Scribe

I really wanted a silver one (with black upholstery) but now I like the green - I think it suits the character of the car. Smooth and majestic sounds like how I drive, but it wasn't me!

David, I couldn't agree more! It's why we love our cars so much. Even at the higher prices they're fetching since they've become more scarce, there's nothing I can think of that comes anywhere close to the combination of power, luxury, refinement and reliablity. Who cares if they're not that roomy or exciting to look at? I actually like the fact that they don't appeal to the BMW/Audi boyracer-types.

On the other hand, I'm told (by my mechanic) that scrap LSs are now popular with banger racers. Apparently they strip them and put 2-litre Ford engines in. Some of them are even 430s, because they're being scrapped much earlier than 400s were. I don't really like the idea of an LS being banger raced, but where this might be good news is the availability of secondhand parts that have been removed.

If you really want to be scared, keep the trip computer setting on 'CURRENT MPG'. That will make your right foot lighter!

On a trip north, I reset the 'AVERAGE MPG' when I leave home. It's ten miles to the bottom of the A23/M23, and I expect the average mpg to be 30 by the time I've reached Gatwick. That's at a steady 60-70 mph. After that I'm gutted if the figure drops below 30 mpg.

Yes, and then we might see it for sale in the Dudley area, described as 'immaculate, no accidents...' etc.

I rarely do more than 70 mph on a motorway - it's often not possible for long anyway because of congestion - and I regularly get 30-35 mpg on a long trip. My best figure over 170 miles was 36 mpg. As David says, it's non-constant speed that pulls the mpg down, even on quiet country roads. At 70 the car feels like a train on rails - so smooth and quiet and steady - and if you want to overtake quickly you just put your foot down. For the money (and probably thousands more) I can't think of another car that I'd rather take on a long journey - especially as the 'economical' Fiesta and Corsas thrashing alongside are probably only doing an extra 5 mpg.

Is Brighton too far to come? If not I can recommend Grove Garage, who have just replaced my cambelt, water pump and pulleys. In fact they do everything on the car because apart from hoovering/washing I'm useless when it comes to maintenance.

We knew you'd want another one! Good luck with your search.

Sorry to hear your news John. I dread something similar happening to mine.

Have you thought about a GS? My mechanic might have one for sale. Not as comfy as the LS, of course, but then most cars feel hard and bumpy in comparison.

I sat in an Insignia once and couldn't see out of it. It felt a bit claustrophobic, and the back window was the size of a letterbox.

Mike, in case it's of interest, my bill was for four and a half hours' labour plus timing belt kit, water pump and coolant (plus VAT of course).

Happy (and safe) Christmas to all.

After paying for a cambelt and water pump change I'll be stuck at home eating beans on toast, but what price peace of mind? I keep wondering whether the car will still be running (and in my hands) when the next belt change is due - by that time it'll be 28 years old!

Cheers.

Jason, I haven't even sat in a 460, let alone driven one. But my mechanic has, and he says that although they're fantastic machines they have a very different feel to a 400. Much more modern and high-tech, obviously, but like other modern, high-tech cars and less individual than old Lexuses. I seem to remember he also found the ride harsher and noisier. I guess it's what you're used to - if you've had a 400, you compare everything else to it. In the same way I still miss the ride of my Xantia (though not the rest of the car).

I hardly ever drive modern cars, which bewilder me because I'm used to 1990s technology. Even so, I find it hard to imagine a more pleasant and relaxing drive than the LS400 - except perhaps a 430, which looks roomier. And it's the only car I've owned that seems not to age. When I bought it five years ago my mechanic said, 'You can run it for ten years', and he was right - it's running as well as it did then. The cambelt's being replaced next week, and apart from the dreaded starter motor problem this will be the only big expense so far. It's probably still worth what I paid for it, but that isn't much - and what else would you get for the money?

Yes, welcome Jason, and congratulations on acquiring what must surely be the best available example?

Rare to see one with springs.

Very interesting post, Brian - thanks. Those of us who can only afford to run old cars are naturally very chuffed about how reliable and cheap to run our 400s are, and we sometimes get suspicious of 'modern' technology. So it's good to hear that things don't necessarily go wrong with it. This is reassuring for those of us who might think about one day bypassing the 430 and going straight to a 460. Trouble is, I don't think it would fit in my garage...

That's pretty much what I'd thought. Not in quite the same league. But I'd still consider a good one if I couldn't find a Lexus.

If you join the Range Rover forum for the winter I hope you'll stay on this one too? Don't go all strange on us.

Does anyone on here have experience of Legends? I've always thought of them as second-rate 400s, but I imagine I'd be very happy with one if I'd never had a Lexus.

New owner might pop up on here and let us know the script.

And all of us except Ambermarine will have to contain our envy!

Perhaps it was traded in against the newer one!

'An absolute glitchfest' - I like that! Thanks for posting this, Mark.

I agree with Malc. Admittedly I don't do a big mileage, and the furthest I go is about 200 miles in any direction, but since I got the car five years ago all I've had to have done - apart from routine servicing - is the starter motor contacts (big job, as we know). Cambelt is due any time, but this isn't an expensive car to run.

That's great news. What a result. And good to hear that 430s can be as durable as 400s.

Ambermarine, if I had to replace my LS I'd be in a real quandary because it would be very difficult to find another one in half-decent nick. But it must be even worse for you, because you've already got just about the best example there is.

I'd expect to put money into any car that old, because as long as it runs and has an MOT it's unlikely to lose any more value, but of course the nature of the 430 is that bills can be big when things go wrong. I'd still be tempted at that price, but I might think differently if I saw the car!