IAC? EGR? Evil pixies?), the transmission bucks violently when i put it into R, N, or D, and a few electrical issues like a broken LCD display for the radio and the speedo sometimes forgets to read the current speed unless you give the dashboard a good thwack.
Still, it has low miles (for an LS400!) and I got a great price on it. I’m owning this for life, and I do plan to give it as much TLC as it needs to be properly road worthy.
My 98 would clunk when I'd put it in gear. I let it sit for 9 months since I couldn't drive it for work and it gave me a neutral safety switch code once I didn't need the truck anymore. You don't have to replace the switch! Just pull it off, remove the screws on the back, clean the contacts with sand paper. This fixed my clunk(s) and the weird shutter it would intermittently have.
My 98 would clunk when I'd put it in gear. I let it sit for 9 months since I couldn't drive it for work and it gave me a neutral safety switch code once I didn't need the truck anymore. You don't have to replace the switch! Just pull it off, remove the screws on the back, clean the contacts with sand paper. This fixed my clunk(s) and the weird shutter it would intermittently have.
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Great post and pics. I expect in certain parts of the country, and at this age, this will be a common issue. Maybe it should be in its own thread so people can find it better.
Good cars. Your looks good too. I drive a 1995 since 4 years. These days during the winter only. I drive a 1998 in summer.
It seems likley it will need some TLC. The motor is a interference type. Check that the timing belt and waterpump has been changed in a documented way.
Otherwise it is overdue and poses a risk for major damage if either breaks.
If you DIY like I do you will save a lot of $ . Otherwize find a trustworthy mech that does not overcharge you and know these cars.
Use this forum for tips on where to buy parts etc. Some parts are really ok to buy cheap non OEM.
My 1995 did hard shifts when cold when I bought it. That went away after I changed the trans oil. It was dark and nasty. A hassle since you only can get ca 2 quarts out each time easily. Do it 6 times or so with some running in between to get most of the old out. There is a oil cooler tube trick also I used instead. A bit tricky.
My radio in the 1995 is dead. On the inside I can see traces of at least two repairs. Getting the radio to work can be a hassle I have heard. With some considerable effort it seem possible to get a modern double DIN thing in there.
So, I went to diagnose the check engine light today. It turns out that the torque converter solenoid is defective. I got quoted something to the tune of $1100 (parts and labor) to repair it...
06-01-19, 06:46 AM
New (to me) Lexus obtained!
