luvmy98LS400

I'm in the same boat. I've been unable to locate a trustworthy shop in the area also. I've used a dealer so far, but I'm unimpressed with their service - and their prices. Let me know if you find anything.

Not all of us can afford a 2004...and not all of us want to tie up that much capital in a car. I'm fairly value oriented, being the product of parents that are Quakers and grew up during the Depression... For me, I like the 98-2000 styling much better than any LS year except the 2004, so that narrowed my decision considerably. I ended up with a '98 for $15, letting the previous owner take the $35-40K in depreciation. Granted, I don't have all the latest bells and whistles, but I got a quiet car with a great ride and everything I need. No one can tell it has 100K on it. And no car loan!!! The car will easily go another 100k. I can go buy a boat with the $35-40K I saved, and enhance my life considerably more than buying a 2004. Just make sure the car checks out: carfax, maintenance records. My 2 pennies.

I have a little experience from my days in Palm Springs. If you park in the sun, your interior will take a bigger beating than the exterior. sunshades help, but cracking a window or sunroof will help even more. The leather will dry out fast so keep it conditioned.

I'm also relatively new to the site and have been struggling a bit to find a mechanic in this area. Is Santa Monica Lexus a good dealership? Heard anything? I'm also near Vista Lexus and can't recommend them. I'd also prefer a good independent shop to do my routine maintenance and fluid flushes.

Monarch, I sure would like to get to the truth about this concern of synthtic oils causing gaskets to leak. As you point out, there does appear to be anecdotal evidence that leaks appear. But then there is this from the Mobil1 website: "Myth: Mobil 1 will leak out of the seals of older cars. Reality: Mobil 1 does not cause leaks. In fact, new Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ was tested in dozens of industry standard and OEM tests to prove its seal performance. It is fully compatible with the elastomeric materials from which all automotive seals and gaskets are made. ExxonMobil engineers are wary of conventional oils that tout their use of additional seal-swelling agents. With extended use, these agents can over-soften engine seals, resulting in leaks. More to the point, an oil additive will not rejuvenate worn or damaged seals. The damaged seal may have been caused by a worn rotating metal component in the engine. If an older engine is in good condition and does not have oil leaks, Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ provides the same advantages as when used in a new engine. ExxonMobil recommends taking measures to repair the leaks, then using Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™. ExxonMobil also always recommends following the automobile manufacturer's manual for the proper oil to use." But then, Mobil1 wants to sell their oil. Then there is this from an Amsoil-sponsored website: http://www.bestsyntheticoil.com/amsoil/seals.shtml They claim in the early days of synthetics, some leaks did occur, but that all the oils since have been properly reformulated. This could be true as it may be how the whole topic got started. Then again, Amsoil is saying it, and we know they are trying to sell oil. Probably from snakes. Anyway, I've not heard anything definitive, but after weighing both sides, I'm getting ready to move to synthetic with my 105,000 mile engine. If anyone has real data on this topic, please weigh in!

I strongly recommend a carbon cleaning service to address hesitation, sluggishness, reduced gas mileage and cleaner emmissions. This cleans out carbon deposits that build up over time in your injectors, and valve seats. The best service for this is to use a pressurized system like the MotorVac, but others that use the car's fuel pump will still get results. I recently had this service done using the "IV" type of carbon cleaning that use the car's fuel pump on my car. I noticed the sluggishness and hesitation dissappeared and my gas mileage went from 19.3 on average to 21.0. My experience is typical from others that have had the service. The longer you go without it, the bigger an improvement you'll have. For the life of me I cannot figure out why the OEMs don't recommend this service. It just doesn't show up in the owners manuals. Yet they all seem to recognize carbon build up over time. Chevron's Techron additives try to address this, but it probably just slows the build up process. My Lexus manual says that you should use gasoline with these additives, so they must know it's a problem. Maybe they don't want to add another maintenance item. I also suspect that is you use gasoline below the 91 octane recommended, your carbon buildup will be accelerated, causing you to lose power, mileage, etc. I've read some things that suggest this, but I have not heard of a study that proved it.

Can you tell us about handling differences of your LS with the 20" rims vs. stock?

