TMaxxTim

I read that if you have traction control, it will !Removed! your timing to keep the wheels from spinning. Try turning traction control off and then seeing how you can accelerate.

The are a complete scam, all it is, is a resistor put between 2 wires!! The only chips that work are ones that go into the ECU and fool with timing/transmission shift points (pressure too)/rev limiter. I know the Ford Escape has one that affects those, but its not a resistor, its an actual chip. I've never seen one for the LS 400, but I've never looked real hard either.

I've heard of springs going in the seats. While looking for earlier LS 400's I noticed the 90-92's just sank like broken springs, the 93's and up had better built seats. Maybe you can swap them out or fix the springs in them, thats what is making them sink.

Whoops! I did mean 93 LS, and a 735i. I'm looking more into the mercedes because I think it might end up to be pretty nice also.

I decided that I, personally, like the LS the best out of all of the cars at this dealership, however I am going to test drive all of them since they are all $6500 and I would just like to see again 92 325i 94 525i 90 730i 96 Maxima 96 C280 Sport 03 LS 400 The 325i would be my next choice and I would probably get it over the lex because of the sport factor, however it has no center armrest, cup holders, or center console, all of which the LS has. They are nice! Anyways, I'll let you know how it goes this weekend.

Sounds like your alternator just went. Whever your battery light comes on while your driving the alternator is what goes, usually you have enough power to make it home.

None of the cars I drive have this feature. I test drove a 92 325i and it had the same feature, I thought I had floored it and I was like wow this car has no pickup, where's the downshift so I turned and was driving normally and I really stomped it and I flet it click and then...power!! Never knew the LS had this, I'll have to try it when I test drive it again...or better yet, buy one!! BTW, I regulary have the accord, ford escape, or chrysler t&c at the redline from flooring it!!! It doesn't hurt it, thats what the redline is for, to prevent it from being hurt!!

The STS and CTS are so similar in styling...how could you not like the CTS but like the STS???

I don't understand why ANYBODY is complaining. (not all are, just a select few, most people seem to see it the reasonable way) Here's how I view it. Lexus FOUND a problem and wants to repair it BEFORE it breaks, they didn't just give you a warranty for IF it breaks and leaves you stranded. They will come out...give you a loaner...pick up your car...bring your car back...and drive their loaner back. WHO ELSE IN THE WORLD would do this for you? This is the MOST CONVENIENT thing I have ever heard of in the car industry and I can't believe people are still complaining. What do you want, a personal mechanic that lives in your garage!!!!! Don't say, "its a lexus, it should be perfect". In case you haven't gotten the memo, nothing is perfect in life. Rant over.

Not to bash, but open your own post, don't hijack another...that doesn't have ANYTHING to do with what your asking and SEARCH! Its been covered.

Looked at 2 more $3900 for a 90 with a little paint peeling off the bumper, 212k miles. Everythign looked nice, but I think the battery was dead, woulnd't start and nothing lit up at all, only the steering wheel moved slowly into place. The inside wheel well for the front left was missing (plastic covering peice). Probably means quarterpanel was replaced. Looks like its been sitting for awhile as the rotors were rusted. Saw another white one down the road, $6250 with 144k on it. White smoke poured out the back on start, my car does that and its bad o-rings. He didn't seem to want to budge much on that car because he said everybody at the dealer drives it and loves it, if they don't get that price they'll jsut keep it. The seat springs are definately broken because I sat in it and it just popped to the bottom. Now I REALLY like that $6500 white with black leather one I test drove. I think the reason the TRAC OFF and check engine light are on is an 02 sensor (looked at some past posts). Maybe I can use that as a good bargaining point, just tell em it doesn't need to be fixed. Now I just need to sell my Canon GL2 for about $1850!!!

Sweet, I already have a passport 8500, but I guess I could get rid of it if the one in the car works. I'll have to tell my dad its a part of the security system... Now to eBay my Canon GL2 to get some $$$

I already have a nice soundsystem, don't know how it will fit though. Polk 6.5's all around in my car. JVC 200w deck powering them and 2 POLK MOMO 12" 800w subs powered by a 980w power acoustic amp in a bandpass box....it BOOMS, but I think I might go down to one in the lex to save space in the trunk when I get one.

Ha, yea I got a Passport 8500.....i'll just leave it at that. I found a 93 140k $6500 LS 400, white paint with black leather and chrome rims (stock rime but looks NICE). Test drove it and all I can say is HOLY CRAP. This is a VERY NICE car, VERY well maintained, new tires, leather is immaculate, engine purrs. No unusual noises whatsoever. The Check engine is on and the TRAC OFF stays on nomatter what but they said they are getting that fixed. So many choices. I like all the SC 300's SC 400's and LS 400's and even now the 325i!! I think in the end it will be what the dealer can do with me on the cars becasue I don't think I want to buy one to fix it up, I want to buy one like the LS...in top condition already.

Yeah, it'd be at least a week or so before I can really start negotiating for it with my dad. He says a LS 400 is too much car for me, but I have a week to pull him over. I'm going to look at a 90 LS for $4900 and a 92 LS for $5900 and see how those compare (they probably won't, but what the heck!). The only thing I love about the LS I drove was the black leather inside of it....seems very more luxurious and sporty at the same time over a tan or grey interior.

