VBdenny

Having grown up in rather rural areas\suburbs all my life I wasn't aware of the problems that city people having caring for their cars. When I first began dating my wife who live in Flatbush in Brooklyn years ago I was amazed to see guys wahing their cars in the street. The people who oned the driveways had their Cadillacs parked in them. Now that my wife lives very close to NYC in North Jersey (in Tony's territory) I noticed there are no do-it-yourself carwashes. Sooner or later you give up and run them thru a car wash. I haven't noticed it hurts the paint much. The Caldwell casrwash (in Cladwell, NJ) even cleans the wheels and tires then dries the car when it is done. All this for $6.50. How can I complain. Better than driving around like a Volvo owner. Those dudes NEVER wash a car from the day it is new!

Hey 91 I changed both bulbs and didn't have to remove the battery. I just started unscrewing screws. I sson figured out which I didn't need to remove and put them back in. Eventually, I was able to figure it out. I tried to remember exactly, but alas, I have forgotten.

As I drove from Newark to Syracuse last night, I went through sewveral tight corners at my usual speed. I don't notice any lean or icy feel, just a rock firm grip. I use to notice what you mentioned before I had my front torsion bars replaced (I think they called it struts at Lexus). After that, it is sweet. The only thing I still don't like is the seats. So uncomfortable on a long trip.

Good News everyone. Got up to Syracuse last night and not even one wet road. My car is still shiny and clean. As I was driving up I-81 I couldn't believe how absolutely nasty looking most of the cars were. My heart goes out to you car lovers who live in the snow belt! Merry Christmas! Denny

Hey Steve, Your ES looks incredible! Man what a shine, you even got a "see yourself shine" in the reflection. Nice looking camera by the way! Denny

I really like the look of the factory chrome tips on my 90 LS. Although they looked okay, I spent quite a bit of time and really cleaned them. What a difference. I see many nice Lexus cars with nasty looking tips.

When the heater core leaks, you will smell a sickly sweet smell. I really doubt it is a leak in your heater core though as I have never heard of one going bad in a Lexus. I finally got the inside of the windows clean by using Windex and a bath towel. The towel works so much better than anything else. People breathing in a car gets the inside windows nasty until they look like one of those minivans with the opaque window look. The smell could be anything. When I was younger, a half gallon of milk broke in the car. That car never smelled right again. Something could have been spilled, or maybe someone blew chow in the car at some point, you just don't know unless you bought it new. Maybe replace your carpets or have them steam cleaned? The fact is, people ruin cars.

When you take your own oil in, how do you know that the tech doesn't put in the regular oil and take your synthetic home? Although I'm a trusting person, I know this type of thing goes on.

My brothers black Z-71 GMC pickup looks great an it's a 96. He clayed the paint and put on a couple of coats of #845 and it looks awesome even with almost 200,000 miles and several harsh Syracuse winters.

Having used the Collinite for about a year, I'd have to say it gives about the best shine of anything I've ever used. I have used a couple of products that might give a little better shine, but then the shine only lasts until you wash it. I found with the Collinite, the shine looks better each time you wash it. One suggestion, prior to applying the Collinite, spend the time to make sure your paint is as perfect as you can get it. I recommend using the clay on the car first. Once you seal in anything with Collinite, it is sealed in. I have also used the stuff on ceramic tile, bathroom countertops, and even my new lawnmower. I would love to hear what people say about the 476. I have only used the #845, but have no plans to change as I am so happy with it.

90LS I know what you mean. I never had mine much over 3000RPMs he first year I owned it as I figured it wouldn't do it any good. Once I did "get on it" I found out that is what this car loves. It was built to be reved, thats why there is 4 cams and 32 valves. Once you try it, you will find ever greater enjoyment is owning this car. It also keeps the carbon accumulation down.

Wishing all of my LS 400 family a great holiday. Just wanted all of you to know how close I feel to all of you. Thanks for all the great advice and friendship. I look forward to a great 2004.

erhaps I jumped forums by mistake, but it sure would be nice if the LS had the starter accessable.

Oh okay. when I first bought my car I heard the clunk, then I had the struts replaced and it made a big difference. I still haven't done anything with the control arms, but probably will next summer. I'd just love for someone to do a tutorial on this. I'll even put it together for anyone who will take the pictures and provide the directions.

