blake918

I forgot to mention this, but this is a mod I'd really like. I'd have a body shop close in the front turn signals and paint to match the grey cladding, and just move that signal light to the parking light(which is really ugly at night) next to the headlight. I never did care for the styling of these blinkers. Here's a crappy rendition in Paint. Just don't sit too close to your monitor, and the colors will blend. I think it really cleans the front end up and takes about 5 years off. What do yall think?

Wooh, talk about a heist! j/k Ooo, my ears are burning! lol Thanks! :D I wouldn't forget about the GS; after having one as a loaner, I was in love! It was so smooth but sporty at the same time. I just wouldn't get the I6 because in typical Lexus 6cyl fashion, it's a snoozer off the line. I was actually suprised because it had VVt-i it didn't seem to help any; I timed my ES the other day 0-40 in about 5 seconds. ::yawns::

Absolutely! Eventhough this is a Lexus, it doesn't mean that it can't be stolen even if you have to drag it onto the back of a tow truck. If you can find the right dealership goon plus a few hundred cash, you could have any Lexus key you wanted. Roscoe, I would have called an attorney the second the insurance said no. Most attorneys out there that work these kinds of cases work on contingency which is usually about 30-35% if they win a settlement. Any half decent lawyer could get this done without a problem. It can't be stolen without a key...that is so ignorant it's not even funny; I wouldn't mind driving to Georgia and slapping the person around that denied your claim on those basis. Presumably you do have full coverage for this? Does your policy state any specifics? I agree your bank should also be quite interested in this.

I have the sticker for my '95(I didn't buy it new though). Here it goes: Base price: $51,200.00 -Lexus Memory System: $750.00 -6 Disc Changer: $1,000 -Moonroof: $1,000.00 -Floor mats: $110.00 -Trunk Mat: $63.00 -Wheel Locks: $50.00 -Destination $480.00 Total: $54,653.00

Oh no!! I didn't take it that way at all! I appologize if I came across in a snide manner. If you lived over here, I'd be glad to let you take her up to speed and see what you think. I've had my tires at 44psi for so long it's just a habbit now. I tried 30ish on my ES(didn't care for it) but never in the LS. I'll have to give it a try and see how it rides. I assumed you were talking about your GS430 when you mentioned that-and yet we see what happens when one assumes. That's why I put that in there; each Lexus model has its own strong points. I've driven a few GS's(the 430 is superb), and they have a much tighter feel than the LS plus with those pimp rims :) ; we weren't talkin apples to apples...that's all I was getting at. ;) Either way, when I said it's no GS430 etc...you should have said you're damn right because your car is wicked-I don't like mods, but you did it right on your car! B)

Help me out here...

Of course it's a good idea; that's what these cars are best at. I'd check your tire pressure, make sure your fluids/filters/wipers are up to date, get some Shell V Power, and enjoy the trip. I'm jealous-I'd love to go take a 2k mile road trip in my LS! :D

I think the "best cell company" is so subjective on where you are located because it sounds like VZW service isn't so bad up in the northeast. I just got my bill for this month, and it's truely fascinating. In a 238 minute call, VZW dropped that particular call 7 times. That's completely unacceptable. And, it's not like I was in the backward country woods of LA; I was going down Interstate 20. I'll be through with them once and for all in April. It'll be the best $175 I could every spend. In Louisiana, I have yet to meet someone that has said anything bad about Cingular, so that's where I'm heading.

I still can't help wonder if your alternator is bad eventhough it tests well-it happened on my ES300, or maybe they did screw things up when they were playing with the center stack and heated seats.

Mark Lev wasn't in the LS until the LS430 came in '01. 98-00's with navi have the standard Pioneer Lexus Premium Sound system. ;)

I don't; I've had the LS up to 120mph a few times, and she was always glued to the ground-never light or floaty...granted it's no GS430 with sports rims and low profile tires. ;) I had her going 100 yesterday, and she felt great(some punk in a 325i thought he was something; I proved him other wise!). Maybe it has something to do with the suspension of the car? The tires have massive sidewalls. The ride and handling is excellent; I've tried them on 35, and it felt like I was riding on hamburger pattys. Plus, I've seen pictures from Michelin where they ran a tire through a watter puddle with 25 or 30psi(I can't remember exactly), and they did it again with 40ish psi, and the tread contact with the 40 was astonishingly better than the lower psi. Also, I find that my car tracks straighter with more pressure, and my fuel economy is also better. My tires have worn beautifully for the past 26k miles, and the car has driven beautifully; I'm very pleased with 44psi in my tires.

