GKLCPA

That extra gear must really help out on the 98-00 LS. My 96 gets around 18-19 mpg in the city and about 24-25mpg on the highway. I can't imagine getting 28+ mpg on the highway. I need to look at changing my plugs and wires to see if I can boost this.

I got from 18-25 City, and from 24-32 HWY. The AC in the City Driving affects the MPG, but opening the Moonroof in a nice day will not affect your MPG. But the less leadfoot you are the better MPG you will get. I used to get 18 in the city all the time, but I learn how to controll it and I am getting usually in the 20's. In the HWY 27 is the norm, over that is a remarkable day and with good conditions. 52 MPH and 62 MPH are some of the best ranges to get fuel economy, you could find this out using the real MPG feature in the car. CPR

I live in california and gas is nuts here. 91 - 2.85. 89 - 2.75. 87 - 2.65. On a full tank you get about 400+ miles?

This was posted nearly two years ago. I'd love to pay these prices right now. It just shows how crazy things have gotten with gas prices.

If you're in California, I don't blame you for taking the cheaper option. Even with that, you're still probably paying north of $ 4 a gallon according to an article I read today.

I alternate between regular and premium depending upon when I can find gas at a reasonable price. Using regular has had no ill effects that I can tell other than a slight loss of power and slightly less mpg.

You hear lots of testimonials on Ls400's and how far they go. I have had my 96 for many years, just gave it to my oldest son with 109K and in all those years not one wrench has hit it except belt replacement and oil changes. Replacing it with a 99 I found with 60K. Both run, as my Dad used to say, "like a sewing machine". My Mom always comments how the 96 Lex rides so much better and quieter than her 2008 Buick, which of course my father does not like to hear even though it is very true.

You say you had your 1996 for years but it doesn't look like you put a lot of miles on it for it to only be at 109K. Your son will probably get another 150K out of that car easily.

500k miles is definitely impressive. I figure that I'll get at least 300K out of my LS before I even think about getting another car

As far as I'm concerned, it is nearly always cheaper to repair and maintain versus buying a new car especially of you own a car with a good reputation for reliability such as Lexus. As someone else said, it's likely that you won't revisit those particular repairs again for awhile.

It really gets down to the type of car you have. I had a BMW that was constantly in my pocket and unlike lexus, didn't have the reputation for being as reliable. It was a moneypit that caused me to get rid of it.

Your car has a twin. I have a 96 that's silver on black just like yours!

Congrats on your purchase.

Here she is...

Hi all!

I need to replace my Timing Belt and Waterpump on my 90 LS 400 with 190,000 miles. Does anyone know good shops in the Atlanta area that could help me out without going to the dealer?

Thanks

I'd try your local Toyota dealer. I have most of my work done by a toyota dealer. I've got a timing belt/water pump change coming up within the next month and they gave me a quote of approximately $ 800 which I thought was excellent. The independents I checked in were charging about the same.

Lexus wanted $1,600 for the same repair.

My buddy has a 2001 Maxima GLE. As far as I know the Nissan VQ series of V6's is one of (if not THE) best and most powerful v6's ever made. I mean 306hp out of a 3.5L v6??? That's impressive.

No question about it, the Nissan V6 is one of the smoothest and most powerful powerplants one can have in a car. Again, if one is working with a limited budget and is looking for a car with exhilarating power, the Nissan Maxima will definitely fit the bill. I'm as high on those cars as I am on the LS. Of course, the Max is not on par with the LS, but it's real decent transportation.

JC,

Why are you running around starting trouble about the type of gas people use? You couldn't keep this over at Club Lexus could you? Nooo, you had to involve some other people :)

Look, I don't care if it's only 50 cents a day less. If it means so much to the oil companies to charge it, then it means just as much to me to keep that 50 cents in my pocket.

That money adds up. I could buy something with those savings. I'm not prepared to say what it is I would buy right now, but it would be something.

