Razor61

Thanks for the information guys, especially on a Sunday morning. I’ve just arrived and it’s raining......looks like it will clear though. I’ve looked at the MOT history and doesn’t look bad to me after being garaged for a few years but I’ll have look at the car at least. Condition is more important to me as I can do most mechanical stuff myself. Cam belt is a bit of a worry just for the cost of having it done which I guess will be around £500 ish if I do it myself or around £1,000 if I get someone to do it.

Anyway will have a look and take it from there.

Hi, my on/off quest to find a good LS400 at a reasonable price continues this morning and will be looking at the one in the link below. Not much time I know but I would appreciate any thoughts and information anyone may have. Apparently, the car was garaged for 6 years that’s why there is a gap in the MOT history. I’ll have a good look and report back the outcome in this post later.

I’m always looking at LS400’s for sale, the Mrs definitely does not want me to buy one as they are a very big car and refuses to even consider driving it. So, I keep wavering between ‘I should be sensible and buy something else’ and ‘stuff it, I want one so going to buy one and deal with the consequences after’. At the moment I’m in the ‘stuff it........’ mode hence looking at this LS today😀

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F202767659245

7 minutes ago, The-Acre said:

Can you post some links?

It's not for sale on the usual sites, Autotrader, eBay etc. so I don't have any links to share sorry. I came across it by accident, if I decide not to go for it (which is probably the case as the Mrs really really really does not like the gold colour) I'll advise the seller to join this forum and post it for sale. I do know that the seller is waiting for better weather spring/summer before putting on Autotrader, eBay or somewhere else.

Hi, I went to look at a 1996 LS400 yesterday in Gold (I like Gold but the Mrs doesn't) with only 63,000 on the clock and though someone may be interested in what the car was like.

I am/was looking for a MKIV but as this car was close to where I live and only 63,000 miles it was worth a look.

Checked the usual stuff and I couldn't really find anything wrong apart from the brake discs are lipped on the front and will probably need replacing soon.

The oil and transmission fluid looked like it had just been changed. Coolant the right colour and looked fine, couldn't seen any leaks from the power steering pump above the starter.

Timing belt replaced at 36,000 quite a few years ago though, iirc. Car started first crack and engine sounded as smooth as silk. No untoward noises.

Everything electrical worked as far as I could tell, steering wheel moved in both directions but didn't check the aerial for some reason...…...........I couldn't really tell if the heated seats worked as they should but judging from the way the car has been looked after they probably do work. LCD panels and dash were fine, no water in the boot.

No knocking or concerning noises on the test drive, gear changes were very smooth. It wasn't practical to test the braking totally because of where the car is located but replacing discs/pads/callipers etc if needed isn't a issue and it wouldn't bother me at all.

Bodywork is spot on, couldn't find any rust or damage (one light scratch on the off side but will buff out). A good wash and detail would make it sparkle like new I think.

Car has done less than a 1,000 miles in the last 9 years, always garaged and really only taken out for the odd journey (mainly for it's annual service and MOT)

Price...……………………£4,250, I'm a bit torn now whether to go for it or wait for a MKIV which ticks all the boxes for me (VVTi and satnav etc)

I have also seen a 1998 MKIV in light metallic green (love the colour) 108,000, looks spot on and well looked after but it's 210 mile away priced at £3.675, would you think offering £3,000 or a bit more for this gold one is really cheeky?

Got the pics of the wing damage and it's right on the top of the drivers wing. Not really bad damage but it's not something I want to get involved repairing. I'll continue looking and have found a 1996 in gold which has only done 61,000 miles and it's close to where I live so will have a look at the weekend.

Well, I have some more information after speaking to the seller. Cambelt etc needs doing as it's not been done I'm told (I'd do this myself) but there is damage to one of the wings where a slate fell from a roof and hit the wing. I can't remember which wing (front or rear) or how bad but I've asked for some pictures. The colour is Pearl White which I really like and it's not common as far as I can tell. Yes it looks grubby inside but that doesn't put me off. I'll see if I get some pictures and take it from there.