Just have your mechanic inspect any suspension piece with a bushing(control arms, strut rods, etc.). I don't know a whole lot about cars, but my mechanic went through an inspection of all of the suspension pieces with me, and I was able to distingusish what was bad. It's really simple to see what has a torn bushing, and what doesn't. I'd start with new strut rods, and maybe it's time for new tires(atleast H rated)?

Thanks! :D I forgot to mention the crazy antenna! I thought it was broken the first time it adjusted itself for better reception. It's certainly a great feature though-especially since I'm in a rural! I think a good detailer should be able to work out the white spots on your car; my spots are just excessively bad. I think I'll be repainting the car this summer-I really think it maybe too far gone...we'll see in April though. How are your vibrations comming? Thanks! :D The group that those stickers identify is definantly the ultimate accessory!!! All of you guys are top notch! Long time no see! lol If I had a choice, I wouldn't pick black either-though it definantly is a sharp color...it just takes a lot more work than I want to do to keep it looking good. My color of choice would be beige(preferably Cashmere, but Mystic Gold is very nice too); it's so easy to care for(my ES's paint looks brand new to this day), and I love the understated, elegant look. I'll probably hang on to the amber front turn signals; I like them! The white ones look really sharp too though. Thanks for your compliments! B) 4482, I love my iQue too! The bang for the buck equation on them is rediculous. It has saved me on more than one occasion-when I bought it I was a little unsure about how much I'd use it, but now I don't know how I got around without it! The best part is, I can take it in any car I travel in. Thanks for the nice words! :D Steve, I never did get an answer from Scott wax. No big deal though; I can take my car and my check book elsewhere. Plus, I'm thinking reapint more and more, but we'll see what Army has up his sleeve-what a great guy...trying to save my paint for no fee! :D

If it just clunks over potholes/etc., then, your strut rods are probably bad. If your tires are wearing unevenly, have vibrations in the ride, etc., then you are probably looking at control arms, stablizers, etc.

Those are some sharp looking tires. B) Great pics...especially the last two. I have 225/60/16's w/ H speed ratings. I have had them aired up to 44psi for the past year, and I have not complaints at all as far as the ride is concerned, etc. Good luck with your new tires!

True, true, true, and true, Army! :D Steve, I sent Scottwax a few emails, and I have yet to get a response. :( Thanks for the compliments you guys!

and some interiors... Check out my sparkling new seat belt...thanks JPI!! Mileage when I took the pics(I'm at 250.9 now):

Here are a few exterior shots at Lincoln Parish Park:

