LIGHTYEAR

Hi Guys, On a nice motorway run, with speeds varying from 0 (as happens on the M25, M1 & M6) to my usual cruising speed of around 75 - 80 mph, my last long run, 500 mile round trip in just slightly over 8 hours of actual motoring, my LS400 March 1995 mk3 returned just over 29mpg. Occasionally I did also need to pump up the gas to get past an annoying obstruction or get past some one quickly to let a real flyer past (usually some idiot in an old XR2 etc) and get up to the ton as well. Obviously around town and for shorter journeys that figure can usually be halved. One thing that I do love about these cars tho', is the fact that after 500 miles and 8 hours behind the wheel you really do not feel all that fatigued. It is a priviledge to be in a car that really drives itself !!!

Hi David, this is a good site, but for a slightly bigger audience go CLUBLEXUS.COM. As to your Q's, I would suggest that with a decent LS400 running (purring) along as as well maintained one should at a steady 75 mph (cruise control on) you should get close to 28 / 30 mpg. My Mk III 1995 does. Traction control is not standard, I do not have it, but while the car does not fly off the mark with only a small amount of right foot pressure, put the box into ECT PWR push your foot down and the baby will fly. Bear in mind this car weighs close to 2 tons and even with 260 horses doing the work it takes a lot to over come that sort of inertia. However, at almost any speed (and I do mean almost any speed) kick down and she will fly. If you are in the sports mode you can get the car to double kick down, get the revs up near the red line and you really do fly. There are not really many other cars that can stay with the LS then. Bear in mind tho' this is not a sports car, but a car that cossets you and allow you to dive all day and still leave the right hand front door as fresh a s adaisy. Be careful with your purchase, get a car with a full dealer service history but do not get too hung up on mileage. There are many guys on clublexus with LS400's with over 250,000 miles and some with over 300,000. How she has been looked after is the most important thing, it is reciprocal - look after her and she will look after you. Are all of the stamps coincidental with the service intervals in the service manual. Basically at least once a year or every 9000 miles. "A" service "A" service then major or "B" service. Cam Belt change at every 60 000 miles along with new plugs. The LS400 is not over burdened with little elctronic gadgets for the driver to play with, but in reality who really needs those disrtactions, any additional connections that can go wrong and cost you money. The 7 series BMW is apparently prone to computer glitches and having an indication of you mpg and every twist and turn is not really neccessary. you will soon learn to judge how well you are doing and feel the pinch if you have to fill up the 85 litre tank too often !!! My car is a 1995 mk III with 122,000 miles on the clock. I love the gentle tick of the engine and roar when I do want her to move, but for normal use this unit is never under any stress and should last a long time if shown repsect.

Hi Guys, As a general and non specific question, where would you go for parts for your LEXUS if you were trying to bypass your local dealer. It seems in the US there are plenty of other avenues open for this, but in a quick shufty thru' the www on GOOGLE I can not seem to find much in the way of OEM parts not supplied by main dealers at main dealer prices ? Any suggestions. Ta.

How much would it cost to put rubber on those babies ?

Any of you guys know how easy it is to release the nice piece of wood in the centre console where the gear shift lever is ? I am sure that this is obscuring the movement of my cup holder and needs to be just shifted forward just a few mm's I do not want to damage this just to release the cupholder, but I hate things not being just as they should be ! Thanks for your help and advice - in advance.

Hi Guys, Do any of you know whether LEXUS have or sell bespoke baby / infant car seats specially for their cars. I know mercedes have these and that they are designed to react with the passenger airbag and switch it off if the car seat is in the front and are also designed so that they fit the seats snugly and safely. It would be nice if LEXUS did these to order to match the leather in colour and style coupled with the engineering elegance/quality and safety of the car itself. Thanks for your input on this one.