blake918

I feel so much better that I'm not the only one that's filled up the spark plug tubes with water, but I saw you one better and filled the entire left hand bank instead of just one!! lol Just for future reference, OBDII monitors many, many different componets, so it's really hard to take a guess at what could be causing the problem out of the hundreds of things it monitors. ;) The TRAC OFF comes on as a safety precaution with the cel.

The biggest difference I noticed between the two generations was the ride character. The '95+ is much more controlled and less wallowing to me. Also, the seats are noticealby less springy...some don't mind, some do. The gauges in the 95+ are not likely to give you trouble like the first gen. However, many of the same mechanical "glitches" are the same from gen to gen like-p/s problems, suspension(ball joints, control arms, stablizer, etc.), lcds(climate on 90-94 and stereo on 95-00), steering racks, a/c(mostly 90-94), etc. With $12k, I'd be looking at a nice 95-96 with 90k-110k miles. ;) Good luck!

Nearly all LS400s will face the same problems is what I was getting at when I said mileage doesn't matter-that could have been said more clearly on my part. Your climate lcd, front end bushings, a/c, p/s and alternator, steering rack, speedo needles, etc., etc. will fail just like they will on any other LS of similar age. Not to mention, if you buy from a good owner, they will have repaired most of the trouble spots LS's experience before you buy the car. Most people here have never owned a high mile LS, so much of the advice given to Gumart is speculation, but I can assure you from first hand experience that owning and maintaining a high mile LS400 is nowhere near as taxing as one might think. My '95 with 254k miles has been a real joy to own for the past 30k miles. My '94 ES with 130k miles has been a reliability nightmare despite the mileage. Letting mileage alone depict whether or not the car is worthy is not always a safe bet. This is all I needed to hear to cast my vote:

I had the exact same problem n my '95, and this tsb solved everything. It's really easy to do, and it doesn't take much time either. Good luck!!!! http://www.clublexus.com/index.php/article...eview/2077/1/41

Since it is an interference engine, I would play it safe and change it every 90k-100k. I think Lexus recommends a 90k interval. It's not worth the gamble of destroying the V8 for a few extra miles out of the timing belt. ;) PK, was that the original belt @ 230k?

Dave, I'm not sure how long it will take before it causes damage. I was just shocked to see a flashing cel in my car when I was having the problems....I didn't know that the light would do that! My guess is that your car probably isn't as bad as mine was if you are still driving it. I had to park mine while I waited for Park Place to ship the parts; she would hardly run-I had to leave it in second gear just to make it home, and the exhaust smelled like something dead!lol I hardly made out of the neighborhood when the light started to flash. I got scared and immediately turned around. I checked the service manual immediately when I got home, and it said the cat was getting hot. It didn't go in to any specifics.

Dave, definantly change your plugs and wires. I had this problem to the "t" last year although it was on my LS, and cylinders 2,4,6,8 were mis firing. Come to find out I filled up the spark plugs with water the weekend before while cleaning in the engine bay. New plugs and wires did the trick, and the car ran like a top after that. I wouldn't drive your car until you get new plugs and coils in there since the blinking check engine light denotes an over heating catalytic converter...my car had the blinking light too.

Here's what I found on the IRS's site: "Under the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004, the deduction amount is limited to $2,000 for cars first put into use in 2004 and 2005. the deduction will be limited to $500 for vehicles placed in service in 2006, and no deduction will be allowed after that year." Here's the link for further info: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=107766,00.html Achieving EPA gas mileage on any car is determined by how hard your right foot comes down. In the city, I can make my 95 LS400 get 15mpg or 21mpg; hwy is based on how constant my speed is held. My city mileage is only achieved by my very marginal use of the gas from red lights/stop signs-marginal as in no acceleration past 2,000rpms. It sounds slow, but it's really not at all since the V8 has such a good power band. EPA gives a city average of 18 for my LS, but I get 21mpg because of my slower acceleration. When I'm on the road 25k miles a year, it's worth it. I agree with the others-I wouldn't cast judgement until atleast 1k or 2k. ;)

For OEM, ebay will probably be your best bet. I just checked ebay; they had a lot of single oe rims, but no sets. I'm sure some will turn up soon though. Also, car-part.com will probably have some. I saw these on there: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...sspagename=WDVW They look pretty neat. I've never seen any like that before. It looks like a 98-00 rim with a modified center cap.

