harrylime

Many thanks to those who responded. I needed some feedback and reassurance before taking the plunge. I managed to get hold of the previous owner (for ten years), not easy as his number is unlisted, and that conversation also reassured me about the car. Long story short, I bought the car and brought it home this evening from Manchester. It is my first time in a Lexus and I will provide my first impressions in a new post. Thanks again chaps

Bigjap many thanks for responding to my rather lengthy questions. More opinions/ advice welcpme

hi all Close to buying a series 4 LS 400, have driven the car and would like advice on the following issues. Please respond, if only to one or two of these 1. Replacing sidelight bulbs - easy job or is it a drama/expensive job? 2. Heated seats front and rear - are they designed to work only when someone is sitting in the seat? 3 Dynamic handling Pack - this car seems to drive better than the previous one I drove. The steering seems tighter etc. Mixed views on DHP? 4. Were LS400s ever fitted with run flat tyres? I forgot to check but there was a full sized spare so assumed not runflats. I hate the whole concept of runflats and would not buy a BMW on pronciple, despite having loved my 3004 330 D 5. I noticed some surface corrosion on the front suspension tops (purely cosmetic) and some on the bulkhead looking down the back of the engine. Anything to worry about? It looked purely cosmetic but do not like corrosion of any kind on my cars and would have to deal with it. 6. I was unable to look underneath the car - should I worry about corrosion? Although there is much talk about reliability of these cars, there do seem to be a lot of them breaking for spares. 7. The badges front and rear are scruffy. Easy to replace? I would be very grateful for any help, even if not on all points. It is urgent, because if I buy it, I will probably do so tomorrow 8. The cruise control did not seem to work although the light came on - any ideas? 9 I intended to check that the engine management light came on and went off. No lights on after starting. What does the light look like? thanks in advance

This ad must demonstrate the height of optimism. The price is just ridiculous. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201310319563943/sort/default/make/LEXUS/model/LS/postcode/s637sf/radius/1500/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/page/3/advert-type/featured-listing/dealer/128818/usedcars It has been "exceptionally well looked after" according to the description. This may be true, but the tyres look like Barum , which I would not even consider putting on my Octavia diesel workhorse (currently on Continental winter tyres). I'll never understand people who entrust the safety of their families to cheap, nasty tyres. Most tyres look roughly the same, but the expense is in the manufacturers' research and the quality of the compound. If the owner has scrimped on these, he can probably not afford to maintain a Lexus properly In terms of prices, I am still looking for a nice LS 400, preferably a Mark 4. Sellers do not seem realistic about prices on cars with a 4 litre V8 engine which, in these straitened times, must have a limited appeal. Many stay on sale for months due to unrealistic expectations. Owners do seem to love their LS's and the market must now be restricted to enthusiasts. I am pretty sure I would appreciate the qualities of an LS.and I want a weekend car for long trips, such as visits to my folks in South Wales.The reliability appeals to me, but there do seem to be quite a few nice looking cars which are breaking for spares, which is a concern. Still looking !

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201307278029456/sort/default/usedcars/model/ls/make/lexus/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1500/postcode/s637sf/page/3?logcode=p This car and an almost identical, cheaper stablemate have been for sale for months. They look like nice cars, does anyone have any idea why they have not sold (price is a bit high I reckon). Anyone have any experience of this company, or has anyone viewed the cars?

Hi all, new member looking for an LS 400. The ad states that the final price is non negotiable - standard ebay conditions I think, but that "tyre kickers will be refused". I take this to mean no opportunity to examine or test drive to see if it is as described. I would not touch it with a barge pole.

That may be true, but many seem to be broken or sold for spares before they reach heady mileages. Type of owners and service history perhaps the most important factors

Hi Mark Have you seen the car, or is that from the photos? Good to have it confirmed that I did not waste my time and possibly buy a lemon

Hi all It is likely that as time goes on my search may extend to higher mileage cars and I have to be realistic. I have been looking at Irish cars on the basis that their road tax for large engined cars is horrendous. I'm amazed at anyone over there who still has an LS

Hi all Thank you for the comments and some good points. I have been researching these for a month or two, so have a rough idea what to look for . I did not even get as far as asking about a cambelt change because a seven year gap in servicing, whilst the car is described as having a full service history set off alarm bells. The MOT tester confirmed that the owner never services his cars, and I do not want a car that has been neglected for that long. Over two days since advertised, the price went up from £1995 to £2195 and then to £2295. The seller was quite patronising during our conversation and said one or two things that did not ring true. It is not scientific by any means but if I don't trust a seller, that's it for me, I'm afraid. I would probably not explore a car advertised from certain parties in Dudley, for example. I do have a general expectation that people are as ethical as I am, but that is tempered with a healthy dose of cynicism and caution. Most of my cars are bought privately, it is my preferred method if possible.

I am seeking a series 4 LS 400. I would like a mint, lowish mileage car with good service history. Before members cite how well these cars handle high mileages, I know and agree that this is the case. However, I have always gone for cars with moderate to low mileage and have rarely gone wrong, so I know what I want. I am based in South Yorkshire but will travel for the right car. I can be contacted on 07952 294085 or by email on h999@fsmail.net Thank you,

I am actively seeking my first Lexus, an LS 400, preferably low mileage and preferably a mk 4. This seemed like a great prospect on Autotrader - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201311059707856/sort/default/usedcars/model/ls/make/lexus/onesearchad/used/onesearchad/nearlynew/onesearchad/new/radius/1500/page/2/postcode/s637sf?logcode=p I called the dealer, intending to travel across the Pennines to view the car. I took a dislike to him, and as I buy the seller as much as the car, if the seller feels wrong I walk away, This ethos has never failed me yet, having owned many cars ( I counted cars I've owned but gave up at 65). The dealer said that the car had come from a main dealership and claimed a full service history, but when I probed further, there are no records between 2004 and 2011. I decided that I did not trust the dealer to hold the car for a few hours, and definitely not enough to pay a deposit over the phone. There was very little I could put my finger on, but mostly instinct. I did follow up enough to do a VOSA check.. I contacted the garage that did the last two MOTs and the tester told me that the previous owner purchased it from a local business. The tester knew the owner and also told me that he never, ever serviced his cars. It looks a nice car but further evidence is that cheap Federal tyres (not on a 155 mph car, I think) are fitted. The paintwork on one wheel arch also looks like orange peel, so may have been bodged. hard to tell from photos though My conclusion is that my instincts, even over the phone, served me well, I think.