dockerguy

Thanks for all the advice. I didn't think they made a '99, either. Maybe he said '98 (the mind is a terrible thing to lose). The Lincoln owner (pearl white) was out of town today and I saw a '97 LSC, with 105K for $4,995.00 in Van Nuys. Quite a drive, but I think I'll go look at it. Carfax checked out, with one owner, but sold to a dealer at auction. I just liked you guys so much that I didn't want to have to leave the club. But since you said I could stay, I just might go to FoMoCo. Since this will be my third car (in a 2-car garage — the CA sun is not nice to cars) I've limited my budget to $6K. I'll have my Explorer to haul stuff, my 240Z to make me feel forty years younger and my Mark VIII (?) to make me feel my age. :) I have always liked the Mark VIII, but thought they'd be far more expensive. It's ridiculous that they don't sell for way more. I'll keep you posted. You may see me tooling around in a Rambler. Ha! Here's the link to the '97, if you're interested: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...or=&cardist=200 Here's the '94: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...lor=&cardist=23

Me again. Some of you read of my experience with a '93 ES300 a couple weeks ago, that I took back. I've been looking since and there just aren't that many in SoCal. I found one in Sandy Eggo. Here's the story: 142K Front seats are trashed Body is OK with a few chips here and there. Dark Green. New tires and brakes The seller (a kid) said his uncle replaced both valve cover gaskets; timing belt; water pump; catalytic converter recently. There are no receipts since it was a "family affair". The seller said he knows someone who can reupholster the bottom of the seats for $60.00 each. It drives nicely, sounds good. Has remote start, which is cool. He want's $3,800.00. VS. '94 Lincoln Mark VIII with 88K miles. Original owner (72 year old retired millionaire), always dealer services, all records; immaculate; rebuilt tranny. Took to a Ford Repair Facility for inspection. All OK. Guy thought it was a '99. He wants $4,000.00 (He just bought two brand new Lincolns, which don't even have plates on them yet. I know these are two totally different cars. The Lincoln feels huge compared to the Lexus and has all kinds of computer toys, air suspension that lowers 1.5" at 65mph, etc. The "cockpit" wraps around you and it even has an armrest that's useful! :) I hate to even mention a Lincoln here, but hey, you guys are open-minded, right? <duck!> What do you think? The Lexus has a better resale value since the Mark VIII is now extinct. Thanks in advance!

I'm happy to report that the Soap Opera ended yesterday when I took the car back to Marina del Rey and received a full refund after threatening legal action. He had the nerve to show me a legal notice that stated that buyer's remorse, and several other things, were not reasons for returning a car. He failed to mention that the last words were "other than fraud." I rented a Buick le Sabre to drive back home and I have to say it was a gorgeous car, complete with XM radio. Coool. I was impressed with an American car! I'll be driving my '99 Explorer for awhile now. My Saluki thanks me for that. If I find a nicer Lexus, I'll be back, but until then, thanks to everyone that gave their advice, opinion and concern. You're a great bunch o' people. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! DG

Alan, I was trying to be funny, but I guess I failed. :( And, why do you have a :) when saying it attacks mostly PCs? I have Windows 2000 Professional on my iBook, but I have yet to figure out why anyone would want to use it! <duck!>

Since I have an Apple iBook, will I have a Mac Attack when I visit this site?

H8R Proof — I was in LA last night and saw a Lexus on the street, so I know exactly where you live. Didn't have my car stealing stuff with me though, but I wouldn't leave it out there tonight, if you know what I mean. Ha ha! :) I would venture to say that there are probably more expensive cars in LA than anywhere else. I can't believe how lax (is that where "LAX" came from?) so many people are in Studio City, where I used to live, leaving their windows down and keys in the ignition. Well, I used to do that too if I just went to the store, but... It seems like most of the members here are from back east or TX. Glad to see there are a couple others from SoCal. Going to take the back road up to Mt. San Jacinto today to see snow! Should be a nice trip.

David, Sheesh, I've never heard of Rowland Heights, but I see that it's not too far from Chino, which isn't all that far. I'll try to be there. Thanks for the info!

Stevie, I don't know if anyone would find the topic useful, but they may. I sure never thought wheel balance could effect that it did; i.e., being intermittent. Otherwise, you can lock it as I'm finished with the topic. Thanks!

Can smeone tell me how to delete this topic, since it's no longer valid? Thanks!