Wow, a year with the LS has already flown by! I have to say this is by far one of the best cars on the road even though it is 10 years old and has 251,000 miles, and I absolutely love driving it. I have gotten so many compliments on this car, and I’ve even had a few offers to buy my car when I decide to get rid of it. This year we traversed about 26,000 miles with not a single mandatory repair. The ride, body style, interior, engine, transmission, and everything else about this car is just excellent. The ride that this car gives is quite unique, imo. The ride is extremely comfortable, but at the same time, there is a certain tightness to the ride that yields excellent high speed control as well as excellent emergency maneuvering. I.e., I swerved at about 75 to miss a slow moving van (I was playing with my damn cell phone); the LS responded with such fluency and grace-it was quite a relief. The body rolled, but I was always in 100% control. On the other hand, the ride is very pleasant; it’s very smooth but never floaty. I think compliant would be a good way to describe the ride. My LS and Michelin MXV4 Energy tires seem to be a match made in heaven. They wear evenly are completely trouble free. I have them gassed up to 44psi, and the ride is still smooth and quiet. I like them to that PSI because I find that the car tracks better (the same thing goes in my ES300 too). This year alone I put almost 26,000 miles on these tires; I’m simply appalled when I hear about these guys that are getting 15k out of Dunlops. Wet and dry traction are both very good, and they are very quiet for the tread-ware they provide. When these wear out, they will be replaced with the exact same tire. The exterior, it’s timeless! I think the body has aged so well for a couple of reasons. First, the design cues are very simple. They’re simple, but they come together to make an elegant body. I’d have to say that the rear profile of my LS is my favorite-I think it’s the taillights that I like so much, and the hidden dual exhausts are just very cool that is, if you can see them! Secondly, I find that the LS design cues over the past 15 years have retained a very familiar look and style. Lexus has not really done a complete redesign of the LS imo, and that’s because they haven’t needed to. They keep improving upon perfection, so all LSs look a lot newer than what they really are. The interior is first rate. From the way the gauges spring to life when I turn the key to the dual console, it’s just all so well thought out and executed. I find all of the materials inside to be first rate save the black trim at the base of the speedometer cluster and the plastic trim around the door handle; those are the only two pieces of hard cheap feeling plastic I could find in the car. The many features this car has are superb like: dual zone climate control, considerably adjustable seats with power headrests and seat belt heights, power tilt and tele wheel with “easy access,” auto dimming/memory/heated mirrors, excellent stereo (it’s no ML though!), memory seats, a second glove box for the cd changer, auto headlights with excellent fog lights, first aid kit, cabin air filter, etc. The ergonomics in this car are stellar. Everything is in such close reach, and it’s all laid out beautifully. I never cared for the floor mounted gas pedal, but after spending so much time in this car, I completely love the old school look and functionality(I like that mine is mounted directly to the floor and not to a bracket-gives a cheap appearance. I know MB does this, and I think the LS430 might be the same way-tisk, tisk Lexus). It allows me to make a weird but comfortable angle with my foot-I almost lay it flat on the floor with my toe pointing to the console. At 251,000 miles I’d say that the interior is holding up very well. I can only think of 3 rattles-one in the headliner, passenger door, and the sunroof. None of the rattles are regular; I would say that my car is rattle free 95% of the time, and for that 5%, Lexus put in an awesome stereo. Powertrain, what is there to say other than wow? It’s smooth and refined like nothing else I’ve ever driven. The tranny is superb; 251,000 miles and no slips, and nearly every shift is nonexistent. The V8 is ridiculously quiet and very powerful while still returning excellent fuel economy; pin the big gas pedal, and the sounds the V8 makes are better than anything I’ve ever heard. I get 20/26 fuel economy via slow city acceleration and strict cruise usage. What else can I ask for? The one area that I have a complaint about is the driver’s seat space. Grant it, I’m probably one of the few with this complaint because I’m 6’4. I originally thought the discomfort I was experiencing was because of the seat design, but I later crossed that out because I can sit in the passenger seat for hours with no discomfort at all. I’ve spoken to Jason @ JP Importz about hoe he could modify my car to add about 5”-6” of legroom. He said the safest route to take in this matter is to move the seat bracket back. I can’t wait to have this done! Unfortunately, I was hit two times in one year. The first hit…I was backed into reeking $1,850 of damage leaving me stuck in a neon blue PT Cruiser for a week and making several trips back to the body shop because they did a poor job with the body work. Then, about 2 weeks ago, a Camry Solora hit me from the rear at about 10-15mph. The only damage I could find was a 3”-4” hair line scratch. The girl that hit me offered to phone the police, but I said it really wasn’t necessary to get insurance involved on a petty scratch on my bumper which isn’t perfect to begin(can probably be buffed out) with-her Solora was not harmed either. Sadly, I was ticketed twice too. Once for an inspection sticker that was 10 months past due (wooh! :o ) and another for illegal window tint. I had the sticker ticket “fixed,” and I just now wrote the check for $140 for my tint. :chairshot: Coming repairs and accessories: -New lower ball joints (JPI said they’ve got a little play-death is near, but I have no complaints as of now) -Rear knuckle bushings -Driver’s seat position modification -Leather seat covers from leatherseats.com -Sirius satellite radio -Repair or replace CD changer -Car kit for cell phone -Redo tint to 40% up front and 5% in the rear -Repaint if my paint can’t be salvaged by a detailer Here are my expenses for the year. The first is my gas record sheet, and the second is maintenance/repairs. Questions? Comments? Concerns? Gas_Records.doc Maintenance.doc

She looks awesome!