I'm 5'9" and weigh 145 pounds. So, I'm kind of small. I hate seeing people and me driving a car with the steering wheel covering my face. I like to sit up and see over the hood. :D So, the seat is pulled all the way up! ← I meant setting the lumbar support on the lowest setting. ;) Seeing over the wheel is always a good thing! Thanks for your reply. You've been very helpful!

You would know usually by a check engine light. Also, if your car starts to feel sluggish and/or is getting bad gas mileage, it might be time for new ones. I believe the 02's maintain the air-fuel ratio...not 100% sure though.

I was thinking the same thing... Spliff mon, capping the tech, and the "idiot in a Lexus flew by 3" off the ground." Funny stuff!! LMAO

A valve adjusment is 100% normal on a car of that age and mileage. An indie shop could do it for about $500. Nothing serious at all. My valves are starting to tick a little, so I'm in the same boat too! It doesn't annoy me enough to have the work done yet! lol It just sounds like your '92 is a rather large project! Personally, I would much rather the '93 that just needs a valve job and timing belt. I don't know how you live w/o a/c!! lol You can inspect the timing belt to see what it looks like. I changed mine at 235k because the previous owner said he last did it at 110k. I could have easily put off changing the belt for another year or two because the belt looked brand new. I'd cross the air ride bridge when it comes time for that. You have options as far as air v. no air is concerned. I wouldn't let that be a deal breaker. If the car is sitting remotely level now, that means they were probably changed around 150k. I doubt they're the origionals, but anything is possible. Don't let the mileage decide if the car is good or not-mileage is a meaningless number on a LS400. ;) It sounds like the '93 is a good deal.

It's one of those things I've always wondered about! :) Interesting that it's a single cab(I always thought they would be smaller inside.)! Did you happen to sit in any extended cab Rams? How comforable were your Jeeps? They're definantly great little cars. I just have a problem with the image, and it's a 4 seater with hardly any trunk. I love the idea that the seat goes back too far! Not to mention the diesel model gets rediculous mileage without a hybrid system. I think my next addition(I love my LS too much to get rid of it) will be a '04-'05 Town Car, black on black...maybe with OEM chrome rims. B) It's got everything I want- a V8, a lot of cabin space for the driver and passengers, rediculous trunk space, and a great ride! I did drive a RX a while back-a '00 I believe! You have a great memory! I would give it an average comfort rating. They look a lot better than they are comfortable! I just wanted to drive one since I think they look great. I think the GX looks great, but I see too many references to a particular citrus fruit in the GX forum. The LX though...that's a truck!!! I find that the lumbar support is a back killer on my LS, maybe changing the setting on your car might help your back! I find that the lowest possible setting is the most pain free. ;)

Thanks for your reply!! I'm 6'4, and my LS is even a little tight! I'm thinking about having the seat pushed back about 5-6" so that I can completely stretch out since I love everything else about the car. The Beetle is the most comfortable I've been in, but I'd never want to be seen in one! lol '03+ Town Cars and '00+ Tauruses are both very comfortable with much better images! lol I find that trucks like the F150, Silverados, etc are even small. I've never been in a Dodge(which is what you drive, I believe) though...they must be pretty good if you can fit your legs in! You make a good point about the marketing aspect. I scratched my head for a while when I saw that Lexus reported that the SC430 has .5" less legroom than the LS430. lol If you don't mind sharing(as well as other tall drivers), what other vehicles have you been comfortable driving? Cars that I've driven extensively and have been very comfortable in: '99 Suburban '01 Taurus '03 Town Car '04 Beetle(just test drove-nowhere near as many miles logged as the others listed, but I can tell it'd be comfortable for hundreds of miles) '04 Expedition. On average, Fords seem to be most accommodating across the line up. I'd say my LS provides average comfort, and the ES is below average to poor.

