Hi,

I am thinking of buying a LS400 95-97, I am looking to use for mainly motorway driving, what kind of economy should I get per gallon. Also what kind of things should I look out for on a used model. Have seen a 95 with 65k, fsh for £3k mark, is this top money for this age car? Any advice appreciated. Thanks

Right my honest choice is this.

Facelift 1993 model for under 1500 with millage under 130K or my next car which I'm looking for at the moment is a late 1999 to 2000 LS400 model in silver with black leather with a millage under 150k. This must come with the SAT Nav screen option.

Don't go for the LS430, But get the last of the LS400 as they were the most bullet proof car of the range and trouble free.

The early LS430 suffer some little with niggles that were corrected later after the shape change(02 I think). The niggles are a easy fix though.

As for faults?? Not many really worth mentioning on the late ls400's.

Howdee

I have owned a 1996 LS, for four years. You should get about 25mpg for "mainly motorway driving"; up to 30mpg is possible, under favourable conditions - but not with any traffic jams thown in !

Seems a very good price if the mileage is genuine. People are frightened of the fuel costs, you see.

Check all displays on dashboard.
Check seat heaters work (especially driver's - mine has just failed for the second time).
Listen out for clonks on front suspension.
Has car had its timing belt replaced?
Are the wee skirts under the front bumper busted ? (I specialise in breaking mine).

Other members may have some more to add. But major engine/gearbox/exhaust troubles are rare - providing car has been serviced OK.

I bought a Lexus because I wanted to own a luxury car before I popped my clogs, and decided the only way to do this would be to buy the most reliable brand. A pal always drives pre-owned Jaguars. The trouble and expense he has are just depressing. And a bit funny at times. (Hope he never reads this.)

Buy it and you will love it. I have no doubt about it.

Hi , baz has the right ideam basically look as new as you can afford.
Ive had my 95 ls400 since sept last year , cost me £1500 with 150k on clock and good history, All she cost me is a service and £300 to sort the brakes out which is acceptable wear and tear items.
I get 19-20 mpg aroung town and 26-27 mpg motorway.

Whichever model you purchase you will love it, petrol costs are rediculous but so worth it to run a ls.

cheers steve.

Thanks for all your advice

baxgtr

Never heard of these niggles.... you have me worried now, what should I be looking for?

Pete

Pete, It's the first I've heard about niggles on a 430, so if you haven't found them yet I certainly wouldn't worry.

On the original question, I bought a 98 Mk 4 last August, 123K with full history. It came with 12 months guarantee and after 5K miles I've spent £300 on new tyres (kuhmo-well worth consdering in my opinion), and £294 on a B service at Lexus Wolverhampton who I would certainly recommend.
It's averaged 22.7 mpg(23.9 on the computer) but did 32mpg when I went to the Yorkshire Dales via Selby, cruised around 80 on the m-way then gentle driving whilst touring round, total 732 miles. I think that's good for 4.0litre V8.

I paid £3,500 and consider it was a bargain, other than petrol I think it's quite cheap to run.

The niggles I refer to are in the LS430 range which were corrected later. You may have been lucky and not had them yet(But you will). I'm not going to list them, But a quick search on here will show you them.

I'm just stating for the money go for the last run of LS400's(1999-2000) for a bulllet proof car. You also get a car for around 3k to 5K and save that much again on LS430 prices.

bazgtr

I've had a good search on here and can't find anything about problems with earlier LS430's, do you have a link or can you shed some more light please

Thanks

Pete

I never heard anything about problems with LS430s either, certainly not like the LS400 (wishbones, black LCD, twisted driver's seat).

That's because you drive a Honda.

The problems you list are the older ls400's and not the ones I'm talking about, Look at the dates of models.

Also if you have a quick look down a few pages of threads you might start to see the ones I'm on about.

haha..i used to have a LS400 matey, and I still have a keen interest in the LS models..seriously tho, all Pete has asked for is a linky to the problems coz neither of us have found stuff using the search function.

Having come through the chain of LS to now be on my 4th Lexus LS which is an LS430 of very early 2001, I can say that the LS430 is more bullet proof in every way than any LS400, it has 100% more features inside and is more fuel efficient too.
I loved my LS400's and would consider then the 3rd finest Luxury car in the world, with the LS460 / LS600 being number 1 and the LS430 being number 2.

My Dad has a LS460 now, so I drive that regulary too.

I have never experienced 'niggley' things with any LS and wouldn't tolerate it either.
Buy one, you will love it.
There's a smugnes that goes with driving an LS that only LS drivers will understand.