Nice Looking Low Mileage W Plate Mark 4

[cruisermark]

its on that popular auction site - no mention of service history but looks good

[Bluesman]

Looks a nice one. I do wish sellers whether dealers or private sale would put more in the way of basic but important and factually correct information, it just makes them look as though they couldnt care and that they are lazy, this often puts me off going any further. Mike

[cruisermark]

yes - if they put all the info in there it would save them alot of hassle aswell taking calls and repeating same info over and over again

[SHELLDRAKE]

This one isonly about 10 miles from where I live ,might go down and have a look-see and get back to you.

[Docp]

if you do have a look could you post your thoughts on it on here!

[SHELLDRAKE]

No problem

[steve2006]

Worth a look,4 previous owners, I would check to see the change intervals to see if the car is being sold before potential problems surface along with an MOT history check. No mention of service history either.

To save searching here's the link.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-LS-400-4-0-auto-low-mileage-/221544751115?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item339518a00b

[SHELLDRAKE]

Well boys:today was the day,i went down to see the car--first there is no MOT check at all,because there is no service history at all,the previous owner didn't hand it over-maybe he didn't have one,--the reason you cant see the wheels in the picks is because all 4 ned a refurb job as they have all met with the kirb at some time--N/S mirror glass needs replacing as it changing colour it looks like the photocromic system has gone--in the boot the jack is missing and the boot is filthy--the torch in the tool box is US it won't work and the reason is the Battery has started to show signs of leaking I couldn't get it to open-----Next the 2 bonnet struts are KAPUT they dont hold it up at all--the center arm rest cover needs replacing as the leather looks like someone has had a go at it with a steel brush-- the number plate holders need sorting out,the paint is coming off around the edges--the general condition of the paint needs some work doing on the car.Now the good bits- the radio,satnav,A/C,wipers,washers,seat adjustment,mirrors,sunroof,steering wheel adjustment,and the memory for them all work. The reason when you look at the rear of the car you cant see the full view of it is the towbar would show. So chaps there you have it.it's make your mind up time.

[Bluesman]

Well done Norman, best left alone unless they give it to you. Mike

[messi]

And that suppose to be in super excellent condition according to the traders ad

[SHELLDRAKE]

I only went to have a look to see what was on offer, the thing is how long has the towbar been on it, and from what I could see no cooler for the gearbox.

[cruisermark]

i think the biggest let down is no service history - having said that if you bought this - spent some money on a major service inc cambelt - refurb the wheels - give it a wash and wax - this car will look the bees knees and it be luxury reliable motoring for small money - think about it what can you buy for 2K these days - its a rare colour and rare in the sense that its a late Mark 4 and low mileage

[Bluesman]

For 2K you could buy a much more genuine car than that one with a decent service history, the problem with cars like that is that you can never know what else maybe on the edge of going wrong apart from what you already know about. I know it can happen with any car you buy but this car is demonstrating that it hasnt been looked after. Mike

[cruisermark]

fair point

[ChrisM]

Is Sapphire a rare colour on a Mark IV ?? as that's the colour of mine, which looks similar to that in the picture.

Is there any premium on having a DHP over the standard model?

[n4chv]

I always find it concerning when a car like this has so many owners - most LS owners keep their cars for several years

Lack of history or MOT makes it very risky but saying that, if you can get a few hundred quid off it could be worth going for - alloys would cost around £200 to refurb (Lexus alloys seem to corrode easily) and maybe another £200 for a minor service to ensure it's all in good order.

[Bluesman]

Cost of tyres 50% more than the standard tyres on a Mk4. Mike

[moonraker58]

Readers, I bought it!.

Got it for £1850 and drove nit back from Liverpool to London , without really noticing it.

My first experience of driving a Lexus.

Have booked it in for a cambelt replacement and full service with my trusty local mechanic next week which will set me back about £800 .

There are some bits and pieces to be done ,but other than that , its a tremendous piece of kit for a 14 year old motor.

[n4chv]

Readers, I bought it!.

Got it for £1850 and drove nit back from Liverpool to London , without really noticing it.

My first experience of driving a Lexus.

Have booked it in for a cambelt replacement and full service with my trusty local mechanic next week which will set me back about £800 .

There are some bits and pieces to be done ,but other than that , its a tremendous piece of kit for a 14 year old motor.

Welcome to the Lexus fold - here's to hoping you enjoy your car as much as other owners

[goldtop]

Good stuff - congrats. :)

Did almost the same - similar price but then belt + service - when I bought mine. i see you're in London. We did a 5-up trip through to and from the West End a couple of weekends ago. Won't tell you the fuel consumption we got! ;)

[Cotswold Pete]

Good stuff - congrats. :)

Did almost the same - similar price but then belt + service - when I bought mine. i see you're in London. We did a 5-up trip through to and from the West End a couple of weekends ago. Won't tell you the fuel consumption we got! ;)

I was just thinking last night would I own a LS400 if I lived in a big city, or even near one. Every time I end up driving through Bristol or somewhere like that I feel the need to marry an oil baroness.

On the other hand the cost of fuel is out-weighted by the sense of peace and calm while all around is fighting it out for their bit of road.

Keep enjoying the experience and remember to stretch it's legs now and again at midnight up and down some motorway.

[moonraker58]

I had a call from the Garage ,the other day,"Your magic Carpet awaits!"

The cam belt had never been done and it was basically the first time anything ever unbolted.

Mechanic very impressed and personally thinks it is better than a Rolls Royce.

He is a Cosworth Specialist , always has a few on the go and I value his opinion.

Slight problem with tilt mechanism on wheel, In and out ok, up and down ,just get a squeak when button pushed down but no movement.

Any ideas?

[n4chv]

I had a call from the Garage ,the other day,"Your magic Carpet awaits!"

The cam belt had never been done and it was basically the first time anything ever unbolted.

Mechanic very impressed and personally thinks it is better than a Rolls Royce.

He is a Cosworth Specialist , always has a few on the go and I value his opinion.

Slight problem with tilt mechanism on wheel, In and out ok, up and down ,just get a squeak when button pushed down but no movement.

Any ideas?

I assume you are talking about the steering column not fully adjusting. Almost certainly 1 of the motors ceasing up or just not working that well.

I never had that issue with my LS400 but on the LS430, you usually end up having to replace the entire column (changing individual motors doesn't work out cheaper once you factor in the labour involved). I have heard of some owners dismantling the motors and applying grease or silicon to keep parts moving more smoothly but it still requires time and effort to do this. My local garage did suggest we change over the adjuster switch as he thought the column itself was fine. Unfortunately this fix didn't work and I wasted £60 on this part.

This is the only risk of buying something a bit older - used values drop but the maintenance bills don't drop in the same way.

[Gbneil]

I doubt you will regret your purchase....and your mechanic is spot on....other than one proviso...I genuinely believe the ls400 was better built than ANY other car of the ninties, including any rolls Royce...