Keeping My Ls400

[Gbneil]

...had decided to sell my ls before returning to university in September....had car advertised for a few weeks, few enquiries but yesterday was driving with mrs and it hit me...what am I doing....I will never own a better car than this. I have owned almost 200 cars and always want to change but, why?...for the miles I do and the way I drive and my physical size and shape, the ls is the one for me...so, I took it off gumtree etc...and cancelled viewings. Ok, it won't get used much during term time...but so what?...it's not going to fall to pieces, it's almost 20 years old and has no discernible wear....so, time for some wheels and a nice tint I think haha

[Malc]

another right decision made then ............. well done

Malc

[Gbneil]

Just pulled out its history and mot's etc....full lexus history up till 40k, then another three services at an indie up here taking it up to 58k miles, last service less than a year and 9000 miles ago, present miles 67k and counting....where would I fond another like this?...no advisories on mots etc...and it's a joy to drive...

[Titch LS]

George, you've made the right move there mate. You'd have regretted it once it had gone. I've no intention of selling my 2000 mk4. Couldn't see me driving anything else while it's still going strong. Nearly 15 years old and 130k. Just run in. Nicest car to drive ever.

[jpjsavage]

Wise decision! Well done. You can enjoy your studies and look forward to driving a beautiful car in-between! Very pleased to hear this news.

[Scribe]

You are a wise man. Most of us who aren't thinking of getting rid of our cars are worried about what we'd replace them with, so my advice to anyone who doesn't have to get rid of one is: DON'T!

Yours has a better history than many. And it's not going to lose much, if anything, in depreciation from now on. It might even be worth more!

[Gbneil]

I love Jags and Reality is it's very jag like as in you know the nigh on 290hp is there but you just waft...and it's an absolute pleasure to drive...it has what I call a tactility to its build integrity...you can feel it's been superbly built and the feeling of driving a car that was designed, engineered and built to be the best is, nice....

The wafty drive I suppose helps the mpg which for a big, heavy car has been great...never less than 20 mpg, 22-24 mpg with town driving only...24-28 mpg when it's over a mixed week and about 35 mpg on long runs with cruise on...and air con...and stereo....pretty remarkable,for a 20 year old v8...and I have never owned a car with more space behind the wheel..no wonder the yanks loved them...I have a car that cost £46k in 1996, would cost over £90k to replace from today's lexus range..(top of range is 600 now), cost £1300 all in and is not in significantly worse condition from new, with a matching driving experience....what was I thinkng about wanting to sell it...I think next will be the similarly under appreciated ugly bug sc430....a grand tourer to OWN and enjoy...not a testers favourite either, but I bet they are fantastic day to day...

I am, clearly, converted to the lexus way....

[VKP]

Cannot argue with that reasoning.....good decision!

[n4chv]

I still regret selling my 1998 Mk IV LS400 last year but I am hoping my LS430 replacement will serve me as well if not better

[Angel123]

Can't argue with the above. But sometimes ones hands are well and truely tied.

[LexIS200Sport]

Wise choice on keeping the car and all the best at university :)

What course will you be studying?

[Gbneil]

Going into fourth year of joint honours in English lit and philosophy....so, last year unless I apply for masters year or PhD..which I might if funding available....it's been great fun,,lot of work but hugely enjoyable at my time of life....(45 this year)..

[Gbneil]

Strikes me both of my most recent cars, a smart for two brabus and the ls400 are perfect cars for philosophers...just the kind of car you'd expect a philosopher to drive...haha....

My favourite philosophy observations so far are

Philosophy, it is what is isn't....

Philosophy doesn't answer any questions it just questions all the answers

And ...everyone's a philosopher.....or are they?

[Gbneil]

Sadly, I am now facing the fact that I can't afford to keep three cars in the household...so, advice.....gimtree...or eBay for selling a low miles 400...I was thinking of trying the classic section of eBay, I know these aren't classics but thought seeing one advertised may tempt someone not considering one?....sad day..gbn

[n4chv]

I'd go with eBay and Autotrader adverts - I sold my Lexus LS400 and my Audi A8 W12 using both. Plenty of hits, plenty of enquiries and a few tyre kickers as usual but it did the job.

Autotrader will allow you to upload up to 20 photos so make good use of that and make sure your eBay advert is written very well and is comprehensive to save people e-mailing you to ask a lot of questions.

Good luck

[Malc]

My advice would be to sell one of the others. .......... I just cannot imagine living without an Ls400 .............. but I have had one for 13 years now ...... would feel like chopping off an arm :doggy:

Malc

[n4chv]

Totally with you Malc - I sold my LS400 last year and have replaced it with an LS430.

Something strangely addictive about owning and running these cars and it's not something other car drivers would understand until they drive and own one of these LS cars

[Mybikes a cx500]

Addictive, yes, Every time I get in it, I marvel that I have one of the best engineered and built cars on the planet. Traffic queues, missed turnings, whatever, I don't care, I'm cruising in quiet and comfort.

I've said I want to be buried in it, and I'm only half kidding

[Gbneil]

Addictive..yes....will I regret it....yes....but it's the cold reality of finances....other two cars are my daughter and my Mrs, I don't really need a car...particularly one I'm scared to put my dogs in cos ots WAY to nice....hey, I might not get it sold...and thanks for the advice re eBay...iv sold a load of cars on eBay before, used to buy and sell old, quirky nearly classics...so, like the LS....I may do a volte face again, I advertised it before but couldn't go through with it...life wil decide what cards are dealt this time...

[Malc]

If you can't justify running, tax and insurance costs then maybe you could pop it away in a buddies garage / workshop / warehouse somewhere and SORN it .......... save it for later !!

Malc

[Gbneil]

Easier said than done malc, and I always think inactivity kills cars....like I said, it might not come to this but at the minute, but it really is a selfish indulgence at the minute,,,,

[Gbneil]

I'd go with eBay and Autotrader adverts - I sold my Lexus LS400 and my Audi A8 W12 using both. Plenty of hits, plenty of enquiries and a few tyre kickers as usual but it did the job.

Autotrader will allow you to upload up to 20 photos so make good use of that and make sure your eBay advert is written very well and is comprehensive to save people e-mailing you to ask a lot of questions.

Good luck

eBay got the job....taking a chance, I listed in the classic section cos to me it IS a modern classic....we will see how we go, thanks for all advice, gbn

[ambermarine]

If Malc as owned a ls400 for 13 years and I have owned a mark 1 for 16 years and a mark 4 for two and a half years does that make us the classic owners of the Lexus ls400 .

[Malc]

Ah, but my 13yrs continuous ownership has been with three cars ...... Mk1, Mk2 and now my Mk3 .......... does that count as classic ? or maybe it's me being a classic, due to age and looks ( old and slightly knackered ) ............. :outforcount:

Malc

[ambermarine]

So based on that Malc the longest continuous ownership of a lexus ls400 on this forum is probably my title.

I have only one regret as to that privelidge, it should have been longer.