colmcork

Hi there guys, after a long, long time I have finally managed to treat myself to a lovely 2004, Mica Blue GS 300 with 97000 miles on the clock and a two owner car. I have it quite a while now but have been far too busy to get around to doing anything with it ! The only 2 small issues I have are; The aerial mast is broken off, but the motor sounds to be working when the radio is powered on There is only one key with the car which will not open the boot lid using the button on the fob, but opens it fine manually. Are there any other models of Toyota or Lexus that share the same aerial mast, or can it be purchased as a seperate item from a lexus dealer? Is it difficult/ expensive to get a second key with working remotes from lexus? Any help is greatly appreciated guys, Thanks, Colm.

Hi there guys, it's been a while since I have been on here. Since I last posted I'v gone and gotten myself married, but much more importantly I'v also ( for only a very brief spell ) owned a 1998 LS 400. Un-fortunately though it didn't capture me the way my old GS 300 did. Therefore I have now settled it with myself that although not really needed, I am going to treat myself to a very fresh 2001 - 2005 GS 300. Think of it as a wedding present to myself . Anyhow, browsing through the auto trader I came across two cars, both 2003 plate, both in a lovely light-ish blue with cream interior, one with 63000 miles and the other with only 33000 miles, both dealer cars. The higher miler apparently has a F.S.H and is also based way down south which I am hoping means less possibility of underside corrosion. The lower miler is based in Sale in Cheshire I think ? Forgive my geography here but I believe it is in the upper-midlands?? Anyway it has no mention of service history and from the pictures the seats seem slightly more used than the higher mileage car. These cars are listed at £3985 and £4495, which to me sounds slightly over priced no? Although I have no problem in paying a little extra for a pristine example. Now as I am over here in the R.O.I it is not as easy as just go and have a look so if I do decide to travel I will need to have my mind made up beforehand. I would greatly appreciate any of your opinions on these cars regarding price etc. or if anyone has maybe viewed these cars or has any knowledge of them could they please let me know. As always thanks in advance guys, Colm.

Thanks phil. I actually never even thought of looking there. Hopefully something will turn up.

Hi there guys, I am looking for your help/ advice. Where would be the best place to source a Cd player for my Ls 400 over there in the UK? With my car being originally a UK supplied car it has the sat nav option and I am assuming that is why any of the Cd players I have sourced over here all have different ISO ports on the back of them. Are there any particular breakers etc. that any of you could recommend to me? I was thinking of splicing a new ISO connector into my old wiring loom but REALLY do not want to go down that road unless I have no other choice. All help greatly appreciated guys. ( p.s the ISO connector block in my car is rectangular with the top row having 3 pins, a space, and then 2 pins. The bottom row has 7 pins with pin number 6 being just a blank ).

Funnily enough jpj that is around the speed that mine is juddering at too. Is there a brake re-furb kit available from Lexus? I have done quite a few on supras so wouldn't mind tackling this myself. I cannot tell if the bonnet struts on mine are original or not, I cannot see any lexus markings but I do know that they are very stiff, in fact a little too stiff for my liking.

I really am happy with it, thanks guys. Today while I had the car just sitting stationary I managed to tune in most of the radio stations that I would want on it, so hopefully while on the move the reception will also follow me . I had the windscreen washer light shining out at me, but low and behold 5 litres of washing fluid managed to sort that out. Happy days. Air con is blowing ice cold and all 4 heated seats are nice and toasty. All that I have left to test electrically speaking are the headlight washers and I should be good to go. There is a wobble through the steering wheel when slowing/ braking so will have to sort this out, perhaps it is just as simple as a good wheel balancing and alignment. I may hold off on this a while however as I would like to fit a set of standard 16'' alloys with the correct tyre size for the car. It tramlines something awful at the moment with the wider tyres. The discs have almost no wear in them whatsoever so I am assuming these are reasonably new, but perhaps they are warped slightly. Should hopefully manage to post up a few pictures during the week.

Hi guys just a quick up-date. Well I am now the very proud owner of a 1998 Mk iv Ls 400. 137,000 miles on the clock, maroon in colour and it has the sat nav, wood trim and sunroof options so well pleased with her :). As buying a car goes I did it totally *****-ways. Bought in the dark, no service history, car running after a two hour journey, a seller that seemed very dodgy, and I didn't even take it for a test drive. Oh dear. Having got it home and taken the time to examine it properly I must say that I really am delighted with my investment. The paint work is far from immaculate, but it is 14 years old after all. There are 4 new tyres on it, what feel like 4 new brake discs, the transmission fluid is a lovely cherry colour, the engine oil a golden brown and just general signs that the basics at the very least have been well maintained. The downsides are that, the paint work isn't great and the lacquer has lifted particularly along the drivers side, the cd changer is missing ( a replacement has been sourced, hopefully ), the wheels are 17 inch lexus 10 spoke? with very wide tyres, 245/50/17, I am not fully happy with the reception through the radio, yet, and finally there is a blow somewhere along the exhaust. I'm not sure though if that last one is a downside as my god does it sound ferocious . Anyways as soon as i figure out how to up-load pictures I will post a few up and see what ye think. Oh and I also forgot to mention I got it at an extremely good price.

