99lsguy

BUT if I let taxes dictate what and how I bought fully I would buy an LX470 so I can deduct the whole thing the first year under the 6100 GVWR exemption, so its just one variable in the whole deal.

Lots of different ways to do it, I just have to talk to my accountant.

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Exactly.......Uncle Sam gives us a few options. We almost bought a suburban for the GVWR exemption last year........

We've used 1)lease and 2) MACR's depreciation method in past also.....the variables always change depending on this and that......

Anyway you slice it, we always pay the piper

Eh maybe, but if I did decide to set it up so I'd get out of the car every 3 years or so I would lease for the tax advantages, and leases don't work out on used cars.

To me part of the allure of the LS is how well they take miles...

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Yea..........that would be a hefty lease @ 20k+ miles a year...............

yeah,

there are L & R sensors before you get to the Cats........put you car up on ramps and you can get to them........

Run a search on this........a lot of info out there...

I see your logic, but........

Especially in real estate, wouldn't you want a "fresher" car every 3-5 years anyway?....

THat's why I mentioned the "3 year off lease" cars.....still nice - and as long as the body style is the same, she'll look new and current - and you can save your $$ for the house, the kids, the hospital , etc....

Check out the Stereo/Audio forum......

Look for and PM "Pioneersbuy".........he will know.

Lets see........

LS, SC, General Discussion, Maintenance, Detailing..........others not so much..

about 4-6 for me :D

SW,

Well, that ride would be the primo for sure.................great looking car!!!

Are the 02 LS430's out of the question??? That'd save you $20-25 grand ---and you would get the legroom / interior space you need.........

Invest the difference and .............take a nice vacation ......yada, yada ......

I would go for the Silver ext......black interior........

Awsome combo..........

Ok i just called MVA and they told me all i had to do is sign the back of the title over to her. No need for bill of sale stuff. I made it clear to the guy that i am giving the car to my aunt. Looks like if the car is more than 10yrs old they don't care anymore.

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Well done Cenwesi :D

That's a nice present!!!

Do you find the Tutorial Helpful?  The 2UZ should be easier, but again its a taller car to work on and you back will kill u.

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I was hoping you could just get to that starter without removing the intakes and such.l.............

Yes, the tutorial is nice - I like how you've incorporated the Lexus service manual....

you could be at a point where;

you buy a new one........but ask if you can return it unopened for a full refund within a week...

take the old one back out - and try to open it up and fix it - if not; put the new one in..........hopefully the old one can be cleaned and fixed and save you the $$$$. THis is last resort - that part is expensive!!!

There should be a way to check that motor/solenoid with a volt meter or something???

Hey Lexextreme,

My wife has an 02 Sequoia ------ a 2UZFE engine -------. I've noticed more "clearance" on the intake manifolds in this engine. I'm assuming the starter is in the same location........does this mean it's easier to get to the starter - with the extra room?? Looks like more room behind the engine too ( from the firewall)??????????????

Just wondering.........

99

Yeah,

I've heard good things about the Proxes too............

Hmmmmm,

If you think the 00 is in "better shape"..........that would make me lean away from the 98.........but "what kind of better shape" - is it???

Tires, exterior, body dings, interior rips or tears........what kinds of things?

I don't llike the sounds of that 98 with the "gray door panel"..........

Have you check the VIN stickers on all the doors, fenders, hood, trunk etc...to make sure the car hasn't been painted, wrecked, etc....

THere is at least $4k difference in depreciation of those two cars..............

Lextreme,  you say it took 6 hours to replace the starter?  You didn't happen to make a tutorial for doing this did you?  Probably a good idea while you have everything else apart.  I'll probably do a waterpump this summer even though it isn't leaking.  I put a waterpump on my Caprice last weekend, took me about an hour and was free (lifetime warrenty).  I'm not sure which I prefer, an easy cheap job every 5 years or a difficult one every 15 years.

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Yeah Denny.........that starter is brutal :chairshot: It's really a shame where Toyota buried it...........

Here's a good thread.........courtesy of our good man K9crew!! Lots of info:

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...steering++flush

do a search under PS flush and you'll find several more..........

PS Solenoid is also a good one.......

I think I have a PS procedure in a MS word file........if interested.......and if I can find it.......PM me and I'll email it to you..

ditto all the above.....

good service records and you'll be fine.......

I almost bought a 99 LS - CPO two years ago...

Here was the bottom line......

Dealer wanted $25,500 plus my car in trade.......

I bought a similar 99LS (but had 15k more miles) on my own for $23k....then I sold my car for $8k.......that makes $15,000 for my own deal.......

I think I did better than CPO!!!

There is a lot of information on tires throughout the site, especially the wheels and tires section.  You'll get a lot of good information.  I chose the Yokohama Avid V4s and they are great!!  I've put about 3,000 miles on them so far.  I did my research and it was between them and the Toyo Proxes.  I chose them because that had a higher traction rating and I got them at a cheaper price.  Good luck.

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I also got the Yoko Avid V4s......very good tire.....quiet, good grip...

From Tirerack for $339 including shipping...very pleased!! :D

I'm going to be changing out the Air control valve in my 94LS this weekend, and I've been warned that I will lose some fluid when I remove the old valve.  Just wondering how much Dexron 3 I should have in reserve.

Thanks

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Texus,

1.1 quarts is total capacity of system.......... I recommend the Valvoline Dex III Max Life .........

If you decide to do a flush....I'd get 3 quarts and really run it clean...

Good Luck!!

O.K. after reading this I'm ready to jump on the Moble 1 band wagon.  I have always changed oil every 3 months or 3,000.  I know I can go longer with Moble 1... But a year?????  I would think of still changing oil every 6,000 to 9,000?? Your thughts on this. Also 5-30 sounds fine for winter, But I'm in Arizona so in the summer heat 120 to 130 in July, I run 10-40... Should I still stay 5-30 in summer????

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Don't go over 5K --even with Mobil One ---and you should always change oil & filter every 6 months regardless of mileage

Gumart,

I use Amsoil or Mobil One 5-30w.......started @ 53K when I got the car.

On the first change to synthetic, I'd be temped to change the oil early (or at least the filter) -- like @ 1.5-2k miles -- because the filter will get pretty dirty as the synthetic oil will "clean " the engine more.....

agc,

You've got a beauty!!!!

Congrats on the purchase!!

Thanks 99lsguy.  Per your suggestions, I was looking for the stop light switch and fiddling around that area, but I did not have time to check anything.  Now my cruise control starts working by itself!  May be it was a loose connection?  or a Gremlin's enjoying his ride in my Lex.  Anyway, my O/D light stops flashing and my cruise control is working now!  YAY!  Still don't know why!

Cheers.

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Hey, maybe you did "fiddle" enough....could have been loose - thus causing a break in the circuit.

Glad it's fixed

Thanks, Leo.  You pretty much answered all my questions.  I'll have to search the forum to find out how to bleed the system, but it shouldn't be a problem.  Again, thanks.

Tex

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Tex, check my post a few spots above.........that's how to "bleed" the system...

That's not good.........

Take it back to the dealer immediately. You are completely under warranty.

If the Serpentine belt it tight, Alternator is good, you should get a new battery - COMPLIMENTARY.

Tell them you can't afford to be stuck anywhere (none of us can)...and you had to pay $75 for a jump.............

They should help you - if not, let us know....