Hello guys,
I wanted to just put a thought out there and get some input on it. I currently have a 1979 300D benz as i am the 2nd owner, only has 200k miles on it, but I'm looking to get something else this summer b/c I have had the benz long enough. I saw some 91 and 92 Lexus Ls400's for sale for around 7-10k range, and wanted to know if these were good cars, and how they were as far as maintaining, are they real pricey? I like the way they look and I could fix it up like my benz is now. I'd love any input, Thanks.

They're great cars. They are the most reliable of the luxury cars made, and are very smooth and soft riding.

Be warned that repairs, when they are required, are VERY expensive. W140 kinda expensive. The V-8 seems to last nearly forever, but automatics don't. The self-levelling suspension also fails, and is tres-expensive to repair.

From what I can gather from the folks I know with LS400's the few things that need long term attention are the AC system, the transmission and the suspension. Typically, it costs $3-5K to bring an early model back to snuff when buying one used. More if the slush-box needs replacing.

That said, there are lots of owners with 200K-miles without major repairs.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

I had 1994 LS400 for almost 8 years, I bought it used in summer 1996. I had few mechanical problems with the car during the 8 years:
Front wheels allignment: once about 2 years ago
Small oil leak about 3 years ago, fixed with 2 or 3 can of engine stop leak.
Small power steering leak about 4 years ago, fixed with one can of power steering stop leak.
Brake pads: Front pads last about 3 years or 40k miles, rear pads last about 6 years or 80k miles.
Tires: about 30k miles, does not matter what brand I used, the last set I bought was Yoko Avid Touring, which is very quite and suite the LS400 very well, and very cheap too.

The biggest problem is the instrument light. For the last 3 years or so, the lightling does not come on as I started the engine, it took about 5 to 10 minutes to light up. It's getting worse, I may have to drive without seeing anything in the instrument cluster, including speed, fuel gauge ...

I think the price of 1990-1991 LS400 with about 100k miles in good conditions should be about $7k to $8k in Southern California. I do not know how much you have to pay for it in your area. For about $12k, I would try to buy 1995 LS400, which was the second generation that has stronger engine
and it has improved 5-speed transmission

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'00 E430 Brilliant Silver/Ash

91 LS400,best car i ever owned. I traded it in on my 1992 500SEL. What was i thinking.

I have been thinking for a while now about selling my 300CE for a LS400 I have attached a link that may help. What I do know for sure is that we will never get this kind of support from a Lexus forum, if one exists. Probably why I have not sold my Benz yet. Still very tempting. I toke one in on trade when I worked at a stealership in the UK with 310,000 miles. Full service history. The car drove great. It had a full tank of gas and I drove it home a few nights. Wow what a car.

So is a Benz.


http://www.familycar.com/RoadTests/Lexus1stGen/Lexus1stGen.htm

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88 300CE 300,000kms
Black Pearl, Burgandy Leather
Euro Lights.
Its for sale. Its SOLD

The best thing about a used Lexus is the good pricing relative to buying new. The ES300's hold their value nearly as well as the C-Class Mercedes, but other Lexus cars sure don't. The LS cars are great used buys. I've seen 1997 models well into the $20K's. (CDN) Considering these cars could run close to $100K new, that's a real bargain.

The LS is a great car, but a different animal than a Mercedes, and from a different planet if you like BMW cars. They are a pure luxury car and offer a super-quiet interior, smooth ride and silent driveline. If you're expecting a communicative "driver's" car, the LS is not it. However, it's hushed cabin and superior stereo sure would make "stuck in traffic" seem much less of an ordeal.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

here's a Lexus forum I've peeked at a few times:
http://www.clublexus.com
and go over to:
http://www.edmunds.com
They have used car reviews, and a "Car Discussion" section that's pretty good.

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past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

My sister's boyfiriend is a moderator (or whatever they call them) at Clublexus. I have been there a few times to look around and they seem friendly. He is close friends with several people there so it seems pretty tight.
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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