027922

Currently drive a '93 LS with 122K and love the car. Considering purchase of a newer LS. Interested in the differences between the '04 - '06 LS 430 and the '07 LS 460 other than the obvious body style and larger engine. Thanks for your comments.

The Prismaz you show look good but be careful how large of diameter you go. If ride comfort is important go lower in size (17 - 18) - if looks are dominant then go larger. Larger wheel/small tire height will result in rougher ride. Another comment - you must have another ride since you store your LS for the winter. Have you ever considered driving the LS year round. Many of us in the snow belt (I'm in st. Paul, MN) change to winter tires from about Nov. to April or so. I bought another set of LS rims on Ebay and have the winter tires mounted - store them in garage during the summer months. Winter tires work great in ice and snow and allow us to use car year round.

Depending on how much you love your car, since it is 20 years old and you don't really need a tach with an auto tranny, you could just leave as is. If you want it fixed then switch it out with a functioning salvage unit.

The tractor trailer comparison is flawed since they burn diesel fuel. Diesel engines at idle use very little fuel compared to gas engines. I agree that the coolant temp. sensor and/or O2 sensors may be the cause - have them checked out.

With the recent cold weather that much of the country has experienced, including NC, it is not surprising that you have seen that kind of mpg reduction. Remember that during your repeated 5 minute warm-ups you are getting 0 mpg. You'd do better going with a 30 - 60 second warm-up - that engine doesn't need further warming before driving off.

You don't say how many miles on the car but my '90 LS air suspension started acting up at about 160,000 mi. I recommend replacing with standard coil overs - considerably cheaper, longer lasting and more trouble free. Good luck. I would avoid the air suspension option on any future LS purchases.

I use Winterforce tires (from Firestone dealers) on another set of rims in my MN winter driving with great success. Blizzaks and Michelins are great tires but the Winterforce is about 60% of the cost and has provided excellent traction and steering control for my RWD LS.

I would plead your case to the dealer and see if they will stand behind the water pump for (just) more than 12 months. Keeping the car depends on how much you like it of course. LSs typically can go well over 200k with proper maintenance. Good luck.

Unless front suspension was changed out, it too has air suspension. With 180k miles, it is overdue to fail. Unfortunately replacement cost is huge for air suspension. A better (cheaper) option is to replace with standard coils/struts still not cheap but much better than the air. Good luck.

Those LSs are indeed terrific - roomy, comfortable, smooth, powerful and economical. Your mpg test confirms the range most LSs get and also reveals how one drives is important with any car to maximize mpg. By keeping to the speed limit and anticipating slows and stops anyone can improve mpg. Enjoy your LS.

Currently own my second LS and would not even consider driving the RWD LS in St. Paul winters w/o winter tires. I have a second set of wheels that the winter tires are mounted on and have them changed out with the summer tires around April and Nov. You will find the winter tires make a HUGE difference in traction and steering on ice and snow. I went with Winterforce tires from Firestone, about 60% of the cost of Blizzaks. Blizzaks are great tires but I have found the Winterforce to do the trick for me. I am happy with Kumho Solus KH16s summer tires - very quiet and smooth riding. By going with specific seasonal tires you get the best for each season - not a compromise like an all season tire. Your Indiana winters may be more mild and you may be able to get by with good all season tires. I recommend going to Tirerack.com to research the different types. Good luck.

Currently own my second LS and would not even consider driving the RWD LS in St. Paul winters w/o winter tires. I have a second set of wheels that the winter tires are mounted on and have them changed out with the summer tires around April and Nov. You will find the winter tires make a HUGE difference in traction and steering on ice and snow. I went with Winterforce tires from Firestone, about 60% of the cost of Blizzaks. Blizzaks are great tires but I have found the Winterforce to do the trick for me. I am happy with Kumho Solus KH16s summer tires - very quiet and smooth riding. good luck.

Those old LSs are great, aren't they (I have a '93 with only 117k and love it). I'm not a mechanic but it sounds like you may need most all suspension parts. Have you checked the steering linkage lately - if not those parts may need replacing as well. I would not accept a lousy ride in a LS plus you may be facing some safety concerns. Have your mechanic check out the suspension and steering components soon - the fix will not be cheap but if you're planning on keeping the car, worth it.

One suggestion is to check the spare - if its a Falken then change the Hancock for the Falken. I would also go to Tirerack.com and compare the tire models you currently have on the car. If they are similar then consider having the same tires on the front and different in back. Just my 2 cents.

Unfortunately, a weak link with the LS is the air suspension option, tarnishing an otherwise great car. Mine went out and I had the conventional coils/shocks put in - the replacement costs for the air suspension is huge. Mine failed pretty much all at once but I have heard some fail more slowly like yours. - Mike