3 Weeks Of Ls400 Ownership...

[david_hornet27]

Hi Everyone,

Seems like a great community on here and I have found some useful info that wasn't available on the UK site which I am also a member of. So thanks for that...

I bought a 1998 Series 4 LS400 with 138000 miles about 3 weeks ago and I am loving it. It cost me £2850 which converts to $4640. It had the timing belt replaced on 126000 miles, came with a brand new set of Pirelli's and recently refurbished wheels, and an (almost) full Lexus sevice history. How does that price compare to what you guys pay for an LS of the same age?

There were no problems when I bought it (I read all the posts relating to buying on here to make sure what I was looking for), and what really impresses me is that for an 11 year old car everything still works and looks like new!! The gear changes are silky smooth and the ride and power are incredible! Small roads over here and the recent wet weather mean that I haven't had time to find its limits yet! But as I get more comfortable with driving it I am sure I will be pressing the pedals a little bit harder! Will cost me a fortune in fuel though as petrol (gas) is £1.10 a litre here ($8.15 a gallon)! Here hoping Costco open some gas stations here soon!

I have done some maintenance for my own peace of mind, namely an oil and filter change with GTX Magnatec, and a transmission flush. Used Toyota Type T4, got myself 10 litres which cost a whopping £98 ($160)!!! The Magnatec was bought from Costco (you may have heard of them!!), who I work for, so was a great price.

I have read on here that a slight hesitation when slowing down to nearly stationary, like for traffic lights, and then pulling away is normal for a Series 4 and you have to adapt your driving style to it. It's like the car doesn't quite know if it is supposed to be in 2nd gear and takes a moment to make up its mind. I have adapted to it but still feel it is strange for any car to have this glitch, especially one that cost so much new and is so well engineered in other respects.

Only problem that seems to have occured since purchase is a very quiet whine from the front of the engine. It is obviously coming from one of the pulleys and I will be investigating which one tomorrow, and crossing my fingers it is not the water pump! Any ideas which one is most likely to be the culprit anybody?

Would be great to get some feedback from anybody, so thank you in advance.

[landar]

Welcome David!!! A 98 LS400 with TB replaced and in the condition you describe is an absolute bargain at $4600. I would buy such a car

in a heartbeat if given the chance. From what I have seen, most 98's with that kind of mileage go for about $6-7000.

Not sure about the quiet whine. Remember this...when you own a Lexus you tend to get spoiled and expect perfection. I know I do.

A quiet whine may be nothing to be concerned about. I get hypercritical about things on my 98 then realize that I am being

somewhat paranoid and perhaps too persnickety. It happens and you should be aware. Not saying that is your case though :D

With that being said, if you turn your steering all the way in one direction and the whine becomes noticeably louder, then you may have the source.

Again, welcome. I have owned my 98 LS400 for 2 1/2 years and I am still totally awed by that car! It would be hard to think of driving anything else.

[1990LS400]

It has always been a little surprising how much less these cars cost as used cars in the UK than in the US considering that the standard level of equipment and original price was substantially highter in the UK than in the US.

I doubt if most in the US realized how well the UK 98-00 LS400 was equipped in standard form compared to the ones sold here: http://www.lexus.co.uk/used-cars/specifica...=tcm:585-646429

We couldn't get rear heated seats ... or headlight washers ... or mudflaps ... or an RDS radio ... or a GSM based phone, etc., etc., etc.

[landar]

It has always been a little surprising how much less these cars cost as used cars in the UK than in the US considering that the standard level of equipment and original price was substantially highter in the UK than in the US.

I doubt if most in the US realized how well the UK 98-00 LS400 was equipped in standard form compared to the ones sold here: http://www.lexus.co.uk/used-cars/specifica...=tcm:585-646429

We couldn't get rear heated seats ... or headlight washers ... or mudflaps ... or an RDS radio ... or a GSM based phone, etc., etc., etc.

Interesting info, Jim. Where DO you find that stuff?

[1990LS400]

Interesting info, Jim. Where DO you find that stuff?

I make it up, Randy. :D