Ls400 First Years Ownership

[Nick W858]

It’s a year now since I purchased the 98S 400 LS. I have covered about 20k & during that time have incurred the following expenses.

Four new tyres (Dunlop D8Zs) £450

B Service £390 – Lexus Hull

A Service £1130 – Lexus Hull – includes new discs and pads (front & rear), new handbrake cables and MoT

The car now has around 120k on the clock and is running very sweetly.

The dealer has been superb and even gave me a RX400h for the day at my last service which was fun.

Nearly all my journeys are long (between 100 & 300 miles). Overall I have been getting 27mpg and I claim 18p a mile from my employer so fuel costs have been easily covered.

Having opted out of my company car scheme, the monthly allowance I receive along with the tax I am saving has effectively paid for the vehicle. I’ll be running the car for another couple of years and by then will have hopefully accumulated enough cash to purchase a used LS430 – I’ll probably be looking at a 53/54 plate.

My decision to buy the LS was heavily influenced by the things I that I read on this forum. They are fantastic cars and I would recommend that anybody considering a purchase should not hesitate to go for it – it will not be a decision that you will regret.

Nick

[chips229]

Hi,

Glad the Forum was of help for you Nick when you was thinking of buying a LS,apart from the costly price of the services by the main dealers seems its been good value with the running costs.

Heres to another year of Happy trouble free motoring

chips..

[Nick W858]

Cheers Chips

I realise I could have things done a bit cheaper but struggled to find a decent local independant and I am hoping that when I come to sell that it may be a bit easier if I keep up the Lexus dealer FSH.

Nick

[simontaylor]

I too am absolutely over-the-moon with my 95 LS400.

It really is true what I have read on this forum, once an LS driver..... always an LS driver.

I was thinking of getting a diesel and converting it to run on veg oil, so I can benifit from 80mpg type costs. But the real big problem is "what diesel to get" which will drive as nicely as my LS?

Any one ???

[Chris Skelton]

I too am absolutely over-the-moon with my 95 LS400.

It really is true what I have read on this forum, once an LS driver..... always an LS driver.

I was thinking of getting a diesel and converting it to run on veg oil, so I can benifit from 80mpg type costs. But the real big problem is "what diesel to get" which will drive as nicely as my LS?

Any one ???

LPG conversion only alternative...and THAT won't run on old chip oil! Helps your pocket (eventually) but not the environment?

[maneesh]

Simon,

I have driven quite a few modern diesels, and after driving the LS for 6 years, they were noisy and harsh to drive. I'd rather have a 10 year old LS than a modern diesel car.

Stay with the LS!! I'm gonna get back into one once funds allow..The GS is a fine car, but the LS is in a league of it's own...

[simontaylor]

maneesh,

That is my complete problem, what is there that is as good as an LS? NOTHING !

I was driven in a 54 reg BMW 3.0 diesel the other day, plastic interior, clatter box under the bonnet and hard seats.

LPG seems the only way to make my LS running costs cheaper. I do do 20,000 miles a year.

Any one know of any good DIY kits or cheap fitters?

[Chris Skelton]

maneesh,

That is my complete problem, what is there that is as good as an LS? NOTHING !

I was driven in a 54 reg BMW 3.0 diesel the other day, plastic interior, clatter box under the bonnet and hard seats.

LPG seems the only way to make my LS running costs cheaper. I do do 20,000 miles a year.

Any one know of any good DIY kits or cheap fitters?

Best to start a LPG--HELP! string? There have been several LPG LSs I recall over the years, so someone will know who did theirs, (if they're looking at the site when you post of course)

[andyman1966]

maneesh,

That is my complete problem, what is there that is as good as an LS? NOTHING !

I was driven in a 54 reg BMW 3.0 diesel the other day, plastic interior, clatter box under the bonnet and hard seats.

LPG seems the only way to make my LS running costs cheaper. I do do 20,000 miles a year.

Any one know of any good DIY kits or cheap fitters?

Best to start a LPG--HELP! string? There have been several LPG LSs I recall over the years, so someone will know who did theirs, (if they're looking at the site when you post of course)

hi guys,

i had my LS converted just after i got it ,ive now done over 80K in 4 yrs.I think ive got my money back:).I intend changing my car late next yr for a late mk4 or early 430 and will defo go down the LGP route again cos its the only way i could run it with the miles i do.The only change i would make is i would go for the most upto date conversion at the times and get a different local speacialist to fit it as in the early days i had a few problem.The only probs have been with the conversion and not the fact the car has been converted if you know what i mean.If fitted correctly its def the way to go big time :)

Andy

[palcouk]

Nearly all my journeys are long (between 100 & 300 miles). Overall I have been getting 27mpg and I claim 18p a mile from my employer so fuel costs have been easily covered.

18p per mile? thats stingy. The std IR amount is 40p / mile and up to 10,000 miles they dont query it

[simontaylor]

It is similair with my employer, but are even stingyer, I get just 14.8 ppm.

However I can clam the extra 25.2 ppm as tax releif from the Inland Revenue, but have to wat for the end of the tax year and my P60 to arrive first. It means I see the repayment as a lump sum and can use it for something good.

[flotsam]

It’s a year now since I purchased the 98S 400 LS. I have covered about 20k & during that time have incurred the following expenses.

Four new tyres (Dunlop D8Zs) £450

Nick

Try shopping around. I've never paid more than £90 each for mine.