Excited Ls400

[Rob Eden]

Hello Everyone

A couple of weeks ago my mother in law mentioned her cousin was selling her Lexus so just out of curiosity we went and had a look. Well never seen such a fine gold car a Ls400 mk4 I think (1998 R reg with sat nav) 57,000 genuine miles 1yrs mot & service history. So after a test drive I was in love so all being well will pick her up early next week, but a couple of things are playing on my mind are its got a very tiny paint bubble on o/s/r wheel arch so will have to get that sorted ASAP. Also am i right on thinking if car ever got damaged no matter how minor insurance company would write it off because i've paid £2,000 for it & book price is anywhere from £850 - £1,900. Only just sold a Corsa 07 plate to fund it, but this car is worth more to me than that because it's immaculate inside & out and I'm smitten

Cheers Rob

[abs66]

Australian model?

[Malc]

Might you have the cambelt to do soon ? That can be quite a cost.

£2000 for a 57,000 miler with full SH sounds not bad to me BUT I'm sure the insurers wouldn't take much note of the soundness of the car if it came to a write off, that's sad but realistic I'm afraid.

It takes very, very little damage to write a car off these days .... they would use a pukker repairer and the costs for even minor damage would likely be quite astronomical. !

Malc

[cruisermark]

hi

rob congratulations on your new car - i can tell you thats a very rare find with that sort of low mileage. Yours is the DHP (Dynamic Handeling Pack) fitted means which means it sits lower, has a stiffer suspension and wider tyres to give a more firmer ride than the standard model

You are right about being written off - these cars are old and replacement panels can be hard to find and very expensive so even minor knocks will right them off - you may have the option of demanding a repair or buying back the car at scrap value and repairing if you ever find yourself in that situation.

[steve2006]

The car sounds OK and looks clean maybe the paint blister is the result of an untreated stone chip or trolley ding.

When mine was 'written off" as a cat C the 3rd party insurer's initially offered £1600.00 I got it up to 2K with no hassle and they gave me the car for nothing.

Spent around £850.00 having it repaired at a decent old school body shop, no panel replacement just good old fashioned panel bashing and it went back on the road.

I think it depends on the insurer's I dealt direct with the 3rd party's and came out well I think.

There are some specialist insurer's who will provide an agreed value policy.

[steve2006]

Just realised it is your rear wheel arch with the paint damage, if you feel along the inner lip you will probably find it is full of caked on crud which will cause corrosion everytime it gets wet.

Get a hose pipe and a stiff brush and clean it all out.

[Dale_V]

Australian model?

LOL :)

That does look like a tidy example... From a Corsa to that? amazing leap!

[Bluesman]

Nice one.

Mike

[jpjsavage]

I know exactly how you feel. I bought my LS400 last week and haven't stopped smiling since. Enjoy it.

[Rob Eden]

Thanks everyone for the comments & what a great forum 😀

[Maduggo]

Is it an Australian import ?

Looks nice though

[black400]

i have a black 99 reg and Just this week put a down payment on a 00 reg blue sat nav model same wheels as yours , so going out now will be a colour desision , maybe what tie i am wearing .lol