OK! So here's a little post I made at clublexus.... figured I'd share it with all of you here as well

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

22.5gal X $3.17 (Regular at Chevron here) = $71.325

22.5gal X $3.37 (Premium at Chevron here) = $75.825

So if we need to get really technical... It's a difference of $4.50

But in reality we don't run our tanks 100% dry, So the average driver probably fills up 18-20gal. So lets just say 19gal fill up.

19gal x $3.17 (reg) = $60.23

19gal x $3.37 (prem) = $64.03

So in reality it's about a difference of $3.80

For example I also know that it's ok to go about 5,000 miles on an oil change, but most people change it around 3,000. So why not spend the extra $3.80 a tank. For factory recomended fuel. Which may not DRASTICALLY improve performance or mpg's but there is a SLIGHT increase, and will also reduce knocking and boost smoothness, and have the engine working at 100% instead of 95%

This will be interesting:

Let's also just say you fill up once a week every year.

(using the 19gal reference)

$60.23/ week X 52 weeks = $3131.96 a year

$64.03/ week X 52 weeks = $3329.56 a year

So technically the difference between regular and premium a year is $197.60

Difference In Years

$197.60 X 5 years = $988.00

$197.60 X 10 years = $1976.00

So If you're filling up once a week for 10 years thats about $0.541 EXTRA every day!!!

Money Spent on Gas In Years

Regular

5 years = $15659.80

10 years = $31319.60

Premium

5 years = $16647.80

10 years = $33295.60

So it does add up in the long run but personally I'm just one of those guys that loves his car and wants the best of the best of the BEST for his car!

Hahaha I think I took a few breaths during that! :D

Actually if there were no Lexus the car industry would probably be pretty different. Lexus really had a huge impact on what we now see as luxury sedans. They mainstreamed the V8 in the affordable luxury sedan, they've had a huge impact on ergonomics across the whole industry (optitron gauges, smooth touch buttons). By creating more affordable vehicles that truly competed with MUCH more expensive vehicles from Mercedes and BMW they forced those manufacturers to find ways of reducing the cost of their vehicles...

Lexus has had a pretty big impact.

Good point SW.

I'd probably go with the Infiniti Q45, which I understand is a pretty nice car with power. I'm familiar with Nissan and they make good products.

I would not consider BMW or Mercedes. I've owned them both and both were money pits. I was just talking to someone yesterday who has a 99 740il and was complaining about having to put in a new trans; something I've not heard about with the same vintage LS.

I am going to replace the breaks and the rotors and I see that there are many to choose from. Does anybody have any advice on which rotors besides the stock factory rotors? Thanks Jeff

I recently replaced my front rotors. I purchased Brembro rotors from www.tirerack.com They were about $ 70 a piece.

I'm wondering if the warranty is even needed. These cars are pretty solid and if everything's been checked out, I'd save the 2900 for anything that might come up instead.

I was looking into the "PLatinum PLan" and the sales lady quoted me 2900 for the 7 year - 100K mile plan. I figure that will take me 3 years out and another 50K miles of peace of mind (I have an 04 LS that just came up on 48K miles).

Have you guys paid more, less? Am I getting shafted? Is it a good deal? These are the questions burning in my mind! :chairshot:

Congrats on your recent purchase of an LS. Now you know what you've been missing. Like most of the rest of us, you'll never want to have another car other than the LS! Lexus hit a home run with these cars and I don't think there's any other car that can match the LS.

Hello Club,

I just purchased my first Lexus and wanted to join this club to learn as much about my car as I can.

Car

2002 Lexus LS430

41,600 miles verified via Carfax (clean history 2 owners)

exterior/White

Interior/Tan Leather (not Ivory so I guess Ecru?) with (Medium woodgrain?)

Navigation

Mark Levenson

Power Sunroof

Lexus Link (does not work now due to analog?)

Heated Seats front (front seats extend on bottom great since I am 6'3")

Heated Seats Rear

Sport Suspension

Has 17" Lexus soke wheels (not sure if correct size or not) I have read that most sport suspension's have 18"?

Car is mechanically perfect!

Owner or Owners? did not know how to keep their dirty hands off the seatbelts and the headliner?

