Malc

YES but it's only a 1932 Triumph Southern Cross Sports Tourer, owned it for many years, probably appreciated in value by 200% to about £20k in the last 12 years ( cost me @£7k ) The advantage to selling a Classic Car is that it is capital gains tax free ( or it was ! ) provided you aren't a Trader or Dealer. Malc

there's another thread somewhere about restoring the original look for the light plastics ............. somewhere. and I mentioned that there is a specific and quite economic product that car bodyshop repairers use regularly to make cars like new after a prang INCLUDING the plastic light covers restoration to be like new and to last for many years too. It ain't that expensive I understand and not from a retailer either. BUT where the thread is heaven only knows ............. but it's worth exploring the professional route but get it done at trade prices. Malc

thank you for sharing the photos, she looks a lovely car BUT what on earth have been the running issues with the Ls460 ............... that the Mk3 ensures you keep her too in the stable and in use every day Malc

then your servicing and repair bills work out at about £3k really and at 10p per mile that ain't bad ! ...... there's no car in the world apart from an early Ls400 that wouldn't cost more ............. The cambelt doesn't need doing at all, not even for your peace of mind ............ if it goes bang, which is incredibly unlikely, it won't damage the non-interference engine, being a Mk2 Keep with it, your kids will inherit a tax free classic with oodles of presence and a good usable car to-boot ....... even your depreciation only works out at 10p per mile annualised over 10 years if you amortise it down to zero value, which it ain't servicing and repairs and depreciation to zero write -down ........ at a total of £6000 = £1.65 per day over the 10 years of ownership and at a total of 20p per mile ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT and all in the comfort and luxury and power of one of the best cars on the road Malc

hope it goes to a good home where the buyer will get her back on the road Malc

Sunbeam Tiger ............ now very rare Malc

.............these Ls400s cost very little in annual maintenance, £5/600 ( my total bill this time around £610.73 ) is tiny compared to even a normal service on a Jag, Bentley, BMW, Merc and Audi I usually pay maybe £200 or less pa for full servicing incl the MOT. AND the new replacement parts might well last another 150/200 k miles ...... should see me out I suppose one could go get bits from a breakers yard if the thought of buying new Ls400 parts was an issue. Malc

ns rear UCA / wishbone / ball joint is not available as a pattern part... unlike the front ns UCA which he replaced with a pattern part two years and 20k miles ago and still performing well. and I see at similar cost to this ....... BUT if Lexus supply, was going to be about @£500 ( per side.) My indy thoroughly investigated all options before having to settle on Lexus supply ..... he knows how to save me money where he can and with best quality ( hopes ) pattern parts. I'm happy I have had a brilliant job done by my very trusted mechanic. Now for another 22 years and 200k miles Malc

update,............ok, passed the MOT and no Advisories for the future. BUT going back end of the year for front pads and discs The nsr wishbone unit was £235.88 ............. but a bugger with the nuts .... I suppose 22 years and 193k miles has taken its toll oh, and he did a 3ltr gearbox oil drain and refill in the annual service Malc

update ........ car's passed it's MOT and the alarm sound adjuster is just under the area where the cup holder is situated ... he tells me it's adjusted right down and will now only sound if the car is actually being opened without the key or remote locking being used ( fingers xd ) Malc

I don't think so, You might care to reflect that on our elderly Ls400s that even a simple scratch to the bumper needing a professional insurance covered repair job then the car would be classified as a write off probably ....... over say £500 . that's before your Excess too One would then think not to bother telling the insurers and just getting on and doing the fix oneself. Problem could arise if a 3rd party is involved, they claim for their damage then you have to just tell your insurers ( and their's ) that you're just NOT claiming for anything. Otherwise they will just write the car off. Hence a Cat D can be totally insignificant damage OR INDEED a massive amount of damage but repaired cost effectively I had thought that the owner of a Cat D write off might keep before and after photos to tell the story of why it's been repaired.BUT of course many of these write offs go to auction for a trader to buy for next to nothing and then do the repairs...... as in this instance maybe Malc

looks a really nice car, especially approaching 14 years old maybe ! She should last you for ever if you wanted ...... looks a good buy ... might you tell us how much ££££ ? Malc

the simplest preventative measure is seemingly just to replace the radiator about every ten years maybe. Best wishes with it all Malc

well done, it's brilliant having another member on here. Hope you manage to look at some of the " warning " posts on here either before you bought or now. Might save you some money and grief for the future, especially the possible need for a new radiator to prevent some disastrous gearbox problems.... that could be the imminent and comparatively inexpensive improvement to make to your car if the service history doesn't show it being done. Best wishes with it all, these are great cars Malc

enjoying the drive is most important and if your Merc does that for you then it's brilliant ! Malc

red rags and bulls, well, I don't know ........... as if However, it would be nice to know as I remember driving a couple of truly magnificent Mercs, but a long while back, 5 or 600 s with a rare level of sophistication and comfort. Malc

what Merc are you comparing it with ? Malc

just seen it on eeeeeeebay at £250 so far ! Malc

maybe that's the issue with the rust there. I remember the posts were relating to some serious underbody major component stuff actually failing an MOT on irreperable RUST Malc

as plain as a pikestaff on the advert ! Malc

see they have a " Limited Lifetime Warranty " . what on earth is that ? I saw the same description in a jewellers window in Faversham once about a certain make of watch ! Malc

A little feedback .......... the bushes are ok, .............. it's the ball joint that's " failed " Malc

just remembering back a couple of months or so reading on here about early RX300s and terminal RUST being a problem for some. You might like to check those posts out for info Malc

A bit surprised, just wish it had been an Advisory last year ! The n/s too with the front UCA 2 years ago was a bit of a surprise, no prior year Advisory ....... guess these parts just " go " when the mileage / time is right the offside on both these parts seems ok still 200k miles on this car is GREAT, I'm sure not complaining. Just know any other car, whatever it might be, would have cost me oodles more £££££ in repair and maintenance than my Ls400 ........ he's had a good look underneath for rust and as expected it's " all clear " We are lucky with these Ls400s you know Malc

Thank you for that Steve ......... but the part purchase from Lexus is non-returnable, non cancellable he tells me I'll let my indy know for the other side when it needs doing Had it been an Advisory last time we could have been prepared for it all ..... not sure I want to be without the car for the time it would take from Japan etc . maybe to save @£100 or so........... Cest le Vie Malc