2000 Ls400 Buy It Or Not?

[dre451512]

I am thinking of buying a 2000 LS 400, black, tinted windows, black interior, body is in great condition, just has a small dent on back passenger side door, inside is in great condition, Nakamichi sound system, 79,000 miles. The only thing "wrong with it is that the two hood supports don't work, which I am sure is an easy fix and something they would probably do before I bought it. They are asking $10,900 A few questions...

1) What type of gas mileage should I expect? I drive a 2001 Nissan Maxima right now (69,000 miles), which I would probably trade in, and I get 26-28 miles to the gallon driving 50 miles roundtrip each day to work at about 60 mph. I really hate the idea of giving up gas mileage, especially with where gas prices are headed...

2) Not that this is a deal breaker, but I hear a lot about the Nakamichi sound system. Is it really worth it? Is it THAT "great"?

3) How many miles can I expect to get out of this car?

4) This would be my first Lexus, so I don't know much about this subject...Is it going to cost me more for future repairs on a lexus than it would on say a Nissan?

Thanks in advance for any opinions/help!!'

[rfworld]

I am thinking of buying a 2000 LS 400, black, tinted windows, black interior, body is in great condition, just has a small dent on back passenger side door, inside is in great condition, Nakamichi sound system, 79,000 miles. The only thing "wrong with it is that the two hood supports don't work, which I am sure is an easy fix and something they would probably do before I bought it. They are asking $10,900 A few questions...

1) What type of gas mileage should I expect? I drive a 2001 Nissan Maxima right now (69,000 miles), which I would probably trade in, and I get 26-28 miles to the gallon driving 50 miles roundtrip each day to work at about 60 mph. I really hate the idea of giving up gas mileage, especially with where gas prices are headed...

2) Not that this is a deal breaker, but I hear a lot about the Nakamichi sound system. Is it really worth it? Is it THAT "great"?

3) How many miles can I expect to get out of this car?

4) This would be my first Lexus, so I don't know much about this subject...Is it going to cost me more for future repairs on a lexus than it would on say a Nissan?

Thanks in advance for any opinions/help!!'

I have had my 1998, basically the same car, for 1 year.

Bought it with 88000 and have put 32000 miles on in one year.

This is what I spent on repairs so far.

Starter motor 1300 Dont let any one but a lexus certified mechanic do this job. The top mounted starter goes bad in these cars. Check the service records by calling upo lexus and give the vin if yourluck it already got replaced.

timing belt/water pump 1000. Yours will be due at 90000 and if you ignore this it could be a 4000 error

your front end suspension will strat to give out aroun 100K If you dont mind clunks and a sloppy steering you can drive this way for anoth 50000. If you want to keep the beautiful ride you will start feeding the cars in the way of ball joints, upper and lower arms, strut bars, tierod ends and maybe more. If you are a DIY than expect to feed the car 1000 every 50K miles after the car goes past 100k if you go to a local mechanic raise that number to 1500. If you take it to Lexus e raise that number to 2000 per every 50000.

you will get 23MPG highway with a light foot . On long trips possibly 28MPG. Around town 17 or 18

I run regular and the car runs great with no klnocks but some mebers on this board say that is car poison, I do not get better gas mileage with premium although if iI floor it will knock with regular. I drive with a light foor so no issue.

I also had 3 maximas and the 1998 maxiam was the most trouble free and cheapest car I ever owned that i took to 200000 and sold. That car literally never needed anything but tires,brakes and oil.

Nakamichi is the premium sound but stock is also excellent.

When replacing tires go for the MXV4 primacy Michelins they give you the buttery ride you want, 650 installed on a set of four at COSTCO

The lexus is a pure luxury compoared to the maxima. WHen your fornt end is clunk free and tight the car is basically like a magic carpet. It is a pleasure to tune out the world and float home after a day at work. The seats are incredible.

I am pretty sure that I will buy another possibly a ls430

the price you have negotiated sounds good. I would take it to LEXUS. Ask for an inspection. They claim no charge for inspections.