Owner or Owners did not know how to parallel park wheels have some curb damage? (Looking for OEM wheels!!!) Let me know if you have any for sale!

Exterior sheet metal is perfect

Front bumper has one scratch (very small)

Rear bumper has two small scratches (looks like screw holes from someone elses front license plate holder) very low speed bump?

Drives like a champ!

I live in NC and we just made a road trip to go get the car!

Drove 333 miles to Va to get the car. The 333 mile ride home was spectacular! Most comfortable ride ever! Very powerful engine and smooth transmission!

Amazed that the car got over 28MPG on the way home! Filled up in Va and drove home 333 miles still have 1/2 tank of gas! Is this normal?

I think I got a great deal, but I am a little funny about my finances so I will not say exactley how much I paid.

If anyone cares to guess I will reply with high or low!

Elk!

I have been ppounding the boards for a week now. I am loving everything that I am reading so far about this LS400. This vehicle line has won some amazing awards. And after driving it, it has ruined all other vehicles for me.

Yes, you really don't want to drive anything else once you're accustomed to the LS. Basically, from this point forward, LS for life for me. I'm not driving anything else.

Thanks for the response fellas. Today was my first daily commute to work. And again i must say - smooth as butter. My initial instincts are too keep it. And your input, that makes the decision much easier. I already had 2 offers today. One for 5K and another for 6K. Some of my co-workers want to help me out by taking it off my hands. Yeah right.

Again, thanks

When you get a chance, check out the discussion strings on "who has the highest miles". You will find that your car is just a baby at 110K. You can run that car up to 300K+ miles and it will still run like new. The LS is just simply the best production car ever made.

In all honesty...I'd sell the car and get something more economical.

Seriously, its a lot of fun to have a great car like that but these are expensive cars to own and fuel. $60 a week on gas, and gas isn't getting cheaper, plus the potential costs for repairs and parts can bankrupt someone such as yourself real quick. Believe it or not when you get to college you'll have LESS money than you have now. You should be having fun, not worrying about how to fill up the V8 Lexus or how you're going to come up with $1500 for an alternator or a starter for the thing.

Plenty of time left in your life to own a Lexus. JMHO.

Sage advice here.

A friend of mine had that happen to him. He said the mirror cost about $ 500 to replace.

So, drive 10 hours in the '96 LS400 to visitfriends and family. At the last stop of the evening park in a street. Come out and someone had clipped the driver's side mirror with there mirror and smashed it totally :-(. Time to call the insurance agent and see how much this is going to hurt the budget. *And* we have the 10 hour drive home to look forward to with no mirror.

I have been looking for reasons to go places all day today! My daughter says that she " feels like a princess" when she rides in it. The heated back seats give her something to control herself and at 7 years old it's a big thrill for her. Hell it's a big thrill for me to play with my own heated front seat!! This car has so many gadgets and gizmoes that I spent all last night reading the owners manual. The smooth way the car accelarates is really something to behold. I looked down and I was going way to fast!! I don't have a clue how to post a picture or I would. I am not the most computer savy guy around. Jeff

Nice looking car Jeff. Congratulations!

As for that "looking for excuses to drive" syndrome, don't look for it to wear off soon. Wait until you get a chance for an extended road trip in your car; you'll be looking for excuses to travel long distances. Long distance driving in these cars is like piloting a jet airplane.

Hey everyone, I am new here, but have had a 1991 LS400 for about two years now.

I have been looking around for some simple, cheap mods to do to just make my car look better. My car is maroon on top and a greyish mov color on the bottom. I have bought bright headlights and thats about it so far. There are three things that I am set on doing and I'd like some quick feedback/suggestions or even new mods you can suggest.

Idea #1: Tint Rear Tail Lights Slightly Dark (lighter than in pic becuase its illegal in California)

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/lighting/ti...taillights.html (all black)

http://www.custommagnums.com/forums/stylin...taillights.html (tape off brake lights)

Idea 2: New Ignition LED (I was thinking either blue or white led)

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/lighting/ignition.html

Idea 3: Remove Yellow From Fog Lights

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/lighting/fogs.html

Thanks for any input or suggestions, and sorry for the really big pictures.

