Malc

Roof drains are in each of the 4 corners, gently poke a soft but firm piece of summat down the first couple of inches then remove the rod and wash water down them. You should see the water cascading from underneath ! Malc

I will, for so long as I can. The alternative car for me to want to drive just doesn't exist, well, not that I have yet found anyway. Maintenance costs of a LS400 are really quite minimal as are running repairs and associated costs compared to virtually all other cars on the road today. Longevity is proven, mine's 18 years old this year and feels like a newish car even today ... I cannot see that changing for a very long time. Malc

I contemplated this a few years ago with my Mk1 at the time, retaining all 4 doors, but the advice I received was that the strengthening costs would be totally disproportionate to any perceived value and I should go buy myself a standard convertible whatever and not think to do this to my LS400. Malc

Norfolk Virginia then ???? Malc

I should mention ( sorry I forgot ) that the above expenditure won't add one jot of cash value to the car ...... £1k max in pristine nick ! Malc

From my personal experience with my earlier 1992 J reg one: The added issues with a LS400 with that age and mileage is that it is coming up to maybe it's 3rd cambelt change, the alternator often passes on at 160,000 ( especially if the pas pump has been leaking onto it ) and the front wishbones about the same. Maybe all this has recently been done, if not.................................You could be looking at spending the best part of £1k - 1500 or more, if done with a competent mechanic, lots lots more if done at Lexus to sort out the above points. Malc

Concur, way way toooooooo expensive, especially as it's not " all there " I'd have thought max £1k if otherwise pristine Malc

It's only the scabby wheels that are an issue, oh, and also the stupidity of not making ( on the LS400 ) the entire exhaust from such high quality stainless steel ... those Y pipes and flanges are a bit of a letdown, but only after 18 years or so I guess. And that dreadful situation is possibly acceptable ...... as all other cars would have had at least one whole new exhaust assembly by then I surmise, Malc

And think how much money you are saving by keeping the dear old LS400 on the road too ........ just mega tens of £'000s I reckon. The LS600 starts at £110k or thereabouts and I doubt it will outlast your existing 1993 Mk2 anyway. 220,000 miles, a mere drop in the ocean for a LS400 methinks Malc

Aha, a trip to the States then is called for Malc

Baaaaaaaa Malc

The problem with the tyres is that Dunlop ceased manufacturing the DZ8 a while ago and even I can't source replacements now ... I used to be able to mind tho'. And built in longevity with the LS400 means that they never sold many spares of a certain nature and therefore no demand usually equals no supply or at best a small supplier that can manufacture one-offs or has captured the market in a particular subject ..... . like my Triumph points ... last source in the world from Australia, in 80 year old but otherwise brand new Lucas Birmingham boxes ! Malc

I get emails telling me what topics I'm following have changes and just seen my last email about the above topic, clicked the link through to read it and hey .. presto . it's come up " error " and can't be found, so it's vanished into the ether ........... Malc

Possibly a non Lexus garage / mechanic could source suitable parts that even Lexus cannot reach ................. Many owners run cars that are decades old ........... . I have a 1932 Triumph and with some careful sourcing just about everything is available ..... I had to go to Australia last year for a set of points mind you, but I didn't mind the trip ......... better than having them posted over to me in the UK !!!!! Malc

steve2006, that's a brilliant idea, especially as our cars are now getting a bit older and worn and in need of such cosmetic surgery ! Malc

Brilliant, Grand Touring at its best .. I did Kent to Scotland and around, some 2888 miles, last September, brilliant motoring over some 15 days and OMG, averaging some 30mpg too. The LS400 is the most brilliant car for Grand Touring ... the LS400GT then hehehehehe Malc

Sorry, thought they came into the UK on a G plate and thus maybe made in 1989 ! Malc

Niall, I doubt you would find rust on even a 1989 LS400 either ........ if you can locate one that is ! Malc

and I don't think I would sell mine, not even for a Mk4 Malc

You mention rubber in tyres ................. . is there any these days ? Malc

Thank you Dave1 .. I have actually now entered into email correspondence with Saga Customer Relations dept, part of the CEOs Office, Roger Ramsden ( I asked for his PA to review this ) ................ just asked them to take a look at this Forum and would you believe that's not, at this time, seemingly possible !!!!!!! I'm aghast at all of this right now, hopes they will see some sense and look at this and maybe review what's going on with their Customer Relations, their ethos and integrity, and the pitiful regard and esteem evoked. I'll keep you all posted Malc

Sorry to have upset you Lexmanic ..... I'm always circumspect in what I say, always have thoughts for the future BUT there is nothing to harm when one speaks the simple honest truth and the facts of a situation. Indeed all my conversations with Saga have I am sure been recorded and doubtless if the PA does read this, then the recorded conversation will be listened to and the PR people will no doubt feel it a good idea to ( hopes ) bring a little more compassion to a situation that they are clearly putting their customers into from time to time. They might also think it's a good idea to try hang on to their existing customers a little better. Truth is OK; nothing to fear from the truth other than fear itself ! Malc

Hi guys, thank you for your helpful input here, I have today emailed the Customer Relations people at Saga asking for Roger Ramsden's PA to read this piece. I'll let you all know of any useful and considered outcome. Many thanks everyone. Malc

Thank you thewelshman I'll contact him, Roger Altman that is, tomorrow he's based in Canterbury so maybe I'll ask him to take me to lunch !!!! I jest ( maybe ) Malc

I'll try Chaucer next year then ....... thinks Chaucer is part of NatWest / RBS along with that bllody nodding dog thingy !!!! Malc