1999 LS400 for £10,990…Would you buy it?

[steve2006]

Just spotted this on Fleabay, admittedly it does look immaculate with exceptional history but at nearly 11K could you justify paying that much for a 24 year old car.

https://tinyurl.com/4ez3xhu4

[Malc1]

Nice write-up and looks very very smart ……. even a new ( unnecessary ? ) exhaust by Lexus Guildford in 2018 ! a very few miles ago ……. don’t we just bespoke replace the front part that’s irreplaceable from a now OEM unavailable £700 section ! 

This car might last its next owner forever and probably represents ok value for money good for at least another 500,000 miles eh 😄 ……. Just a 10th the price of a brand new high tech electronic wizardry Lexus for sure ……. but more comfortable and reliable surely 👍

As to value for money ……. who on earth wants an ancient car like this these days ……. Might be worth £20k in a couple of years too 👏

Lovely  car BUT must be used everyday to appreciate the quality 

Malc 

[hockeyedwards]

Would I have the car - yes!

Would I cough up that amount of £ - no! 😆

[Malc1]

Thinking the Dealer is probably making a 100% +  mark-up 🤔

Malc 

[Spock66]

I think the LS600 discussed in a recent post looks the better buy.

[BodgerBen]

Yes I would have bought that car as the price is the same as the price of my repaint, then I have my suspension to sort out.

Unfortunately its the same colour as my last LS which just doesn’t work with dogs, which was the main reason for not buying it. My black interior is easier to live with.

The MOT history has the usual items, but I would also do the timing belt, water pump etc. as the last one was 2013. An earlier car I wouldn’t worry being non-interference, but I just wouldn’t trust a 10 year old belt irrespective of mileage on this car. 

All in all, if we didn’t have the dogs, I would have bought this and moved my silver one on, it does look lovely.

 

 

[Malc1]

48 minutes ago, Spock66 said:

I think the LS600 discussed in a recent post looks the better buy.

and 10 years younger too 

Malc 

[ambermarine]

On 10/14/2023 at 12:03 PM, Spock66 said:

I think the LS600 discussed in a recent post looks the better buy.

You are so wrong Andrew

The ls600 will be a money pit the ls400 example shown will require nothing for the next 100k miles except servicing and that is within the capabilities of anyone with a brain.

The LS600 will require specialist servicing certainly around the transmission  and suspension and the reviews on this model are not in the same bracket as the LS400 ,let me remind you the ls400 is the platform that all other Lexus models were spawned from and they got it about right when this Model arrived in 99 things went a bit off track after that and still are if the reviews on todays models are anything to go by,especially on reliability.

[Jon Evans]

It's exactly the same colour (outside and in) as my old 1998 LS400. I part exchanged it for a nearly new Prius in 2011 with Oxford Toyota, but my LS was immaculate when I parted with it. I always wonder what happened to it, sadly I think it was probably parted out or crushed. The registration was R331 FJV but according to DVLA "vehicle details could not be found". I hold out a tiny bit of hope that someone bought it and put new plates on it. 🙂 

[Malc1]

10 minutes ago, Jon Evans said:

It's exactly the same colour (outside and in) as my old 1998 LS400. I part exchanged it for a nearly new Prius in 2011 with Oxford Toyota, but my LS was immaculate when I parted with it. I always wonder what happened to it, sadly I think it was probably parted out or crushed. The registration was R331 FJV but according to DVLA "vehicle details could not be found". I hold out a tiny bit of hope that someone bought it and put new plates on it. 🙂 

We do seem to get irretrievably and impossibly attached to our Ls400s 

Malc 

[Scotlex]

Lovely looking old car.

I might buy it for £3000 but no chance at £11,000 😃

[Mossypossy]

I would go £4k.

[Scotlex]

16 minutes ago, Mossypossy said:

I would go £4k.

£4250 if it was really nice 😀

Years ago I bought a 10 year old Mercedes (12,000 miles) for £3000.

