Qafas

Hi Folks, Need to find a trustworthy and competent independent mechanic or shop in the Portland OR area to have the TB/WP changed on my 00 LS. Any experiences? Thanks.

Thanks for all the comments guys! Lexusfreak - don't really know what kind of tires....they had already changed them by the time I returned to seal the deal. The car was at a lexus dealership getting the LCD fixed, so I didn't even see it. Had no idea that they were going to change the tires, or I would have asked for something specific. Oh well, I know I would've had to change them in a few thousand miles anyway. These might not be the best, but atleast they're sort of free. I'm thinking about getting new wheels as well; if I don't like the tires, perhaps I'll just have to get the new wheels (with new tires, of course) sooner than I'm planning on at the moment. In any case, I'm just glad to have the car I wanted. Thank you guys again for all the input.

made a deal on the 2000 LS400 I had been looking at for a couple of weeks. Had some problems with the sales manager last week, the details of which I posted in another thread. However, I called up the general manager of the dealership, who then apologized thoroughly and said he would gladly fix the LCD that was out....also decided to throw in brand new tires. So, signed the contract today, but the LCD is currently being fixed and won't have the car until wednesday or so....but, MAN!!! Am I excited!!!! Details for those who care...00 with 70K, one owner (two now :)), all records from lexus. Paid 22K. I know akewlguy will be disappointed in my negotiating skills, but I just loved the car and is the best one I've seen in these parts for over a month now. Having already sold my previous car, it was getting really difficult to get around. So, I decided to stick with this one. Anyway, just thought I'ld share... AJ

Thanks for all the replies guys...I really appreciate it. Well, I couldn't talk the guy down from $22K, but did check on the service records at a lexus dealer. Everything checked out just fine. So, I go over to this dealership today and look over the car one more time before buying, and find that the one of the headlights is out. The only other thing out was the LCD. So, I ask if they'll fix that within the purchase price. The sales guy says no problem with the light, but he'll have to ask the sales manager (the guy I did most of the negotiating with a couple of days ago) about the LCD. The manager not just flat out refuses, but doesn't even have the decency to stand and talk it over with me. Says to me"you shouldn't have negotiated on the price if you wanted things fixed." Then says to the salesman, "it's as is. We're not doing anything else," and walks off. So, I thought about it for a couple of minutes. Then I told the salesman that if and when the manager grows a bit more mature and acquires a few shreds of professionalism, and they decide to fix the LCD in the purchase price, they can give me a call. If not, they can chalk up the lost deal on a car that has been sitting on the lot for 2 months to the grand attitude of the manajerk. The sales guy walks out with me, apologizes for the manajerk's behavior and asks me to file a complaint with the head of sales for their dealership, which I now plan on doing. He says he'll talk to this head guy himself about the lcd, and get back to me. I said if I decide to come back, I simply will not deal with the manajerk. So, anyway, the deal has fallen through for the moment. But I do appreciate all your comments, especially the extended ones from kewlguy :) My search goes on for now...

Hi guys, I've been hunting for a 98-00 LS400 for about a month now. Finally found one I really like....it is at a Toyota dealership. It is a 2000, with 71K miles on it. One owner, who traded it in for a new toyota. The car was bought locally and has remained local the whole time. Seems like it has been maintained well, but receipts for services are not available. Carfax is clean. It certainly drove very nicely, without any glitches or rattles etc. The radio lcd display is starting to go. Other than that, I didn't notice anything wrong with the car. The advertised price was $26,998. The car's been on the lot for 2 months now. The dealer put it on sale for $22,998 recently, but told me today that he has since removed the sale price. However, he was willing to honor the sale price if I wanted to buy. Anyway, a little more haggling later I've got him down to $22,100, which he says is just a 100 bucks more than what his cost for the car was. Now, does this seem like a good deal at that price to you guys? I seriously doubt that he paid $22K for the trade, but I have no way of knowing what he did or did not pay. I walked out today after much discussion and told him I wanted to sleep on the price. Seems to me like he won't budge any more than that. Also, should I go to a lexus dealership and run the VIN to see if service records are available? Should I ask the dealer to replace the lcd before I buy (how much does that cost anyway?) These are some of the questions I'm struggling with tonight. Any input from you guys would be appreciated. I've found quite a bit of useful information in various threads on this forum, and am hoping for some more timely responses to help me make this decision. Thank you so much! AJ

