Spacewagon52

http://www.carssoldquick.com/carsforsale/details.asp?intTypeID=1&intAdID=2359&c=lexus_ls_400_auto_for_sale_staffordshire Saw this advert for a LS 400 - it said - Condition: Perfect! Must be Lexus Chap! LOL!

The longer you keep a car the less it depreciates. Only ever bought one new car - great car but I always regretted the money I spent (inherited money to be fair) as I watched it depreciate in value. I have always tried (not succeeding in some cases) to work on a depreciation of £1,000 a year. The previous owner of my Lexus LS 400 paid £48,000 and sold it after 17 years - that is a depreciation of over £2,800 a year (not including inflation!). Look at how much 2 and 3 year-old cars go down in value. If they are worth 50% of their new value after 3 years you are doing very well. Trade-in values are quite low - next time you get a trade-in value turn it around and say to yourself, "Would I buy my car for that price?" The answer would nearly always be YES - at that price it is a bargain! It is a gamble buying any car (even new!). I have come to the conclusion, the less you spend the less you have lost if it goes pear-shaped. Also the more I spend the greater are my expectations of the vehicle. Buying an "old" Lexus has, once again, brought a big smile to my face. The car is not perfect but for the money it is fantastic! When to sell? I would keep it as long as possible until it goes badly wrong or you get fed-up with it.

That IS my favourite colour! But would not suit an LS IMHO.

Rayaan, you should be a saleman for Lexus! I am almost convinced!

My "gut" feeling would be to go with the IS250. Less complicated, less to go wrong. I like the idea of hybrids but baulk at the potential repair / replacement parts costs. I am not in a financial position to even contemplate a nearly new car, so reliability is more of a concern than just mpg economy. I would choose the IS250 over the 220d for similar reasons.

Is rust a major issue with imported cars (e.g. Celsior) from Japan? I read somewhere that the Granvia had to be undersealed when it came into the UK by the importers as the rust proofing underneath in Japan is negligible - I believe they do not use salt on their roads but I stand to be corrected?

T'is a long way to travel from deep south, if it turns out to be a lemon. How much would the car be worth for just parts? It has nearly half a tank of fuel!

On the face of it, does look a good car with a good service history - shame about the dealer attitude - he has probably had lots of tyre kickers who just want a drive in a car they can't really afford - this still does not excuse his earlier comments.

Doctor Foster series yesterday - he is having an affair - she keyed his Lexus - I actually cringed! I know it is not real.......... but.......

It is interesting to note that a number of members have had fairly new expensive cars, like BMW's, and have ended up with much cheaper (but far better) older LS 400's or 430's. I have found that Fords seem to age prematurely compared to many makes. Going in a Minicab / Taxi is a good way of comparing cars. I had a ride in an old Peugeot 405 with 160,000 on the clock and it was very smooth and quiet. Came back in a much younger Ford Orion, with less mileage, it rattled and crashed like a bag of spanners. Admittedly it depends on how the two cars were driven but the contrast was very stark.

John, that is my favourite colour of LS 400. There is one where I live the same colour. What colour is it called? Bronze?

Love it! BMW ownership did not impress me.

I am not too familiar with technology - don't know how you did this but I loved it!

Looks a good one - I would have like the electric folding mirrors on mine!

Its HIS car! She rifled through his boot to find his phone! Second one is on tonight.

Modifications/customising must really be done for the pleasure of immediate owner. Selling afterwards is much more difficult. Changes made to a car are not always appealing to someone else. Prejudice is also a factor - a modified car says to a lot of buyers it has been thrashed - unfair but there it is. Age of the owner is usually linked to the degree of changes they wish to make. I cringe a little now when I think of my MKII Cortina with plastic green sunshade and our names emblazoned on them. ***** and Tracy for example! BUT I did not have furry dice hanging from the mirror. We forget, we oldies - we were all young once (if we can remember that far back) - enjoy whatever floats your boat. Any other oldies brave enough to tell how they "modified" their cars when they were young?

Not sure of the model but I like the colour - possibly a 600H?

Have you seen the Lexus in Doctor Foster series?

Was the problem the wire to the imobilizer all the time? Or was it the dead battery?

Noted Brain!

That is a relief! Electrical problems can take some finding!

Keep stock - but I am old as well! Out of interest, at what age do you bercome "old"?

Not sure if this thread helps you Chris. http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/102381-air-con-pipe-im-screwed-time-to-let-my-400-go/

I wish now I had been well enough to clean my LS! You chaps made a real effort to prepare your cars - they all look super. Doing the lottery this week ............ have fallen for the IS-F!

That looks very smart!