considering 91 LS400 w/201K - has vibration- info needed
#1
considering 91 LS400 w/201K - has vibration- info needed
Hello all. I have found another Lexus I am considering and need some information. I found a light gold 1991 Lexus LS400 w/201K priced below $5000. Probably be bought between $4000-4500.- maybe less. It has a few problems, but the main one is that the seller claims that it has a vibration at certain speeds and has no clue as to what it is and has not had it checked. I have not driven it yet, as it is about 90 miles away. I am guessing it could be anything fromas simple as a bad tire or wheel, wheelbearing or as major as a bad axle or transmission. I know it is impossible to just guess, as it could be many things, but does anyone have any suggestions as to what it may be? My uncle also has a 93 Camry (same as mine) that had a vibration upon acceleration and it was a bad inner axle. Possibly problem with this car? Other small & minor problems is that the passenger side door lock will not lock-unlock with switch, and the A/C is not operating- also the "LCD" on the heat/AC controls are not working- nothing unusual. The car also has traction control option, as well as the "Nak." sound system. Body looks good from photos. What would a good maximum price for this car be? Any advice/information appreciated.
#3
4000~4500 wouldn't be too bad, if the owner meticulously maintained the car. the LCD is a common problem in the first generation LS's. Vibration could be a number of things, misbalanced wheels, bad wheel bearings, or worse things such as control arms and all. Good luck. Does it have air suspension? If it has leather, sunroof, nakamichi and trac, air suspension is the only thing that's missing
#5
you are paying too much for 4500 bucks
especially with the ac and the vibrations... you have to check the service dates.. and some few major tihngs
Timing belt, water pump, tensior, suspension(make sure its not Air), bushings, mounts, EGR valve, egr pipe, PS, rack and pinion... if the car is in good shape and most of these are taken care of.. then its not bad.. otherwise 200+ miles is kidna high for 4500 bucks
I got mine for $5500 for 91 black LS4 2 years ago with 138k miles on it
especially with the ac and the vibrations... you have to check the service dates.. and some few major tihngs
Timing belt, water pump, tensior, suspension(make sure its not Air), bushings, mounts, EGR valve, egr pipe, PS, rack and pinion... if the car is in good shape and most of these are taken care of.. then its not bad.. otherwise 200+ miles is kidna high for 4500 bucks
I got mine for $5500 for 91 black LS4 2 years ago with 138k miles on it
#6
Engine Mounts are worn out. Sit in the car with it in Park, pick rpm's up to 1500-2500, feel vibe in seat? Engine mounts collapsing are common on the higher mileage cars. When you remove one and compare it to a new one you will be suprised how far the mount has compressed.
If the above is not accurate for this car, and a droan is heard at, say, 60mph and goes away when let off gas and reappears when you get back in the throttle, (a vibration is accompanying the droan) then the rear end is worn out. Another fairly common issue on the older LS's.
Regards,
Lextek.
If the above is not accurate for this car, and a droan is heard at, say, 60mph and goes away when let off gas and reappears when you get back in the throttle, (a vibration is accompanying the droan) then the rear end is worn out. Another fairly common issue on the older LS's.
Regards,
Lextek.
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#9
Thanks for the replies. I has definetly made me reconsider the car. Perhaps I will keep looking for a better, lower mile 90-94 LS400. Are the local Lexus dealers a good place to locate older Lexus'? I have searched the local classified paper, as well as the newspaper classifieds and have not been able to locate any older local 90-94 LS400s. We do have a Lexus dealer about 20 miles away, so I searched their site and it does not list ANY used Lexus. I guess I could call them tomorrow and see if they have any. My guess it that they sell the older trade-ins to wholesalers, as I doubt they want higher mile, older Lexus' on their lots. I have checked E-bay often, but still none that are fairly local. I live in a metro area, where the total population within a 40 mile radius is about 150,000-160,000 people, so one would think there would be quite a few around here. See several of the newer Lexus, or ES300s, but no older LS'. My uncle bought my aunts black 1990 LS400 w/70K at the time, at the local Lexus dealer where they live in eastern North Carolina about five years ago. Thanks again.
#10
if you're willing to spend a little more, i'd go with a 93 and newer model, as 93 came with a passenger side airbag, color coded lower body trim, 225/60R16 tires (as opposed to the 205/65R15 on the 89-92 models), and most important of all bigger and better brake system. The first gen. brake system tends to get warped rotors quite easily, unfortunately.... good luck!
#11
Originally posted by lextek
I'm not sure on the price of the mounts but total its a decent $500 job easily. It really increases the quality of your vehicle when they are replaced, makes it feel "tight" again.
Good Luck,
Lextek.
I'm not sure on the price of the mounts but total its a decent $500 job easily. It really increases the quality of your vehicle when they are replaced, makes it feel "tight" again.
Good Luck,
Lextek.
Good luck with your purchase.
#13
prices, labor....
Front Engine mounts....list = $111.81 each......I paid $92.08 each.....labor = 1.0 hours per side
Tranny mount/rear engine mount.....list = $62.64...I paid $51.60....labor =0.6 hours
My mechanic charges $50/hour so.....
Parts = $235.76
Labor = $130.00
Total = $365.76
Tranny mount/rear engine mount.....list = $62.64...I paid $51.60....labor =0.6 hours
My mechanic charges $50/hour so.....
Parts = $235.76
Labor = $130.00
Total = $365.76
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