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Service history records preferably a one or two owner vehicle that still looks good visually. By now many are beat and when owners start to let them go they treat them as parking lot cars in many instances. That also reflects in maintenance with them in the 200K+ mile range. Make offers to buy from the seniors-elderly that may still be driving them. Be prepared for spending to get them into good shape mechanically from just about anybody else.
Well, there's the earlier generation models, then the later generation models, the 1998-2000 look different mostly the front end head lights. So maybe get an idea if you want the earlier or later model. Both have their strong points it's just a matter what you like. Find one where the timing belt has been replaced at least once already and be mindful of the miles on the timing belt. Maybe stay away from air suspensions that some models came with, they can be very costly. They're harder to find but try to get one with documented lower mileage for these years which lower mileage would be like 150K miles give or take. They are tougher to find but are out there they pop up here and there, but for me actual miles is a very important plus when buying. And just overall decent condition throughout.
Try to find one that doesn’t have any vibration issues, otherwise be prepared to potentially chase it and spend a lot trying to fix it. Had mine for over a year now and have replaced almost the whole drive line and still have a vibration. Good luck.
How much are you willing to spend? IS this intended as a daily driver or a project car? The LS430's would be better yet again age is becoming a big factor. Good condition ones are out there if willing to wait and hunt for them. An LS460 or 1-2 generation old GS350 would be easier choices.
I recommend a 1998 to 2000 model . They are really nice. Rust free body is important. The original paint is very high quality so if that is i good shape that is a good thing. A descently ok windshield. Car well kept and serviced. Prefferably no vibrations or shimmy at highway speeds or brakeing etc. Some issues can be difficult or very expensive to fix but most are not. Find one with issues you can live with is safe advice. For example A dead radio can be a very expensive work intensive fix.
I bought my two LS400 with max 100k miles . Not easy to find these days.
Sure they may need some rubber bushings and the like and wheel alignment but my 1995 winter LS400 and 1998 summer LS400 shaped up and vibrations were gone after initial fixes. They just keep on going. Runing LS400 as daily drivers for 5 years now.
Very few problems .
How much are you willing to spend? IS this intended as a daily driver or a project car? The LS430's would be better yet again age is becoming a big factor. Good condition ones are out there if willing to wait and hunt for them. An LS460 or 1-2 generation old GS350 would be easier choices.
I’m hoping to spend no more that 3k to 4k but am willing to go over if the price is right for a decent find. It’s going to be a daily car but with some modifications like coil overs and a body kit after I can restore the car. My dad has an Ls430 and he recommends that car so much but I fell in love with the style of the Ls400. At the moment I’m just searching around all of California for a find. Knowing that I’m going to travel a ways for one but that’s not stopping me.
Jdsantiago,
I own a 1993 LS400, 2000 LS400 Platinum Edition, and a 2005 LS430. I have to agree with your father that the LS430 is an entirely better driving experience then the LS400 in any interation. The fact that the 2005 LS430 is my daily driver speaks for itself. This is NOT to say that I don't like the 1993 and the 2000 LS400's. They are both great cars. However, all of the LS' from that time period (90-2006) are old enough that the price differences aren't huge. You are better off spending a little more on one that is in excellent shape (well maintained and taken care of.........not necessarily extremely low mileage) then trying to restore something. Take your time and put in the effort to research well and you will be rewarded with a great car. You will need to sort through many stones before finding the gem that you want.
I’m hoping to spend no more that 3k to 4k but am willing to go over if the price is right for a decent find. It’s going to be a daily car but with some modifications like coil overs and a body kit after I can restore the car. My dad has an Ls430 and he recommends that car so much but I fell in love with the style of the Ls400. At the moment I’m just searching around all of California for a find. Knowing that I’m going to travel a ways for one but that’s not stopping me.
Will be nearly impossible to find a truly clean car for 3-4k.
1998-2000 model year
<150,000 miles
No rust
Paint\interior not sun damaged, no tears\wear on the seats
Driveline in good condition (not leaking)
Suspension in good condition (no vibrations or noises)
The car starts at $1000, each of those criteria add $1000-2000 to the price.
The only exception is if you get incredibly lucky and buy it private party or from a dealer who doesn't know what they have. But this is not the norm.
Yes. These cars are appreciating in price now which is a new thing for me. My clean 1998 with no immediate issues and 100k miles three years ago
with 120 kmiles has become more expensive. It has here in Sweden Increased ballpark 1000 $ with everything else same same.
Correctly prized they sell very fast. I think they will continue up slowly for a number of years.
They are becoming slowly more challenging to keep rolling at descent cost.
I buy parts from all over the world for the cars. Often takes a month to get good parts with a good price for me. OEM stuff I have bought from JAPAN a few times.
Dealer prices often too high. You have to do a little research to get good parts if you buy third party stuff.
I just came across a 96 here in san diego craigslist new listing just now, claims 117K miles, asking $4650.00, that's not bad if its nice and you like the earlier style. The color I dunno blue or silver hard to tell for sure. Claims flawless, have to see it in person to verify everything is all that is claimed. Still looks interesting don't see these that often with such low mileage. https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...146077991.html
That's one of those gambles. You'd have to dig around in-person because yeah that has the potential to be one of those gems, but considering they only bothered to take two pictures of one side of the car... who knows what's actually going on.
Warning sign #1 I see are covers over the front seats. 117k on the clock is pretty attractive though, and since it's a California car, no rust.
True and what i don't like is it looks like he may be a dealer now that i'm looking at it again, the wording, kind of like 3rd person speak and "clean clean clean" stuff, that's dealer talk. i'd really have to research this one a lot before making any kind of offer, especially with verifying those miles, i'd need a lot of convincing but if he has records as claimed who knows i guess its just if its in the hands of a dealer / reseller you may never get to talk to the original owner probably
Yeah the first question would be why are you selling it.
Post is full of vague generalities of positive traits, so I automatically assume all of that is bull****. If someone knows the car's strong points, they explicitly list them. Didn't even list the last time the timing belt was changed. The tires say "PLUS" which isn't part of any model name of any premium tire I know of. If they're cheapo wallmart tires... another negative mark. Cheap tires = cheap maintenance = what did they push off that needed to be done?
Still, nice looking find on the surface. Even with the crappy quality, the paint looks to be in good shape which is becoming more and more rare these days. I wonder what the catch is.
Found another local San Diego 2nd gen that just hit craigslist in san diego, this one might be good, I would buy this over a 3700.00 Camry any day of the week if this checks out okay, maybe they'll take offers too, who knows
134K miles https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/...168673641.html
06-19-20, 10:06 AM
Advice on finding a Ls 400 (What to look for)
