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jc19907

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  • Lexus Model
    LS400

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  1. Dealerships love to charge you an hour for every small job they do. I took my car for a simple oil change to a Lexus Dealership in Nashville. The Service Advisor came back to me with a list of things I needed... He wanted 1500$ to do all the recommended stuff. Strut Bars, new air/cabin air filters, brakes, tranny fluid... I declined most all of it and three years later, my car runs and drives beatifully - I did have my brakes done recently - 300$... Anyway, I just had him do the cabin filter and the oil change. To my suprise, they tried to charge me a half hour of labor just to change out the cabin filter... I immediately took the advisor over to my car, opened the glove box and removed the filter and reinstaled it 2 times in less than a minute or two. Needless to say, they removed the labor to do that... Nice try, but not so fast! Labor was about 40 bucks on that... What a rip off. That is the only poor experience I've had at a Lexus Dealership. I mostly take my car to a Toyota Dealership where former Lexus mechanics work.
  2. When the tank is heated (due to outside air temp variation), the air left inside it will expand causing the pressure to increase in the tank.
  3. Ayan, I replaced my factory pads with ceramics. Initially, the new factory pads squeeled like crazy - Ceramics stopped the problem. I've been told that the pad itself has more ability to withstand high heat and friction - but the pad itself gets very hot and can warp factory rotors. If you use ceramics - be careful with aggressive driving - could cost you some rotors in a hurry.
  4. Folks, I'm a former golf course/farm mechanic and can lend you some helpful advice on breaking difficult bolts and nuts. Purchase a small propane torch and heat up the housing for the bolt or the nut your going to break either. Obviously, do this with caution around plastic, bearings, seals, bushings etc. etc. You may have to heat it for a minute or so until the steal gets a little red. The heat will cause expansion and this has never failed me as a last resort. I've always used a cutting torch with Acetyline and Oxygen, but propane should get toasty enough to do it. For smaller stuff you could even try and charcoal grill lighter - those new ones don't have the flicker flame, but more of a torch flame. Hope this is helful, because I've tried to break a many nuts only to have my hands slip - knuckles busted, bruised - wrenches and pipes flying. If a pipe/wrench combo won't work with reasonable force - try the above.
  5. Hello, I took my 99 LS in for routine oil change at Toyota - the tech showed me my trans fluid and it was looking a little brownish. He suggested I get it flushed. I had a drain and fill done about 30K ago. I drive lots of highway miles probably a ratio of 60/40 highway to city and I drive a total of 20K annually. The car runs fine - just seeing if brownish fluid is usual for these cars at my milage. Mine has 95K on it. Any worries? Also, should I get a full fluid flush done? Or, just do another drain and fill? Thanks,
  6. - this thread seems to inspire folks. So, far so good - no breaks yet... I'm going to keep up with this one to find out. Most of the folks on a Lexus forum website are probably going to be meticulas about maintaining their cars. So, this is liable to be a unproductive post. Anyway, I still look forward to hearing more talk on it...
  7. Lash, Common' bro. Most of your driving will be in straight lines... but, I do understand... The LS is quiet like a Lincoln, solid like a Benz, handles like a Jag, fast as an older Mustang GT - in the shop much less than all of them. To appreciate the LS, is to drive it for several months and then when you least expect it, drive someone else's car on a short trip or a long one... You'll get back in your LS and say "wow". Try and reread the thread by NC - Heck, if you change your mind, go with a GS300/GS400 - my wife has a 98 GS 300. Its a great car too. The straight six is pretty potent and sounds wonderful; and it handles significantly tighter than the LS. She's got the factory (wider) rim and tire package - these are loud, but look really good on the car. I'd go with the standard wheel and Tire package on that one. But, thats just me. Good luck!
  8. - my NAV system has gotten me out of some good "losts" I.E. Chicago, Nashville, western Kentucky. Anyway, I guess its not that its outdated so much that it costs 300 bucks to fix it... The upgrade could be more simple. I tried to take my stereo out - LOL!!!!! My front/center dash vents fell right apart into tons of pieces - I had a time putting those back in. I lost interest in fooling with it altogether after that happened. NC - really says it best of all - well said.
  9. Poll - Anyone ever had their timing belt break on any year LS? Curious? If so, what kind of driver are you? Aggressive, middle of the road or granny Clampet? If so, what was your milage etc? give particulars... THX
  10. Ok - still buy that car! As for Sahtt's comments - and with respect. This is a comfort thing and I'm still going to push mine a bit - dealer told me so. In the history of the dealership that I called - they've never replaced an engine on any LS due to a timing belt break - ever. The mechanic I spoke to said this from day 1. I will agree that the engineers put limits on parts for reason. However, I guess I 'might ask myself - was this mechanic trying to sell me a new engine, or be honest with me. I'd say the later of the two. I've never heard of a timing belt breaking on anyone in my lifetime - family, friends colleagues - anyone. Maybe they all replace theirs... Only on horror stories; like it happens to punks who race and drive aggressive all the time etc. Furthermore, I'd say 50% of car owners (even Lexus folks), don't get the car serviced as stated in the manual. Hence, manufacturers are aware of this. After paying 60K for a new Lexus and to have it blow up after 6 years of driving, wouldn't do much for the reputation of Lexus or any other make. Parts like this actually last much longer. Not to mention the sales pitch associated with it all. (I used to be a mechanic) - Creating a problem to solve a problem is a huge part of the service business. As for buying remanufactured parts, well - if it cost the dealership 15 bucks to put new diodes etc into a Denso and repaint it, and sell it back to you for 350$ - why not just pay for a brand new one for 400$. At least this seems principly smarter and you have absolutely a brand new unit. Enjoy the 98 - no matter what you'll love it. Service it as you wish - It's still a car of a lifetime.
