Help Me Be A Smart Buyer Of Late-model Ls 400

[LANewsboy]

Howdy all.

I just found and joined this great forum and I'd like some advice. I want to buy a 1998-2000 LS 400 in the next few months and I'd like to be as savvy a buyer as I can be. I've read the advice in the buyer's guide, but I'm wondering if anyone could brief me on any additional things to look for in the 1998-200 years. I'm especially interested in the costs (at dealer) of the most common things that need to done in a car with, say, 90,000 miles. I've read the belt change is $1,200, but i'd like to know as many others as well.

I've been prowling eBay, Craigslist and Cars.com to study the market, and have seen some tempting 400s. I live in the Los Angeles area but would be willing to travel to pick up the right car. And if any of you will cars for sale in months to come, i'd be happy to hear from you.

Thanks in advance for any and all guidance.

[RFeldes]

Welcome to the club LANewsboy..

[ko90ls]

the main thing i hear stressed on the 1998-00 is the HID option for headlights. also make sure that belt is changed cuz if it breaks... you can do a search for that answer, but it's not a good one :o . other than that enjoy your new LS!

[sahtt]

Howdy all.

I just found and joined this great forum and I'd like some advice. I want to buy a 1998-2000 LS 400 in the next few months and I'd like to be as savvy a buyer as I can be. I've read the advice in the buyer's guide, but I'm wondering if anyone could brief me on any additional things to look for in the 1998-200 years. I'm especially interested in the costs (at dealer) of the most common things that need to done in a car with, say, 90,000 miles. I've read the belt change is $1,200, but i'd like to know as many others as well.

I've been prowling eBay, Craigslist and Cars.com to study the market, and have seen some tempting 400s. I live in the Los Angeles area but would be willing to travel to pick up the right car. And if any of you will cars for sale in months to come, i'd be happy to hear from you.

Thanks in advance for any and all guidance.

98-00 are the best years as far as I am concerned, at least until 07 anyhow. The cars maint. is very predictable, especially while it is fairly new which is when you are getting it. The only way you are going to know how much it costs is to call your dealer and ask for a quote. To replace everything you should, it could range from 1200 to 1800. Suspension parts will start wearing around 100k and need bushings etc., cold start injector [not sure if still applicable], etc.. The car is not extraordinarily expensive to maintain. A budget of a 750-1k a year is probably playing it safe so you'll build up extra money for when you may have to get a lot of work done at once. The trick is to replace what you need to at the right time or you'll end up doing the same labor many times. A general idea of what that is can be found in the owner's manual, the rest in this forum.