May Go Look At A 1997 Coach Edition

[ED.]

Saw it on craigslist and emailed the seller. Seems like a good car. He wanted to upgrade to a 430 he said. I have been keeping an eye out for a 1998 but those are pretty rare to find.

Our other BMW may need a new tranny and if that is the case then we'll be saying goodbye. Shame too because the V12 runs strong as ever but a tranny would be a lot to put into it and not worth it on a 1990.

Anyway, is it pretty much the same as our 96? What options came with the Coach Ed.? Air suspension I am not so crazy over but the Nak sound system would be nice.

Thanks,

[ED.]

No Nak which was kind of a let down. Other than that the car was amazing. Interior was nice and the leather was very smooth. White with tan which is the color combo I am a fan of. He just got his 04 LS430 yesterday so maybe I can get him down on the price. He wants 8700 but there a couple spots I could have it taken down. Edmonds says $8368. We shall see.

[blake918]

He wants 8700 but there a couple spots I could have it taken down. Edmonds says $8368. We shall see.

What's the mileage? $8k is way too much for that car unless it has ultra low mileage; that price is in Gen2.5 territory. The '97 is pretty much the same as your '96. Here's what is new for '97 (taken from Lexls):

1997

- Lexus and Coach, the renowned manufacturer of distinguished leather products, announce the production of a distinctive limited edition LS400 sedan.

- A power outlet was added in the lower center console box to enable accessories like a cell phone.

- The engine control system was partially changed.

- An engine immobilizer was added to improve the vehicle's theft prevention performance.

- ABS and TRAC actuators were changed.

- Reinforcements were added around the cabin to improve body rigidity.

- Air conditioning system slightly refined.

- SRS front side airbags were added into the front seatbacks.

- Top speed = 149 mph; 0-60 = 7.7 seconds; 0-400m = 15.2 seconds.

[ED.]

Wow, I had no idea all that stuff got added to the coach edition. I just thought it was basic leather and badging which looked cool compared to the chrome.

Milage was 115xxx. Something happned to the bumper so it was repainted but there is one small dent where the bumper and front fender meet. It was also smoked in and the only way I could tell was seeing some light burns on the door frame area. Car smelled fine and leather was super soft.

How do you like your 8500 X50? I am working on hardwiring my 8500 in my car.

[blake918]

Wow, I had no idea all that stuff got added to the coach edition. I just thought it was basic leather and badging which looked cool compared to the chrome.

Milage was 115xxx. Something happned to the bumper so it was repainted but there is one small dent where the bumper and front fender meet. It was also smoked in and the only way I could tell was seeing some light burns on the door frame area. Car smelled fine and leather was super soft.

How do you like your 8500 X50? I am working on hardwiring my 8500 in my car.

Those changes that I took from Lexls are for the '97 model year, not just the Coach. You are correct that the Coach adds different leather, Coach badges, different rims, and maybe some bags if you bought it new.

I LOVE my X50! I never hit the road without it. Sometimes I wish I would have gone for the V1 just for the arrows, but the X50 does a fine job of keeping me out of trouble. :)

[ED.]

Ohh that was all of 1997. D'oh. Still not bad I had no idea about the bags or outlet. I turned the radio on once to make sure all the pixels were there then shut it off. It was raining the whole time I had it so I didntt go on the highway with it. Just around the roads a bit to get a feel for it. Very similar to our 1996 but a wee bit quicker but I am guessing that is because we ahve some probs with the 96 :(. My 17 y/o sister drives it and that is probably why! I am hoping my dad takes interest in this. I would like to see him get a nice car and get rid of the other BMW we have.

I hear you about the 8500! That thing follows me everywhere. Two weeks ago I was using an Odyssey and partly last week and it was with me in there protecting me from everything! All the guys on my board said to get a V1 so that's what I was set on but came across the 8500 on craigslist and got it for $80. I honestly don't really speed so the V1 would of been a waste on me anyway. One day I may use Escorts $80 off 'coupon' and upgrade to the X50 or 9500 but we'll see.

[jcrome04]

I've got a 97 Coach Edition and I love it! Pearl white with grey interior.

I heard when these things were brand new they also came with a Coach bag made from the same leather that's inside the vehicle :)

I paid just over $7k for mine.

[ED.]

Congrats on the new ride!

How many miles were on yours when you bought it? I am hpoing he takes his price down a bit since he is asking more than Edmunds says it is worth. I have yet to check KBB but I've liked Edmunds more anyway.

[jcrome04]

Yeah still somewhat new, got it Dec '07. Had 132k miles.

also check NADA. KBB to me seems ridiculous most of the time.

[1990LS400]

Here is a link to the 1997 LS400 specs with information about the features of the Coach Edition: http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/1997/1997LSspecs.pdf

[ED.]

Thank you for the link. I will email that one to my dad. I got a kick out of reading the options.

I have never seen HID headlamps on a 97? Is that then different from HID xenon headlamps?

I looked up NADA and it was really high. I think I did something wrong!

[jcrome04]

WOW I wish my 97 Had HID's :( Think the stock setup is still available for $500??????? Hahaha B)

[ED.]

Ha. I think you're right. I can't believe how much the Nak sound system was. Def worth it too! Air bags I can live without but the sound system would of been something I would of said yes too.

[jcrome04]

In all honesty I'd try to stay away from the air suspension setups.

I hear that they suck to replace and can be pretty problematic with age.. but just something I've heard!

[1990LS400]

WOW I wish my 97 Had HID's :( Think the stock setup is still available for $500??????? Hahaha B)

The specs on the Lexus website are wrong in that HID was not available on U.S. spec models -- maybe they were available elsewhere. I noticed that sometimes the LS400 specs on the Lexus website show options (e.g. rear heated seats) that were available only outside the U.S.

[ED.]

Oh so it was outside the US like headlight washers?

Yeah the bags are no fun. We had the drivers front and rear replaced and even still it makes a terrible CLUNK over low speed bumps. Of course I am sure that is related to something else suspension related and not the bags but two new bags on old susp pieces only makes things fail more quickly! That and the body roll is bad.

I had the car out this AM and aside from a couple off the line jumps on some Saturn at the lights it was in definite need of fixing somewhere. Such a nice car too but look what an almost 18 y/o girl does to it! That is why I want him (my father) to get another one that he drives.

I am hoping he goes through with it but we shall see. The guy selling it just bought a 2004 silver with black interior and sports pack and navi and mark levinson and man was it nice in there. 69k I think but it smelled brand new. Great car. REALLY makes me want an 04+!

[RuthHeas]

Can you install a push button start on the 97 ls400 coach or is it un-advisable?

[sha4000]

Anything is possible but I don't advise it. These cars are old and I would not start messing around with the electronics. You might trigger something in the security system.

[billydpowell]

On 6/28/2008 at 5:41 PM, ED. said:

Saw it on craigslist and emailed the seller. Seems like a good car. He wanted to upgrade to a 430 he said. I have been keeping an eye out for a 1998 but those are pretty rare to find.

Our other BMW may need a new tranny and if that is the case then we'll be saying goodbye. Shame too because the V12 runs strong as ever but a tranny would be a lot to put into it and not worth it on a 1990.

Anyway, is it pretty much the same as our 96? What options came with the Coach Ed.? Air suspension I am not so crazy over but the Nak sound system would be nice.

Thanks,

One real good thing is the upgrade on the seats, it is made MUCH better has many breathing holes in them and seem to last a LOT longer than non coach editions.

 

sorry folks, I didnt realize this was 2008 listing..