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6 months ago I bought a 1995 LS400 with 140,000 miles in beautiful shape and all service records since new. I love it, however it is a money pit. Regardless of the shape, its a 29 year old car. Will I sell it and cut my losses? Absolutely not. I can't count how many people compliment the vehicle. The majority of people say "I used to have one and to this day, I'm sorry I sold it". I refuse to make that mistake, no matter the cost. It's a great vehicle that even after 29 years does not have any squeaks or rattles. Drives great, looks great, generates smiles from me and people that ask me about it. I'm constantly being bombarded with people asking to buy it. My much newer Jeep Grand Cherokee costs just as much to fix.
I love that it will be coming back because I actually want this car for some reason
the cost most likely amounts to the price of a 2010 Lexus, which might also need repair, so that is the comparison you have to consider
Those rear diff mount bushings sure look like crap!
and this why if you’re gonna beat on your vehicle and sometimes may delay maintenance because lack of the funds to fix it get a engine without variable valve timing or cam phasing
So true what you say about most garages replacing parts instead of repairing them! I just had my car serviced at the franchise dealer and the quoted $1036 for a rear exhaust box (not inc labour). All that was wrong was that the upstream pipe was bent. A real mechanic straightened it for $30!!
guess they don't know about a "pre purchase inspection"… they they would not buy that car
this is why u do t put ur life out on YouTube and social media…
and the it way to stop that is to not be online at all
I'd personally look for parts at a couple of junkyards first, then go online, but, I will agree with the census that all old cars that have lasted this long with good maintenance and care are absolutely worth the money to keep fixing since all the new stuff ain't built as well as before
750 for lowers is wild
What happened to the boat
Any LS400 that isn't basically destroyed is worth fixing up
It might have been better engine out, so you could do the rear main seal and check the transmission
He don't know what he talking about !! Lol😂 don't listen to him most mechanics be lying!!!
I like used cars. I also wont pay a lot so some work will need to be done.
Quite a few years ago i bought a 98 v6 Mustang. Drove it reliably for a several years then had a disastrous transmission failure – twice. Even with those two repairs costing more than i paid for the car, my lifetime cost of owning and operating was much less than if i had bought new.
The sad part of the story is that the root cause of the trans failures was a worn spline or something that was eating at bearing and would have been $300 to fix.
Its funny how delusional people can be , sinking 6-7 grand in a 1998 caris not a smart move. If you really like the car ok fine i get it but still…
Well worth the repairs. An awesome vehicle.
I agree you have zero depreciation and can prioritize the repairs. I am doing same with my. 79 Mercedes 240D, mostly soft parts such as front end, engine mounts, drive shaft mounts, because I am not getting rid of it. I agree the Lexus is well made, but in the 90s it just looked boring. But today I would pick a used Lexus or Toyota over Mercedes built after 1998. Sure, I would rather have a Porsche, but I can't pay the mechanics for one now that I am retired.
Is it worth it? Well, the answer varies. Every car owner has a different relationship with their vehicle. If your vehicle still serves your needs well and you still enjoy it, then damn the costs and keep that baby in shape! Luckily I have this positive relationship with my '01 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Some people think you can buy this car and not spend money. Any car, especially luxury, will cost to upkeep. I've spent thousands on 1998 LS400. The suspension wears badly. Engine is still good though.
I wish I could repair/replace the roof on my 2006 Citroen C3 Pluriel, but Citroen stopped supplying parts and without new parts it isn't repairable.
I wish I could repair my 2006 BMW 760:i but at 225,000 miles the list of repairs is long and expensive.
My 2009 Pioneer PDP plasma still works perfectly but the tech in the 2006 BMW is broken so no sounds, no pictures and no consumption reset or crackles pops and hiss.
Yes, I should have bought a Land Cruiser but they don't sell to UK or EU now! BMW are fine to rent for 3 years. After 15 years the more expensive models have become money pits because previous owners never kept up with the maintenance.
Finding a loved car over 12 years old is like finding a leprechaun. People buy on finance and leave the repairs to somebody else because they aren't keeping it. That's why cars depreciate.
wizard likes to cup his hand to smell some farts
Maybe check the starter motor at the same time? I understand these are normally time consuming to get to. Great video and super car.
You’d think they’d be made with a timing chain, though.
The way this guy talks he might as well just replace everything because it could break
Glad to see my LS people are here! I just turned 200k on my LS 430.
I think I would definitely spend the $7,000 to fix this on Lexus
5 to 7,000 to fix the car is no big deal if you plan on driving it for the next 5 to 10 years
High quality way better than new plastic pop together overpriced junk
there are cheaper cars that will be as reliable but they probably won’t be as cool. like a newer camry for the same price probably won’t need hardly anything. both being about $5-6 thousand. i like the ls400, but yeah thanks for reminding me that $4,000 car is really a $10k plus car
I just spent $6,000 on my 2002 4Runner…
The first mistake would be to spend too much for a used car, the second is to restore a high mileage car too much.
I think this vehicle will have never ending issues.
My low mileage 1991 Ford doesn’t have ANY of these issues. And I used it as a daily for 2 years…
wasn’t “neglected” just NOTHING wrong with it was fixed…
My 98 lexus only $1,350 for all that thru a local shop alot of work hrs…running like a champ
Those are overpriced dealer prices, which mean for that price just take it to Lexus……NOT an independent small shop.
Serpentine belt rollers can be repaired easily and cheaply. Just replace the bearings. They are not expensive.I did this on my LS400 a few years ago
Prices of vehicles, and durability of many, dictates fix in my book
As someone who owns an LS400… definitely repair it!! In my opinion, it is generally a better car than most for the price, even after the repair costs. It drives awesome, the tires are easy, and has the perfect amount power
My 1997 Lexus LS400 has 335k miles and still going strong. Yes, occasionally issues and scares but this thing bounces back, always! I don’t want to sell it but had a change of life circumstances but I will either buy it back or get another again.
I would rather spend $12,000 for a new engine and transmission with parts and labor and get another 200,000 miles out of my truck then buy a new $80,000 truck. I’ve upgraded my 2002 Chevy Silverado with 10.1” touchscreen stereo with navigation.
Guys, putting 6k into a 22 year old car with 200k is insane. He probably paid 4k for that used. You could put 10k down on a three year old Lexas and have a muchh better car.
Under FJB you may as well .
My 2000 Camry with almost 300k miles refuses to die… But I've skipped so much maintenance on it but the engine transmission are perfect I just don't know if it's worth putting money into, everything still works on it moonroof, seats, windows, remotes.. straight body, good paint ect.. damn Toyota for making such solid cars, I almost wish the engine would just give out and then it would be an easier choice lol
The costs seem very reasonable and especially for a good shop to work on it.
My 2000 Camry 4 cylinder ran on its original timing belt and everything for 192k miles