30 minutes ago, The-Acre said:

It looks very nice in the photos for sure.  As long as it drives perfectly (as it should) and the transmission is smooth and changes almost unnoticeably, then the main thing that could cause you some major expense will be the suspension components, ie control arms.  There should be no knocks or bangs over bumps and rough roads. Plus you want proof of a cam belt change.

Thanks for the advice, the car is 200 miles from where I live so hopefully it will be worth the journey. For the mileage it looks a pretty good price but I'll find out more at the weekend all being well.

Hi, seen this LS400 for sale on Gumtree. Looks decent to me and in white (which I quite like). Would be interested in what you guys think or maybe someone knows about the car?

Thanks in advance

https://www.gumtree.com/p/lexus/lexus-ls400-white-automatic-petrol-1995-saloon-car/1329175624

37 minutes ago, theflyingscotsman said:

Firstly, thank you Razor61 for your kind comments on the condition.  Its actually been a private collection vehicle for over the last ten years (previous owner) including myself.  Its not been a daily driver, but why not make it one?  Life is for living.  

Regarding its value, well its like most things in life.  My view is you only get what you pay for.  Then there is the fact that it is a rather nice car, rare DHP specification, low mileage, condition etc.  I have a track record of owning, using, restoring and selling the LS400.  Many times my cars appear on this forum to be talked about, a lot (not everyone) say they are over priced, yet I have sold enough of them to know what can and can not be achieved.  Every one I have had has sold to someone who appreciates the car and the examples I have had, to the point that they bought them.  I only use/sell nice cars, and this is one is no exception.

 If you have a change of heart then please let me know

theflyingscotsman - credit were credit is due, I don’t think anyone can argue how good the car looks/is. I’m a bit surprised how many comments/debate this has produced though, but obviously you’re not😉 For the last 10 years or so I’ve had BMW M3’s so I know a fair bit about them. I did create a reply earlier saying that a 1998 BMW E36 M3 in the same condition and mileage etc would be a hell of a lot more than 9k to buy but I didn’t post it, didn’t feel it was appropriate and you can’t always compare different makes/models. Posted it now though😀

For me, at the moment, I don’t want to spend 9k on such a good LS400 and use it daily (80 mile daily commute to work) and it would literally be a ‘work’ car. I may change my mind during the search for one and I will get in touch if that’s the case thanks. 

1 hour ago, Stupot said:

This LS430 looks like a better buy to me and even this one has been for sale for a few weeks. It's just been re-advertised. 1 owner, 41,000 miles... looks lovely.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-LS-430-4-3-Automatic/173724442766?hash=item2872c8a08e:g:yEwAAOSwcqxcAQWl:rk:2:pf:0

Many thanks for all the comments and opinions, I originally started looking at the LS430, my interest all stems from having an IS200 as a company car 2003 - 2007. The mrs loved driving it and I really liked it, I went from that to a car allowance and buying my own car (BMW E36 M3). When I first went to the Lexus garage in 2003 I looked at a brand new LS430 and was amazed at the quality, spec and all the toys. I now quite fancy the idea of a LS400 mk4, I do a lot of mechanical work myself so that side doesn’t bother me at all although doing a cam belt change may be beyond my skill but I don’t think so.

Thanks again to everyone for all the comments and advice, I’ll keep looking for right one but not for 9k. There is another LS400 for sale 10 miles away from me, link below, it’s not a mk4 but I’ll pop down and have a look.

https://www.stellarmotorcompany.co.uk/used-cars/lexus-ls-400-4-0-4dr-bolton-201807188558587

That was my feeling but it does look an excellent example and that commands a premium I suppose. It looks ‘as new’ as you could reasonably expect given the mileage etc. Maybe looking at it from the perspective of the original purchase price/condition/mileage, 9k isn’t it’s too bad but as you say the market dictates what a car is worth.

Just after some opinions on the LS400 for sale in the link below.

Do you think it’s worth 9k? I’m looking for a decent mk4 but 9k...........don’t get me wrong, it’s a stunning car and looks like it belongs in a car collection, not used daily as I would use it.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F223312080918