Good luck and let me know how you do .

Dave

rfworld@aol.com

[dre451512]

Thanks for the info Dave, it helped a lot. Given what you said I am leaning more towards not buying it. It sounds like it could be a real money pit in a couple years, which I would rather not have to put up with. The Nissian might hold up just as well and be cheaper when it does come time for replacement parts....

I am thinking of buying a 2000 LS 400, black, tinted windows, black interior, body is in great condition, just has a small dent on back passenger side door, inside is in great condition, Nakamichi sound system, 79,000 miles. The only thing "wrong with it is that the two hood supports don't work, which I am sure is an easy fix and something they would probably do before I bought it. They are asking $10,900 A few questions...

1) What type of gas mileage should I expect? I drive a 2001 Nissan Maxima right now (69,000 miles), which I would probably trade in, and I get 26-28 miles to the gallon driving 50 miles roundtrip each day to work at about 60 mph. I really hate the idea of giving up gas mileage, especially with where gas prices are headed...

2) Not that this is a deal breaker, but I hear a lot about the Nakamichi sound system. Is it really worth it? Is it THAT "great"?

3) How many miles can I expect to get out of this car?

4) This would be my first Lexus, so I don't know much about this subject...Is it going to cost me more for future repairs on a lexus than it would on say a Nissan?

Thanks in advance for any opinions/help!!'

I have had my 1998, basically the same car, for 1 year.

Bought it with 88000 and have put 32000 miles on in one year.

This is what I spent on repairs so far.

Starter motor 1300 Dont let any one but a lexus certified mechanic do this job. The top mounted starter goes bad in these cars. Check the service records by calling upo lexus and give the vin if yourluck it already got replaced.

timing belt/water pump 1000. Yours will be due at 90000 and if you ignore this it could be a 4000 error

your front end suspension will strat to give out aroun 100K If you dont mind clunks and a sloppy steering you can drive this way for anoth 50000. If you want to keep the beautiful ride you will start feeding the cars in the way of ball joints, upper and lower arms, strut bars, tierod ends and maybe more. If you are a DIY than expect to feed the car 1000 every 50K miles after the car goes past 100k if you go to a local mechanic raise that number to 1500. If you take it to Lexus e raise that number to 2000 per every 50000.

you will get 23MPG highway with a light foot . On long trips possibly 28MPG. Around town 17 or 18

I run regular and the car runs great with no klnocks but some mebers on this board say that is car poison, I do not get better gas mileage with premium although if iI floor it will knock with regular. I drive with a light foor so no issue.

I also had 3 maximas and the 1998 maxiam was the most trouble free and cheapest car I ever owned that i took to 200000 and sold. That car literally never needed anything but tires,brakes and oil.

Nakamichi is the premium sound but stock is also excellent.

When replacing tires go for the MXV4 primacy Michelins they give you the buttery ride you want, 650 installed on a set of four at COSTCO

The lexus is a pure luxury compoared to the maxima. WHen your fornt end is clunk free and tight the car is basically like a magic carpet. It is a pleasure to tune out the world and float home after a day at work. The seats are incredible.

I am pretty sure that I will buy another possibly a ls430

the price you have negotiated sounds good. I would take it to LEXUS. Ask for an inspection. They claim no charge for inspections.

Good luck and let me know how you do .

Dave

rfworld@aol.com

[SW03ES]

Its like anything else, it all depends on how its been treated and maintained until now.

They are very easy cars to work on, but they will be more expensive to maintain than a Maxima, its a much more expensive car than a Maxima.

As for the suspension, my dad had a 98 that he had until 160k miles. He did have the ball joints replaced at about 140k, but that was all he ever had done to the suspension and his rode as quiet and smooth when he traded it on a new one as it did when it was new.

The LS400 is probably the most reliable car on the road, they age like no other car I've ever experienced either.

The starter is a common issue, but even when it starts to go it doesn't have to be done right away.

If you treat these cars right they can run well over 300,000 miles. You just need to have this one looked at really well to make sure its been maintained properly in the past.