plastic orange

I think the fact is that the LS 400 wasn't skimped on when they were made, whereas the later ones were built to a cost. Also, features like air suspension, rear air conditioning, water in the auto trans, and other reported maladies in addition to the complexity of later models compared to the Ls400 can put some off. That's not to say they aren't good, just perhaps not as good, but that may just be my perception. Also, I think the ved on later models is a killer. Pete

76,000 miles - advert has probably been edited. Pete

Mine is at 165k and drives great - uses no oil. Suspension could do with a refresh though, but paint and interior still pretty fresh. Pete

With regard to rusty subframes etc, it depends on the tester's attitude. The majority these days just seem to give advisories for the slightest thing, and I'm sure the subframe rust will just be surface corrosion and could be restored with some elbow grease. There can't be many Ls 400's out there without rust somewhere on the underside, but i'd suggest most are superficial, but are listed as advisories and are copied from one year to the next to keep the tester right. Pete

Flanges replaced in stainless today in about 3.5 hours and car now silent again - £150 all in. However, I have to agree that the original stainless possibly isn't up to the standard of the modern highly polished stuff as it certainly looked pretty rusty and you can get a magnet to stick to it (shouldn't with stainless). However, the system has lasted 18 years and will be good for a long time yet. On another note, it turns out the the local Lexus with the loud exhaust I'd looked at with thoughts of buying had It's noise produced at Pipe Dynamics. 2 visits - 1 to get rear silencers removed and replaced with straight stainless pipe, and then back again as it wasn't loud enough to get the middle silencer removed. So it as I thought - a straight through system and american hotrod loud. The fitter told me that you won't get a loud rumble from a bmw v8 with same mods. I'll try and post pics later. Pete

I replaced partially worn blueprint ones with ferodo premium and they are still fine. I've had no issues to date with pagid discs and pads on the rear either. Pete

Exhaust has been blowing for a short time at the flanges at the cats, so I'm off to Pipe Dynamics in Leven to get them replaced. The chap I spoke to said he's done loads of these on LS400's and it will cost £150 including vat - I'll report back when it's done. http://pipedynamics.co.uk/ Pete

There is a facebook group dedicated to all forms of lexus v8 swaps: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1491819467770491/?fref=nf Pete

It's in Broughty Ferry beside Dundee. Downside is the loud exhaust and naff wheels, but it is in really good order throughout as you would expect for the mileage. The current owner wheels and deals in cars and didn't pay a huge amount for it, but I'd do an hpi on it to keep yourself right. PM me if you need any help as I stay in Broughty Ferry. Pete

Well, did anyone from here buy it off Ebay? Pete

I wasn't particularly impressed with blueprint discs and pads - discs needed replaced after 20k, but started to cause wheel wobble when light braking at 10k, and pads squealed and sprayed dust, so replaced with pagid discs and ferodo pads. Rear replaced with all pagid components and are fine. Pete

Only CVT i've driven is some old Volvos (dafs) and didn't like the way the engine speed remained high when accelerating and then slowed to cruising speed and the almost clutch slipping feel it gave. I appreciate that the technology is somewhat different now, and I really should have a go in order to confirm how they drive. Still doesn't overcome the additional tech of batteries etc though. Pete

Basically, there is just so much more to go wrong and I'm not keen on cvt transmission, however, in future years I may be forced down this route. Also I don't think that real life mpg is hugely better for the price. Pete

My daughter in law's one gets better mileage than my wife's - up to 2 mpg better on average. Pete

My wife got a nice RX300 SE almost 2 years ago (100,00 miles) - no air suspension and in very nice order for £5700 with full lexus history (cam belt done and serviced). In the almost 2 years and around 10k miles we've had it, it's had a front wheel bearing, rear O/S caliper and a set of front pads and a rear suspension stabiliser bar link, plus an annual air con refresh as it seems to stop working after a while despite no leaks. I was a bit disappointed at the underside rust, but it doesn't seem structural. For peace of mind I drained and refilled auto box, and will do this again soon (using Toyota fluid). Downside to ownership is fuel consumption - around 19 - 20 overall with best of 27 on long run, but it is nearly 2 tons and permanent 4wd. My wife likes it so much that my daughter in law bought one too (same age and spec) 9 months ago for £4.5k with lower mileage and full lexus history. It's only needed basic servicing so far. Plenty out there, but there are some dogs, so look carefully and check underside closely. I'm not convinced about the later hybrids, but plenty folk like them, and they seem reliable too. I certainly wouldn't be up for paying £500 a year road tax for anything, so I'll keep my LS 400 for now. Pete