You might want to check out www.clublexus.com

A lot of guys over there are heavy into doing modifications.

As I read your post, I'm thinking how much of a waste it can be to buy one of these new nowadays. Granted, you didn't have this choice when you brought your 90 LS, but a properly maintained LS will last a long time. It really doesn't make sense to pay 70k+ for a new one when you can get a used one for as much as 90% less than that and still have a vehicle that will last you a long time. A case in point is your 90 LS

I just think the quality of these cars is a well kept secret. The statement that I hear again and again is about 10 year + old LS's is "it looks and drives like new." It's almost as if the car gets better with age.

I'm glad to be a LS owner.

What were the nature of your repairs over that two year period?

gcal, it sounds like our ages and goals are similar.

For reference purposes, during the last two years of ownership of a 1990 LS400 (owned from new until 2003), I spent about $4,500 at an independent repair shop to get the car to 183,000 miles. The work would have cost perhaps 15% more at the Lexus dealer. $4,500 also happens to be what I sold the car for in 2003 -- it looked and drove like new and all maintenance was current.

I suspect that my current 2000 LS400 (now at 94,000 miles) will require similar repairs at similar costs as it ages. $1,000 average per year in repairs is pretty inexpensive to keep a car like an SC or LS running well and certainly far, far less than it costs to buy a comparable new car.

We aim to keep cars until they are about 13 - 15 years old. By buying well optioned cars with the latest technology, and particularly the latest safety features, we keep from feeling too deprived as the cars age. For example, our 98 Camry is one of a tiny number that was sold with optional side air bags, ABS and traction control. The Toyota dealer here had it trucked in from a dealer 600 miles away. Sure, we now wish it had VSC, more air bags, and a few more comfort options, but we can easily get by another six years until its planned retirement date.

Personally I would not dream of asking the indie repair shop owner to use parts that I had purchased elsewhere. He is also my friend and I know that the mark-up on parts is an important part of his revenue -- and my helping him put his kids through college!

It might help address VMF's questions if you listed the specific repairs that you expect to be required on your cars.

Although I did most of my own car repairs when I was younger, these days I would rather take our cars to professionals for most everything. The only tasks I do now are oil changes, wiper blade refills and tire rotations and weekly checking/top-up of all fluids except the rear differential. Well, that is not exactly correct -- I sometimes, for fun, rip the interior of the car apart while installing gadgets like phones and navs.

I passed all the records for my 1990 LS400 to its new owner - he is still driving it and I see him most days at work.

From what I remember, the approximately $4,500 I spend over the last two years of ownership included the 180,000 maintenance (timing belt, water pump, all fluid changes, etc.), still another power steering pump rebuild, another battery (probably its 5th since new), a new windshield (about $200), another set of four snow tires, another set of four summer tires, a suspension part or three, driver seat back repair, an A/C compressor and related parts, conversion to R-134a, various miscellaneous repairs, etc., etc.

I loved my old 90 LS400 and might be driving it today if it had better headlights.

I have a 96 LS and I too am looking to keep it another 8 to 10 years or so. I figure I'll have about 300K miles or so at the end of that time and I'll get another one at that point. I have 80k on mine right now and am coming up on the first major service with the timing belt. I need to do a bit of suspension work as well. I've owned the car for a little over a year and have not had to do a thing except for normal maintenance (oil, fluids, tires and etc). I'm thinking about getting the timing belt done in the next couple of weeks. I got a quote from Toyota of about $ 700 versus 1600 from Lexus.

I really wish I had gotten one of these cars earlier. I just never knew prior to owning one that these cars are as good as they are.

I need a sanity check. My wife drives a 1997 LS400 Coach sedan with 147K miles and I drive a 1997 SC400 with 105K miles. Both cars are in excellent condition. I have done enough research to believe that I will need to put $4000-$6000 in each car in the next year. That should take care of all the engine tuneup and suspension renovation that I believe is required to enable another 150K maintence free miles.

