ls400geek

The front seals alone on this car is a $1200 job or so (on top of the $1000 for the timing belt and water pump)--since you will most likely have to have this done at a Lexus dealership because the job is so complicated. Front seals replacement on a 1997 is a job that takes minutes once you are already in there changing the timing belt--on the 1998 it takes about 5 hours per head to change the camshaft seals since they need removed.

I got a 1998 for $5000 about 10 days ago--I have just over $8000 in it now due to the leaking seals primarily.

ls400geek

I wouldn't go by miles alone. A 1998 is 15 years old and the seals just deteriorate due to the age. It's quite expensive to replace the front seals on a 1998 (versus a 1997 and older).

I personally wouldn't spend more than $6000 for a 1998 regardless of mileage and condition, unless they have already had all the front seals replaced.

I just bought a 1998 for $5000 and now have over $8000 in it in just 10 days. It cost me about $2300 to have the timing belt, water pump, camshaft seals, cranksaft seal done--including 3 replacement pulleys. If I had known, and gotten a 1997 instead it would of cost me less than $1000 because I wouldn't have to take it to a Lexus dealership--camshaft seals are easy to replace on a 1997 I hear.

Austinn

The car I'm looking at has already had the thermo, drive belt, timing belt, water pump, and crank seal done, as well as all major fluids flushed and refilled recently, according to MyLexus, as well as cleaning the fuel injectors and throttle body, and replacing the spark plugs, if I went through with this I would still get it inspected of course, but it sounds pretty well off so far, there's 8 pages of maintenance on MyLexus.

What're the chances of replacing the crankshaft but not the camshaft seal? Not doubting just wondering I know there are a few mechanics on here.

Austinn

and @yoshiman

iirc Virginia is in the salt belt, and it was in Virginia for 4 years.