We used to use snow chains on our Fire Engines. They took a while to put on and some types we had to remove wheels to do so. Some winters they were on and off several times a shift, but if they were on and there was a thaw, then they could (and did) fly off damaging wings and throwing shrapnel at passing vehicles. A newer type were permanently fitted and at the press of a button would come down to bear on the inside of the rear wheel and flail the chains under the tyre. They weren't too bad, but were unreliable and no use if stuck. As soon as we went on to air suspension, these couldn't be fitted. I'm not sure what happens now as I've been retired 12 years. Modern car types may work, but need removed the minute clear tarmac is encountered - prepare to get wet and filthy if you go down this route. I think winter tyres are the best way to go, but any time I fit them there is never any snow, although never on my LS - I just leave that at home if very icy or major snow. Pete

Very difficult to get money out of anyone for incidents like this. I hit a dog which had got off it's lead and ended up under my car as I was overtaking a lorry on a local dual carriageway - no way to avoid. Damage to car made it undriveable, but the abuse I got from the dog owner and bystanders was disgraceful, as was the reaction from the vet when I called to enquire about the dog. New front panel, radiator, viscous fan, undertray etc and car was fixed (Vauxhall Magnum estate), but cost me dear (at the time). If you really want to keep the car, do so and repair it yourself, but I'd suggest to just get the best deal you can and move on as you'll be chasing your tail and get very frustrated with the process. Pete

Sorry to hear about your plight, but I doubt they will offer any more than the £600 the AA said my dhp was worth when I queried the valuation at renewal last year. I told the person that if she could get an LS for £600, could I have 10 please. Needless to say I went elsewhere, but insurance is a con these days. It's sometimes best not to even claim, but take the hit and repair yourself. I've not tried the classic insurers so far, but may do this year before splashing out on suspension work and some other items. I've got agreed value on 2 hotrods, so hopefully the Lexus is old enough to do the same with. RX isn't a bad option, my wife has a RX300 SE and she thinks it's great and whilst not as well built as the LS, is still pretty nice. It's very gutsy on fuel though - my LS is my economy car. I opted for the 300 as I'm not sure about the hybrid side of things and CVT transmission, but they do seem reliable enough. Air suspension is a different matter though. Check the underside very carefully though as they do rust. Pete

Ls is a lot better than my old merc 190E that got stuck in the high street in light lying snow because of the road camber when trying to move off, A point folk may overlook is that if you get stuck, you'll need a few folk to shove, and 2 tons of Lexus will have a lot of folk looking the other way. Pete

I've decided not to bother with buying the LS. It's just been MOT'd and only needed a bulb, and mot tester said the car was in excellent order and was for sale for £3k to include the private plate LSK 480. In my opinion, if wheels and exhaust were changed it would be one of the nicest around. Pete

It's not the money putting me off, but I don't know if it would be any better realistically than the one I've got - which I only did 2,000 miles in this year. As i said previously, if it was a mk4 I'd have bought it on condition alone, but there again I've got my eye on a nicely modded Morris Oxford MO to compliment my modded Minor fleet and I've only got 1 backside. I didn't even use my bikes this year, but did 5,000 miles in my chevy engined Morris minor - choices. Pete

It's been garaged kept from new until very recently. I think the person that got it from the garage owner's estate did the deeds. Current owner bought it on a whim, but doesn't need it now. It's not very long back on the road. Pete

It's a genuine mileage with full lexus history (was owned by local deceased garage owners wife). I don't know when the wheels or exhaust were tampered with though, but are easily sorted. I do feel it would be going backwards though as my current Lexus is nice too - but is on 163k and could do with a couple of things sorted. Pete

Whilst getting an MOT today for my 99 LS a chap came in and booked an MOT for his M reg LS prior to selling it next year. I naturally asked him about it, and as he stayed next door to the MOT station I went for a look. It used to belong to a garage owner and has lain unused for years. It is fitted with hideous aftermarket alloys and has 4 tail pipes and little in the way of silencing (very American V8 rumble) - nice, but out of character. Good points are that it's only done 36k and is in really good condition - no stone chips and super straight body and nice interior. It's dark blue with dark blue interior. If it was a MK 4, I'd buy it immediately, but it's not, although once I see it on the ramps I may change my mind. Asking price is £3k - should I? My problem is I've too many cars and have another modified Morris lined up to buy. Pete