Try Bap-Geon for brake parts. The only phone number I have is for the one in Virginia Beach 757-425-7100 I think they have lots of Lexus parts very cheap. Rear caliper was $97 with lifetime warrenty as opposed to about $350+ as dealer. Regarding the seats! My butt is still sore after driving from Virginia Beach to Caldwell NJ today. It felt so good to get into the comfortable seats in my 92 Caprice when my wife an I wnt out. Ahhhhhh If I could put my Chevy seats in my Lexus I would have the perfect car!

No 91, I don't thinks so. Since I din't know anything, I took the screw out and the thing wouldn't come apart. I then pried it and the cover popped off. It had one of those little round batteries which I took to Radio shack. I put the new one it and it has worked fine ever since. I did notice a lot of ship in there so when I got home, I opened it again and cleaned it out with a small brush and a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol. Still works great. First, make sure the battery you bought was good. I have bought watch batteries that were bad before. If it still doens't work then you might have another problem. By the way, the reason I replace my battery was because it didn't work. As soon as I flicked the remote switch back to "on" it worked again. I guess I hit it cleaning.

h you all have me smiling! There really isn't anything like it is there. I totally blew off a couple of annoying imports on the Jersey Turnpike today. People look over at you rather conservative looking LS and figure you for an easy mark. Wrong again! The car kicks !Removed! when you floor it. I am alwyas amazed at how faster this car accelarates from even 60mph. We call it sweet!

Yeah Craig, I noticed the same thing. Unlike you Canucks, I have to turn my headlights on during the day. I just leave them on all the time as they shut off automatically anyway. It is rather a pain because on the brightest setting, they are fine during the day, but too bright at night. This means I always have to screw with them. If I used the system as intended (lights off day, on at night) they would work perfectly but ever since I have driven, I have driven with my headlights on. It is now a reflex. I figure if they burn out it is just one more expense in the life of a Lexus owner.

Hey Brooklyn, Maybe the reason you can't find one is because the LS is already prefect? I dunno, I put one on a Chevy I had and am going to get another for my 92 Caprice which needs one. They have tons of old Caprices at the junkyard that have them. The one I actually bought for my other Chevy, I took off a Oldsmobile or Pontiac and it fit. Seeing as how I have had my LS to 130 before, I don't really think I would expect much improvement. Whaddya think V?

his is a very interesting topic to me. I have several small, but nevertheless annoying dings I'd like to have repaired. What's the best way to get in touch with these dent dudes without getting the dealer involved?

well troops, this morning I pulled my perfectly clean, totally Collinited, LS out of the garage and drove up to New Jersey (which is where I am now). Perfect weather, no wet roads, nothing but sunshine. When we arrived in Jersey, the car was still spotless. Tomorrow after my wife gets out of work we will be cruising up to Syracuse. I looked at the weather and it should be fine. They are forcasting rain tomorrow evening then turning to snow but luckily, my mother has a two car gagage and only one car. You know where mine goes. There is still some snow on the ground here (nasty looking stuff), but none anywhere else. I very much enjoyed the drive up. Say what you will about the Jersey Turnpike, but that is one of my favorite go-fast roads. As most of you are aware (or should be) the LS 400 is a great go-fast car. Hopefully the return trip won't be too bad, but there are a lot of dirty looking cars around here. I'll take Virginia Beach's weather anyday.

I got a new battery for mine at Radio Shack for about 3 or 4 dollars. After I took the little screw out, I just popped off the cap with a small screwdriver.

Somehow, the guy I bought my car from talked the dealer into getting him another set of keys so I have 4. Two of them don't work very well though.

The only Lexus I have ever seen in a junkyard was a 1990 ES250. I'd love to find a LS400 in a yard, I'd buy the whole car on the spot.

Yeah I've been lucky with my instrument lights as they function perfectly. I never thought much about the bright setting, but it makes sense I guess. I usually leave mine on as bright as they will go without going to the default brightest click.. Since I always drive with my headlights on, this works out well. From what I've read, many people have problems with the instrument lights, but for now, mine work fine. I also turned of the automatic steering wheel tilt. I figure if I don't use it, it won't break. besides, it is kind of annoying to begin with.