Want to buy Lexus 400 1995 1996 model year. Looking for comments pitfalls, price to pay.

So far have read may extremely favorable reviews on this auto.

Are there negatives. and what price to pay. Durability over 150K miles. First items to fail, prices to repair. Parts prices compared to GM caprice.

This will be my first Lexus.

Reply to
obob
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This is Turtle.

I only have a 91 LS-400 to go by here and just dumped a 91 and got me a 95 LS-400 replacement. I will say this. If you really take care of it and service it correctly 300K+ miles is not out of the question with very little trouble at all. Here is trouble on a 91 LS-400.

100K miles Air condition compressor and plugs & plug wires. 130K miles Change the fuel pump relay , Altinator and replaced with Camry type at 1/2 the cost. 150K miles Tachometer messed up and had to change all the signal lite bulbs. 200K miles Had to change the Choke or Idle sencer , front seat begin to crack had to repair. 210K miles or so still ready to go but wife got borred with it and dumped it.

So the Borring effect will get you before it tears up and 300+K miles is not out of the picture.

TURTLE

Reply to
TURTLE

This is Turtle.

Reply to
Elmo P. Shagnasty

the 96 & 97 LS400s are among the finest used cars available. As one other poster stated, no reason not to get well over 200k miles if properly cared for. Magnificent car. Just beware of "flood" cars. Good idea to run a carfax report on it.

First to go (if they haven't already) will probably be the hood struts (that hold the hood open). You'll probably need brakes at or around 80-90k miles. The timing belt is "due" at 90k but I know owners who have waited until 120k to do this/ It's a fairly major cost repair plus there's some other work you should while torn down that far, so the job can add up. You can get most of your repairs at a Toyota dealer for somewhat less, but I personally don't think they give it the same TLC that I get from my Lexus dealer.

If the leather seats are in good shape, take care of them with a good quality leather treatment, i.e., Lexol. If you have a perspiration problem, take extra special care of the seats... moisture will destroy them.

Mileage on the car will dictate price. May be difficult to find one this age at a Lexus dealership, but that's the only place I'd recommend buying a pre-owned one. Avoid the independent corner lots. Probably around $10k or so. More w/low mileage. My '96 today has 55k on it, and no, it's not for sale. LOVE that car!!!

Reply to
New Owner

This is Turtle Too.

Your Name is Turtle Too WOW We must talk sometime to discuss where you got the name Turtle Also.

TURTLE

Reply to
TURTLE

Reply to
obob

What are good sources online to work on it yourself ? I'm handy but I've only worked on domestic cars.

Remove NO-SPAM from email address when replying

Reply to
Rein

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