New Member........ LS400 fan 😎👍

[Jdmboy150]

Hello all 👋

I’m Scott from Devon and I’m a huge fan of Japanese cars. I have a small collection which I added to last year with the purchase of, not one, but 2 LS400s 😂👍.

I’ve been lurking on the FB pages for a while but I thought I’d take a look at the forums now too.

My first purchase I admit wasn’t for the car itself but was for the V8 engine for another project I have.
It was a very cheap dark blue 1995 model that was a bit tatty all over but still had MOT. I got a lift to Portsmouth and drove it home to Devon very comfortably indeed 👍

I since found out that it’s likely that is was part of the Toyota UK company car fleet and then was sold on to Gary Lineker according to old adverts I found.
I can definitely say it’s not been looked after for a while since then 🙄. A perfect engine donor though 👍.

I drove this car around for 3 weeks to make sure the engine was a “gooden”........ and in this time I fell in love with it 😊

  
 

.............However, it wasn’t in good shape, I needed the engine and running it daily wasn’t viable for me fuel wise!! So I hatched a plan!!

I did some research and some maths and worked out that an LS400 on LPG would cost about the same or less to run than my current 3.2 diesel Mercedes E Class. So the Merc got sold and I ended up replacing it with an ‘Imperial Jade Mica’ green, facelift, 1998 LS400 fitted with an LPG kit. It wasn’t perfect and needs a few jobs doing but it’s respectfully tidy and I don’t mind getting my hands dirty. I got the car for not much more than the LPG kit cost so I’m happy. I’m totally in love with it and it’s such a nice place to be daily. Best thing I ever did 😁.

 

Being me I still have to tinker so yes it’s getting a few mods. I have a set of JDM 19” alloy wheels I’m going to refirb for it, I’m currently looking for some coilover suspension to lower it and it has to have an exhaust made for it to release that V8 rumble. It will be the perfect “posh” daily 😊.

Thanks for having me and maybe I’ll get to meet some of you guys one day 👍 

 

[Malc]

welcome to the Club

a very smart looking car too

well done

Malc

[Malc]

take advice on changing the tyre size, it might make for an unacceptable ride ......  and the Ls400 is renowned for it's quietness .... even necessary to ensure the V8 burble doesn't appear ..  they'll think your exhaust is blowing AND you won't be able to silently creep up on pedestrians in your way either

Malc

[Jdmboy150]

10 minutes ago, Malc said:

take advice on changing the tyre size, it might make for an unacceptable ride ......  and the Ls400 is renowned for it's quietness .... even necessary to ensure the V8 burble doesn't appear ..  they'll think your exhaust is blowing AND you won't be able to silently creep up on pedestrians in your way either

Malc

Haha stealth mode is a bit of fun but Ive always wanted a V8 so I have to have the noise 💪😂.

Yes I know the car is super comfy but compared to my other cars that practically have no suspension, even with low profile tyres and coilover suspension, it will still be way more comfortable than them daily 😉👍. Personally I prefer stiffer suspension so it will be fine.

[Mr Vlad]

Hi Scott and welcome. Real nice cars you have. What project you got planned for the 1st 400's engine? Keep us posted on your upgrade/tuning on your 2nd one 👍

[Jdmboy150]

On 2/25/2021 at 2:21 PM, Mr Vlad said:

Hi Scott and welcome. Real nice cars you have. What project you got planned for the 1st 400's engine? Keep us posted on your upgrade/tuning on your 2nd one 👍

Thanks very much. 😊

My project has been a long time coming lol. 
I’ve had a 1981 Toyota Corolla KE70 since 2007 and it was once my daily driver. It got put into storage in 2009 and it’s been there ever since. I’ve always planned on bringing it back out with a refresh but after travelling around New Zealand and checking out their car scene I found a number of them fitted with the Toyota/Lexus 1UZ V8........ and then a plan was hatched 😉.

