Purchased a '96 LS 400.
06-29-11, 01:03 PM
#1
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Purchased a '96 LS 400.
I purchased my first Lexus, a 1996 LS 400 with 77K basically fully loaded with the exception of the trac-control, air-ride suspension, and Naki sound system. The car was in excellent condition both mechanically and cosmetically. I simply could not pass it up. The LS is replacing my Cadillac as a daily driver.
Here are some pics, bad lighting and all...
Since it is my daily driver, I don't really plan on modding the car, however, I would like to install a performance air filter, custom cat-back exhaust, and perhaps an ECU tune of sorts.
Mike
Here are some pics, bad lighting and all...
Since it is my daily driver, I don't really plan on modding the car, however, I would like to install a performance air filter, custom cat-back exhaust, and perhaps an ECU tune of sorts.
Mike
06-29-11, 02:38 PM
#3
Pole Position
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
how much $
prime rule: do the maintenance before nodding anything.
timing belt scheduled for 90k. is this mileage suspect at all? perhaps the years call for a somewhat shortened schedule. just something to think about.
prime rule: do the maintenance before nodding anything.
timing belt scheduled for 90k. is this mileage suspect at all? perhaps the years call for a somewhat shortened schedule. just something to think about.
06-29-11, 03:03 PM
#4
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
^^^^
Mileage checked out good, no problems there. I had the Lexus service department look over the car throughly and there were no issues. However, I was thinking that changing the timing belt early may be a good idea.
I bought it at a dealership for $8K, which may have been too much but, I simply had a hard time walking away from such a clean and near perfect car after the many others that I have looked at over the last month or so.
However, in retrospect, I really don't feel I paid too much because I truly feel that these cars are priced too low based on their excellent build quality, features, and reputation. I think the LS 400's are a steal at the current market prices.
I did look at and drive quite a few '95-'97 LS's in the $5-6K range with just over 100K miles that would have been great cars too. One awesome '94 LS with 88K sold before I could even look at it, they were asking $6K for it. Most of the '90-94 LS's were in pretty beat-up shape. Overall, it seemed that in my area, the nice examples were selling faily quickly.
Mike
Mileage checked out good, no problems there. I had the Lexus service department look over the car throughly and there were no issues. However, I was thinking that changing the timing belt early may be a good idea.
I bought it at a dealership for $8K, which may have been too much but, I simply had a hard time walking away from such a clean and near perfect car after the many others that I have looked at over the last month or so.
However, in retrospect, I really don't feel I paid too much because I truly feel that these cars are priced too low based on their excellent build quality, features, and reputation. I think the LS 400's are a steal at the current market prices.
I did look at and drive quite a few '95-'97 LS's in the $5-6K range with just over 100K miles that would have been great cars too. One awesome '94 LS with 88K sold before I could even look at it, they were asking $6K for it. Most of the '90-94 LS's were in pretty beat-up shape. Overall, it seemed that in my area, the nice examples were selling faily quickly.
Mike
Last edited by Rdrcr; 06-29-11 at 03:07 PM.
06-29-11, 03:13 PM
#5
A very nice car. My 96 LS has about 210K miles and still runs good.
I am in the market for an LS430 or other newer LS, but I am having a very difficult time to convince myself to part with the 96 LS
I am in the market for an LS430 or other newer LS, but I am having a very difficult time to convince myself to part with the 96 LS
06-29-11, 03:35 PM
#6
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
^^^^
Thank you.
I definitely plan on keeping my LS for a long time. These cars are simply fantastic.
I've never driven an LS430 but, I can only imagine that they are very nice.
Mike
Thank you.
I definitely plan on keeping my LS for a long time. These cars are simply fantastic.
I've never driven an LS430 but, I can only imagine that they are very nice.
Mike
Trending Topics
06-29-11, 04:05 PM
#8
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
^^^^
#1 & #2, along with the engine mounts were replaced before I purchased the car. I'll have a look at #3 & #4 this weekend.
The only things that I've had to do to the car was an oil change (just in case) and repair the antenna mast.
The car runs and drives as smooth as silk. This car is so much better than my previous Cadillac.
Mike
#1 & #2, along with the engine mounts were replaced before I purchased the car. I'll have a look at #3 & #4 this weekend.
The only things that I've had to do to the car was an oil change (just in case) and repair the antenna mast.
The car runs and drives as smooth as silk. This car is so much better than my previous Cadillac.
Mike
06-29-11, 06:14 PM
#10
Nice car, Rdrcr! $8k is not too much for a car like that from a dealer. Unless you do almost all your own work, buying a really nice, lower mile car makes good economic sense. Plus, you get to enjoy it longer before it needs much repair.
I just got a family hand me down silver/gray '97 LS400 with 156k miles. Parents bought it new, then my sister bought it from them in early 2002 for $18,600 with 61k miles. She did the 60k major service including t-belt. I did the "catch-up" this month. T-belt, idler, tensioner, water pump, rotors, caps, wires, plugs, 4 tires, drivers outside door handle,lower ball joints, strut bars, front sway bar bushings, coolant, trans and diff fluids changed and a thorough detailing. About $2500. If your car needs half this stuff, which it probably doesn't, it's still a fair deal.
The front lower ball joints on these cars do wear out, they operate in tension, the weight on the front wheels is trying to pull them apart rather than pushing them together as many other designs do. To check them, lift the car till the front tire is an inch or two off the ground. Put a pry-bar under the tire and try to lift the tire up while looking at or grasping the joint. A bad one will be obvious and move up and down 1/2" or even more. There is probably a play specification for these ball joints but mine were so loose I didn't bother to find out.
