First Steps In Ls400 Ownership!

malcolmdc · January 13, 2015

Hi All - After some years of big-engine BMWs, I have finally acquired my LS400! Not yet collected, it is truly a time-warp car, reg 1991, with a GENUINE fully documented 21,700 miles only on the clock. Stored for 10 years, it was hardly used even when in service, and having brought it back to life in 2012, RYKAR in N.London have sold it to me. Of course, its a "new"car, and hopefully will follow legendary Lexus reliability, but you never know, and if anyone out there has cautionary tales about this model vintage I'd love to hear from you. I'm based in Surrey, so may catch up with some other owners as time goes on. Cheers.

The-Acre · January 13, 2015

Looking forward to the photos, and as I'm in the next county, maybe getting to see it!

jpjsavage · January 14, 2015

So you bought it! I wondered who would. Congratulations. Looked like a great car. Some pictures would be fab if you get the time. Welcome to this great forum.

malcolmdc · January 15, 2015

Didn't think the car would have gone unnoticed by Lexus fans - I'm only surprised it was still available when I finally talked myself into getting to Stamford Hill; what a place to get to!

The-Acre · January 15, 2015

Didn't think the car would have gone unnoticed by Lexus fans - I'm only surprised it was still available when I finally talked myself into getting to Stamford Hill; what a place to get to!

If it's any consolation I have to get from Sussex to Covent Garden by 8.30 tomorrow morning, and then over to Hackney. That all mounts up to being in the Blackwall Tunnel during evening rush hour on a Friday!!

malcolmdc · January 19, 2015

That sounds like the journey from hell - but I have now picked up the car (bloody lovely!) regrettably without the owners manual/handbook etc, which have gone missing. Does anyone out there have a handbook for a 1991 LS400 that is gathering dust? They are available from USA but there are enough spec differences to not be ideal. Lexus UK can't help so I'm hoping there's a scrapper out there that has departed without its paperwork.

Colin M · January 19, 2015

Hi Malcolm

As it happens, I have an owners manual/handbook for a Mk 1 LS400 which I am happy to let you have.

I think it will cover a 1991 LS400 as it has a copyright mark on the first page for Toyota Motor Corporation with a 1990 date.

Send me a personal message with your address and I will post it to you.

Happy motoring in your new car!

Colin

goldtop · January 20, 2015

Welcome :)

I think the cautionary tales for the early LS400 are to do with power steering leaks (which can cause other problems). It's well documented and if the car has been standing a for such a long time, might be worth having a look sooner rather than later.