Stevie, My heart's still in it. I love the car, especially now — I took it back to Sears and they said "Well, it's nothing, a weight just fell off"! I said I had waited 3.5 hours last Sunday and had to come back today (15 mi. each way) and it's "JUST a weight that fell off??????" The vibaration and shaking is gone! They re-balanced all four wheels. I don't understand how balancing could be intermittent like that, though, but I had it up to 95 on the freeway and it was smooth. I guess I'm resigned to taking the $800.00 and putting another $12-$1400.00 into it and have a nice Lex. (Is that what we "clubbers" <read "fanatics" or "groupie"> do — put a lot of money into cars? It's going to be a hassle to get it repaired, and expensive (considering what I paid for it), but hopefully it will be worth it. Whew, am I glad it was just tire weights! Have a good weekend!

The saga of my '93 ES300 continues. Today I have to decide. I notced a vibration over 70 last Sunday and took it to Sears to have the tires balanced. The guy said they were "way" out of balance, but coming home, the ride was worse. I haven't driven it since then until last night and noticed: It starts shaking at about 73 and up. The whole car, not just the steering wheel. BUT, it seems to be intermittent. Sometimes when I let off the gas it stops, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes it shakes accelerating after 80, sometimes it stops at 80. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? I can't imagine it's the tires since they would be consistant, I would think. I need an answer today, Oct. 30, as I have to decide whether to keep it or not. Thanks in advance!

How does one know if they can trust a mechanic? All I can say is the guy has a mansion behind his shop (on ten acres) and is a retired LA Sheriff and seemed to know what he was doing, but I can tell you that he wasn't busy. He had two guys working for him. Anyway, he called me back with *his* parts prices and they were $944.70. Mine, with the power steering pump, came out to $619.00 from Kragen, but he said the extra cost would be worth it since anything that would need to be replaced, because of cheap parts, would be high labor. The seller is being difficult again, saying he has to go back east and can't afford to lose money, so I guess the car is going back, or I'll be leaving negative feedback for fraud. I can't handle all this drama and I'm sure you guys are tired of this never-ending saga too! I've learned my lesson, unfortunately, the expensive way. Don't judge a book by it's cover! :) Thanks again for all the help/advice/comments.

Oops! I left the rear struts out of the parts price, I guess. (The mind is a terrible thing to lose.)

Maybe some of you saw my post about buying a '93 ES300 and my thinking I was taken for a ride. I just went to a mechanic and had it gone over. Here's what he said. Front three pistons had a compression reading of 190, which he said was excellent. But, it needs the following: Front and rear valve cover gaskets: $600.00 labor. (Includes timing belt and water pump labor) There is oil all over the bottom of the chassis. Transmission pan gasket and svc. $175.00 labor. (Includes oil pan gasket labor) Brakes (all four) $225.00 labor. Rear struts (said fronts can wait 2 yrs.) $125.00 labor. Power Steering Pump $125.00 labor. Total $1,250.00 labor. Parts: (My guess) Valve cover gaskets: $58.00 Trans. pan gasket $25.00 Brakes $92.00 Water pump $80.00 Timing belt $59.00 Power Steer. Pump $160.00 Approx Total $474.00 TOTAL Total :) $1,724.00 Does this sound about right, or ??? He said it would take two days. I priced the parts at Kragen.com and used the most expensive parts, except they don't have KYB struts, so I used Monroe pricing (most expensive). The mechanic is going to get his prices and we'll compare. The seller said he would get me Lexus parts at cost, but their water pump cost is 141.00 and power steering pump is 340.00. I'll take all advise you guys can throw at me! Thanks!

Thanks again for all the replies. I just went to a mechanic and had it gone over. Here's what he said. Front three pistons had a compression reading of 190, which he said was excellent. But, it needs the following: Front and rear valve cover gaskets: $600.00 labor. (Includes timing belt and water pump lbr) Transmission pan gasket and svc. $175.00 labor. (Includes oil pan gasket labor) Brakes (all four) $225.00 labor. Rear struts (said fronts can wait 2 yrs.) $125.00 labor. Total $1,125.00 labor. Parts: (My guess) Valve cover gaskets: $58.00 Trans. pan gasket $25.00 Brakes $92.00 Water pump $80.00 Timing belt $59.00 Power Steer. Pump $160.00 Approx Total $474.00 Does this sound about right, or ??? He said it would take two days. I priced the parts at Kragen.com and used the most expensive parts, except they don't have KYB struts, so I used Monroe pricing (most expensive). The mechanic is going to get his prices and we'll compare. The seller said he would get me Lexus parts at cost, but their water pump cost is 141.00 and power steering pump is 340.00. I'll take all advise you guys can throw at me! Thanks again.