Brand New Owner - 95 Ls400

[mattward70]

Brand new owner of a black on black 1995 ls400, 130k miles. Hey guys I have searched the forums and found some great info, but I was wondering if a 1995 owner with similar miles could give me the scoop on his experiences.

I am the third owner.

I don't know if the 120k service has been done so I would prefer to be safer than sorry.

I can only find threads on first gen 120k advice, can someone point me elsewhere?

I am located in Torrance, CA (LA Area), does anyone know a reputable place to go? I have picked up that taking it to a toyota dealership is easier on your wallet than a lexus dealership.

Is there a thread with common 2nd gen problems that I can check on?

Thanks guys, glad I could join the group.

[W201 sweden]

Hi there and welcome!

Well, a black -95 LS 400, I've got one too... B) With tan interior, though.

Schedule for some serious "forum" time, and search through this great forum! The "signal to noise" ratio here is very good - so many good posts by friendly people, and so little aggression! :)

Except from regular maintenance, these car seem to benefit from preventive fluid exchange in steering pump. (Can save major $$$.) Hood struts, engine mounts and suspension bushings also age, and may soon need to be replaced on your car?

Some cars (mine included) have vibration problems from differential, drive shafts or propeller shaft.

/Alexander from Sweden

[Patric]

Any work done by a Lexus dealer should be in their database which can be accessed from any dealership with your VIN number. You might check and see what they say about its history.

[RFeldes]

Welcome and hope you find this forum informative as well as you are able to teach us a few things.

[blake918]

Except from regular maintenance, these car seem to benefit from preventive fluid exchange in steering pump. (Can save major $$$.) Hood struts, engine mounts and suspension bushings also age, and may soon need to be replaced on your car?

Some cars (mine included) have vibration problems from differential, drive shafts or propeller shaft.

Welcome Matt! Some more possible issues: ECU, a cracked egr pipe, oil leaks at the cams/crank/valve covers/rear main, broken antenna mast, stereo lcd readout with missing lcd segments, some cd chagner failures, check the steering rack solenoid for debris that will cause/aid leaks, their are probably some more that I can't think of right now!

Take care of the old car, and she'll last a lifetime. Mine has over 277k miles, and it still runs great!

[mann777]

Welcome to LS forum, All the memebers here have extensive knowledge of the technical specs and related failures and preventive actions done, yoo can make a good use of this forum for your car. As Blake said this car lasts really long than competitors. LS rocks !!!

[nc211]

Some cars (mine included) have vibration problems from differential, drive shafts or propeller shaft.

/Alexander from Sweden

Mine is back at the dealership right now for this, again.

Matt, welcome to the club amigo, you'll find everything you could ever possibly want to know, and a bunch of stuff that you probably don't want to know here as well. We're a group of jokers, but we know these cars inside and out. The only problem I have had with mine over the 2+ years I've owned it is due to vibration issues. The engine is perfect, except for a leaking thermostat seal. One of the biggest issues with the 95 and 96 model years was with the engine's computer. Some had a problem of stalling, others had a problem of a jerky feel around 40 mph when you take your foot of the gas. Other than that, it's pretty much normal wear and tear, which these cars handle better than most on the market. Mine had the jerky sensation in the gear box from the computer. It had it since day one I think, which has translated into a problem with the driveshaft area, which created a vibration problem, which started me down the path of trying to fix with new suspension components in my signature below. It is at the dealer right now, with a certified lexus specialist flown in to take a look.

One thing you'll find with owning one of these cars, is that your dealer will not discriminate between the new owners and the used owners. They simply treat you like someone who just purchased a top of the line LS430. Dealer service has been the best in the game, as far as I'm concerned. They're not cheap, not even close. And sometimes they'll recommend replacing something when all it really needs is a good cleaning. But when they start a ticket to repair something, they'll stay on it until it's fixed. They send you on your way, and the problem comes back a few months later, take it back, and it's still on the original ticket.

One suggestion: Respect it's age, and realize that it will have a creak here, squeek there. If you don't, you'll go insane!! Trust me...... just do a search for "Wobble" and NC211.... These guys know what I'm talking about...and it still is on going, although getting closer and closer to being resolved for good.