Drove that LS 400 today, they have the price at $6500 cash now. Drove it with my dad...very very very nice car. Leather in tip top shape, engine in tip top shape, very smooth, no stumble or rumble in the engine at all, nothing bad about the car at all. New tires. They say they are going to fix these before they sell it but it has the check engine light on and the TRAC OFF light always stays on, maybe the two are related. My dad goes "alright, find out how much my car is worth, I want one of these" (He has a 2002 Escape). I also started the 94 525i they had, the engine was louder inside...and the interior felt cheaper. When the A/C Turned on I felt a big jerk in the engine. The 325i I looked at and test drove...I liked that car too, GREAT handling, but it is not nearly as comfortable to drive as the LS. I'm so glad I test drove it again. BTW, the LS I test drove had a hidden radar detector in it...not sure what kind or anthing but had 2 red lights next to the steering collum and beeped at the same spot leaving the dealer and coming back in. It has new tires on it too.

It makes me wonder why my lawnmower has a fuel filter then???

Just as I thought I was at least looking at the right cars, for me...my mom was telling me she doesn't want a RWD car in the family? First of all, she will never be driving it. Secondly, we live in TN!!!! Any other good arguements to use on that front!! An ES would be unlikley, just because I don't fit very well in it...I'm tall. My parents are killing me on all fronts! They have been die hard "domestic" car lovers. My dad drives Fords and my mom used to drive Ford and now drives Chrysler. I can't get them to understand that when their car reaches 190k...they will be lucky if its running by then, and its worth the extra $$ now to save later!!!!!

I wasn't saying you were implying that. I'd much rather have a LExus though that when something does break, its few and far between (if I purchase a nice one in the first place), instead of a Ford Taurus with 100k+ on it that I am replacing parts every month on. I think the $75 pre-purchase inspection will be well worth it when I find a car that looks nice. The $6900 one I found looks to be kept in excellent condition and I'm going to go tomorrow and look at it again, ask about it, service, etc. on it.

I have a feeling it might be 02 sensor related, when's the last time, if ever, you've replaced them?

I think I'll go back and look at it. I really like it and it looks like I could get a set of seats under $1000 at the most and if I get in on the group buy thing about $600. Does the Lexus dealer charge anything for a search to see what maintainance has been done on that car? Also, is it worth getting the Lexus dealer to perform the pre-purchase evaluation for $75. I really like that car, but I think I might have a hard time getting my dad to like it. I'll go sometime this week and look at it, and since I'm 17 and he probably won't let me test drive it without my dad see if he can just take it out with me and I'll look at the things on it. Its $4900, I bet I could get it at least to ~$3750 after negotiations for the problems, what do you think (It has a broken antenna too...like snapped off). BTW, how much was it to have all that service done after you got the car. I'm pretty mechanically inclined so I could probably do the timing belt and water pump, etc myself. I have on my Honda Accord, so with a service manual I can do a lot of the things I think. Here are some pictures...I don't really like the wood screw sub cover however...

I test drove the ES Today...with the sunroof visor open I have more headroom, but I definately don't fit THAT well in it. The ES I saw is a very nice one, always maintained at the dealer, 116k for a 92. $6900 is a little much for it thought I still think. I saw an LS at a local luxury used car dealer. This isn't a crap side of the road, they buy nice cars, clean them up and sell them again. It was a 93 LS 400 with 140k on it. Black leather (very nice looking, no rips or very worn spots), tinted windows all the way around, chrome lexus rims. The want $6900 for it also, but the 93 has passenger airbag and better brakes and bigger tires. I looked at the wholesale on it, its about $4315 (for excellent). And the trade in for my accord is $850-$1315 (depending on whether the dealer deems it poor or fair). I'm hoping I can get the $6900 car to at least around $5500 to $5750, and maybe $1000 for my trade in so hopefully I'll only be spending $4500 on it. I'd much rather do that than and get a car 3 years newer. The LS does have traction control, no air suspension (good!), but no nakamichi sound system, I'll probably wire the one out of my accord into it though. They weren't there today when I looked at it but hopeuflly I can go by tomorrow and test drive it and look at any maintainance records on it.

Writing to myself...but anyways Looked at the SC 400. Its outside looks great, no scratches or dings (major). The inside...well the leather is ripped about 5 inch gash on the drivers side, the rest of the leather in the car looks kinda worn and used. So my guess is that if the person didn't take great care of the inside, the mechanical would be along the same lines. This was at a side of the road used car dealer too, they had some pretty nice cars, but some that I woulnd't even want to sit in. The guy also said it had a dead battery and he was getting a new one on Monday. I'm thinking this would not be a good car to get, agree?

I've done a LOT of research on this car and the LS, looked at previous threads, the good and bad things about the cars. On Autotrader I found a 1992 SC 400 - Green with spoiler, for $4900. It has 192,000 miles on it. KBB Said this for prices: REtail - 8225 Private - 5405 Trade - 3390 I'm going to look for P/S leaks, and see how good the overall condition of the car is today. I'm really hoping nothing is really wrong with it because I'd like to get it. I'm coming from a 1992 Honda Accord with 186k so this is a big jump. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...lor=&cardist=10 The only thing is I'm hoping its not and a crap used car dealer that doesn't really care about cars/condition/customer service. I think its a good price and hopefully I'll go for it within the next week. How much negotiating room do you think I have in the price? I'll be able to give you a better idea of the condition later today after I look at it but what do you think?

Went and looked at the 92 ES, it has 116k miles, 1 owner, traded in for a new car. Bought at the same dealership so they had all the work done there too. Looks really nice except somebody smoked in it and nomatter how you febreeze and clean the car, it doesn't smell like smoke but it has that scent to it, not a normal lexus scent. Other than that I like it. My head kind of brushes the ceiling, but I didn't drive it and find a good seat position because my dad wasn't with me. I'll let you know how the search goes as I looka t more cars!