LS400 Owner Experiences?

[LexaMomma]

Hi everyone,

My name is Karen, (Read my introduction in the introduce yourself section) and I'm really leaning toward 2 LS400's for my Son's Reid and Ryan who will be turing 16 in July! But as I'll be buying them used, I wanted to know of some common major issues that owners have had to deal with. I used to have an SC430, but my husband made me trade it for a Honda Pilot, I love my Pilot, but I miss my SC!

So, what's your ownership been like?
Karen

[NYLexSC]

@ trading an SC for a Pilot..... go get that baby back!

We used to own a 1990 LS400, and it was absolutely TROUBLE FREE maintenence wise. Regular oil changes, regular preventative maintenence was all that bad boy needed. The LS400 is the luxury sedan that revolutionized the luxury sedan market with its introduction. It's been the rock solid car that Lexus has built its reputation on. The only issue we had with it was after 8 years of ownership when the clear coat on the paint began peeling in certain areas.

Common problems are just as any other to watch out for when buying used. Make sure the A/C is functional and cold, make sure the gauge cluster is operating and not burnt out. The 1st gen LS had some power steering problems with the pump and the hoses, but general maintenence generally prevents this. Check the alternator, which often fails because the PS pump (if faulty) will leak onto it since they are on top of one another.

Whatever you decide, have it inspected fully by a Lexus dealer before purchasing. Good luck!!


p.s. You must really LOVE your kids! I would have killed for an LS when I was 16! I worked my butt off to buy my SC at 17, but an LS would have been phenomenal as well!

[soarer1023]

damn a LS for each of them, but yeah, the LS is pretty much trouble free just like any other lexus, just keep up with the regular maintenance. and if i m you, i will make them take care of the maintenance themselves, coz they need to know their cars.

[LexaMomma]

Well thanks for your inputs guys! They were helpful, I actually was able to find an LS400 that Im going to go test drive, it looks well maintained, one owner, grandma driven. It's a 1996 With 50k! (Passes out). The Lexus dealer that I used to take my SC to, told me that if I was to find one that is 11yrs old with only 50k I might want to pass if the seals on the engine haven't been replaced before due to age. He said that after 11yrs, chances are they're all dried out and cracked, he says that = a leaking nightmare. I looked at the ES's, but I like the LS because it has more standard safety stuff, and the ES's seem to have quite a few electrical issues? (Not sure, just an observation). Yea, I miss my SC, but to be quite honest the Pilot isn't a bad drive, and I have my other 2 Accords if I want to drive something fun. You'd be amazed at how well Accords drive, our 01 is a 5mt and its a blast to drive, the powerband it quite wide. We had an 03' EXL Accord 5spd, but it was totaled last year. Then we had an 06 6spd sedan Accord, that my husband didhn't want anymore so he turned it in (lease). I got my Pilot and we sold my SC for the money (It was paid for) so now we have 30k in savings that we're putting toward 2 new cars (maybe one) as a down payment in 08. So we may even look into the lexus side of things! Anyway's I'll stop talking about Hondas, back to the lexus's, if you own one, I just want to know how you've enjoyed it. (LS and ES owners please)

Karen

[02whiteLE]

Whatever.
You had an SC430, you had an '06 6 speed that you turned in early, you're buying TWO LS400 for your sons. (Twin cars for twin sons... How quaint)
Now you've got a Pilot and a couple of Accords....
That reminds me of the time I traded in my Ferarri F355 for my '02 Camry.