[Malc1]

She looks a very desirable old lady for sure 

Malc 

[Rabbers]

5 hours ago, Malc1 said:

We do seem to get irretrievably and impossibly attached to our Ls400s  ..... 

I've always admired owners with affection for elderly cars that deserve it, as is undoubtedly the case with the LS400.  Few would dispute, however, that affection can occasionally be taken too far, as happened with an uncle of my wife's in Denmark, who kept his 1959 Saab 93 GT on the road for the best part of four decades and 600000km. Of course there can be no general or specific comparison with the LS and its owners, but I though I'd offer the story as a sort of cautionary tale.

My wife's uncle was quite a wealthy man and could have bought newer and better cars whenever he liked, but for reasons best known to himself, he stayed loyal to the Saab despite the entreaties of his family, much leg-pulling by friends, and the dark mutterings of neighbours who hated the sight of it.  Few men have been more blinded by love for their cars and less receptive to advances in technology and design.  

Like his wife, who not surprisingly got into the habit of taking cabs, prospective passengers in later years avoided the car for dread of the bacteria and fungi that nested in the upholstery, not to mention the risk of olfactory dysfunction posed by a cabin odour whose pungency was accentuated rather than reduced by premium air fresheners, a situation not helped by the owner's partiality to cigars.

As the years turned into decades, the only problem not resolved by the expenditure of vast sums of money on repairs was rust, which eventually produced a series of bubbles and holes all around the car's lower perimeter.  The closing of doors, even gently, caused flurries of orange-brown dust to fall to earth and demarcate the surfaces where the car had stood.  De-registering the Saab therefore spared it from the indignity of an official scrapping order and permitted it, against the better judgment of everyone except its owner, to be kept permanently garaged.  

What happened was that the animal welfare authorities identified iron poisoning as the probable cause of an alarming rise in respiratory and gastric ailments among domestic pets and species of local fauna such as deer and hares.  Despite the absence of forensic proof, the Saab naturally came under suspicion as a likely source, though by no means the only one when the many specimens of vintage gardening paraphernalia lurking alongside rusty old bikes in the sheds of this leafy suburb of Copenhagen were also taken into account.  But whereas these latter items left no regrets or long-term traces after being chucked into skips by an unsentimental and socially obedient citizenry, the Saab got to live out its twilight years in its own snug home, comforted by regular visits from a tearful owner in much the same way as a faithful old retainer might have received those of a grateful master.  At the insistence of family members an adjoining shed was converted into a garage for a gleaming new Volvo S90, which was grudgingly admitted to be a nice enough replacement despite the regrettable sacrifice of style and character on the altar of safety and solidity.

I believe the Saab, or what remained of it, wasn't removed until the house was taken over by new owners a decade later.  To this day I remain doubt as to whether the Saab's pre-retirement longevity was a tribute to the marque or more simply a testimony to human folly.  For sure there could not have been one without the other.

[Malc1]

16 minutes ago, Rabbers said:

I've always admired owners with affection for elderly cars that deserve it, as is undoubtedly the case with the LS400.  Few would dispute, however, that affection can occasionally be taken too far, as happened with an uncle of my wife's in Denmark, who kept his 1959 Saab 93 GT on the road for the best part of four decades and 600000km. Of course there can be no general or specific comparison with the LS and its owners, but I though I'd offer the story as a sort of cautionary tale.

My wife's uncle was quite a wealthy man and could have bought newer and better cars whenever he liked, but for reasons best known to himself, he stayed loyal to the Saab despite the entreaties of his family, much leg-pulling by friends, and the dark mutterings of neighbours who hated the sight of it.  Few men have been more blinded by love for their cars and less receptive to advances in technology and design.  

Like his wife, who not surprisingly got into the habit of taking cabs, prospective passengers in later years avoided the car for dread of the bacteria and fungi that nested in the upholstery, not to mention the risk of olfactory dysfunction posed by a cabin odour whose pungency was accentuated rather than reduced by premium air fresheners, a situation not helped by the owner's partiality to cigars.

