SW03ES

My dad's had air suspension and he never had a problem in 150k miles, but I'd stay away from it. Its incredibly rare on the 98-00 anyways, the vast majority of cars you'll find wont have it.

Where are you located, 2WD or AWD, 18 inch rims or no?

Not entirely true. Using higher octane gas in a car designed for lower can increase carbon deposits and buildup in the engines because they don't burn completely. Its two different schools of thought. Not really a concern on the RX330, now Lexus gives you a choice on the new V6 models. I run 93, but if you can run 87 and get no pinging then go for it.

I did some looking around. The consensus among hobbyist/pro/concours detailers seems to be that while the IBIZ is an okay one step product, it isn't nearly as good as many of the high quality waxes out there. its more of an "Infomercial" product, you know the kind with the acid and the lasers and the fire. We all know how well those work. I say use only at your own risk.

And one more thing? I cannot recall anytime recently that Car and Driver even included a GM vehicle in a luxury sedan test... And looking around internet forums will tell you that gauge pics are EASILY faked.

I think you're the first person that I've heard call the LS430 sporty looking LOL. Everyone always laments the styling because its too heavy looking... VMF- Have you seen jbrady's stock track times? 14.7 seconds in the 1/4 on a 99 before he started modding. All LS430s are governed to 131 MPH. It is not possible that the 04 LS430 was doing 160 MPH at 4000 RPM. For one thing, the car would be closer to 5000 RPM at that velocity. I saw my dad's 98 bounced off of the limiter right at 150, 160 is definately not out of reach of the LS unlimited, but the 90--00 (the older LS were never limited to 131 like you said, it was 149 all the way up to 00) is DEFINATELY electronically limited to 149 MPH and the 01-04 LS430 is DEFINATELY limited to 131 MPH, it is one requirement of the ULEV rating. First chance we get I'm sure he'll test out his new 04 and we'll know for sure. For one thing, why would Lexus change from standard V rated tires on the 90-00 (limited to 149) to H on the LS430 (Limited to 131) if they didnt change where the governer was? Sorry man, they're fooling you.

I've never heard of IBIZ myself...I'll ask around. Couple things make me leery. One is their Waterless Wash and Wax that states you can apply it with a buffer when the car is.....dirty. That statement alone will keep me from trying these products (impossible without scratching) but I will ask around and post the results here. As for Pakshak I'd order at least one waffle weave for drying, and 3 of each size to start out with. The mitts are actually nice for polishing and removing wax, not so great for washing.

Here are all the changes to the 98 from 97 Changes Made To The 1998 LS 400 Standard Features: - Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) - All new five-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i) - Gated transmission shift system - Revised rear suspension subframe mounts - Adoption of Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS) - Added vibration - and noise-dampening materials - Vehicle Skid Control (VSC)[2] standardized - Front seatbelt with pre-tensioner and force limiter - Lexus Memory System standardized - New, more distinctive headlamps, turn signals relocated next to headlamps - New grille shape, chrome surround, number of horizontal bars, sheet metal now between grille and headlamps - New, shapely front fenders - Integrated key design - New lower fascia and bumper cover - New relocated foglamps, more aggressive air dam - Wider taillamps - New wheel design - Lower interior noise - Glass-imprinted radio antenna with FM-diversity system - Right-side mirror with auto tilt-down in reverse - Programmable garage-door opener - Customized Body Electronics System (C-BEST) - Improved rear reading lamps - Adoption of audio ASL (Automatic Sound Levelizer) - Multi-information-display drive computer - Headrest for all seats, including rear-center - Enlarged front headrests - Improved HVAC system with air filter and new auto-recirculation function - One-touch open/close feature with pinch protection added to all windows - Extension of wood trim in the center console - Revised stainless-steel scuff plate with Lexus logo - Fabric-covered sun visors and front headliner replaces vinyl - New, softer leather material Optional Features: - Five new exterior colors: Antique Sterling Metallic, Imperial Jade Mica, Baroque Red Metallic, Atlantis Blue Mica and Antique Bronze Mica replace Crystal Quartz Metallic, Star Sapphire Pearl, Ebony Teal Pearl and Deep Jewel Green Pearl - One-touch open/close feature with pinch protection added to optional moonroof - Lexus Navigation System[3] - Availability of wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob - High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with dynamic auto leveling

My dads 98 went 150,000 miles until he traded it in with nary a problem, this is the first I've ever heard of there being reliability issues with the VVTi engine. I've also seen track time slips on 98-00 LS400s validating the 0-60 time being mid 6 seconds. Car and Driver also repeatedly validated this claim. There are a lot of improvements in the 98, 10% stiffer chassis overall, I can find a whole list of them somewhere if anyone would like. Then theres the always subjective opinion of styling, I think the 98-00 is the best looking LS yet, might be equal or bested by the new 04 but I need more time to decide. Its all in the eye of the beholder, but aside from the style I personally believe there are more than enough improvements on the 98 to make it worthwhile over a 97. Its equal to the differences between the 03 and 04 LS430. Plus you can pick up a average mileage good condition 98 for under 20k nowadays. No offense intended to anyone with an older LS...