The reason for the $4000-$6000 per car is that I am not skilled to do the work but am lucky to have an excellent independent shop here in Birmingham that is authorized for Lexus, Volvo, Toyota, and Infinity service and has techs that I trust completely.

We believe that we want to keep the cars for another 10+ years. We are in our mid to late 50's and actually think that we might drive the cars forever. I recently took a look at a 2005 LS430 and was almost shocked at how much better I liked our LS400. I also love my SC400 and really can't see another car that I would rather drive.

How much chance do you think we are taking putting the money into the cars? We are looking at retirement in a few years and really don't want to have to put another $5000-$10000 in the cars, 5 years from now, just to keep them running. Any comments will certainly be appreciated.

What were the nature of your repairs over that two year period?

gcal, it sounds like our ages and goals are similar.

For reference purposes, during the last two years of ownership of a 1990 LS400 (owned from new until 2003), I spent about $4,500 at an independent repair shop to get the car to 183,000 miles. The work would have cost perhaps 15% more at the Lexus dealer. $4,500 also happens to be what I sold the car for in 2003 -- it looked and drove like new and all maintenance was current.

I suspect that my current 2000 LS400 (now at 94,000 miles) will require similar repairs at similar costs as it ages. $1,000 average per year in repairs is pretty inexpensive to keep a car like an SC or LS running well and certainly far, far less than it costs to buy a comparable new car.

We aim to keep cars until they are about 13 - 15 years old. By buying well optioned cars with the latest technology, and particularly the latest safety features, we keep from feeling too deprived as the cars age. For example, our 98 Camry is one of a tiny number that was sold with optional side air bags, ABS and traction control. The Toyota dealer here had it trucked in from a dealer 600 miles away. Sure, we now wish it had VSC, more air bags, and a few more comfort options, but we can easily get by another six years until its planned retirement date.

Personally I would not dream of asking the indie repair shop owner to use parts that I had purchased elsewhere. He is also my friend and I know that the mark-up on parts is an important part of his revenue -- and my helping him put his kids through college!

It might help address VMF's questions if you listed the specific repairs that you expect to be required on your cars.

Although I did most of my own car repairs when I was younger, these days I would rather take our cars to professionals for most everything. The only tasks I do now are oil changes, wiper blade refills and tire rotations and weekly checking/top-up of all fluids except the rear differential. Well, that is not exactly correct -- I sometimes, for fun, rip the interior of the car apart while installing gadgets like phones and navs.

agree about 2uzfe, my mistake, while i witnessed 2 cases of snapped timing belt on 96 and 97 LS models that did not resulted in the engine rebuild. this is the reason that leads me to believe that it is a non interference engine, tech at lexus confirmed that only 1uzfe with vvti is an interference engine. my 1996 lexus repair manual also states that all 1uzfe engines prior to 98 are non interference engines, yes the engine was slightly revised in 1995 with lighter conrods and pistons and compression, but please do tell me how does that make it an interference engine? vvti on the other hand will let the piston and the valve collide due in case of the belt failure.

i understand that you like to use strong language to make sure that people understand the gravity of the situation, but please refrain from doing so in the future.

.

I myself was wondering about whether the 95-97 was a interference or non interference engine as it was my understanding prior to now that is was an interference engine.

Anyone can be mistaken here, but that certainly does not mean that they're deliberately spreading misinformation. I agree with VMF that condemning and accusing someone of deliberately misleading others is totally uncalled for. If someone is wrong or another is correct, that can be easily established with a distillation of the facts.

I've been on enough boards where there's a lot of rancor. What's nice about these boards is that everyone is cordial. I'd like to see it stay that way.

attended lehigh university for a short time:)

Ok. Good school.

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=43039, check this thread out:)

btw I used to live in bethlehem:) nice scenery over there.

You reverse migrated from Bethlehem to NYC? Now that's a change as it's usually the other way around(i.e. NY & NJ to the lehigh valley). I'm a former Jersey resident and moved here about 6 years ago.