1966

I just bought a set last week that I found on our local craigslist. 18" chrome with almost new dunlop tires. Seller wanted $1200 for his 5 wheels/tires set and I ended up buying 4 for $800. There's a chrome set (wheels only) on Ebay for $1,450. Thanks 1966. There are currently no originals on right now, except one seller for $2K+ too much! Let me know the link or auction id if you can. I searched ebay again and couldn't find the one I saw last week for $1450. I saw the $2K+ one you mentioned. Just check ebay and your local craigslist from time to time. Good luck.

Is an extended warranty really cost effective for a Lexus? These cars are just so reliable that it seems like a waste of money. I bought an extended warranty for my 2001 Toyota Sequoia when I bought it new, since it was the first model year (my justification). I didn't need it at all.

I just bought a set last week that I found on our local craigslist. 18" chrome with almost new dunlop tires. Seller wanted $1200 for his 5 wheels/tires set and I ended up buying 4 for $800. There's a chrome set (wheels only) on Ebay for $1,450.

Thanks. I want to keep the ride as smooth and as close to stock as possible. So the Tanabes should work well. I went to O'Reilly Auto Parts this morning and inquired about their available shocks and lowering springs for the ls400. The guy gave me a solicited discourse on why I should not consider lowering the car as it would adversely affect the rest of the suspension system, etc. He essentially said that the car is designed the way it is for a very good reason and lowering the car would alter THAT very good reason. Oh and they carry Monroe shocks.

I just scored a set of 18" LS430 chrome wheels/tires from craigslist and promptly placed them on my 97 LS400. I'm now thinking that lowering the car an inch or two would improve the appearance. I found Tanabe lowering springs on ebay for $248 and KYB shocks for $324. I also found someone to install the springs OR shocks and springs for about $200. Now I'm not really sure whether my shocks need to be replaced (mileage 129,000), but since the labor is the same with or without installation of shocks, should I have them replaced already? My questions: 1. When do shocks generally need to be replaced? 2. Do you think I need the car lowered? How does the lowering of the car affect its driving characteristics? 3. Are the shocks and springs brands I mentioned good ones? 4. Any comments about the price for the parts and the installation? Thanks.

Thanks for your thoughts and replies, folks. I believe I will be keeping my LS. I've never owned a benz and the C240 just looked enticing. My friend who got this benz on trade-in, is selling it for $13,500 regardless if I trade my LS in or not. The car will be a 4th vehicle to me and I just don't need another one. I posted this same this same question in the miata.net forum and pretty much got the same sentiments. (Miata.net thread.)

I just had my 97 LS400 with 125,000 miles resprayed last week in it's original color, Moonstone Pearl Metallic, monotone and chrome grille inserts applied. I've had this car for 5 trouble-free years and this is the best that it's looked. A dealer friend of mine then offers me a one owner 2003 Mercedes C240 sedan with 40,000 miles for $13,500. He says he'll take my Lexus on trade for $5,500, costing me about $8,800 out of pocket. The benz is in excellent condition, brilliant silver, black leather, xenon lights, etc. I got to take the benz home for a couple of days to think about it. It drives more like my miata than my lexus. More fun, in other words. I took my lexus back after a couple of days and have been thinking about what I should do. LS400 or C240? On one hand, the benz is 6 years newer and has 80,000 less miles. On the other hand the Lexus is a much more reliable vehicle and drives really smooth. The price of the benz is very reasonable. I think I'm just dismayed at the trade-in value of my lexus. What do you think? 1997 LS400 or 2003 C240 (-$8,800)?