This may be a stupid question, but do you have any idea what this GPS unit looks like? The reason I ask is that I have my 1998 sat nav model somewhat stripped at the front passenger side, both glove boxes and some of the footwell panels. I can have a poke around and see if we are in the general area, it may well save you stripping yours for no reason. I also have most of the boot stripped out if it helps ?

Thanks for the replies guys. Steve, as soon as I familiarise myself with up-loading photo's I will post a few up, along with the car itself, but I'm just not that advanced yet . To try and explain it, there is only one white connector. It has 7 pins across the bottom row, and 5 pins across the top row. On the row with the 7 pins, pin number 6 ( counting from left to right ) is actually just an ''empty'' slot. Therefore it is an 11 wire connector. It is approx 25mm in width by 10 mm in height. I enquired from a local guy today who has a GS 300 breaking and he confirmed that the cd changer in that is only a 10 pin connector, and is almost square in shape with 5 pins in each row. I have however managed to source an Ls 400 breaking, 2000 reg. I am hoping that this will be an exact match with my 1998 even though mine is the sat nav model. I should have it by tuesday so fingers crossed. I will keep ye posted.

I think you may have misunderstood me Dale, I am not asking about a cd changer from a 400, but rather will one from another model lexus be a direct replacement? My quick search did not turn up any answers to this, but thanks all the same for your reply.

Hi there guys, I have recently purchased a mkiv ls 400 and will fill ye in on the details when I have a little more time this evening. But for now my question is this; In the sat nav model can the cd changer in the glovebox be replaced with one from another lexus, say a GS 300? Apparently a previous owner removed it as it was faulty and the unit has since gone missing. Funnily enough i still have the 6 disc cartridge holder, just no cd player! All help appreciated guys as a quick search on here has not turned up anything for me.

Hi Martin, I just checked mine tonight and yes, the gear selector on the centre console does light up. I also found where the sat nav disc is installed, open the boot and on the passenger side floor of the boot you fold back a small section of carpet and under there lies a disc holder/ player.

There are actually two for sale in Galway ( I think Galway anyway ) , One reg is 98 G 400 and the other is 99 G 400. Coincidence. That 98 one has no service history and is in need of the belt changed so I will avoid. I have managed however to poke out another possible 3 for sale, again all up in Galway. A black 98, not in super condition, a MINT maroon 99, a little reluctant to part with it and possibly over priced, and a98/9 silver, condition un-known so far. The hunt continues. I have looked at that blue one on carzone many times and it seems like a nice straight car. It also has the DHP if I am not mistaken, no?

Hi Martin, The one I am hoping to view over the weekend is a maroon/ plum coloured one.My second choice after the black.It is A 1998 UK spec car with 136,000 miles on it, the seller however seems to be a bit of a complete timewaster. Two phone numbers and two e-mail addresses. It is not looking too promising so the search is on-going I'm afraid. Have you purchased your second one yet? Is it the one on carzone that you are after?

Thanks again Ambermarine for your reply, You have helped put my mind at ease with that answer. I am hoping to look/ purchase over the weekend if I get the chance to. As I had ruled out a model with the sat nav I really hadn't my homework done and didn't know much about it which was putting me off. Hopefully the car will turn out to be as described when I get there, I will keep ye up-dated.

Hi there Ambermarine, thanks for the reply. On reading back over my post I actually didn't make myself clear, what I was trying to get at was that I dont particularly want any sat nav, I just dont need one. But if the screen is used for radio/ C.D and climate control then I guess it wont be displaying maps or directions continously, which is what was putting me off one. As a touch screen are these controls troublesome at all? Also does it affect the quality of the radio/ sound system? If I can manage to get an up-dated sat nav disc for it then all the better but don't really see that being necessary. I have found a nice mkiv and this whole sat nav is the only thing concerning me. Hopefully will get to have a look at it over the weekend. Comments from anyone who has the sat nav model are greatly appreciated guys, and thanks again.

Hi there guys, As the title reads, is it possible to replace the factory fitted sat nav console on the mkiv Ls 400 with the centre console of a non sat nav model? The reason I ask is that I MAY have found one with sat nav as standard but am not all that keen on them. It is originally a UK supplied car and I am un-sure if it is possible/ troublesome to convert it to use for our Irish roads? Any help would be much appreciated here guys.

Well for what ever it is worth, earlier in the year i took a very clean 2001 LS 430 for a spin and really enjoyed it, but about a half an hour later I took a very clean 1999 LS 400 for a spin and it really just blew me away! So much more comfortable and quieter than the newer 430. I really couldn't believe it. No help to your current situation I know. ( P.S i got your message thanks, will be replying shortly ).

Hi there Martin. I'm afraid I am no help whatsoever in helping you choose either car. I am however, on the lookout myself for a Mk iv Ls 400, preferrably in black, in excellent condition. If you are interested in selling yours perhaps we could come to some sort of deal. If so send me a message here and we can take it from there, Colm.

