Day 3 as a Lexus owner.
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Day 3 as a Lexus owner.
Hello from Virginia, About 4 days ago, out of nowhere, I was told by my friend/Mechanic of a very nice 99 LS400.. Sure it had high miles, (150k)., but he had worked on the car for 15 years and printed out it's entire history.. Spent a day here...and everywhere trying to learn everything about the year/car. So now I own a $5300 Lexus and have driven it 300 miles over the last two days. Love it !! Beautiful inside and out. . Kind of disappointing that so few wheels fit the car.. Was looking for a simple +1 upgrade to 17's and new tires, but despite hours of looking, I'm finding those pesky front calipers to be the big roadblock to my dreams. The car is Silver Jade with the med green cladding and gray interior. But wanted to say hello and thanks for this forum and the many answered questions I was able get to make my jump into this car less of a worry..
#2
Driver School Candidate
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jmpp4 (07-02-17)
#4
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanx...something more to read !. i LIKE THE ls430 seven slot chrome wheels though they appear to be pricey and rare.
Not saying there's not many wheels, just less wheels and styles than any other Lexus/car it appears. .Plus it's a light green lux car so black wheels are out. I was leaning towards TSW Stlverstones, but nope...not going to happen. The next scary thing would be quality of brands I've never heard of. How true are these wheels, how do they balance? .Emkei EMK3's will prob get the default nod but was hoping for something more than a BBS clone. I like the Platinum Marathon...but Platinum???? Anybody seen or experienced this company?. Sounds like a strip club. The LS400 is such a heavy looking car, I was looking for a more substantial look..While there are a 100+ pages of LS cars with wheels, most are pre1999 and also heavily modified. . The search continues...
Not saying there's not many wheels, just less wheels and styles than any other Lexus/car it appears. .Plus it's a light green lux car so black wheels are out. I was leaning towards TSW Stlverstones, but nope...not going to happen. The next scary thing would be quality of brands I've never heard of. How true are these wheels, how do they balance? .Emkei EMK3's will prob get the default nod but was hoping for something more than a BBS clone. I like the Platinum Marathon...but Platinum???? Anybody seen or experienced this company?. Sounds like a strip club. The LS400 is such a heavy looking car, I was looking for a more substantial look..While there are a 100+ pages of LS cars with wheels, most are pre1999 and also heavily modified. . The search continues...
#5
Yeah. I bought one slightly crashed (when I get that hood, I'll be so happy) LS400 with ****ty maintenance and 200k miles. Well, an oil change, Coolant Temp Sensor replacement (look that up - get some power back easy), replacing bad power steering pump, and putting in a new radiator, this car that was NOT looked after well is driving very, very well now. Just those things I mentioned above changed the characteristics of the car a good 30%. More power, better mileage, much better throttle response. All that's left for me to do is get an alignment and change the rear brakes, which I'm doing today.
It's been a month and a half and I'm in love with the car. Congrats on your purchase!
It's been a month and a half and I'm in love with the car. Congrats on your purchase!
#6
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
you are looking at the wrong wheels. if you get 17s with incorrect offset and spoke design, they will not only not clear the calipers, they will also look more awkward than OE due to being too narrow! if you need help with wheel fitment, just ask or show what type of wheels you are interested in, we can help here!
welcome and check the FAQ for more info!
welcome and check the FAQ for more info!
#7
Keep the original oem wheels, they look so nice and classy, trust me you are not upgrading if you went with aftermarket or something else, the rides will be crap and looks like it to.
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#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thanks for your feedback but the deal is done. Tires/wheels were ordered and mounted. I spent days reading everything here and other forums as well. Well over a 100 pages of photos and comments. What happens often is not intended to be mean but, instead the wishes of the OP get lost as everyone's opinion goes in different positions. This car might look better to you or me if it had 20" wheels, but my budget, ride quality and even car color radically defined the choices. Running 15 degrees of camber is not something I find attractive. I will never drift a car, roll fenders...but I understand the passion just like I understand the appeal of a Foose custom verses a rat rod. I'm 62 years old and have a beautiful cruiser to take a trip a few times a year or a weekend drive to lift the spirits. Better sound might be the next item.
My first real job out of High school in 73' was at a Rolls,Jag, Ferrari ,Maserati,Lambo, Aston Martin, and Jensen dealer in Palm Beach, Florida. Pretty cool for a teen mechanic out of auto Tech school. Got to drive everything. Those Rolls and Bentley's forever shaped my idea of a touring car. While a Daytona and Espada were my fave fast cars, the Silver Shadow's were stunning cars to sit in and nice to drive compared to the giant Silver Clouds and Phantom 5 limos.
I wanted nothing less than a 55 profile and a +1 wheel. Budget was around $1200 for everything out the door. I'll post a photo tomorrow . Again, Thanx for the help, please take no offense if I chose something I liked. Not loved....just liked.
My first real job out of High school in 73' was at a Rolls,Jag, Ferrari ,Maserati,Lambo, Aston Martin, and Jensen dealer in Palm Beach, Florida. Pretty cool for a teen mechanic out of auto Tech school. Got to drive everything. Those Rolls and Bentley's forever shaped my idea of a touring car. While a Daytona and Espada were my fave fast cars, the Silver Shadow's were stunning cars to sit in and nice to drive compared to the giant Silver Clouds and Phantom 5 limos.
I wanted nothing less than a 55 profile and a +1 wheel. Budget was around $1200 for everything out the door. I'll post a photo tomorrow . Again, Thanx for the help, please take no offense if I chose something I liked. Not loved....just liked.
#10
Also, yeah pictures!
#11
I greatly prefer the grey color scheme to the others. To me, the colors are perfect just about.
#12
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Here is my new car. Silver jade with a green/gray interior. Wasn't looking for radical camber,springs or anything less than 55 series tires. Wheels are Enkei. If money was no object, I'd choose differently. But money is a primary concern along with getting rid of the stock wheels. This tire/wheel combo was$1200. That gives me a $6500 car in very nice shape with 150K miles. Thanx for your advice everyone.
#13
Here is my new car. Silver jade with a green/gray interior. Wasn't looking for radical camber,springs or anything less than 55 series tires. Wheels are Enkei. If money was no object, I'd choose differently. But money is a primary concern along with getting rid of the stock wheels. This tire/wheel combo was$1200. That gives me a $6500 car in very nice shape with 150K miles. Thanx for your advice everyone.
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