Another suggestion: www.parts.com

And another: If you can, buy true OEM Lexus parts from one of the vendors of parts.com. If you buy off the shelf parts from your local auto-world, you'll notice it in the car's operation. These cars are soooo well built, with top notch quality parts and design, that mixing parts can create headaches..... Read my thread about my brake experience with aftermarket rotors. It was a nightmare. I think I'm probably at the top of the list for "learn like an idiot" award on here. I've attempted to short cut so many different ways, and none of it has worked.

And just one more: Have the dealership run the vin number. You're looking to see if the timing belt and water pump has been replaced around the 90k mark. It's the biggie service that you want done. You can buy these two parts from the vendors on parts.com and have an indi mechanic do it, saving yourself a butt load of cash.

Mine is a 1995 Black LS400 with 116k miles. Purchased in April 2004 w/ 83k miles. Been up and down the east coast, never stranded, not one time.

[mattward70]

Some cars (mine included) have vibration problems from differential, drive shafts or propeller shaft.

/Alexander from Sweden

Mine is back at the dealership right now for this, again.

Matt, welcome to the club amigo, you'll find everything you could ever possibly want to know, and a bunch of stuff that you probably don't want to know here as well. We're a group of jokers, but we know these cars inside and out. The only problem I have had with mine over the 2+ years I've owned it is due to vibration issues. The engine is perfect, except for a leaking thermostat seal. One of the biggest issues with the 95 and 96 model years was with the engine's computer. Some had a problem of stalling, others had a problem of a jerky feel around 40 mph when you take your foot of the gas. Other than that, it's pretty much normal wear and tear, which these cars handle better than most on the market. Mine had the jerky sensation in the gear box from the computer. It had it since day one I think, which has translated into a problem with the driveshaft area, which created a vibration problem, which started me down the path of trying to fix with new suspension components in my signature below. It is at the dealer right now, with a certified lexus specialist flown in to take a look.

One thing you'll find with owning one of these cars, is that your dealer will not discriminate between the new owners and the used owners. They simply treat you like someone who just purchased a top of the line LS430. Dealer service has been the best in the game, as far as I'm concerned. They're not cheap, not even close. And sometimes they'll recommend replacing something when all it really needs is a good cleaning. But when they start a ticket to repair something, they'll stay on it until it's fixed. They send you on your way, and the problem comes back a few months later, take it back, and it's still on the original ticket.

One suggestion: Respect it's age, and realize that it will have a creak here, squeek there. If you don't, you'll go insane!! Trust me...... just do a search for "Wobble" and NC211.... These guys know what I'm talking about...and it still is on going, although getting closer and closer to being resolved for good.

Another suggestion: www.parts.com

And another: If you can, buy true OEM Lexus parts from one of the vendors of parts.com. If you buy off the shelf parts from your local auto-world, you'll notice it in the car's operation. These cars are soooo well built, with top notch quality parts and design, that mixing parts can create headaches..... Read my thread about my brake experience with aftermarket rotors. It was a nightmare. I think I'm probably at the top of the list for "learn like an idiot" award on here. I've attempted to short cut so many different ways, and none of it has worked.

And just one more: Have the dealership run the vin number. You're looking to see if the timing belt and water pump has been replaced around the 90k mark. It's the biggie service that you want done. You can buy these two parts from the vendors on parts.com and have an indi mechanic do it, saving yourself a butt load of cash.

Mine is a 1995 Black LS400 with 116k miles. Purchased in April 2004 w/ 83k miles. Been up and down the east coast, never stranded, not one time.

Thanks for the great reply:)

As for the parts I am an associate at Toyota Headquarters training to be a district service / parts manager for 10-12 dealerships somewhere around the country...so I am glad to hear the service you are getting is good.

Parts are not really a concern for me because of that, genuine all the way.

It is at an inde mechanic as we speak getting timing belt, wp, spark plugs, and transmission fluid changed.

Can't wait to drive it:)

Thanks for the nice welcome, i'm here to stay.

Matt