Driving conservatively is the only way to go. Year round I get 20/26 mpg in my old, high mile '95 because I accelerate very slowly and use nothing but cruise control on the freeway. These cars get as little or as much fuel econ as you decide(so long as they are in good repair). Not if you want the fuel filter changed; two of the three dealers in Louisiana wouldn't change the fuel filter on my '95-it's "lieftime." Nothing was wrong with it; I wanted it done just because. BTW, where is Ramrat, TX? I can't seem to find it on MapQuest, google, Lexus.com etc. <_<

People,well, I am atleast are tough on car sales men/women because they TYPICALLY know nothing about what they were selling, and they always want to sell you something other than what you want. How hard is it to take home some brochures and read over them a few times to get familiar with what you are tying to sell, and how hard is it to hear that I don't want the black convertible over there even if it is at a great price? The only tough part I see is the lack of job security(for the lack of better phrasing). About two years ago, I went to Ford dealer looking at the F150 SuperCrews(my dad was think about replacing his Suburban). To see if the salesman knew anything, I asked the salesman what color interiors were available with white exterior. He was absolutely clueless. It wasn't until we got back in the show room and he got a brochure that he was able to tell me. It's a white truck; common sense would say they atleast have tan and grey. Not to mention when he greeted me, I said I am looking for this exact truck-no variation will do: white, super crew, Fx4, moon roof, leather, 5.4 engine, etc. Well, he walks me to the back of the dealership where there are about 100 trucks. Sure enough after looking at all 100 of them, they didn't have what I was looking for. What a shock! If I were the salesman, I would have gone on a computer inside and searched the inventory as not to waste 15 minutes of someone's time. Perhaps, I'm the only one he's "helped' that doesn't like wondering around a very large lot when it's 105 degrees with 95% humidity? Then on my way out, they had just off loaded a white one that he knew was exactly what I was looking for. It wasn't; I had a feeling it wasn't before I saw the truck, which had no sunroof and no Fx4. I wanted to ask him if he was dropped on his head as a child(maybe more than once?). :chairshot: Maybe I was vauge when I said I only want this truck in this color with x,y,z options? The most amusing thing I've done recently is test-drive a Prius. I recommend this to anyone looking for a good laugh! While you are test driving, ask the sales perosn how the hybrid system works. I don't know how I didn't laugh at this moron. Come to find out, the particular Prius I drove had special sensors in the wheel wells to collect the heat from the brakes and recharge the batteries. ROFLMAO I think he got that mixed up with they recharge the batteries when they coast/deaccel. I've only been to two dealers that were actually pleasurable: Lexus of NO(service dept sucks...otherwise a good place) and Sewell Caddy-Chevy. Both are very upscale dealers(Sewell has their entire inventory indoors; it's so cool!) and so are the people that work there. They are polite, know atleast the basic abc's about the product line, they don't call you back harassing you to buy their car the next day, and they don't put you in a 3x3 broom closet to do the paper work with a little sticker chart on the window to see who can sell the most cars. I always get a kick out of those charts; it brings me back to first grade again! I love it! They don't have a bench sitting infront the showroom with a bunch of middle aged men shooting the breeze while puffing away on their cigarettes ready to attack you and sell you something you don't want the second you get out of your car. If I was a car salesman, I 'd be very low pressure and listen to what the person wants to buy and find it rather than what my manager(most of these people are an entirely low class of their own) wants me to try and move off the lot.

Den, don't get the LG. I have a LG, and it sucks. It's cheaply built and not very resiliant when it flies out of your hands. I'll be getting either the V551 or V600 in the comming months when I switch to Cingular from VZW(don't even get me started with them ). Plus, if you ever have a problemo, I'm sure Army would make sure it's fixed properly.

The Lex maunal says to check the cats and the o2's for that particular code. The o2's have a specific ohm range, so I'd start there before the $900/cat. I had this code go off over the summer. I think mine just had a piece of trash on an o2 because the next day after driving agressively, the cel was gone.

I had this problem with my LS400 a few months ago. All of the lights lit up, but the malfucntion light was still on. I went to the dealer and bought all 8 of the brake lights. I greased them and put them in...problem solved. A lot of times the malfunction light comes on before the light actually goes. ;)