Scribe

Or, instead of abuse, it could just be that parts aren't made to the same quality that they were, and so wear out more quickly? We know that manufacturers can't afford to over-engineer cars like Lexus did with the 400.

From Honest John a few years ago: Repair bills for a £60,000 car bought for £12,000 reflect the £60,000 rather than the £12,000. You can reduce the odds quite a bit by opting for a Lexus. Japanese 'quality' far exceeds anything out of Germany.

It all seems negotiable these days, which suggests that insurers charge what they think they'll get away with rather than a 'genuine' price.

£165 is very cheap - less than I pay on my classic car policy. But I only went with them because Saga became too expensive. I think you need to remember to ask for a new quote at each renewal - some insurers give lower prices to new customers than to existing ones.

Yes, I agree with all of that. They took a big step forward with the interior, regardless of what they did (or shouldn't have done) to the mechanicals. It just feels like a more modern car, even though there's only three years between mine and Phil's.

Thanks to Phil (The Acre), I had my first experience of an LS430 today. Very interesting and enjoyable it was, too. It felt similar on the move - not more refined, in my opinion, despite the bigger engine and air suspension - but the interior is much nicer: more spacious, modern and attractive. Getting back into the 400 afterwards felt like going back a long way in time, even though the driving experience is much the same. I can now understand why someone who's used to the 430 would find the 400 dated and a bit cramped inside. Thanks again Phil.

Nice one(s) Mike.

That sounds very cheap for a near-full respray plus repairs to the wheel arch.

Result! You must be pleased - I would be. These really are amazing cars.

If it's the same colour as mine it looks great with the sun on it (as in the photos in the advert). Earlier Mk.3s were made in a green so dark that it looked almost black.

If you know the registration number you can do an MOT check to see whether the car's still on the road - I hope it is! Having said that, I can't remember the last time I saw another 400 except for the 1991 Mk.1 that my mechanic is getting rid of.

Congratulations. I wonder if anyone on here is driving around in your father's old LS?

It's a pity for us ageing paupers that the 'basic' model - without the Premium Pack that included air suspension - was dropped so soon after launch. Otherwise there would be more coil-sprung examples around, with one less issue to worry about.

The only car I've driven that had a better ride than the LS400 was my Xantia. I had two of them, and the hydropneumatic suspension was generally very reliable and inexpensive to maintain.

We look forward to your experience of the car. Some of us may be following in your footsteps one day! Sorry to be ignorant, but what's laser cruise?

I hope you'll give me first refusal! I must come and look at it when this wretched chest infection finally goes.

I won't drive mine in ice or snow. It appears to have very little grip even on wet leaves. The rear wheels, I mean. They spin very easily.

I think the point is that despite its age and mileage, your LS400 is still a good longish-term proposition, if maintained properly. And I reckon that once you've got used to driving it, NOT replacing the cambelt (and then scrapping the car) would seem irrational, if not exactly criminal. Most of us have been at that 'Is this really worth it?' moment and have come through the other side!

I have a creak/rattle coming from the glovebox/CD autochanger area. It's very annoying, and you don't expect it after only 19 years...

No! As far as I'm concerned it's only for appearance - it looks sportier. And tyres are more expensive. Or am I missing the point?

Changing the cambelt etc. is an expensive job, particularly in relation to the price of the car, but look at it this way: I bought mine in August 2010 and, after having the starter motor contacts and cam belt, pulleys etc. replaced over the years, could probably still get what I paid for it. Zero depreciation over six years, and at 156,000 the car still runs as well as it did when I bought it, and it has never failed an MOT. How many other cars can you say that about?

'I really couldn't believe i was driving a 1k car, i can't think of anything that could complete for that kind of money.' This is what we've all discovered! Congratulations Shirish. With the original LS400 wheels and that colour scheme it looks more sedate than the silver car but I'm sure you'll soon be wondering why you didn't get one earlier. If you do change the wheels, there may be someone on here who'll have your old ones. They discolour with age and use - brake dust oxidises the alloy and discolours them, and the only remedy is refurbishment or replacement (see before-and-after pic). Yours look okay at the moment.

Shirish, when I had my cambelt and water pump replaced last year the garage also changed some pulleys (?) which someone else on here might be able to advise about. I think I paid about £600 for the whole job.

IMO it's pale brown rather than cream, unless the sun's shining on it. Some green ones have black upholstery, which I would have preferred. Anyway,. fingers crossed for tomorrow...

I like it!