Now I’ve finally got a donor hopefully I can make a start on this project sometime later this year. Should be fun 😂😂

I’ve also got a 78 Datsun 140Y coupe and a very silly shortened pink mini as well. 😂😂😁

 

[Mr Vlad]

Niiiiiiiiice. You'll have to keep us upto date with your project 👍

[Jdmboy150]

Yep I certainly will 😉👍

[Kevin Williams]

Hello Scott from Devon. I am Kevin from Cornwall. I find your post interesting. I am also a fan of Japanese cars. My wife and I have had several Honda’s and a few Lexus’s… 

I had an LS 400 back in 2000. I am showing my age now ! The LS 400 was the best vehicle, especially for its ride, when there were two sections of concrete on the M5, between Exeter and Bristol, a trip I often made. When one of my partners had a trip up the M5 to do, they would always ask to use the LS 400. You didn’t know you were on the concrete, the ride was so good…!

I remember the Lexus Sales Manager at Plymouth, talked me into changing the wheels, to the Lexus option wheels. The car looked much better, but the ride was worse, in fact it was terrible…! I wished I hadn’t listened to the Sales Manager. 

I read that you prefer stiffer suspension, but the LS 400, with its normal wheels and tyres, was the best car for its ride, that I have ever owned. 

I agree with Malcolm’s post… 

My partners and I sold our business in 2002, and I kept the LS 400. I stupidly bought a BMW 750i, and traded in the LS 400… More money than sense…!

I now have an LC 500, nearly 20 years later, and that’s probably 90% the same ride…! 

The LC 500 forum members, wont agree with me, but its, nearly, as good as the LS 400 for its ride…!

But the LC 500 is still a great car…!

Couple of photos attached. I used to go down into the quarries that I had in the LS 400. When my son was home he would often wash my cars for me…!

[Jdmboy150]

Hi Kevin from Cornwall 😉😂👋

Your little fleet of Lexus’sss (or Lexi 😂) look great. Very clean indeed 👍

Yea I know purists love the ride of the LS400 and yes it is comfy, but I’ve had several cars with stiffer suspension and I just prefer the control in the corners with a slightly stiffer ride. I know it’s not a sports car and I never intend it to be but it’s just what I like. This coupled with being a big fan of the Japanese culture of modifying cars in unique ways means it’s is defo the way I want to go with the car. I love the VIP scene out there so want to build a slightly toned down version of that style so it’s still usable on UK roads. I can’t leave anything alone and enjoy making cars my own (hence my other cars 😉).

[Malc]

Kevin, why on earth didn't you buy yourself another brilliant Ls400 rather than the LC500 ?

There are a few BRILLIANT Ls400s on the market albeit at significant cost compared to what they should really be ..  IMHO

I'm really in a quandry over my own Ls400 ...........  J P Savage on here has an outstandingl Ls600 for sale at quite low money ....  Full Lexus Service History and a small balance of the Lexus Warranty remaining  .....  my Ls400 is now so old that I've recently had a little electrical gremlin show it's ugly head ......  but it's vanished for now thankfully ....  the Ls600 seems a good candidate for change but oh, that air suspension cost when it dies ! 

I've driven lots of brilliant cars in my time BUT have always had, for some 20 years, a Ls400 as my main daily driver ... this one is at 232k miles now ..  nearly 10 yrs and 106 k miles with me ...........  money wouldn't really be an issue .......  I just want the supreme comfort and power, ease to get in and out of ...........  and up til now total reliability of what I now have !

And there's nothing comes close that I'd be wanting to spend my money with .......  I've seen the odd LC and Ls500 from afar, RCFs close up ....... and they don't really appeal either ......  the Ls600 does BUT the air suspension I find a little scary when that all starts to go awry ...........  and it's inevitability that it does fail with age and miles ....  silly expense methinks

So I guess the Ls400 sits supreme .......  even the green Shabu-Works one in the above piccy 

Malc

[Kevin Williams]

1 hour ago, Malc said:

Kevin, why on earth didn't you buy yourself another brilliant Ls400 rather than the LC500 ?

There are a few BRILLIANT Ls400s on the market albeit at significant cost compared to what they should really be ..  IMHO

I'm really in a quandry over my own Ls400 ...........  J P Savage on here has an outstandingl Ls600 for sale at quite low money ....  Full Lexus Service History and a small balance of the Lexus Warranty remaining  .....  my Ls400 is now so old that I've recently had a little electrical gremlin show it's ugly head ......  but it's vanished for now thankfully ....  the Ls600 seems a good candidate for change but oh, that air suspension cost when it dies ! 

