mikeyv

Ah, Cressida estates, the bulletproof 180B Datsun, cortina camshafts knocking like machine guns, all bring back memories from my taxi/mechanic days. A workmate had a replacement cam on his brand new 1.6 capri, after 1300 miles. One of my taxi partners used to have a Cressida estate, that I often borrowed. Nice old bus for cruising, but boy, did it rot. Yours looks in good nick bodywise though, I imagine they must be a very rare car? Look forward to more posts from you.

Oh, I must admit, I assumed they would both be badged Toyota. Not that I'd have done any different, as we're a long way from a Lexus dealer. As you say, will be interesting to see how long both our batteries last!

You were lucky (ish), our car has damage to every corner, these cars seem to attract bad parkers, but never had anybody take responsibility. All the damage is superficial, and probably easily repaired, but I just know some pillock would scrape it before the paint was dry!!

Of course Steve, only 381-hp 5.7L V8 Multi-Mode 4WD Fully boxed frame Auto LSD Around 12 to the gallon, but at american fuel prices, who cares? Mrs V was very taken, and yet again we have the Landcruiser itch, wonder whether we'll manage to avoid scratching it this time.

Mrs V has just returned from America, after a family wedding. There were seven of them, so they hired this to get around. I'm so jealous of the cars they get in the states, and, bearing in mind these things start around 40,000 dollars, the low prices they pay for their cars and fuel.

Replaced my battery in April, genuine Toyota item, generally agreed on here to be the best replacement, car wouldn't turn over yesterday, battery wouldn't charge beyond 10.3v, having read 9.5v when first connected. I was pretty sure it was a goner when I saw the 9v reading, especially as the car was fine the day before. Toyota stuck a meter on it, confirming it was no good, and exchanged for a new one, under the three year warranty. Don't know where the old one was made, but the replacement is Czech made, which surprised me a bit.

On mine, you just remove the cover plate, top centre of the tank, big plastic screws holding it, moveable without tools, and the spec plate is then visible.

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I agree with much of harrylimes' post above, auctions are not as good as they were, particularly for the private buyer. I bought a lot of cars at auction, some to do up and sell, some to use as taxis, but usually bought them after they had gone through and not sold. The reason being, auctioneers often invent bids to get the car up to or near the sellers reserve, so if you bid, you'll overpay. If you go regularly, you'll see cars that have supposedly sold, according to the auctioneer, appear week after week.

I rarely listen to radio anymore, so easy to carry your own music around, I can't see the point, unless you enjoy non music radio. Most DJs drive me up the wall anyway. On long trips, I sometimes put radio 2 on, for the traffic, and driving back from Yorkshire last weekend, I heard Brian Matthew droning on, before playing some long forgotten record, that was rubbish in the 60s, and hadn't aged well. I remember thinking he was a boring old fart back then, and was amazed to find him still alive, let alone still droning along on R2 !

Get under and have a good scout around, look for any wear marks, where components might be rubbing or knocking together. Get a good grip and try to move any joints, to check for play, both with wheel on ground and off. If you have a suspicion of where it's knocking (wheel arch you mentioned, for example) , stick a lump of blutac or similar there, reproduce the noise, then check the blutac for indentation. Good luck.

I,ve seen plenty of lexus listed by him since the start of this thread, some saying that he was still trading, some having a pop at this site, but I don't link to him anymore, as I begrudge him the free advertising.

I was reading his feedback the other day, and many people call him Adam, in fact he used to have a username of adamsprogeny and also sonofadam, not exactly fitting with the court case details earlier in the thread? Oh, here's another of his satisfied customers http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/r-reg-lexus-400/332000577992?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D39021%26meid%3D9576396cce1f40e2b48161a68e86a193%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D322293870942

It was the console photo that made me wonder about the air suspension. Take back all I said about it being on my drive.

Would be nice to know how Edward got on with his problem, are you there Caractacus. I must say, for those who lived with older cars, pinking is an unmistakeable sound, and, in the 60s and 70s, an extremely common one, usually indicating it was time for an ignition service.

I've been thinking of getting a "smiley" plate for my LS, not sure if it would suit yours? Link here number plate ebay

Way overpriced, for a car that needs that much bodywork. Look again at the pictures, n/s/f corner bumper, n/s/r door bottom and another door damaged, middle and bottom. Mot history is a bit iffy as well, with perished tyres, corroded brake pipes, followed by undersealed brake pipes as an advisory, and other signs of neglect. Don't be lured by a nice interior, these cars are great quality, and even well used examples respond well to a simple valet. Doesn't strike me as a car that's been cared for, but it's your money and your choice, as always. Rear parking sensors are cheap on ebay, colour coded(ish), and not hard to fit.

Just checked the two "possibles" on ebay, neither has the triangle on the unlock button, though one has the exact same numbers as mine, isn't life complicated?

Great idea, never occurred to me. Thanks for the triangle tip too, mine has one.

Thanks Phil. Do you know how I can identify a 2nd hand key as being suitable? Is getting a MKIV key the only way, or did they change the key during that period as well? Currently, I'm thinking that matching the numbers on my other key, should do the job.

Yeah, I've done the new blank bit myself, but the guts was ok to transfer, on that occasion....I paid a bit more for the blank, but a bit less to have it cut, so about the same in total, and that one is still working fine. Where did you get your 2nd hand key from, and how did you know it would be suitable?

Thanks Pete, I'll keep that ebay listing in mind, should my alternative not work out. Fortunately I got an answer on the O.C facebook page, from a very helpful mechanic, that lists the procedure for reprogramming a key module, it also pointed to a thread on here. Hopefully, all I need to do now is get one off ebay and do the required dance!!

Anybody know if I can buy a second hand key for a 99 MKIV LS400, put the guts in my existing key, and reprogram it to my car. As you can probably guess, my key will only lock the car, but not unlock the doors or open the boot. I've fitted a new battery, the little light flashes, but only the lock button works, and my other key is working fine.

Just checked mot record, 200 miles in ten years, probably to the mot garage and back, once a year. I'd already have it on my drive though, if it was a MKIV, at that price, or less maybe, as it says offers. The ride height is a bit of a concern, I wondered if it may have air suspension?, but if it's just passed an mot without mention, there shouldn't be a serious problem, surely.

Does look very odd, I agree, nice miles though!