Goodbye to my LS400
#1
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Goodbye to my LS400
Hello
I bought the LS400 eight years ago and it was 18 years old with 280,000 km.
It got into an accident and has been declared a total loss. Fortunately, nobody was hurt. Hopefully it will be recycled and be as useful for its parts and materials as it was when it worked.
The front has crumpled up with the hood bent like a concertina but the passenger compartment was left intact.
The airbags worked - they were the original ones with the 1995 dates. There was a nasty smell in the car and it was smoking after the crash - possibly due to the explosive in the airbags.
The driver's seat was pushed back all the way - it might be part of the airbag cycle to minimise injury.
The CD cartridge also got ejected - so the cds are safe too.
We're waiting for the insurance company to pay us for the replacement. Hopefully we can get a similar car.
It was a quiet and smooth car. It kept my family safe and provided me education about car mechanics. We all miss it.
Thank you all at the forum for your help with the maintenance of this car.
Best wishes.
I bought the LS400 eight years ago and it was 18 years old with 280,000 km.
It got into an accident and has been declared a total loss. Fortunately, nobody was hurt. Hopefully it will be recycled and be as useful for its parts and materials as it was when it worked.
The front has crumpled up with the hood bent like a concertina but the passenger compartment was left intact.
The airbags worked - they were the original ones with the 1995 dates. There was a nasty smell in the car and it was smoking after the crash - possibly due to the explosive in the airbags.
The driver's seat was pushed back all the way - it might be part of the airbag cycle to minimise injury.
The CD cartridge also got ejected - so the cds are safe too.
We're waiting for the insurance company to pay us for the replacement. Hopefully we can get a similar car.
It was a quiet and smooth car. It kept my family safe and provided me education about car mechanics. We all miss it.
Thank you all at the forum for your help with the maintenance of this car.
Best wishes.
#6
Glad you're OK and the car did it's job. Hope the insurance will deliver and you're able to find a reasonable replacement. Know it's a hassle having to replace something that was working just fine.
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#10
And here I always thought it was the other way around.
My 98 LS400 was totaled five years ago in a head on with a pickup truck at about 45 mph and I walked away without a scratch. Nothing more comforting than being protected by an LS in an accident.
My 98 LS400 was totaled five years ago in a head on with a pickup truck at about 45 mph and I walked away without a scratch. Nothing more comforting than being protected by an LS in an accident.
#11
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Thank you.
I want to get another LS but we are making do and will venture out once the time feels right and the coffers have some change.
Sorry about the pictures but I feel uncomfortable posting them. They are stored somewhere and once the shock wears off I will look for them.
Until then, best wishes and once again, thank you for your kind words..
I want to get another LS but we are making do and will venture out once the time feels right and the coffers have some change.
Sorry about the pictures but I feel uncomfortable posting them. They are stored somewhere and once the shock wears off I will look for them.
Until then, best wishes and once again, thank you for your kind words..
#12
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Some pictures of my wrecked LS400
Here are some pictures for forensic buffs. Still upsetting to look at them.
I looked for another LS as a replacement but ended up leasing a Civic. We needed a working car soon and I don't want to buy a second hand car in a hurry.
The LS cost about $10,000 and maintenance (Timing belt, engine mounts, tires, pulley bearing, oil changes, alternator bridge, brakes ) about $8,000. Over 8 years so about 2,250 / yr + the premium gas.
The Civic is brand new and the lease costs about $3200 / year. Hopefully 4 trouble free years about $13,000 at $120 every 2 weeks.
The Civic has a good, quiet ride, lots of gadgets. Interestingly, I had dreamed about an Ultra Premium and told the kiddies they could control their music from the back seat (Zelda/Sonic games have short songs and requests from the back were "ok, track 7 now please). The Civic has Bluetooth and they can do the same thing themselves. The seat heaters start faster.
I miss the sweet gas pedal, extendable sun shades, the automatic mirror and the sound of the horn. (Should have kept the last 3 from the LS - I'm sure the insurance company wouldn't have cared.)
I still look at the Kijiji ads so maybe one day ...
I looked for another LS as a replacement but ended up leasing a Civic. We needed a working car soon and I don't want to buy a second hand car in a hurry.
The LS cost about $10,000 and maintenance (Timing belt, engine mounts, tires, pulley bearing, oil changes, alternator bridge, brakes ) about $8,000. Over 8 years so about 2,250 / yr + the premium gas.
The Civic is brand new and the lease costs about $3200 / year. Hopefully 4 trouble free years about $13,000 at $120 every 2 weeks.
The Civic has a good, quiet ride, lots of gadgets. Interestingly, I had dreamed about an Ultra Premium and told the kiddies they could control their music from the back seat (Zelda/Sonic games have short songs and requests from the back were "ok, track 7 now please). The Civic has Bluetooth and they can do the same thing themselves. The seat heaters start faster.
I miss the sweet gas pedal, extendable sun shades, the automatic mirror and the sound of the horn. (Should have kept the last 3 from the LS - I'm sure the insurance company wouldn't have cared.)
I still look at the Kijiji ads so maybe one day ...
#13
Lexus Test Driver
hey at least it ain't a prius. i mean a civic is a great choice for someone who needs some car, so i can't fault you there. although i suspect the civic will never quite give you that 1UZ oomph
that's a real shiner right there though, glad everyone's ok. i hope i never walk out the door and see the front of mine looking like that... god damn. i'd give some thought toward getting a 98+ model though, much quicker than preceding models, so much so that it still goes toe to toe with most modern cars. don't put yourself in a compromising position though, just know that it's out there and it kicks ***
that's a real shiner right there though, glad everyone's ok. i hope i never walk out the door and see the front of mine looking like that... god damn. i'd give some thought toward getting a 98+ model though, much quicker than preceding models, so much so that it still goes toe to toe with most modern cars. don't put yourself in a compromising position though, just know that it's out there and it kicks ***
#14
^^^Agreed! Glad everyone is okay! The Civic will be a nice commuting car. It won't be as comfortable OR as fast as the LS but you knew that. In the end, its a lease and you'll have another LS in the driveway soon!
#15
A total loss is the only thing that would make me part with my 91. It just feels right and the memories I have with my kids when they were little riding with me are priceless. Good luck moving forward.