Integrity of the LS 400/LS 430 sedans
12-23-07, 06:36 AM
#46
My 95 LS4 with 62k miles is rattle/squeek free. I did hear a rattle and found it was some loose change I had left in the center ashtray.
My armrest was making a sticky sound when I put my arm on it and I found it to be some coffee that spilled.
Very happy with the build of the LS4
My armrest was making a sticky sound when I put my arm on it and I found it to be some coffee that spilled.
Very happy with the build of the LS4
12-23-07, 05:37 PM
#47
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My armrest too, on my 94 LS400. It squeaks when I rest my right elbow on it. Ironically, it still has the original Toyota cell/car phone still in it, plugged. Of course that dinosaur is not functional anymore. Just kinda sitting there, collecting dust and taking up space. Any idea how to disassemble and take the phone out of that armrest? I wonder if I can plug any cell phone into it and use the hand-free function on the steering wheel?
12-23-07, 06:03 PM
#48
I have a 1996 with 64k miles -- nothing but rattles. In the last week there is an extremely loud rattling coming from the front left corner of the cabin -- even blasting the radio doesn't help.
While I love the driveability of the Ls 400 -- I am totally disappointed in the rattling -- should not happen on a $60k car with low miles. On average probably have 3-6 rattles at any given time -- doors, dash, armrest, steering column -- it stinks. Dealer stated to me that most of them do it and there's not much that can be done unless you want to spend hours having a tech drive and try to figure it out -- in other words pay us big $$$$and we'll see what we can do.
While the car is more solid and drives more impressively than my 1996 Lincoln Continental -- in my opinion the interior quality in terms of stability and lack of rattles in the Lincoln is superior.
Lexus is just a big Toyota -- it is an awesome ride -- but still just a car with lots of parts to give problems.
Good Luck
Hlippy4
While I love the driveability of the Ls 400 -- I am totally disappointed in the rattling -- should not happen on a $60k car with low miles. On average probably have 3-6 rattles at any given time -- doors, dash, armrest, steering column -- it stinks. Dealer stated to me that most of them do it and there's not much that can be done unless you want to spend hours having a tech drive and try to figure it out -- in other words pay us big $$$$and we'll see what we can do.
While the car is more solid and drives more impressively than my 1996 Lincoln Continental -- in my opinion the interior quality in terms of stability and lack of rattles in the Lincoln is superior.
Lexus is just a big Toyota -- it is an awesome ride -- but still just a car with lots of parts to give problems.
Good Luck
Hlippy4
lincoln superior to lexus's interior....that is the first time i heard that.....
12-23-07, 07:54 PM
#49
My armrest too, on my 94 LS400. It squeaks when I rest my right elbow on it. Ironically, it still has the original Toyota cell/car phone still in it, plugged. Of course that dinosaur is not functional anymore. Just kinda sitting there, collecting dust and taking up space. Any idea how to disassemble and take the phone out of that armrest? I wonder if I can plug any cell phone into it and use the hand-free function on the steering wheel?
Not sure, but if you ever want to toss it out, let me know, as I want one to put back in my LS just for the fun of it.
BTW, I do not think that plug is useful for any other system, but I could be wrong.
Last edited by 91LS400LEX; 12-23-07 at 07:57 PM.
12-23-07, 07:57 PM
#50
I had a manager many years ago that bought a 1995 Continental (the FWD model) in 1999. It was not very old... I rode inside of it once and I remeber that the interior seemed to be "creaking" and "ticking". He had a 1990 Town Car before that, with a much higher quality interior.
12-23-07, 09:36 PM
#51
I have a 94LS with 183,000 on it. Cabin and engine is very quiet,
I do get a noise from the leather seats. as they flex. But I remever my Dad's new in 90 and 92 LS's did the same... the leather on the backrest part of the seat itself makes a noise as it flexes. Barely notice it.. in fact you would not hear it except that the rest of the car is silent. I may try some leather softener it.. but it really is no big deal.
Ken
I do get a noise from the leather seats. as they flex. But I remever my Dad's new in 90 and 92 LS's did the same... the leather on the backrest part of the seat itself makes a noise as it flexes. Barely notice it.. in fact you would not hear it except that the rest of the car is silent. I may try some leather softener it.. but it really is no big deal.
Ken
12-23-07, 09:37 PM
#52
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ok. I will let you know when I find a way and take that whole contraption out.
12-24-07, 02:39 AM
#53
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1995 LS400 - absolutely zero squeaks anywhere in the car. I purchased it in 2003 with 130,000km / 81,000miles, it is now approaching 190,000km / 119,000miles (I am also the 3rd owner).