Here is the reliability data from Consumer Reports shows some big black circles for the S- Class, and below average reliability for the '00 and '02 model years. The LS, historically at least, is among the most reliable cars on the road, according to their data. There are many other reasons for buying are car besides reliability: styling, design features, etc. After putting a lot of money out for repairs with my last car, and suffering the inconvenience of having it towed twice, getting a rental, etc., etc. my opinion is that reliability is the most important luxury. But in the end, you have to buy what makes you and your wife happy. Good luck with your decision.

Congratulations on your new, wonderful car! :D I have done a little research on this myself as I just bought my first car that requires premium fuel. Here's what I've concluded. In the short run, you're OK. In the long run, it probably doesn't pay as your engine will build up carbon deposits faster, run hotter, thus reducing engine life. You will also have less power on regular, and slightly reduced gas mileage. After a while, your car will hesitate and run rough. So you'll need a carbon cleaning every so often, and my local Lexus dealer does not even have a carbon cleaning machine. You will also probably pollute more. Here's a link to an article from AAA on the subject. http://www.aaa-calif.com/WESTWAYS/0302/OVERDRIVE_1.ASP I'm biting the bullet, and paying for premium. If you plan to keep your car a while, I would do the same. Enjoy your new ride! :D

OK Gang, here's another question: My 98 LS has 100k miles, and I plan on keeping it a long time - at least another 100k miles. The car has been well maintained, and I have all previous records from the previous owner, who has taken it to a Lexus dealer for service every 5,000 miles. I've spoken with some people close to the industry, who say dealers are poor places to get service as they are more profit-driven than relationship driven. I think they may have a point as my local Lexus dealer did not even have any carbon cleaning (fuel system flush) equipment, despite the obvious benefits. I noticed significant hesitation in the car, and took it to another place to get a carbon cleaning - one of those IV bag systems, not MotorVac and the hesitation disappeared and combined mileage is now back up from 19.3 to 21.0. I have other suspicions about using dealers. I asked the Dealer Service Manager about using synthetic oil, and he said to stick with Dino oil due the the high mileage and chance for leaks. After checking the Mobil1 site, they insist leaks are a myth. $50 for an oil change also seems steep. Also, AAA and others advising on how to get a car to last 300,000 miles say to find a good ASE Certified Independent Shop and take it to them. So, what says the jury? Lexus Dealer or Independent? Perhaps split the services? Routine maintenance, Independent. Unusual or difficult jobs, Dealer? A good example here is that I need to fix the classic suspension bushing problem as the car clunks a bit when going over larger bumps. So where should I take it? Any and all input is appreciated.

Thank you all for your posts and thoughts. I now recall why I made the purchase decision that I did. It was really between getting a newer, lower grade car (Camry, Avalon, Maxima) with fewer miles, and getting the quiet, comfortable, reliable ride that will take me another 100,000 miles anyway. After owning the car for a month now, I realize how much better the car is than the alternative. It even costs less to insure than my old car (ugggh! A Chrysler!) I feel like I've cheated "the system" somehow. :D So now people see the Lexus and assume I paid big bucks for it. They don't realize I paid less than they did for their car, or certainly their SUV. Funny. I even paid less for it than my wife did for her '99 Toyota Sienna. So when friends say something, I'll just let it pass and change the subject. To say something back defending my purchase would feel, well, defensive. And unnecessary. And when contractors come to the house the first time, I'll just make sure they know they'll be bidding against two other contractors. B) Also, I have noticed when I'm out driving, people do give you more respect. Just like wearing a suit and tie, you are treated with more respect. People let you in to the next lane more courteously, let you go first at 4 way stops, etc. All in all, I can't wait to put the next 100,000 miles on the odometer, and take care of the car every mile of the way. :D

Need advice on how to handle the image of my '98 LS 400. I just bought it for $15,000 with 103,000 on the odometer. Immaculate. I think I got a good deal on it, and I love the car! Best car I've ever owned! Anyway, now when friends, neighbors, and contractors come to the house, they all think I'm rich, and make comments to that effect. Worst of all, my wife wanted me to get a Camry - even if it cost more. I'm not rich (money-wise anyway) and find some psychic difficulty with this as I was raised by depression-era Quakers and believe modesty is a virtue. I didn't think the car would cause the reaction it has. Does anyone else have experience with this? How should I respond when people make comments? No regrets in L.A.