Warhawk

Just got back from another 4500 mile trip. DFW to Denver to Billings to Salem and back to DFW via SLC.

2004 LS430. Total trip average 28.5 MPG. Using cruise control, mostly on interstates with speeds from 65 MPH to 85 MPH. Last year, I got around 30 MPG on my 98 LS 400 on the same trip.

When I started my trip, I noticed I wasn't getting very good milage (25 MPG) using premium fuel from Costco. I noticed a gradual but significant increase in fuel economy and throttle responsiveness throughout the trip. I suspect the difference may have been that I was only using Phillips, Chevron, and Shell premium gas on the trip.

When I mentioned my experience to my salesman at Park Place Lexus, he said that several of the techs there had made similar observations based on customer complaints of poor fuel economy and recommended staying away from the discount gas outlets. Particularly here in DFW where ethanol is added to the gas. I don't know if the cheaper gas is affecting the MAF and other sensors or what is happening, but I do know that there has been a significant increase in my LS430's fuel economy and throttle responsiveness during and after the trip.

I am going to stay away from the discount fuel places for the next 6 months or so and see what happens.

Vern

I too am in the DFW area, I've noticed about a 10% drop in MPG with ethanol fuel, in any of our vehicles (2 Harleys, an '07 Honda CRV, an '01 Tacoma, and a '99 LS400). I've made a mental note of stations that sell ethanol and plan to avoid them. I don't believe Quik Trip has jumped on the ethanol bandwagon yet, and we buy a lot of gas from them.

I recently purchased a '99 LS400, running around the DFW area partially on surface streets and partially on freeways, I'm getting 22/23 mpg.

On the highway I'm getting 26/27. I think it'll even do a bit better when I take really long trip with it.

Is this option list applicable to 1999 models too?

The 1999 LS I just bought sounds like it has the Premiumum package.

Moonroof

CD changer

Light, reddish colored wood trim

embroidered floor mats and trunk mat

Congratulations, I just picked up my first Lexus yesterday, a 1999 LS400. What a fantastic car!

I need to replace the hood support struts and Lexus wants $70 each for them.

Has anyone here found a replacement other than 'Lexus'.

I have not been sucessful finding anything with that design end on them.

Tired of using my wooden stick.

I have not tried the salvage yards yet to get an OEM; regarding this, do later model ones fit the '93--know it is best to take the old one with me.

TKS.

1979-1993 Mustang w/o spoiler has the same strut as well as most period ford wagons for their hatches,

, 78-81 Fairmont wagon hatch, etc, check here for applications for you yard walkers.

Application Chart for Strong Arm #4408, direct application cross to the Autozone part number piece.

Make Model Location Year

AMC Hornet Sportabout Hatch 1977-78

FORD Fairmont Sta. Wagon Hatch 1978-81

FORD Granada Sta. Wagon Hatch 1982

FORD LTD Sta. Wagon Hatch 1983-86

FORD Mustang w/o Spoiler Hatch 1979-93

MERCURY Capri w/o Spoiler Hatch 1979-86

MERCURY Cougar Sta. Wagon Hatch 1982

MERCURY Marquis Sta. Wagon Hatch 1983-86

MERCURY Zephyr Sta. Wagon Hatch 1978-81

PLYMOUTH Volare Sta. Wagon (Hatch w/Ball Type End Fittings) Hatch 1976-77

After pouring over these posts and not being able to find any in the posted price ranges, I pulled the trigger on an Ebay auction for these and will post when I get them. for less than $31 bucks shipped I cant lose. If they dont fit, ill bolt them on my Breeze. Looks like they have the 10mm ball socket w/clips already on them. here is the auction number: 190045757754. check them out with some good closeup pictures of the socket ends.

Which LS400's do these fit? 1st Gen, 2nd Gen?

I am still driving my 1987 Honda Accord with 634,000 plus miles. The engine runs great and has never been opened. Repairs include timing belts, water pumps, altenators and suspension parts. The rotors are still original. My bigest problem is how to get rid of the car. I would like somthing newer. Honda is not yet interested in doing a commercial. It is hard to get rid of such a loyal car.

A man I work with had an '88 Accord (4 cyl/5 spd) that he bought new and put 539K miles on. Last year his wife shamed him into getting a new car, and he bought a new '06 Accord (also a 4 cyl/5 spd). He told me earlier this week that the '06 isn't as solid a car as the '88 was.

Howdy, I'm new to this forum, my first post.

My job is very similar to a traveling salesman at times, and I spend a LOT of time driving. I decided to get a second car instead of continuing to wear out my pickup. After looking at lots of different models of Toyota, Lexus, Honda and Acura ... the LS400 won out and I started my search for *THE* LS400.

After a lot of online research I decided I wanted to go with a '98 - '00 model with the VVTi motor and 5 speed transmission.

I wound up spending more than I intended to, and bought an absolutely immaculate white '99 LS400 with 89K. I'd like to see a definitive standard versus optional equipment list, but I believe this is a fairly standard car with few options.

I picked the car up today and absolutely love it. It has three flaws that I have found, it needs wiper blades, there is a chip in the windshield, and the hood struts are weak. It runs and drives like a new car, and runs silent and strong.

I paid $15K for this car, and probably overpaid a little. But this car is the color I wanted, and it's the car that was "owned by an older couple since new, had all the services done at Lexus, and was traded on a new Lexus" that I was hoping to find.