Last edited by Losiho; 12-24-07 at 02:40 AM. Reason: typo
03-18-11, 04:21 AM
#55
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Like the previous post of another owner of a 96 ls, mine has 140k miles and I have several squeaks and noises from the cabin as well. Armrest will squeak whether my arm is on it or not, squeak from the moon roof, the front drivers seat squeaks like crazy *seems to be the back panel of the seat that's rubbing against the seat. Weird clicking noise coming from the Hvac *intermittent click*. I am going crazy since I don't even know how to begin fixing all these rattles/noises.
Last edited by Xaolen; 03-18-11 at 04:27 AM.
03-18-11, 06:08 AM
#56
'93 with ~145k miles.
0 squeaks. The only ticks I get are from my valves (chuckle). The only rattles are from blown speaker cones when the bass is over the midline. The only squeaks are from the tires when I'm in a full-turn at 10mph.
Cabin is like a coffin, compared to the road noise of my girlfriend's 2010 Yaris it's a tomb.
0 squeaks. The only ticks I get are from my valves (chuckle). The only rattles are from blown speaker cones when the bass is over the midline. The only squeaks are from the tires when I'm in a full-turn at 10mph.
Cabin is like a coffin, compared to the road noise of my girlfriend's 2010 Yaris it's a tomb.
03-18-11, 09:51 AM
#57
'99 LS with 72k miles, and it has a few annoying rattles. Something that sounds like a loose spring in the front passenger door and some kind of low-pitched squeak coming from the rear seat bench or door panel somewhere, sounds like leather on leather. Of course... I had 3 middle-age 5-series BMWs with low mileage, all had some rattles. Only one of three Jag XJs I've had developed rattles but the one I still have really needs to have some chased down. And both S-Classes have rattles. (One even has GROANS!) Screws will inevitably come loose and panels will inevitably shift, settle, or be removed and replaced without correct snugness creating the wrong clearance between components...
The three new cars I've owned had rattles too.
It depends entirely on how picky the previous owner was, and whether they thought it was worth taking to the shop (whether under warranty or not) to have these things diagnosed when they occur. I'm sure the LS400 could be dead silent through 20 years and 250k miles, or noisy and annoying as heck by 8 years and 75k. Just have to drive the one you're considering to find out. Make sure to take it over some broken pavement; the dealer's planned test-drive route guarantees to find the smoothest route around their lot!!
The three new cars I've owned had rattles too.
It depends entirely on how picky the previous owner was, and whether they thought it was worth taking to the shop (whether under warranty or not) to have these things diagnosed when they occur. I'm sure the LS400 could be dead silent through 20 years and 250k miles, or noisy and annoying as heck by 8 years and 75k. Just have to drive the one you're considering to find out. Make sure to take it over some broken pavement; the dealer's planned test-drive route guarantees to find the smoothest route around their lot!!
03-18-11, 11:07 AM
#58
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I have a 99 and I have some rattles, but they didn't show up until after rims and the stiff setting on my coilovers. The funny thing is I have had some show up and then leave after a while. andyman32 you have some super low mileage!! 
03-18-11, 11:54 AM
#59
Interesting this discussion comes back. I was talking with the wife a few days ago about ours. For the given miles, the MX73 Cressida was far ahead of it. The Lex has a few rattles and the irritating sunroof shade rattles that is also in the GS. Not to mention the wearing suspension bushings and other mounts all over the car. 
The car is comfortable and we like it. If I were to choose now and had our Cressida, the Cressida would get the
The simple McPhearson suspension and body was IMO more robust. That car was pretty stiff and right up till the 180K miles, the only rattle it had was the sunroof shade.
We'll drive this one for as long as it will take us. I'm concerned what the 460 and 430's bring at higher miles.
The car is comfortable and we like it. If I were to choose now and had our Cressida, the Cressida would get the
The simple McPhearson suspension and body was IMO more robust. That car was pretty stiff and right up till the 180K miles, the only rattle it had was the sunroof shade. We'll drive this one for as long as it will take us. I'm concerned what the 460 and 430's bring at higher miles.
03-18-11, 12:13 PM
#60
Well, I have two of the 99 LS's 149k & 162k. the 162k is my wifes, and it is silent... totally silent.. no nothing.. ever. my 149k belonged to a young boy, came with 20's and had some noises. I removed the 20's and went stock, replaced both engine mounts (in pieces) and the tranny mount, strut rod bushings, sway bar bushings, front rotors & pads. and now it is quite, no rattles or squeeks.... but not like my wifes.