awdandrwd

iTrader: (1)

Hello,

I was looking for a second car to counter-act my modified '07 Forester XT's lack of DD comfort, this will also be my S/O's first car -- she is a new driver. Budget was $4,000 and under, so I decided to look at Lexus of mid-90's vintage, since they are reliable and common.

I ended up picking up a '94 Anniversary Edition -- it was 2 blocks away from my house with a "For Sale" sign on it. 180K, I'm the 3rd owner, seems to be pretty well-cared-for. Everything seems to work well for the most part -- rear door locks seem to stick and not lock/unlock automatically, but the rest seems to work.

First impression is -- the car is amazingly-built. Extremely smooth, independent suspension works great, car is well-balanced and fluid, considering it's weight and size.

Few newb questions:
I've put 200 miles on it since filling up and the needle hasn't touched the 1/2 tank mark yet -- is the gauge pretty linear, and does that sound about right for mileage? I'm driving it smoothly, but am not the slowest driver either.

What oil works well with these engines? I use Rotella T6 5w40 in my other car and wouldn't mind sticking with it -- I like that oil.

Overdrive -- do you leave it on and does it just turn on/off 4th gear? I'm a manual car guy and my "logic" tells me to drive with overdrive off in city situations and turn the overdrive on when getting on stretches of open road, like highways.

Anyways, long first post. Looking forward to learning more about these cars, it really is impressive to a new owner. Here are a few pictures:















Stan

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

congrats on the pickup. car looks to be in remarkably good shape for it's age.

afaik lexus didnt offer an "anniversary" edition of the LS until '00 with the plat series (celebrating 10 years of the LS and Lexus).

search is your friend for the oil and gas gauge (fill it up to see if you're at the 10-12gall mark for accuracy, 20ish gallon tank.)

i'll let the 1LS guys chime in about O/D

deanshark

That car is in nice condition for it's age, nice find, and it was so close to you. I'm a stick shift guy myself. I leave the O/D on until I need it off, like on hills, or passing. It gains 200 RPM. At the moment I also use it to downshift. O/D off and then down to 2nd. (My brakes are bad) My fuel gauge is about like yours, it'll go about 200 down to the half mark but then drop like a rock. Just something you get used to. These cars are good for a new driver b/c they are big and built strong but expensive to fix when something goes. At least ya don't have the air susp. And they're awesome if an accident occurs.

Off topic but is that booster seat in right? It doesn't look like it's sitting correctly, especially the top. I'm pretty sure that the head rest come out. I just worry about kids soooo much.

BLKonBLK98

4 year anniversary edition?

car looks very clean.

omarg

that is definitely an anniversary edition. It says so on the floor mats I think it was to celebrate the end of the first gen. The color opal white pearl was part of the package. That color was not available otherwise. Also the wheels are special as well. I believe they are enkei brand. Its a little weird that the rear emblems are silver because AFAIK all anniversary edtitions had the gold emblem package. The front emblem is gold though...

I bought the exact car for my mother in 07. she still loves it.

I never touch the od off button. The LS tranny is old but it still knows when its best to shift.

Its a little weird that the rear emblems are silver because AFAIK all anniversary edtitions had the gold emblem package. The front emblem is gold though...

lexuslspro

Sweet looking ride!

You are lucky to have found such a nice one locally!

How much did you get it for?

awdandrwd

iTrader: (1)

Thank you everyone.

I think the "Anniversary Edition" included most options, except for air-ride suspension which I probably wouldn't' want anyway in a car this age. This thing has traction control, seat position memory buttons, moonroof, cd changer, different wheels. I like these wheels alot, actually. The gold/silver emblems is something I'm looking into now, I agree that them not matching is a little weird.



Good call -- the booster seat in that picture is only being held in by the seat belt, before being installed more securely.

$3,400. It will need tires soon, front pads after that. Timing belt was done at 118K. I may change transmission and differential fluids soon, just for a piece of mind. I wonder if the cats are partially clogged, but living in CA I'm not about to change those as long as the car passes smog -- major $$$ around here.

EDIT: found this car, definitely looks like I'm supposed to have gold emblems on the back.

Stan

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

ahh forgot the LS was launched in '89 NOT '90.

it's the LS400 5th anniversary package.

http://www.lexus.com/contact/pdf/1994/1994LSspecs.pdf
page 3

akitomk3

iTrader: (2)

I've never seen those wheels on the 1st gen before. Was that the 'region' kind of thing or is because you have the Anniversary edition? I like them tho. Nice find btw, really clean for a 94.

awdandrwd

iTrader: (1)

Special edition, this car came with them too: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lex...ed-6500-a.html

Passed the smog test yesterday, barely. the cats are most likely almost shot, but hey -- at least it passed this time and I'll be okay for 2 years.

Stan

Marklouis

very clean 1st gen - I would kill for your interior condition! congrats on an awesome find!

acidfire52

Very nice 1st Gen. Congrats.

Scaritto

Liking the wheels. As for the gas, mine is like that. I'll get 200-250 then it'll drop steadily