I've driven lots of brilliant cars in my time BUT have always had, for some 20 years, a Ls400 as my main daily driver ... this one is at 232k miles now ..  nearly 10 yrs and 106 k miles with me ...........  money wouldn't really be an issue .......  I just want the supreme comfort and power, ease to get in and out of ...........  and up til now total reliability of what I now have !

And there's nothing comes close that I'd be wanting to spend my money with .......  I've seen the odd LC and Ls500 from afar, RCFs close up ....... and they don't really appeal either ......  the Ls600 does BUT the air suspension I find a little scary when that all starts to go awry ...........  and it's inevitability that it does fail with age and miles ....  silly expense methinks

So I guess the Ls400 sits supreme .......  even the green Shabu-Works one in the above piccy 

Malc

Great post Malc. I am writing a post to Scott, which will answer your question…

Yes, the LS400 sits supreme .......  even the green Shabu-Works one in the above piccy…!!!

Cheers Kevin

[Kevin Williams]

4 hours ago, Jdmboy150 said:

Hi Kevin from Cornwall 😉😂👋

Your little fleet of Lexus’sss (or Lexi 😂) look great. Very clean indeed 👍

Yea I know purists love the ride of the LS400 and yes it is comfy, but I’ve had several cars with stiffer suspension and I just prefer the control in the corners with a slightly stiffer ride. I know it’s not a sports car and I never intend it to be but it’s just what I like. This coupled with being a big fan of the Japanese culture of modifying cars in unique ways means it’s is defo the way I want to go with the car. I love the VIP scene out there so want to build a slightly toned down version of that style so it’s still usable on UK roads. I can’t leave anything alone and enjoy making cars my own (hence my other cars 😉).

Hello Scott from Devon,

The photo you have included with your post, definitely looks very nice. If, with your skills, you can make your LS 400 look like that, you will, no doubt, win 1^st prize at VIP car shows…!

I have never been good with my hands in tinkering with cars. The best I did, was when I had an Hillman Imp (showing my age again…!) I hand painted it yellow and blue, unfortunately I haven’t a photo!, and the head gasket blown a couple of times. My eldest brother, who was a rally driver, and fixed problems himself with his cars, showed me how to change the head gasket… The 2^nd time, I changed the head gasket all by myself…!

I appreciate your mention of having a stiffer ride… Savagegeese said that if you have a severe case of haemorrhoids, the LC 500 Convertible will be your dream car…!

Watch Savagegeese, between 8 and 11 minutes…   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZfAW6NqASY&t=16s 

I don’t have haemorrhoids…! But have back problems, due to a serious accident in 2011. I ordered an LC 500 Convertible in November last year, and it arrived in the UK a few days ago. 

Good luck with your project, and I look forward to seeing a photo, similar to the one in your post…! How long do you think it will take you…?

Kevin from Cornwall

[Jdmboy150]

3 hours ago, Kevin Williams said:

Hello Scott from Devon,

The photo you have included with your post, definitely looks very nice. If, with your skills, you can make your LS 400 look like that, you will, no doubt, win 1^st prize at VIP car shows…!

I have never been good with my hands in tinkering with cars. The best I did, was when I had an Hillman Imp (showing my age again…!) I hand painted it yellow and blue, unfortunately I haven’t a photo!, and the head gasket blown a couple of times. My eldest brother, who was a rally driver, and fixed problems himself with his cars, showed me how to change the head gasket… The 2^nd time, I changed the head gasket all by myself…!

I appreciate your mention of having a stiffer ride… Savagegeese said that if you have a severe case of haemorrhoids, the LC 500 Convertible will be your dream car…!

Watch Savagegeese, between 8 and 11 minutes…   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZfAW6NqASY&t=16s 

I don’t have haemorrhoids…! But have back problems, due to a serious accident in 2011. I ordered an LC 500 Convertible in November last year, and it arrived in the UK a few days ago. 

Good luck with your project, and I look forward to seeing a photo, similar to the one in your post…! How long do you think it will take you…?