As the years turned into decades, the only problem not resolved by the expenditure of vast sums of money on repairs was rust, which eventually produced a series of bubbles and holes all around the car's lower perimeter.  The closing of doors, even gently, caused flurries of orange-brown dust to fall to earth and demarcate the surfaces where the car had stood.  De-registering the Saab therefore spared it from the indignity of an official scrapping order and permitted it, against the better judgment of everyone except its owner, to be kept permanently garaged.  

What happened was that the animal welfare authorities identified iron poisoning as the probable cause of an alarming rise in respiratory and gastric ailments among domestic pets and species of local fauna such as deer and hares.  Despite the absence of forensic proof, the Saab naturally came under suspicion as a likely source, though by no means the only one when the many specimens of vintage gardening paraphernalia lurking alongside rusty old bikes in the sheds of this leafy suburb of Copenhagen were also taken into account.  But whereas these latter items left no regrets or long-term traces after being chucked into skips by an unsentimental and socially obedient citizenry, the Saab got to live out its twilight years in its own snug home, comforted by regular visits from a tearful owner in much the same way as a faithful old retainer might have received those of a grateful master.  At the insistence of family members an adjoining shed was converted into a garage for a gleaming new Volvo S90, which was grudgingly admitted to be a nice enough replacement despite the regrettable sacrifice of style and character on the altar of safety and solidity.

I believe the Saab, or what remained of it, wasn't removed until the house was taken over by new owners a decade later.  To this day I remain doubt as to whether the Saab's pre-retirement longevity was a tribute to the marque or more simply a testimony to human folly.  For sure there could not have been one without the other.

Amazing and forbearance by the family 

Ls400s are possibly more durable cars and indeed my 1991 car is in its 4th decade 😂       ( I was very impressed by my Saab back in the day ) 

It might well outlast me of course …….. like Warren Buffet I’ve never fretted much about modernity of my cars …… they’re safe they function they’re amazingly reliable and comfortable …….. and well, the Ls400 is just a billion £££££ production car by Toyota  and is a brilliant daily driver …… for me anyway …… find me a better car in all respects and a change might be achieved 🤔

But I doubt it 😂

Seriously, Ls400 owners and drivers are probably a tad eccentric …… it’s life AND a plethora of Ls400s will continue for a while yet 👌

Malc 

[Boomer54]

1 hour ago, Rabbers said:

I've always admired owners with affection for elderly cars that deserve it, as is undoubtedly the case with the LS400.  Few would dispute, however, that affection can occasionally be taken too far, as happened with an uncle of my wife's in Denmark, who kept his 1959 Saab 93 GT on the road for the best part of four decades and 600000km. Of course there can be no general or specific comparison with the LS and its owners, but I though I'd offer the story as a sort of cautionary tale.

My wife's uncle was quite a wealthy man and could have bought newer and better cars whenever he liked, but for reasons best known to himself, he stayed loyal to the Saab despite the entreaties of his family, much leg-pulling by friends, and the dark mutterings of neighbours who hated the sight of it.  Few men have been more blinded by love for their cars and less receptive to advances in technology and design.  

Like his wife, who not surprisingly got into the habit of taking cabs, prospective passengers in later years avoided the car for dread of the bacteria and fungi that nested in the upholstery, not to mention the risk of olfactory dysfunction posed by a cabin odour whose pungency was accentuated rather than reduced by premium air fresheners, a situation not helped by the owner's partiality to cigars.

As the years turned into decades, the only problem not resolved by the expenditure of vast sums of money on repairs was rust, which eventually produced a series of bubbles and holes all around the car's lower perimeter.  The closing of doors, even gently, caused flurries of orange-brown dust to fall to earth and demarcate the surfaces where the car had stood.  De-registering the Saab therefore spared it from the indignity of an official scrapping order and permitted it, against the better judgment of everyone except its owner, to be kept permanently garaged.  

