nesponge

On a car like the LS400 (which face it, handles like a boat), I don't quite see the point. On a sporty V8, yes.

Depends entirely upon what you want out of the car...

They are so cheap to buy now you don't have to feel bad about having a bit of a play with it... you can always quieten down the exhaust at a later date.

Also... what's not to like about a large, muscular sounding saloon burbling down the street? It has road presence and always gets compliments.

A middle finger to the resale grey hatchback brigade.

custom exhaust from y-pipe back... Replaced with 2" pipe all the way back with a new resonator in the middle and 2 turbo mufflers at the back instead of the 4 toyota ones.

I'm having the shop replace the cats and y-pipe with straight pipe soon as they are starting to rot

I wouldn't do that, you'll never pass another MOT. The new MOT regs state any car that came from the factory with a cat must have it fitted at the point of testing, or it's a fail.

I believe this is subjective to emission requirements.

My celsior pre-dates these requirements and is not required to have the cats fitted.

Just going off the advice of a local garage :)

here's mine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv-CPi-q1Z8

How on earth did you get a 1992 Celsior registered on a '53 plate? I thought imports were either plated according to original build year, of that couldn't be proved, ended up on a Q?

No idea... I'm the second owner since import.

I believe it had a vanity plate fitted before this one so perhaps that has something to do it.

custom exhaust from y-pipe back... Replaced with 2" pipe all the way back with a new resonator in the middle and 2 turbo mufflers at the back instead of the 4 toyota ones.

I'm having the shop replace the cats and y-pipe with straight pipe soon as they are starting to rot

here's mine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv-CPi-q1Z8

I have had my imported Celsior for just over 4 years now, came into the UK as one previous Japanese company owner with certified 38,000 miles ( converted figure).

Apart from regular DIY servicing and replacing wear and tear items including a rebuild of the original starter motor I have had no problems, no advisories on an MOT and extremely reliable service.

There is no rust on the body or below.

I may have just been lucky.

The only thing I did replace was the audio system.

The later models may be more of a problem with the Sat nav and TV being Japanese spec and conversion would be expensive if possible.

Agreed, no issues with any rust on mine either...

obviously the jap spec radio needs to go, and if you get one like mine with air suspension than that will more than likely need replaced at some stage... either new replacement air suspension struts or a spring and shock conversion (easy)

Personally i'm keeping my air suspension as I like adjustable ride hights and it works out cheaper for me to fit re-manufactured air struts than JIC coilovers, which would have been my next choice.

always get my replacement lexus parts from the local toyota dealership.

Their computers don't hold "lexus" part numbers.. however they do stock all international parts.

Of course the LS400 was sold as a toyota in japan... so just ask the dealer for parts for a toyota Celsior.. same thing

Mine actually IS a celsior... but should work for any ls400

17" wheels on my Celsior... no idea what they are... were on it already when I bought it :)

Fitted with 245/45/r17 tyres

yup, tyres and bearings are the first thing I would check

same here... I think single handedly i've convinced the local boy racer community that vauxhall corsa's are not the be all and end all of the universe.

The ladies love it as well... they want something smooth and classy, then again they even loved my old volvo... lol

any recommendations for an amp swap bazgtr?

I'm looking to pull the factory one out and fit something better, especially if I would lose the rear sub by fitting an aftermarket radio

very similar to my Celsior

I guess i'm not the youngest owner on the board now :)

what do your mates think of it?

paid £600 for mine... in excellent condition minus some rotted brakes and calipers as it had been sitting on the blokes driveway for months. It has 93,000 miles on it.

There are good examples out there for pocket change... shop around some more and remember buying from a dealer adds NOTHING to the value of a car.

averaging about 300 miles from a tank mixed town and motorway driving..

of course I do have a bit of a heavy foot :)

Mat your car is stunning :)

i'm looking to pull mine out completely an replace with an 8" touchscreen...

there's plenty of space there to work with as long as your handy with a dremel

1. It's about 50bhp underpowered

2. Only sold with an auto

3. Needs toyota only o2 sensors and transmission fluid

3. The steering rack is godawful slow... feels like I'm steering a bus

Apart from that it's by far the best car I've ever owned

i'm 24 and drive a black imported toyota celsior.

love it... after driving in america for 2 years I got used to the big powerful floaty boat auto.

I appreciate quality engineering when I see it... the toyota is my kind of car

Falken ze912

245/45 r17

very grippy and quiet, chose them after much research

infinitely better than the cheapie wan-li tyres it was sold with

manifolds can be a pain to remove but not impossible and no it does not involve removing the motor.

From what I understand the most common rust point is at the cats... gaskets are cheap or you can plug the leak with some sealant.

If your manifolds need to come out perhaps this is a good opportunity to upgrade to some higher flowing aftermarket ones?

If the car will pass it's M.O.T then the problems are likely not vital and thus can be sorted at your leisure/when cash permits.

You can do some of the simpler jobs yourself to save cash.

make sure that transmission oil is cherry red...

if so then that's a good sign

been changing my fluid gradually over the past week.

Drain the pan... refill... drive a couple days... drain the pan etc etc

I'm taking it easy because I don't want to kill the trans with a complete flush and new fluid.

The old stuff is completely black and stinks, and may very well be providing the friction the clutch plates need to engage :)

your transmission is on the way out... your torque converter is slipping.

The old fluid was providing the gritty friction needed for the clutch plates to grip I'm afraid.

Time for a transmission rebuild.

many thanks for the reply... I understand he does blacked out climate control screens as well?