Thanks a lot for all the responses guys, I appreciate them all. I guess that which ever car I choose it will not be a bad decision either way. I am quite familiar with the 2jz engine, and have a timing belt kit for a twin turbo model sitting in my garage which is sort of leaning me toward a Gs 300, plus surprising to myself I prefer the sporty feel to them over the 400. The slightly lower fuel performance of the 300 is outweighed over here by the difference in annual road tax ( Gs 300 = €1390, Ls 400= €1690 ..... ouch!! ). As it will be strictly a second car/ weekend car I do not need to be overly concerned with fuel consumption I guess, but need to be much more concerned about reliability and driver enjoyment. Ah decisions decisions.......... Thanks again guys, Colm.

Thank you ambermarine for the reply. Funnily enough it was a 1990, high mileage, poorly looked after 400 that got me addicted to the lexus badge in the first place. Coming from the rather harsh ride in a Toyota Supra I was blown away by the incredible comfort that it had, and I quite enjoyed the ''wallowy'' feel to it. But somehow I still remember it to be a nicer drive than any of the Mk iv 400's that I have driven. I find that there is a lack of response through the accelerator, something akin to a computer game feel perhaps? It kind of feels like you just push the pedal to move without much control or involvement. God I hope I dont upset you guys as it sounds like I am really knocking the 400's, which is certainly not the case. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed owning my Gs 300 I find myself searching the classified's for the 400 first, which says a lot I think. Like I have said earlier perhaps it is my mindset that is in need of adjustment and a bit more time behind the wheel . Thanks again, Colm.

Hi there guys, I am in need of your help/ opinions on this one. I am in an on-going hunt for another Lexus ( previously owned a 1998 Gs 300 ). I have driven a few 400's at this stage and have come across a very nice 2000 model with lots of service history. The problem I am having however, is that I am finding them somewhat '' vague '', for want of a better word, to drive. It feels like a very dis-connected drive. When I owned my Gs 300 I remembered it to be a fabulous car to drive, very solid and responsive. A very ''involved'' drive. When a 2001 plate Gs 300 came up for sale recently I went and took it for a spin, to make sure time and memory hadn't conjured up foolish romantic memories, but indeed they had not! Driving it took me right back to my old 300 and how fabulous it felt. It reminded me of just what the Lexus badge represents, and why after just a week I returned to the garage where I had traded it in to buy it back, but she had been moved on. I really was hoping to go for the Ls 400 having read nothing but praise and admiration for it, and am still seriously considering it, but I am afraid that having purchased it will not live up to my expectations. I am in no doubt that it is certainly one of the best built cars in the world, which for me is a very big part of the decision to purchase. I am assuming that the problem here is that the two cars are in completely different categories and that it is foolish of me to be comparing them in such a way. But, like I have said I am afraid that if I do buy a 400 it will fail to impress me and will not give me the joy of driving as my old 300 did. I would really appreciate any of Your opinions/ experiences on driving both of these cars and any pointers on where I may be going wrong here. Perhaps I am not getting enough time with a 400 to really get to know how good they can be. Thanks in advance guys, Colm.

For what it's worth Floggit, and I am certainly no expert here, this is the way I would be viewing this situation if I were in the same position as yourself; The only oil that has come recommended to use, and so far without any negative feedback, seems to be Toyota's own Type IV transmission fluid. I would go ahead and INSIST on this, full stop. As for the method of replacement, the only one so far recommended on this particular thread without any fore-seeable(spelling?) problems seems to be to replace it at 2/3 litres at a time with a sort of 'run in' period of your own discretion. This has worked very well for others in the past without causing any problems. As I have previously said, this is the method I shall use if/when the need should arise. By doing it in this way I cannot see how any complications should arise. The process may take a little longer to complete which is the only drawback I can see. I know there is no definite answer here but I hope it may help, slightly.

Thats a nice looking car you have there. I actually prefer them in black to be honest but I dont like how the cream interior starts to look a bit grubby after time. How long do you have yours?. I am finding conflicting reports on the timing belt intervals. Some are saying change every 60k and others are saying every 100k. Do you happen to know what the lexus recommended interval is? I am told that it is a full LEXUS history so surely everything will be in excellent order maintenance wise. One thing he mentioned to me is that the motor for the steering column is not working, but hopefully this can be solved with a little diy and perhaps a second hand motor. Also strangely enough this particular model has a sunroof which seems to be quite rare over here. With any luck, by this day week I will have a deal done on it, maybe sooner. Will of course try to post up a few pics if I can manage it.

I think I just might have itarumaa. There is a 1999 in Dublin with 118k on the clock, 2 owners, 2 keys and a full lexus service history. I have not driven or even seen the car in person yet though, but am planning on heding up along next weekend to view it. Doubt it will have been sold in the meantime. It is advertised on carzone atm if you fancy a look. There are also better pictures of it on the dealers own website. Let me know what you think as you have seen a few on your own purchasing travels.