beavisrules

Good tyres is the place to start. I source the dunlop D8Z 's when i renew , they seem to be not to grippy (lol in the wet) but very quiet.

If back end seems to slide happy , it is worth having the camber checked as its all adjustable in the mk3&4.

not having a slipping diff does make it tail happy.

RE the traction control , iirc it was an optional extra for the mk3.

An LS400 is an aquired taste I'm sure.

I love the lack of sound nearly as much as not feeling the potholes, can hear the radio all the time when it's 1 click above mute.

got a '98 mkiv with 260k on the clock.

mine manages 30+ mpg's on a long trip (usualy ~80mph cruising).

but on average i get 17mpg as i do 6 or more 1 mile trips a day in it.

you could always look at an old? soarer - the 4.0 has the same V8 :P.