DonJuan45i

On my drive home I spotted a LS400 90', 155,000 miles. white/grey-exterior tan-interior. It needs a drivers side headlight, and the hood doesnt latch properly.

Interior I would say is 7 out of 10 stars.

Exterior is fine (prob 7 out of 10 stars also) other than the headlight and the lowest part of the front bumper has a crack in it, there didnt appear to be any other damage on the paint.

I havent had a chance to drive it or really look at the engine, but they are asking $1700. called and talked to a guy, said car runs great other than the little things like the hood,headlight etc. the car is in good shape. But I am looking for a new daily driver, currently a 89 civic does the trick, but I think this would make a nice upgrade.

I am contemplating getting it, I would like to sell the honda but I doubt I would sell it fast enough, so I would pretty much taking a big bite out of my savings. And I am just about to start a new job.

So what do you guys think, does it seem worth it?

Kansas

If you are short on cash I would recommend that you pass on the LS and stick with your Honda for now. You can always buy an LS later and you might find a nicer one when you have more time to look.

In the two years before I sold my 90 LS at 183,000 miles, I spent about $5,000 on maintenance and repairs -- it was in wonderful shape inside and out when I sold it for about $4500 in 2003. Nearly perfect interior and not a single ding or dent -- people who didn't know Lexus cars thought it was new.

If a high mileage LS has not been kept up, it can be a real money pit and suck a lot of your money very quickly.

DonJuan45i

thanks for the input kansas, also nice to head from a fellow midwesterner as well.

omarg

if you can work on it yourself, and you can afford it, then yes, i think its worth it. 155k is not alot of mileage. 7 out of ten for a 16/17 year old car is great.

jmblimo

iTrader: (1)

"Kansas" is right on the money! Everything is very, very expensive. Not too many in the junkyard either, and those parts are high too.

blange400

A good used 92 ls400 with 98K miles sold here for $5500 last week. All it needed was a radio **** , the rest was clean clean. Lil ol lady clean.
THe wood on the console was hammered, the rest of the car was A-1.

The car described earlier in the thread sounds like a PASS. I agree with Kansas.(Again!)

omarg

$5500 is more than 3 times than $1700. Considering the price... its good. If you can't work on it yourself... then i agree with everyone else that you should pass.

fatboyq

What did you end up replacing that was 5k in value?

theschoens

Bought a 1990 LS400 with 250K for $1500. The car car drives like a dream, the suspension is smooth, the leather is still supple. The engine sounds better than our 2004 Toyota Sienna. All the gizmos still work! So take it to a Lexus dealer to have them look it over, spend the $85 and then decide. I feel like I have a dream car.

My items have been the most common ones for the year
Climate control LCD out, Lexus cost $485, actual $215
Lower ball joints replace, Lexus $600, actual $300
Alternator bad, Lexus unknown, actual--tightened electrical connection
Power steering pump, Lexus $1100, actual--pump not bad idle up valve was, cost $100 (forums pointed out to me loss of power steering fluid with no leaks under car and white smoke on start up a great indicator power steering idle up valve is the culprit)

All of the above could have been put off until later. (If power steering is actually leaking must replace right away or you will destroy your alternator). Know it sounds like a lot, but I would do it all over again, and again. Both shops I went to said the same thing. Lexus owners keep their cars until they die, I was lucky to get a used one. I feel that way too. Anyway, never loved a car like I do this one. Good luck in your decision-making.

DonJuan45i

I was going to go for it, car didnt even last for 2 days, someone lucky out there has that beauty in their driveway. Oh well everything happens for a reason, car wasnt for me. I think I will focus on selling my civic now, and save up and get something along the same lines. I just got a new job, and I want something a little more suitable, something about civic with slacks, a button up and tie. doesnt match too well. I think I am gonna search and save up for something a 90-95 ls400 93-96ES300 or a 92-95 525i something along there. Thanks all for your input

blange400

You're doin the right thing. Sell & save. Theres a 97 in NM for $9999. You could find a gem. Many do. A low mile 94 would be sweet. Every gen had their charms. These cars make you happy every single time you go someplace. Then if you take your friends they get spoiled too. My 91 with 144kmiles was like a bud, a core piece of gear. The newest LS you can afford. Stick to searching for an LS. save yourself the roaming just to return to the LS later.

Best wishes

DonJuan45i

yea, they arent a very common car around here tho. Is the only problem. My luck when I have the money, a ls will be nowhere in sight. Thanks for the insight. Seems like you have been pretty loyal to the LS, I have driven probably a good 5-8( I detail cars), all where around mid 90's, absolutely lovely cars, no matter the year.

blange400

Same in NM...I had to go to Vegas to get mine. There are lots in TX and Colo.
Few in NM...travel only if the car is clean and can be chceked out, carfaxed and is cherry.

Better to wait and get a good one with the stuff you want.

CLNSC3

iTrader: (4)

I do not think I would be able to turn down an LS400 for $1700 honestly haha

DonJuan45i

salt in the wound b13, salt in the wound. I think about it everyday DAYM!!! I detail cars too, I would have had that LS like new.