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mason

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Everything posted by mason

  1. I'm in Dallas, and I paid $5,000 for a '94 LS with 155K in February '05, and have, to date, spent over $3,000 in repairs that the previous owner had neglected to handle--all the things you listed, plus those mentioned in subsequent posts. I have one more major repair to make--the rack-and-pinion--and then I think I will be done. All that is to say, caveat emptor, and I think, given what I have experienced, that your deal is pretty good. Just make sure you have documentation for all the work that's been done on the car. Oh, and obtain more than one key or set of keys if they are available from the seller. If not, you're looking at $51 for an extra key, just a basic one without remote, and it has to come from the dealership. Five times that amount if you want a full set--remote, valet, etc., and it cancels out the original set.
  2. I recently had my fuel-injection system serviced, and that helped my mileage. I get 17-19 in the city and 25 on the highway. ('94 LS) Try that, along with all the other suggestions.
  3. I would suggest the bushings be checked, as well as the tie rods. I recently had this work done on my '94 LS400, and the improvement in the ride and handling is remarkable. Well worth the cost of the service.
  4. I am a freelance copy writer and editor. This comes after many years in college administration, followed by tenures at a marketing agency and as marketing director for a non-profit organization. I love the variety of my clientele, which ranges from a women's lingerie company to a corporate CEO.
  5. We just bought a '94 LS400 that came with only one key--the one with the remote entry. The previous owner cannot find the other keys. So I called the local dealership and the parts guy suggested that I get only a master key (there are only two drivers in our family), which the dealer will have to cut and it costs $51. He said that any additional remotes will cancel out the remote that I currently have, and remotes are $250.
  6. We just bought a '94 LS with 154K whose timing belt had never been replaced. So we did that, the drive belt, and the water pump all at once. The mechanic said the timing belt didn't "look too bad," but we didn't want to run any risks.
  7. Hi. Okay, I've tackled the antenna mast, and I'm feeling quite pathetic. I followed the instructions, and I got as far as trying to pull out the old mast. I underdid the nut that supposedly secured the mast, I extended the antenna using an AM station, and then I pulled and I pulled and I pulled, and the old antenna mast would not come up. Is there a screw or nut that is holding the mast (besides the gold, polished nut that had to be taken off first). Any help would be appreciated. And has anybody used http://www.alldatadiy.com/? It's an online repository of service manuals, and it costs $25 a year for the first car. I'm wondering if it's worth the investment. Thanks!
  8. I just had a complete AAA inspection done on my "new" '94 LS. As a AAA-Plus member, I get a rebate of $45 on the inspection, which costs $89.95. It was a 126-point inspection that seems to have run the gamut; very thorough. This was done by a AAA-certified independent mechanic. I found him on the AAA Web site. All the dealerships I checked with (Toyota included) wanted at least $100.
  9. Please describe for me an easy way to replace the bulbs in the two little lights that illuminate the rear license plate. So far, we've removed some small screws and folded back the liner of the trunk lid. We can't seem to get our fingers inside the openings where the bulbs (we think) reside. Surely we don't have to remove the taillights! Please say no. :cries:
  10. Well, I made my first-ever visit to a Lexus dealership on Friday, with my new '94 LS400. I needed three light bulbs replaced, and as silly as that sounds, the quote I was given from the dealership exceeded the independent shop by only $15. So I decided, what the hell, I've never had this opportunity before and it might be the only time I do this. I had just read your post and thought about dressing up, but decided to go just as I was--in jeans and a rugby shirt. Now mind you, I am 48 years old, although I'm told I look no more than 30, and I have longish hair. So the way I was treated might have been some reflection of my age; however, I really don't think so. From the moment I arrived and was greeted by a smartly dressed "service consultant" to the moment I paid the surprisingly low check at the marble "concierge desk," I was treated as though I had just purchased a new LS430. No one looked at me with disdain for bringing in a car of age eleven with more than 150,000 miles on its clock. They included the complimentary wash and vacuum and offered to take me to meet friends for lunch when I discovered that I was going to be late. For the short time that I waited, I had access to complimentary Starbucks coffee, free high-speed internet, a widescreen TV, comfortable chairs, and I promise: Every employee I encountered looked me in the eye, spoke to me, and asked me if I needed assistance. I imagine there is some degree of difference among the Lexus dealership network. Indeed, I have heard tell of the snootiness of the "other" Lexus dealership in town--which is one reason I avoided that one. And as I said, this might be the one and only time I go to the dealership, and for that reason, I am very happy that I had a positive experience. Oh, I guess I will have to go back to get extra keys, since the seller of my new baby so far cannot find the others.
  11. Greetings from Dallas! We just took delivery of a '94 LS400 in our "dream" color of black jade with black leather interior. The car is in good overall condition with 155K miles, and we were absolutely thrilled with the price and our experience with the seller. Now, to the issues at hand. The car needs: (1) Right front turn signal fixed. The rear one works, although the indicator (as well as the rear amber light) flashes very rapidly. Is this an easy DIY job, and where do I find bulbs, etc? (2) The main interior dome light does not work. (I have tried all three of the settings on the switch; nothing.) Same questions as above. (3) There is a malfunction with the hood latch. The hood pops open via the dash mechanism; however, when it's time to close the hood, the "catch" will not revert in such a way as to allow the hood to latch. It requires some fiddling with the interior component. (4) The power antenna motor works its little heart out to no avail, meaning that it doesn't elevate or lower the antenna. That can be done by hand with ease, and there doesn't seem to be a crimp in the mast. (5) Neither the water pump nor the timing belt has been replaced. The seller, who has owned the car for the past seven years and logged the bulk of the mileage, said his Lexus mechanic had advised against replacing these components because they did not show signs of wear. We're inclined to take preventive measures in lieu of chances. Opinions on this, please. (6) The car is currently riding on relatively new Tokico struts, which the former owner had installed so he could try the experience of a stiffer ride and more precise handling. Not liking this after all, he purchased new OEM struts for the car, which were included with the sale. How expensive/complicated is the conversion to spec struts? This is not a pressing problem in my opinion, as the ride and handling are not unpleasant--just more like a BMW than an LS. That's it for now. I welcome any advice, opinions, recommendations, and instructions that you might have to offer. Oh, and we always name our cars. We're still pondering what to call this one. Our pristine and pampered '97 Acura TL is named "Misty," for both the song and her color (Desert Mist); and our beloved '83 Toyota Cressida (with nearly 200K miles) is named "Choco Latte," for his color (dark brown with cream interior) and our affinity for Starbucks beverages. Call us sick and twisted; we don't care. And we welcome your suggestions on names for our new baby. Thanks!
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