Congrats!!!! I'd love to see some pics of your LS and fleet too! Upload the pics to your gallery. After the pics are uploaded, give each of them a right click to get the http location of the picture which you will then copy and paste in to an image tag. You can find the image tag under the font options when you make a post. Sounds complicated, but if you have any trouble, I or someone else would be more than happy to post them for you. ;) Enjoy the car for many, many miles to come!

I think I'd go for it! It sounds like the '93 just needs the timing belt and some premium fuel!! $4k for that car sounds like a fair enough deal! I think I'd trade it just for the air ride and Nak. I'd also keep the air ride even after they start leaking and need replacing. They're not as expensive as their reputation holds-the fronts are like $800 each and the rears are about $600 each. Some people probably think I'm stupid for saying this, but I'll say it again-don't let the service stamps decide on the car for you. A very extensive test drive will speak a million words. My car doesn't even have the complimentary 30 check-up much less 60k and 90k services from the dealer. You make an excellent point that some minimal amount of care was given to the car to make it to that mileage. I'm so proud to say that the past 30k miles have been 100% trouble free. I've made a lot of repairs, but they are repairs that I chose to do for my own enjoyment and not out of necessity! :D Are the improvements that noticeable? Probably not. The second air bag is an important addition though, and it seems like trac on 93-94 is not nearly as finicky as the 90-92. I only have 254k miles-I put about 25k on a year; you can certainly catch me! ;) I expect to put a lot of miles on this summer through traveling back and forth from New Orleans to Mississippi and Alabama where we have timber acerage that I'll be looking after. I say go for it!

That guy doesn't know what he's talking about! I bought one for my ES a few months ago for a PO135, and it was less than $100 at AutoZone(I think it was a Bosch. I usually buy OE, but we needed the sensor then and there). Here's a link where you can a Lexus O2 sensor for $115. Click here

This is mind boggling to me. I've driven a '04 Beetle before. Hands down the most comfortable driving position for me. The suprising part is that VW states front legroom at 39.4" and headroom as 38.2". With the seat all the way back in the Bug, I can't reach the pedals, and I've got several, several inches on top of my head. Here's the confusing part, I sat in a '05 ES330 this weekend in which I was generally comfortable, but it had nothing near the VW's dimensions eventhough Lexus states legroom as 42.2" and headroom as 37.6". My LS is also given better dimensions than the VW, but I'm short about 5-6" of legroom, and the head room is also less. Same thing goes for the '01 Taurus I always drive; Ford rates it around 40" and 40" for head and legroom. Again, smaller dimensions, but waaay more head and legroom than my LS400. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? What points do they use to take these measurements? Accelerator to seat back(near lumbar area, right)?

Haha, that's funny. I guess you're right; it's techincally a workaround just as changing the struts on the rear lift gate(which could open another can of worms with your warranty and the motor for the door) would be too, so let's briefly take a look at the root cause. The Lexus is performing just as the engineers designed it to. The problem at its roots is your garage; it's just not tall enough to accommodate the car. You're garage is the limiting factor, not your RX. So, the only "real fix" would be rebuilding your garage. Personally, I'd gladly take the $5 foam pad to save $5k-$10k on garage modifications and the nightmare of having to deal with contractors.

I couldn't agree more! I love Firefox. I never have any popups. Although I have nothing bad to say about Norton Internet Security. I never had any problems with the program, and my dell is just as slow with it on or off. lol

Personal preference I guess. I found them not as easy to read as regular warning lights. See what I'm saying... First gen: First run of second gen:

I voted for 97-99. They are just timless; the epitome of understated elegance. The 02-?? definantly takes the cake as far as interiors are concerned-the seats/dash/leather are all top notch.

LOL That's great! That's funny...I was comming back from a short trip, and stopped at the dealer too. I got a good look at the new GS and sat in an ES330 briefly--the dimensions weren't too bad(not that much smaller than my LS)-I could see how it would be doable for me if it had the power pedals, and the seats!!! They were out of this world! I'd buy the car just for the seats. Plus, it was beige! A really nice car!

Jeez, not again! I think she's trying to tell you that it's time for a LS! ;) , ;) hehe