Kevin from Cornwall

Thanks for your reply. 👍

I have no issues working on my own cars as much as I can. I’m an engineer by trade so don’t mind getting my hands dirty and I’ve been modifying cars and been going to car shows for 20+ years. My wife calls it an obsession 😂. 
This is my Datsun from when I bought it in 2011 to more recently and 99% of the work carried out myself. It’s by no means finished but it’s a definite improvement 😉

 

The green “Shabu Works” one is a beauty but unfortunately not really that practical for daily driving in the UK. I won’t be going that far with it but I just want a tidy looking LS, a nice set of 19” Japanese split rim wheels (which I already have waiting 😉), and lowered to suit the wheels. Then I will build an exhaust to release the v8 rumble and add some little Japanese details. 
something like this but on my facelift model. Hoping to get it looking respectable for the summer 😎

[Malc]

4 hours ago, Kevin Williams said:

The best I did, was when I had an Hillman Imp (showing my age again…!)

Oh my ........  I bought myself a brand new Hillman Imp in 1969  AYL273H ......  when I was 19  .............. loved that car, that hatchback was unique to the Imp I think in those days .....    brilliant and happy and fond memories ........... and hugged the ground in the snow and ice .......... for which the Ls400 is utterly useless I find ( in my dotage eh ! )

Malc

sorry to digress

 

 

 

 

 

[royoftherovers]

15 minutes ago, Malc said:

Oh my ........  I bought myself a brand new Hillman Imp in 1969  AYL273H ......  when I was 19  .............. loved that car, that hatchback was unique to the Imp I think in those days .....    brilliant and happy and fond memories ........... and hugged the ground in the snow and ice .......... for which the Ls400 is utterly useless I find ( in my dotage eh ! )

Malc

sorry to digress

 

 

 

 

 

And I bought one in 1965 (BMA 355B). It was the biggest load of cra^ I have ever had. A pneumatic accelerator and a new Water Pump each month, I just could not get rid of it fast enough. Built in Scotland (Linwood, I think)

[Kevin Williams]

17 hours ago, Jdmboy150 said:

Thanks for your reply. 👍

I have no issues working on my own cars as much as I can. I’m an engineer by trade so don’t mind getting my hands dirty and I’ve been modifying cars and been going to car shows for 20+ years. My wife calls it an obsession 😂. 
This is my Datsun from when I bought it in 2011 to more recently and 99% of the work carried out myself. It’s by no means finished but it’s a definite improvement 😉

 

The green “Shabu Works” one is a beauty but unfortunately not really that practical for daily driving in the UK. I won’t be going that far with it but I just want a tidy looking LS, a nice set of 19” Japanese split rim wheels (which I already have waiting 😉), and lowered to suit the wheels. Then I will build an exhaust to release the v8 rumble and add some little Japanese details. 
something like this but on my facelift model. Hoping to get it looking respectable for the summer 😎

Hello Scott,

The Datsun does look very nice. Yes, it’s definitely a big improvement…!

The green LS 400 also looks nice. I presume the photos were taken in America…?

Does your wife drive the Pink Mini…?

Are any of the car shows that you go to in Cornwall…?

I am an ex boy from the black stuff. I used to make it, and had a couple of quarries. 

Lots of machinery, but I had a team of fitters, so I didn’t get my hands dirty…!

I made the red tarmac that my LS 400 was parked on…

Cheers

Kevin

[Kevin Williams]

17 hours ago, Malc said:

Oh my ........  I bought myself a brand new Hillman Imp in 1969  AYL273H ......  when I was 19  .............. loved that car, that hatchback was unique to the Imp I think in those days .....    brilliant and happy and fond memories ........... and hugged the ground in the snow and ice .......... for which the Ls400 is utterly useless I find ( in my dotage eh ! )

Malc

sorry to digress

Hello Malc, 

I bought my Hillman Imp when I was 17 in 1971. I think it was 5 years old. I hand painted it yellow, with blue sides…! I wished I could find a photo… My eldest brother started rallying with a Hillman Imp, he didn’t finish some rallies because of it breaking down…! He did say to me when I bought my Imp that they were prone to head gaskets blowing… I note that John had more problems… My brother managed to save up and buy an Escort RS1600. He did a lot better in the Escort…! And even though it was 4 cylinder, it sounded nice…!