  11. Buy that car! I drive a 99 LS - I have the same engine as you would with the 98. It's a remarkable car for the money. A Benz without out some of the modern bugs. I replaced a starter in mine - cost me 1K - if you do this, buy a brand new starter - no rebuilds... No chances here. They have to remove the top of the engine to get at it - mostly labor cost. I've yet to do the 90K service - my local dealer has told me to wait until 100-110. I spoke with a mechanic there and he mentioned that he's pulled off many belts that had gone the full 90K+ and more and they look like they've had almost no wear. The belts are built with teflon.... Anyway, I may even wait until 120K for the TB, water pump, seals, pullies - service - most of the time I drive like a granny. Occasionally, I like to let it eat though. If you're an aggressive driver, I'd go on a replace the belt and all the other recommended stuff with that service (if you buy the car). A few things I don't like: Generic - tiny cupholders - HVAC system - complex and not for dummies (Navigation model). Navigation is old school and is obsolete for more upgrades. On a car with this tag, I don't get this. Timing belt busts and your out an engine - another one I really don't get. Seats aren't wide enough - I like the wrap around feel of Volvo seats and they are bigger. The rest of the car is fabulous and it's very powerful for a big car. Great ride, better handling than one would expect, great milage 19 City - 29 Hwy, very roomy, big trunk, not everyone has one either - oh and ladies love them. I'll probably give mine to my parents and get a newer one sooner or later - I'll never sell it off - it's too good of a car. I have no problem spending the bucks on this car - it's really higher end than it even looks.
  12. I just had to make a few statements on this... I've owned both cars (three Mercedes/ one Lexus) and they both are remarkably solid makes. Mercedes are the guinea pig for pioneering inovation. This will probably work itself out in years to come. Lexus are reliable, I guess - I've spent about 3K on mine in the two years I've owned it - Tires, brakes, starter, fluids. I spent 300$ on a new alternater for my 500sl - which was an awesome car - wrecked it.... Older Mercedes models with less electronics are more simple cars - I say stop worrying and just buy what you like! You'll pay to fix it, b/c you like the way the car looks/drives. You'll love either! I must say theres not much like looking down a shiny hood and seeing that star! Lexus needs some kind of cool hood ornament!
  13. Just bought some OEM pads. They squeel. I didn't get a shim kit; apparently, I should've... It's really obnoxious... I've got to take it back in. Make sure you ask for the shim kit, if and when you get OEM pads...
  14. SWE - I agree to disagree. Michelins, no doubt the best tires (depending on the tire), but, the Yoko's don't look bad at all - they just don't look as sexy as the Pilot Sport. The Energy and MX are boring looking to me, while the Pilot is down right awesome. I bought the AVID H4's for my LS. I've put approx. 2K miles on them and so far they've been dynamite. I had Michelin Pilot Sport A/S on before - a tremendous Tire and great looking on the rim - But, for half the cost these tires, the YOKO's look nearly as good and I've felt no difference in performance. The original Tire on my car was a Dunlop SP 9000? I thought it was really a vanilla tire. Ugly etc... So far, the grip and quietness on the YOKO's have been fantastic. Smooth. I'll be getting another set @ 30K. I really would reccomend this tire as an option for those who wish to save some cash. 3cts
  15. Yep, Some things the Asian engineers didn't take into account on 2000 and before... Hopefully the newer cars are for folks of all sizes. Asian folks are shorter and smaller framed than Americans - thus this car works out great for most of them. I think this is where you have this problem. How about some Americanized cup holders...?? Mine are terrible. They'll hold a can and thats it. I'm about 6 feet tall and about 225. The seat back isn't really wide enough for me, so It doesn't give me that wrap around craddeled feeling (cockpit) that many competitors give you (Volvo, BMW). Hence, the seat is really adjustable, but not really as comfortable as it should be. When doing some mild cornering, I feel my frame slide out of the seat into the arm rest - annoying. I don't like my HVAC system either, it just doesn't work right; and it's got a mind of its own too. I prefer knobs etc. A 65 K car should have simple heat and A/C controls... My complaints pale in comparison to the overall comfort/performance and drivability of this car. Just a few pokes, thats all... I hope you can get your seat adjusted so you don't have to sell your car. 2cts
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