My first attempt at posting this was somehow lost, so trying again. Will add pics if this goes through.

Bought a black 2005 Custom Luxury with 91k miles on it last month. Paid approx $14,400 before tax/fees. Been lurking here for a month, but finally got the registration/plates so I figure it's really mine now.

Wanted to say thanks for all the info I've picked up here so far.

So far I've replaced the clockspring. Got it from mylparts for about $285. Symptoms were horn not working and random beeps like I had pressed a dash button when turning steering wheel.

I've done two trans drain and fills of 2 qts each time and changed the oil once with an FL-400s.

I think the car lived outside so the black paint has taken a beating. I've done a clay bar, Meguiars compound, polish and wax once to clean up the worst of it.

Plan to do timing belt soon.

 

Woohoo, it worked! Ok pics:

 

Great looking car! Congrats!

 

Beautiful car! Welcome to the forum.

 

Very nice Abby. Your get the hang of things fast. Don't forget the differential and cleaning the throttle body an maf sensor.

 

You got a great deal. You'll love the CL. It cleaned up very well.

 

Thanks for the warm replies everybody!

Thanks! I did check the diff fluid and it looked brand new, so I'm going to hold off changing that until I run out of things to do.

Have read on here about cleaning the TB and MAF. I'll have to put that on my list for after the timing belt.

I've also got a front passenger power lock out. Bought the motor to replace, but the place I work on my car costs by the hour, so I might hold off on that until I have a place with a garage (in apt for now).

 

The MAF and TB cleaning are super simple. Just unplug, remove the MAF sensor, and spray with MAF or electronic cleaner.

The throttle body is also quite easy. Depending on how dirty it is you really do not even have to remove the unit. Just remove the intake tubing and a few vacuum hoses and you have access. A rag and some carb cleaning and she will be much cleaner. When you get to this you will see a little cover and two screws hold a small cover down. Remove the cover and clean any carbon built up inside. We all have been calling this the "idle port" but this may not be the correct term. Sounds good though. It's really a 1/2 hour job and easy diy.

I also replaced my drivers door lock actuator without a garage. It's a pain and took me about 4 hours. Another easy diy it is removing, disassembling, and cleaning the smog sensor. It is mounted right near the horns in front of the radiator.

Also, don't rely on color for the differential fluid. It should be changed every 30 - 45 thousand miles. Another easy DIY.

 

Looks super clean...I believe Lexus still sells chrome badging if you're interested in 'de-golding' your car.

 

Does anyone know for sure if gold badges meant anything?

Or were they just another option?

 

Keep the gold badges. They look nice and were appropriate during the time. It was felt they added a bit of class.

 

The gold badging is a personal choice and preference, and period correct, however it does tend to "date" your otherwise newer looking vehicle, and tend to clash with the full chrome upgraded OEM wheels IMO.

 

START SARC. Omg. You're so right. The exterior of that car has TOTALLY taken a beating. It looks horrrrrrible!
END SARC.

Looks beautiful!!!!!!!!! Welcome to the Club!

 

Thanks! Yeap, I think I'm going to switch to the chrome ones eventually. The front looks easy, the rear... no so much.

I think they were just an option. I did the whole "MyLexus login" thing and one of the first entries, at about 50 miles, is changing the badges to gold.


Haha. Thanks.

I did pick the best angles for the pics. The roof, hood, trunk are the the issue; the clear coat has many very fine pin holes. She lived out her youth in LA. I'm hoping a few more compounding sessions will reduce or eliminate it.

 

Putting it on list...
The issue is, I would get in trouble with the apt. complex. They have security and such and taking a car apart in the parking garage is frowned upon. I did manage to change the clockspring in the parking garage though. Don't tell!
Ok, ok... It's on the list.


Thanks!