Lexus.

could be the speedo cable

Michelin. All Yokos wear out fast!!!

(1) Are the bodies on these cars galvanized? i live in the salty north and I'll never buy a car again that isn't. >>>Yes. One of the strongest, rust-proof sheetmetals I've eve seen on a car (2) What regular maintenance should be done on these cars at around that range? tranny flush? timing belts? Other? What are the costs of these? >>>60K serv minor - oil change, air filter, spark plugs, brake fluid timing belt should be done at 90k (3) Is ther anything on these cars that is typical to go out? I've read some other posts and read some stuff about 90-94, are the 98-99's subject to any design flaws/ >>>No. They are last of the old body style (2001+ Ls430 true redesign), benefitted from 10 years of improvements and refinements. For example, gen 1 (90-94) have problem with instrument light going out, power steering pump leaking fluid over alternator, etc (4) Are there stiffer shocks/springs available to make the car handle more like, say, a MB or BMW, and can an owner install them himself? What are the sources for these parts? Cost? >>>Yes. Lextasy.com procarparts.com about 320 for lowering springs That'll do for now. Thanks in advance. Thaddeus

Its the starter. They are pretty cheap to replace at the dealer, only about $1100. It sits underneath the intake manifold, beneath the plenium, locked in the V. You could get it done cheaper at import shops, it's not an advanced level repair

I mounted Michelin Pilot Alpin H-rated snow tires - makes a huge difference. I love it when its snowing so I can race those 4x4 SUVs and watch their reactions. In dry, they are smooth and quiet, they wear well, and in snow/ice quite phenomenal

3.0 liter straight six with 220 hp. A torquey, smooth motor. A little bit loud and thirsty though

hel yea they are reliable - I bought a 95 Ls with 104k. Timing belt is the most important thing. No, its not going to last 100,000 more miles. Maybe 400,000 more miles with maintnce

Yea VWs are a piece of junk. Unbelievable the marginal quality of these cars - My friends passat needed new motor at 34k, body moldings came off, interior pieces fell off, squeaks rattles everywhere, tranny went out, a/c comp, alternator, u-joint, wheel bearings, susp parts all replaced before 75k

Lexuspete, you have no idea what you are talking about idiot

Yea, RL is one heck of a stupid name. It's hard to swallow, hard to say fast..."Are-Ell"... doesnt quite roll off your tongue with effortless ease of Clinton orating the state of union. Quick, say it five times - do you drive an RL, RL, RL, RL, RL...Maybe the Acura's marketing geniuses, who acceded to the advise of that !Removed! Corky, should've named it Ralphie or Lauren or something like that...

I used to work at Acura dealership in Highlands Ranch, CO, I can tell you RLs are nice cars, but still lags behind the LS. Six cylinder just is not going to have the silky, creamy, buttery smooth response of a V-8. But its $10000 cheaper than bottom end LS ($55k), comes with a navigation system, and acura offers almost no options exc. dealer accesories.

Whatever Lexus claimed for top speed doesnt necessarily imply that the maximum velocity was imposed by a limiter - it's just their track times. Back than they used to be accurate - 0 to 60 in 7.9, TS 149 all verified. Now the LS430 is always clocking .4 sec slower than what Lexus claims for 01 or 04 model. They also claimed that the 98 GS400 would hit 60 in 5.7 sec, they never did, not even GS430, it was more like 6.3sec...

Wow - I'm surprised - the Toyota dealer out here in Denver, CO will work on Lexus no problem. Maybe its different out here in the cow country compared to NY

The Acura is just not in the same league as the Lexus. Age and miles doesnt change the fact that the Lexus was and is one heck of a nice car, built like a tank with outstanding quality and craftsmanship, and that it had a sticker price over $60000 in todays money. VMF: keep driving Lexus v-8 till the day you hit the grave, even if you have to keep buying used ones, I know I am ! I just hope they dont become like the German cars - start losing quality and become unreliable after they have been firmly established - like the Merc. They used to make absolutley the best cars in the 70s and 80s, now its just a name, horribly complex and expensive to fix

I dont believe the original Lexus from early 90s were governed. Limiters were almost non-existent back than - 91 BMW 750il charged to a mighty 158mph, Infiniti Q45 to 153mph, even the 95LS went to an awesome, drag-limited 156mph !

Just go to toyota dealership - a good compromise of reasonable price and quality. You dont have to through hassle of buying fluids, making deals, worrying about if they put in the right fluids. The Toy dealer here charges $129 for trans fluid flush with Toyota type 4 and promises completion 59 minutes and under

My mechanic with 10+years Lexus experience tells me that the 95-97s are definitely non-interference, he has personally seen them come in to his shop with busted belts and no engine damage, everytime

Yup. Can't believe that the dumbass at serv. desk didnt mention that t-belt couldve been changed at 75k "major" service...

You guys usu. change belt at 75k service? Thats good news - you know if the 75k service wasnt major it would not be on their computer file

Correct me if I'm wrong - I thought t-belt was part of 90k service not 75k - I'm not sure...

Well, you might be correct...If you really, truly saw 160 on the speedo...I mean you know some Honda Civics have 140 mph speedos, but might only get there if you dropped it off of space, you know damn well that a Buick GNX - with 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds and 1/4 mile of 13.6 has alot more than 250 phucking hp...(GM's official b.s. numbers) So its not uncommon for car makers to b.s. numbers - I mean do you really think that the Camaro SS had just 305 hp? Or that Supra twin turbo had just 320 hp? Also Ford always like to overrate their motors - I know for a fact that the Triton truck engines dont make no 285 hp like they claim - I've seen dyno tests show rear wheel hp of just 185 hp! Its just that I've dealt with so many dumbasses who arent detail-oriented and likes to overexaggerate numbers... you know like stock supra turbo goes 220 mph and all that !Removed!

If you work at Lexus, look at page 14 of the LS brochure - clearly states that top speed is 130 mph elec. limited. Are you telling me that a company like Lexus would be including information that is clearly false on their brochure? Are you an idiot? Lexus LS430 brochure page 14

micro pak ultra - mitts not needed