The value of my LS 400

[michael Vercell]

I’m curious to know an approximate value of my James 400. From New purchased in October 1997, and she has been fully maintained by Lexus initially, and then by my local specialist, workshop. She is in metallic silver with a dynamic handling package from New, which means the special large wheels. She’s completely free of rust and all functions are working. She has 297,000 miles on the clock and has a 12 months MOT. Perhaps someone could give me an idea of her value.

[Malc1]

Brilliant car yours and outstanding miles ……. but sadly of little value at this time whatever the condition ……. My 95 Ls400  at 248k mikes probably has very little value even tho’ I’d expect her to last another 250k miles and 25 years …….. value now  maybe £1k …… that’s what I think insurance write off value might be at this time 🤔

Your’s is brilliant car …… I think a recent’ish 97 car at 25k miles sold for about £18k and the new owner probably will rarely use her …….keep her in aspic 

Like you probably , I think we have had amazing quality motoring for very little money over 26 years AND have the opportunity to continue this way forward for zilch, very little money costs 

Your car methinks has, sadly, very small value £££ tbh 

Wonder what others might think ??   I hope I’m wrong ! 

Malc 

[steve2006]

From your post back in March 2023 Michael you posted that the engine had failed with a suspected broken camshaft, there were no further updates or responses to questions posed so I’m curious how this all turned out?

 

[michael Vercell]

You are correct that I had a serious problem due to my garage of more than a decade let me down re changing a timing belt, which snapped. The garage told me the crank had snapped and the engine had no compression, all untrue. Simply down to unreliable maintenance where I was told belt didn’t require replacing.i was to trusting   Fortunately I was recommended to an old school workshop who replaced all damaged parts from the timing belt letting go and found two areas of rust from rear wheel sills. All metal cut out and replaced with new. At all stages I was invited to review the cars remedial work and they also provided photos of all work undertaken. After  this work , she started on the key first time and is running perfectly. I have no interest in selling her, I was curious , as to value , as I’ve been stopped twice in the street and asked if the car was for sale. 

[Malc1]

Hey it’s good your cars still running well and your horror experiences have worked out fine …… still doesn’t improve its value tho’ …… it’s just not yet a ‘ scrapper ‘ 😂

Malc 

[steve2006]

Thanks Michael that’s cleared up the mystery 😀 but raises another question in another post, is the garage you recommended the one that let you down?
Also could you post up some pictures, I for one would like to see your car?

[michael Vercell]

Hello again, no the garage I endorsed JPS auto services is the garage that saved me and who will without doubt keep the old car running long after I’ve gone. They are so proactive in all aspects , there only drawback is the waiting time as they are over whelmed with customers with very expensive performance and luxury cars. The owner actually rally’s and by chance uses the LS 400 engine as he says, they are unbreakable and we have tried in our rallying . I’ll try to put some photographs on here .

[Malc1]

She looks good  👍 

Malc 

[Kevin Williams]

Hello again, no the garage I endorsed JPS auto services is the garage that saved me and who will without doubt keep the old car running long after I’ve gone. They are so proactive in all aspects , there only drawback is the waiting time as they are over whelmed with customers with very expensive performance and luxury cars. The owner actually rally’s and by chance uses the LS 400 engine as he says, they are unbreakable and we have tried in our rallying . I’ll try to put some photographs on here .

Be great to see some photos of the car thats rallied with an LS 400 engine. Is there a website/Facebook for JPS auto services...? Albeit I am in Cornwall. The garage that saved you sounds to be very interesting... 

[steve2006]

Wow that’s a very early series IV with the VVTI engine, very rare nowadays, I expected seeing a series III being a 1997 model.

Shopping at Waitrose also adds value 😀

 

[Cotswold Pete]

On 1/12/2024 at 11:02 PM, michael Vercell said:

 I was curious , as to value , as I’ve been stopped twice in the street and asked if the car was for sale. 

WIth nealry 300K on clock I would think £1K-2K would be what you adverytise.  Personally so long as no rust in rear wheel arches which is what got mine at 250K miles, I would pay more than £2K, so long as (if you have the touchscreen) it was readable in cold weather.  I preferred the LCD in my Mk3 over the Mk4.

On the crank breaking front, I understand they are  rated up to 1000Bhp, so pretty much impossible to break as result of engine issues. 

Enjoy driving and do not sell it to anyone as you will regret that day, but soak up the admiring glances.  If ever I see an LS with owner in a supermarket car park cannot help myself from having a chat.

[Malc1]

1 hour ago, Cotswold Pete said:

If ever I see an LS with owner in a supermarket car park cannot help myself from having a chat.

me too if I can 😉

Malc