What happened was that the animal welfare authorities identified iron poisoning as the probable cause of an alarming rise in respiratory and gastric ailments among domestic pets and species of local fauna such as deer and hares.  Despite the absence of forensic proof, the Saab naturally came under suspicion as a likely source, though by no means the only one when the many specimens of vintage gardening paraphernalia lurking alongside rusty old bikes in the sheds of this leafy suburb of Copenhagen were also taken into account.  But whereas these latter items left no regrets or long-term traces after being chucked into skips by an unsentimental and socially obedient citizenry, the Saab got to live out its twilight years in its own snug home, comforted by regular visits from a tearful owner in much the same way as a faithful old retainer might have received those of a grateful master.  At the insistence of family members an adjoining shed was converted into a garage for a gleaming new Volvo S90, which was grudgingly admitted to be a nice enough replacement despite the regrettable sacrifice of style and character on the altar of safety and solidity.

I believe the Saab, or what remained of it, wasn't removed until the house was taken over by new owners a decade later.  To this day I remain doubt as to whether the Saab's pre-retirement longevity was a tribute to the marque or more simply a testimony to human folly.  For sure there could not have been one without the other.

I think I would have liked your Uncle and with respect it is a good thing when other people understand the boundaries which they should not cross. Our life afterall is ours to live paying respect to others where it affects them.

I have two pairs of leather shoes by a company called Sargent. I could easily have bought 'other' shoes for the cost of sending these away to be resoled by the company. However, those 'other' shoes will simply never ever have the enduring quality of the Sargents.

[Mossypossy]

I drove nothing but Saab 9000's for nigh on 20 years. Now I grudgingly admit that my modern "old persons car" (Jazz) has better cornering capabilities and can illuminate the road ahead more safely.

Still plan to buy a "toy" next year, possibly an SC430.

[Boomer54]

29 minutes ago, Mossypossy said:

I drove nothing but Saab 9000's for nigh on 20 years. Now I grudgingly admit that my modern "old persons car" (Jazz) has better cornering capabilities and can illuminate the road ahead more safely.

Still plan to buy a "toy" next year, possibly an SC430.

If you believe people have dogs that reflect them then could we extend the concept to cars? If so are you happy to have on your headstone "here lies Jazz"?

[Malc1]

39 minutes ago, Mossypossy said:

I drove nothing but Saab 9000's for nigh on 20 years. Now I grudgingly admit that my modern "old persons car" (Jazz) has better cornering capabilities and can illuminate the road ahead more safely.

Still plan to buy a "toy" next year, possibly an SC430.

I planned to buy my “ toy” for my older age …… a 1965 Bentley S3   BUT  my Indy mechanic always hammered into my brain that it would be as much on a trailer to him for likely very expensive repair as I could ever use it …… so keep with the Lexus Ls400 ……. So to scratch that old age itch …… I bought my other Ls400 …… my new2me  “ toy “  a month or so back ……… we’re together touring north Wales at the moment 👌

Malc 

[Mossypossy]

Hows about this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285517646653?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=-ushGArsQ3W&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=-Xw-SSzkQbS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Malc1]

Wot a stunning car ! 

Sadly not ULEZ proofed and being sold from the new Herr Khan expanded zone ….. Sutton ……. probably worth a tenner or two maybe sadly 

Malc 

[Cotswold Pete]

12 hours ago, Mossypossy said:

Hows about this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285517646653?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=-ushGArsQ3W&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=-Xw-SSzkQbS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

Is it me or does it look like the Chrysler 300 on steriods with a bit of a downtown LA look about them?

[Jon Evans]

@Rabbers your story was so eloquently written that I was convinced it was going to have a Frank Muir / Denis Norden "My Word!"- style corny ending!

[Rabbers]

1 hour ago, Jon Evans said:

@Rabbers your story was so eloquently written that I was convinced it was going to have a Frank Muir / Denis Norden "My Word!"- style corny ending!

I’m only vaguely acquainted with the gentlemen you mentioned - scriptwriters, yes? - but I like to think that your comment was not unflattering.