I don’t tell many people that my first car was a Reliant Robin…! I had some dotage at a young age…! When I passed my Motorbike test I bought one in the colour British Racing Green…! I passed my car test first time…! I also haven’t got any photos of the 3 wheeler…!

Cheers Kevin

[Malc]

my little Hillman Imp seemed invincible, well, apart from the clutch thrust bearing breaking into pieces in it's holder, the front heater pipes going pop and flooding me one fine day and a wild deer jumping over a hedge and swiping the passenger door one dark night in the Kent countryside ................  no engine problems at all thankfully 

how we reminisce eh !

Malc

[Kevin Williams]

4 hours ago, Malc said:

my little Hillman Imp seemed invincible, well, apart from the clutch thrust bearing breaking into pieces in it's holder, the front heater pipes going pop and flooding me one fine day and a wild deer jumping over a hedge and swiping the passenger door one dark night in the Kent countryside ................  no engine problems at all thankfully 

how we reminisce eh !

Malc

I am surprised you didn’t mention Williams Independent Traders…!

So you had a new Imp when you were 19, and I had an old Imp when I was 17.

When did you have your first Lexus…? Mine was in 1998, after three Honda Accords, and two Mitsubishi Sigmas… and many other non-Japanese cars…!

I have had several cars with air suspension, and haven’t known anybody have problems with air suspension… The LS 600 looks to be a great car…!

I read from your posts that you were in Kent with your Imp and your Lexus Forum profile, also mentions Kent…

I worked for a company based in Gravesend between 1984 and 1987… So I know the M25 very well…!

I have been in Cornwall since 1987…

Cheers Kevin

[Malc]

hi Kevin, yes lived in Kent most of my life  .....  had to work at a local petrol station to help pay for my Imp tho'  ............ Western Motor Works at Perry Street, Chislehurst ......... even tho I had a full time job working at a bank ........  never enough money eh !"

My first Lexus in about the year 2000 or perhaps a little earlier, was a 1992 Mk1 Ls400 that we had taken in to my car sales business, couldn't sell it ......  too much of a gaz guzzler at that time, so I decided to drive it as my personal car and kept that for years, rapidly followed by my Mk2 and then this Mk3 .....  all the best cars I've ever driven I feel .....  and over much of europe on holidays too ......  in those days

Air Suspension does feature on this Forum quite a bit, but only for those unfortunate enough to have the issues I guess ...  but my synopsis of their problems and of Lexus at the Centre walking away from them is at say 100k miles / 10 years unless the owner has some sort of extended Lexus warranty in place

............. and at about £1000 a corner ........ but never a problem on the Ls400 of course 

 

Doc Martin of course had his Ls600  in Cornwall ......  looks a lovely part of the world 

Malc

[Kevin Williams]

22 hours ago, Malc said:

hi Kevin, yes lived in Kent most of my life  .....  had to work at a local petrol station to help pay for my Imp tho'  ............ Western Motor Works at Perry Street, Chislehurst ......... even tho I had a full time job working at a bank ........  never enough money eh !"

My first Lexus in about the year 2000 or perhaps a little earlier, was a 1992 Mk1 Ls400 that we had taken in to my car sales business, couldn't sell it ......  too much of a gaz guzzler at that time, so I decided to drive it as my personal car and kept that for years, rapidly followed by my Mk2 and then this Mk3 .....  all the best cars I've ever driven I feel .....  and over much of europe on holidays too ......  in those days

Air Suspension does feature on this Forum quite a bit, but only for those unfortunate enough to have the issues I guess ...  but my synopsis of their problems and of Lexus at the Centre walking away from them is at say 100k miles / 10 years unless the owner has some sort of extended Lexus warranty in place

............. and at about £1000 a corner ........ but never a problem on the Ls400 of course 

 

Doc Martin of course had his Ls600  in Cornwall ......  looks a lovely part of the world 

Malc

Hello Malc,

I found this link of Western Motor Works…   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJlRXobtf-c

You also had a car sales business…? What job did you do for the Bank…?

Interesting to read about your three LS400’s… Yes, a great car…!

I had two LS400’s. The 2^nd came from a non Lexus car dealer in Bristol. I think its last owner was a lady that owned a pub. I also think it was a Gold model/edition…? I cant remember what the differences were…!