Thanks for the replies guys...and a special thanks to nc211. I had no idea that the car has been on sale for that long....does make me suspicious. But, I think I'll check it out anyway. If everything looks well, perhaps I'll be able to get an even better deal since it has not sold for such a long time. P.S. - I now live in Sacramento, CA...just updated my profile. :)

Hi everyone, I just sold my 91 LS400, and am looking to buy a 98-00 model. No luck so far finding a decent car, except this one. Please take a look at the ad and comment on whether or not this seems like a decent buy. I plan to make the 3 hour drive tommorrow to check the car out. I have read the layman's guide, and will watch out for the things mentioned therein. If there are any other issues that I should especially watch out for, please do let me know. http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/view/vde...ar_id=180004002 Thank you AJ

Thanks for the input guys. I'm looking, but not finding too many great deals. But, then, I just started looking. Jim - I'm not in KC any longer...moved back to Sacramento. But, I do appreciate your help. with regards, AJ

Hi everyone, I am looking to buy a 98-00 LS, and am wondering if you guys could point out any problem areas to especially look out for in these years. Also wondering if anyone has any experience buying from CarMax. I think I'll be shooting for about 70-90K miles. Is it reasonable to ask for a timing belt change for a car that is approaching 90K? How about an allowance in the price? Finally, is an extended warranty worth it for such a car? I'ld appreciate any information anyone can share with me. Thanks, AJ

Hi Everyone, I am looking to replace the front rotors and pads on my 91 LS400, and am looking for suggestions on where to buy them from. I've read through many posts and it seems that there are many choices out there. My budget is around $250 for the whole thing. If you have bought new rotors and/or pads in the recent past, I'ld appreciate it if you could share where you bought the items from and how you feel about the performance. I've seen quite a few sellers on Ebay, but am not sure if they are trustworthy. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Q

Hi everyone, I have a 91 LS400, w/ 155K, that I bought just a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday, the drive belt broke. I just got done putting a new one on. However, now I hear and feel a knock, right under the gear shift, every time I depress the brake while in park (w/ the ignition on). There is no knock when the car is off, or when I am driving. Any ideas what might be causing that, and what I might be able to do about it? Thanks! Q

Thanks everyone. The wheels are 16 in., chips. Hey Jim, it turns out as I suspected - the previous owner used to get all his work done at Ben Bennett's place. Now that you're also recommending it, I"m sure I'll be getting any and all needed work done there.

And another...

Here's another...

Thanks for the welcome guys. I'll be sure to check out Exact Performance, Jim. The guy I bought the car from also got all his work done in Shawnee, and highly recommended it over a Lexus dealership. He gave me the address to this place, but I haven't had a chance to look at it yet. I'll bet it is the same place that you have mentioned. Anyway, here are a couple of pictures (if I can get them to post). I think the car needs a bit of detailing, especially the leather. I'm sure I'll get around to it in a few days. Nice to meet all of you. Q

Hi everyone, I just wanted to introduce myself as the new owner of a very old lexus. :) I browsed through this website extensively over the past couple of months, while I was looking for a car, and think that it is a super site. I was able to pick up quite a few pearls of wisdom regarding Lexuses from various people here, and would like to thank all who contribute their knowledge. My car is a 91 LS400, black on tan, w/ 155K on it. I am fortunate to have found one that was very well taken care of by its owner; it drives like a dream, and ALL the electronics are working, including the infamous clock/temp screen!!!!! Well, they previous owner had it replaced. Anyway, I am glad to be a lexus owner, and look forward to contributing on this site occasionally while browsing often. Happy driving! Q