I just got a family hand me down silver/gray '97 LS400 with 156k miles. Parents bought it new, then my sister bought it from them in early 2002 for $18,600 with 61k miles. She did the 60k major service including t-belt. I did the "catch-up" this month. T-belt, idler, tensioner, water pump, rotors, caps, wires, plugs, 4 tires, drivers outside door handle,lower ball joints, strut bars, front sway bar bushings, coolant, trans and diff fluids changed and a thorough detailing. About $2500. If your car needs half this stuff, which it probably doesn't, it's still a fair deal.
The front lower ball joints on these cars do wear out, they operate in tension, the weight on the front wheels is trying to pull them apart rather than pushing them together as many other designs do. To check them, lift the car till the front tire is an inch or two off the ground. Put a pry-bar under the tire and try to lift the tire up while looking at or grasping the joint. A bad one will be obvious and move up and down 1/2" or even more. There is probably a play specification for these ball joints but mine were so loose I didn't bother to find out.
06-30-11, 07:35 AM
#11
Nice find. I recently bought a 96 with 129K for $6,300 and spent another $500 on brakes, strut rods, ball joints, sway bar bushings, and temp sensor to get it right. It was pretty nice cosmetically, full service history, and my color (white) so even though I probably paid a bit more than I should have, it was the car for me.
06-30-11, 08:21 AM
#12
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
^^^^
Thank you. And yes, I agree, once you find a really nice LS it is hard to pass it up. I, believe it or not, prefered the Gold (I'm not sure the name) because I wanted a 'low-key' cruiser but, the excellent interior of this car, plus the perfect condition of the leather forced a purchase.
Thank you! I'll definitely take a look at the ball joint's as well. On occasion, I'll get a couple squeaks from the front suspension but, the squeaks go away after the first mile of driving.
Mike
Thank you. And yes, I agree, once you find a really nice LS it is hard to pass it up. I, believe it or not, prefered the Gold (I'm not sure the name) because I wanted a 'low-key' cruiser but, the excellent interior of this car, plus the perfect condition of the leather forced a purchase.
Nice car, Rdrcr! $8k is not too much for a car like that from a dealer. Unless you do almost all your own work, buying a really nice, lower mile car makes good economic sense. Plus, you get to enjoy it longer before it needs much repair.
I just got a family hand me down silver/gray '97 LS400 with 156k miles. Parents bought it new, then my sister bought it from them in early 2002 for $18,600 with 61k miles. She did the 60k major service including t-belt. I did the "catch-up" this month. T-belt, idler, tensioner, water pump, rotors, caps, wires, plugs, 4 tires, drivers outside door handle,lower ball joints, strut bars, front sway bar bushings, coolant, trans and diff fluids changed and a thorough detailing. About $2500. If your car needs half this stuff, which it probably doesn't, it's still a fair deal.
The front lower ball joints on these cars do wear out, they operate in tension, the weight on the front wheels is trying to pull them apart rather than pushing them together as many other designs do. To check them, lift the car till the front tire is an inch or two off the ground. Put a pry-bar under the tire and try to lift the tire up while looking at or grasping the joint. A bad one will be obvious and move up and down 1/2" or even more. There is probably a play specification for these ball joints but mine were so loose I didn't bother to find out.
I just got a family hand me down silver/gray '97 LS400 with 156k miles. Parents bought it new, then my sister bought it from them in early 2002 for $18,600 with 61k miles. She did the 60k major service including t-belt. I did the "catch-up" this month. T-belt, idler, tensioner, water pump, rotors, caps, wires, plugs, 4 tires, drivers outside door handle,lower ball joints, strut bars, front sway bar bushings, coolant, trans and diff fluids changed and a thorough detailing. About $2500. If your car needs half this stuff, which it probably doesn't, it's still a fair deal.
The front lower ball joints on these cars do wear out, they operate in tension, the weight on the front wheels is trying to pull them apart rather than pushing them together as many other designs do. To check them, lift the car till the front tire is an inch or two off the ground. Put a pry-bar under the tire and try to lift the tire up while looking at or grasping the joint. A bad one will be obvious and move up and down 1/2" or even more. There is probably a play specification for these ball joints but mine were so loose I didn't bother to find out.
Mike
06-30-11, 05:36 PM
#15
Lexus Champion
^^^^
Mileage checked out good, no problems there. I had the Lexus service department look over the car throughly and there were no issues. However, I was thinking that changing the timing belt early may be a good idea.
I bought it at a dealership for $8K, which may have been too much but, I simply had a hard time walking away from such a clean and near perfect car after the many others that I have looked at over the last month or so.
However, in retrospect, I really don't feel I paid too much because I truly feel that these cars are priced too low based on their excellent build quality, features, and reputation. I think the LS 400's are a steal at the current market prices.
I did look at and drive quite a few '95-'97 LS's in the $5-6K range with just over 100K miles that would have been great cars too. One awesome '94 LS with 88K sold before I could even look at it, they were asking $6K for it. Most of the '90-94 LS's were in pretty beat-up shape. Overall, it seemed that in my area, the nice examples were selling faily quickly.
Mike
Mileage checked out good, no problems there. I had the Lexus service department look over the car throughly and there were no issues. However, I was thinking that changing the timing belt early may be a good idea.
I bought it at a dealership for $8K, which may have been too much but, I simply had a hard time walking away from such a clean and near perfect car after the many others that I have looked at over the last month or so.
However, in retrospect, I really don't feel I paid too much because I truly feel that these cars are priced too low based on their excellent build quality, features, and reputation. I think the LS 400's are a steal at the current market prices.
I did look at and drive quite a few '95-'97 LS's in the $5-6K range with just over 100K miles that would have been great cars too. One awesome '94 LS with 88K sold before I could even look at it, they were asking $6K for it. Most of the '90-94 LS's were in pretty beat-up shape. Overall, it seemed that in my area, the nice examples were selling faily quickly.
Mike