I always had an interest in flying a helicopter, and friends would say why don’t you try and get a pilot’s licence. I knew if I could fly a helicopter, I would want my own…

When my partners and I, sold our quarries, and waste disposal business in 2002. My bank balance was enough for me to start a Property Development Company, and also buy a helicopter. So I learnt to fly, and passed all the exams, and got a helicopter licence. Several months later I bought a helicopter. I loved flying it, and I flew it from my home, whenever I could… 

When I was coming up to about 970 hours of flying. On Father’s day in 2011, my tail rotor broke up @ 2,200 feet above Glastonbury. Attached are a couple of articles…

One of my favourite sayings is… “you can’t turn the clock back”… If I could, I would have never learnt to fly…

My LC 500 Convertible is on the Facebook site of the dealer supplying it…

https://www.facebook.com/lexusscotland/

Kevin 

[Malc]

Of course it's 21 plate time now !  LC500 looks interesting for sure BUT my tried and tested Mk3 Ls400 suits me well enough, and has served me well driving over lots of europe from time to time with wonderful driving holidays and escapades 

Western Motor Works was owned by a Mr Bennett too when I was there at weekends filling cars with petrol .......... remember a Rolls came in every two weeks to fill up with £5 of 5 star petrol .........  6/8p a gallon then if I remember .......  happy days too

Oh my Kevin that's a dreadful event in your life back in 2012 ?  Are you quite fully recovered now I trust !

I thought I wanted to learn to fly back in about 1982 when I got divorced ( 1st time that is ) so I went for a flying lesson at Biggin Hill, close to home .... to then buy myself a small plane to fly around the world, South Africa mainly I thought ............  beautiful country ........  lots of others are too of course

NO NO NO  that first lesson, one single propeller, thin bodywork, couldn't see ahead of me when the plane was at the wrong angle ..  seemed little between me and my Maker .  so I didn't progress that 

I was a career banker at NatWest and redundant at 41 as a City manager in Capital Markets stuff by then .....  no future for me they told me, too young as those old men higher up weren't going to voluntarily relinquish their jobs ....  so they thought at the time.............. that was 31 years ago and whilst I thoroughly enjoyed my amazingly happy and eventful banking career my life since has been quite happy too .......  especially not commuting 4 hrs a day to an office somewhere

inter alia, had a 2nd hand car sales business and drove amazing cars ...  hence the first Ls400 and now a travel / flight sales business .......  hahahaha, that's a challenge too right now .....  but we keep on going, just in case someone wants a flight to somewhere sensible at sometime 

that's my UK business but essentially based out of Delhi, albeit the guys work from home having stopped paying the purposeless  office rent for some months now !

What on earth will the future hold I wonder .............. 

 

Life goes on, up and down, but can be and should be quite eventful .......  the Best is Yet to Come 

Malc

 

 

[Jdmboy150]

On 3/1/2021 at 10:23 AM, Kevin Williams said:

Hello Scott,

The Datsun does look very nice. Yes, it’s definitely a big improvement…!

The green LS 400 also looks nice. I presume the photos were taken in America…?

Does your wife drive the Pink Mini…?

Are any of the car shows that you go to in Cornwall…?

I am an ex boy from the black stuff. I used to make it, and had a couple of quarries. 

Lots of machinery, but I had a team of fitters, so I didn’t get my hands dirty…!

I made the red tarmac that my LS 400 was parked on…

Cheers

Kevin

Hi Kevin 

Yes I believe that green one I posted is in the USA. Very popular to modify over there.

😂 no my wife doesn’t drive the Mini. She hates my “old cars” and prefers her much newer cars!! Very different taste.

Tbh the car has been in storage since 2005 so I really should do something with it 😂.

It was defo something I drove tho..... great fun 😉🤣👍

I sometimes go to some local car shows. The main Cornwall one I go to is the Mt Edgecumbe classic car show just over the water from Plymouth. Always a good turnout. 
 

I also part run ‘South West Retro Rides’ which is a Facebook based group and we have lots of local meets (usually Torbay area) but we cover all the SW. We go to some local and national shows as a club. Feel free to take a look.

I also run myself the ‘Datsun Club UK’ which is obviously brand specific.

Yes I’m a true petrolhead 😂😂