Spacewagon52

I did read that Sir Harvey Jones hated being driven in his Lexus LS 400 - he preferred a Volvo for comfort. Just goes to show you can't please all of the people all the time! It is still the best car I have ever owned - and one of the cheapest to buy!

It works out much cheaper if you put a parent (older driver) as a second on the policy. Even if the sibling is the main driver. Very interesting about the Jag, another option is a classic car. KA - my daughter had one - cost (me!) a fortune in maintenance and repairs!

When looking into insurance, you might want to consider fitting a "Black Box" which monitors your driving - this can save ££££££ on the premium....... but .......... if he drives fast then his premium will go up! A Renault Kangoo Diesel is not too bad for insurance and will accommodate his drums!

Looking at the last service, it was over 2 years ago, though the mileage is only 3000 per year. I like this colour combination but the cam belt and alloys would need attention.

My mother-in-law had a bad experience with Motorline. Offered a free health check and charged her for some parts and said that the car needed work as it was dangerous. She took it to a local FORD dealer (who I trust) that said that the work was minor and could wait until the next MOT. To be fair to Motorline (Mitsubishi) my own experience as a regular customer was excellent. I agree, it depends on the manager and the culture they impart to their team. About 7 years ago I took my Mitsubishi to Motorline (Renault) as the Mitsubishi franchise had been lost. They told me the power steering was leaking at it needed £500 worth of work. In ignored it and the fluid level has never dropped and it has passed the MOT every year. What is the moral of these stories? LUCK! If you get a good garage - keep using them until the management changes!

It is something to consider if I decided to purchase a 430 instead of the 400.

Is there a particular age or mileage when the suspension problems are more likely to begin? Or does it depend on which conditions it has been driven eg salt / ice / rough roads?

Having never driven a 430, how would you tell if there was a problem with the suspension if you were test driving one? Bouncy ride but any other clues please? The prices from Lexus to fix the air suspension quoted above are eye watering!

MPG for a 4 litre, I feel is very good. Others may know more but I believe Toyota use lean-burn technology which gets you more mpg. I ran a 1996 (Mk3?) 400 LS for a year (on the cheap, though NOT recommended!). It was due a service when I bought it. As it was my second car I had a personal rule that I would not use it unless the distance travelled was over 10 miles each way. There are many fishermen's stories about mpg but keeping to my rule I achieved an average of 28 mpg. The best I ever got was 31 mpg on a long motorway run from Kent to Exeter. If you can get that from a Jag or any 4 litre I would be very surprised! I have to agree that even if you get 20 mpg - the driving experience is worth every penny. I am also on the lookout for a 400 LS and from what I have seen the prices are hardening. People who own them tend to hang on to them - I really regret selling mine for £1600 with 110,000 on the clock and a full Lexus service history! Provided the car has a good service history and the cam belt has been done you would only have to sort out the suspension issues if they arise. Go for it, you will not regret it.

Sorry, I can see your point - I will just have to wait for one to come up and be advertised properly. I did not mean to break the Forum rules.. Very appreciative for the advice.

That is very interesting - thanks - not sure how I PM him? Will leave a post. I am not in a hurry and it will depend on when he wants to sell. Thanks - that sounds an interesting vehicle.

It seems a case of pays your money takes your choice. There are more good 430's about but a later 400 might be my best bet. It might be hard getting a good one. The suspension issues mentioned with the sensors are a worry, along with the radiator / exhaust not being stainless steel. I am not ready to buy yet but I saw this one ............... not keen on a dark colour but it looks good, if a bit pricey? opinions on this one would be welcome. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201503262079442/sort/pricedesc/page/1/radius/1500/quicksearch/true/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/model/ls_400/make/lexus/postcode/ct146qb/usedcars/channel/cars?logcode=p

Do all the 430 LS models have air suspension? Or is it fitted just to the premium pack?

Brilliant! Using Maxthon - thanks! Hi everyone! A few years back I bought a 12 year old LS 400 (1996) in gold and tan interior. It was not immaculate but what a fantastic car. It had a full Lexus service history and 107,000 miles on the clock. It was due a service when I bought it, but through circumstances I never quite got round to having it done. I kept it for a year, ran it as a classic (5,000 miles), and only spent money on 2 new tyres. I sold it because I had two Labradors and the Lexus was not being used enough. I really regret selling her. I am due to retire in August and as I only have one old dog left, I was considering buying an LS. As it will not be my main car, I would welcome opinions as to which model I should consider. I have the old dilemma of how much to spend – do I go for an older 400 LS or pay more for a later 430 LS? I have read some horror stories about the air suspension on the 430 LS – my other option would be to try and get a decent 400 LS but as I rely on garages for repairs and service, I wonder if the 400 LS might involve more repairs due to its age? Hope I have not opened up a can of worms. Your opinions would be most welcome. Dave from Sunny Kent.

Thanks I will try another provider - Explorer seems to be the problem.

Thanks but for some reason my clipboard will not paste into the LOC website - will try to find out why?

How do I paste into this box from WORD please?

Hi, I have used Lexus MK. They seem fine and serve the most fantastic coffee but.............you pay for it all. If you want to half (probably more) the labour then I know of a specialist who "knows LS400s well". Mine's been to him once and he did an outstanding job. He's in central Bedford, PM me if this is near enough. Steve Please can you tell me the name of the Lexus LS400 specialist in Bedford? I live in Kent but am prepared to travel for a reasonable service! I am afraid to ask a Lexus dealer! I have a 1996 LS400 with 107,000 on the clock with Full Lexus Service History

I am afraid we got stuck in a traffic jam. We managede to find Lexus Brighton (without a SAT NAV or map! I think we got their too early OR late so we headed for Madiera Drive. Then we really got jammed, so we did a u-turn and headed home! Really nice to chat with you at the pub. Hope to be able to meet you again when you meet at the Grasshopper. I would have liked to have spoken to more people - but the rain was against us hanging around outside the pub. Hope to chat with Graham sometime about his MIV LS 400. Hope to see you again at one of the monthly meets. Spacewagon52 (Dave H)

i would estimate arrival time to be between 10 and 10.30 departure time about 30 mins later Many thanks - hope to get to Grasshopper Inn around 10. Regards Spacewagon52

Will meet you at the Grasshopper Inn - About what time will you be arriving and what time will you set off from Grasshopper to Brighton? Many thanks - Glad I will not be the only LS400 there!

I have only recently bought an LS400 (1996 Mk3) and really love the car. Where do you intend getting it serviced? Lexus Dealer?

Will you be the ONLY LS there? I wish I could make it - there would be TWO of us!

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Many thanks - can't make Grasshopper this week but will try again as it would be a nice run for me up to Westerham. Very interested - depending on comittments - in the Brighton Run - sounds a good day out! Many thanks for the e-mail.