I would definately go 98-00 as opposed to older as long as you can afford it. On top of getting a more modern looking vehicle (new front end, taillights and wheels) there are a lot of improvements that were made in 98, thicker glass, more sound deadening, 290hp V8 with VVT-I 5 speed auto (95-97 have a 260hp V8 and a 4sp) HID headlights, wood/leather wheel, trip computer, availiable navigation. Definately worth it to find a 98-00. The FAQ must have been wiped out when the forum crashed. I think anyone can post in it, feel free to add pertinant information where you see fit. We're also still working on reinstalling the workshop section and having members re-submit the tech articles. Welcome to the club!

With the white its not THAT big a deal because the pearl white will definately hide most marring and imperfections. Insides not a big deal. If you want to care for the car properly from day one I'd insist that they not detail it.

Ehhhh.... I think thats probably WAY too much power for what you're looking at, and DEFINATELY too much power for applying a wax. I'd reccomend a normal ordinary yellow foam cutting pad for working the cleaner, a white polishing pad for whatever polish you're looking at using and then apply whatever wax you're using by hand.

My dad talked a lady in a jewlery store into changing his for him for only the cost of the battery. But thats just how he is LOL. You can even really eyeball the battery replacement...

What kind of file are they, JPEGs usually work fine. Are you getting any warnings when you try? Are you trying to upload to the gallery or to a post?

Nav updates! :D I've been hinting to Santa but I dont think she gets it :(

There are a couple things that could be, but I dont think a misbalanced wheel is one of them. More likely than not it is a case of warped (even slightly) rotors. The LS is a heavy car, and the older ones don't have the huge front brakes that the newer ones do. That equals more heat on the rotors, which equals warping. Not a big deal, they just need to be machined, or if they've already been machined a few times they'll need to be replaced. Could be a manifestation of a bad motor or tranny mount (a stretch though) Doubt its a misbalanced wheel. With a misbalanced wheel you'd be looking at a constant vibration between specific speeds. For instance, if you were saying you got a light vibration betweem 65-70mph then I'd say misbalanced wheel.

By guess would be a wheel bearing...

Well my dad went from an STS to an LS400, the STS is definately firmer. The LS does however ride much better, the STS is jittery and uncomposed in comparison. I dont find the LS boaty per se, but it makes no excuses about not being a sporty car. Since its a 90 its very possible that it needs new shocks. You can buy shocks for it that can give it more of the ride you're looking for. Push up and down on a corner of the car then abruptly stop, if the car keeps rocking for more than a second then the shocks are bad.

Soft brakes have always been a criticism of the LS, probably normal.

Any car if abused, even the most reliable one out there won't live to see its true lifespan potential. Sounds to me like your car was definately abused... As for the owners manual, thats how owners manuals are. They're designed to teach you how to properly use the car and all of its features, its not a repair manual. Think about the manuals that come with anything you buy, a computer, a camera, a stove, the troubleshooting section is either not there or is useless. Its not intended to teach you how to be a mechanic, they have schools and textbooks for that ;) What you're wanting is the Lexus Service Manual, which you can buy but it probably wouldn't do you much good, it will tell you HOW to complete the work that needs to be completed, but not WHY things are behaving the way they are. You're going to have to take it to a mechanic. Just pay him a diagnosis fee and have him tell you everything thats wrong with it. My opinion? Not worth saving. Cut your losses and get into another Lexus that has been better cared for.

Clay works great on the windshield. THis is caused by years of rubber deposits that washing alone can't remove.

Never touch the car in a circular motion, be it washing, waxing or polishing. ;)

Check out the forum here and look around Autopia, read the how tos in the detailing store that will give you a good basis of HOW to do all of these things. I'd be careful about your parts distributor giving you microfiber towels. All MF towels aren't created equal and some of lesser quality or some that have tags can scratch. I'd really spend the little bit of $$ and get them somewhere online. I KNOW that the LexusCarCare.com and Pakshak.com towels are high quality and wont scratch because I have them, there are other brands also which are highly regarded that I have not tried. All carwash soaps are not created equal. Some are better than others, some have more lubricity, some are better at emulsifying dirt and some are harsher than others. I Use Meguiars Gold Class wash, its good and its cheap. Other good washes include Meg's #00 IZ Pearls that we sell is new and is getting rave reviews. Its supposedly a very unique wash. The washes with the wax in them are useless, stay away from them. What do you mean by meguiars cleaner? As for the #83 DACP its an excellent product, are you applying with a Rotary, what kind of pads on the rotary?

I agree, something definately sounds fishy.

Yeah sure, free stuff with no catch!