Scribe

It was MOT day for me, too, today. Result: three passes in three years with no work necessary, and no advisories. I know I shouldn't be surprised, but I am. After all, it's 15 years old and has done 148,000. In the circumstances I was to happy to pay for an oil change and a replacement rear number plate lamp bulb.

My mechanic says that some car valeters use Mr Sheen (or similar) to get a good shine, though they'd like you to think they use a more expensive specialist product.

Maybe it's an ironic comment on how much it costs to get at the starter motor.

I know some 430 owners will disagree (sorry), but their argument about toys doesn't really convince me. The 400 has already got more than I need, and I bought one because I wanted its luxury and reliability, not all the gizmos. The good thing about it is that the toys all still work, because it's well made.

I'm a little concerned to read (on here and elsewhere) about 430s that are three or four years younger than my 400 but which need major (expensive) work. I know there are lots of 430 owners who've had no big problems, and I'm sure it's a better built car than the equivalent Merc, Jag or BMW, but I can't imagine having the same confidence in buying an old one as I did with my 400.

I know I'm an old fart, but running a 400 has convinced me that most of today's cars are over-styled and/or over-gizmo'd. It's all about showroom appeal and perceived value, not usefulness or long-term reliability. (Example: the colleague of a friend has a Mini Cooper which keeps needing replacement wheels because their funky design, and low-profile tyres, makes them liable to cracking.) I'm sure Lexus has gone down this route to some extent (in the way that Mercedes quality went downhill when they started concentrating on lower build costs, rust protection, electrical suppliers etc.), but the question is: did it start with the 430? Every time I see one I think 'Wow!' I think it looks amazing, especially in silver. And one day I'll have one. But, as I've said on here before, I'm not in a hurry - particularly as the chance of finding a late 400 that's worth getting rid of mine for is zilch.

My mechanic (Lexus trained) also says the 400 is the best car Lexus made, though he doesn't seem that bothered about the 430 presenting problems. But for me, Mark's comment 'gave me the sense of impending doom (or my wallet)' sums up how I feel about it. I know where I am with my 400. Front suspension arms aside, I'm not expecting it to need huge amounts of work to keep it running. I'm hoping that by the time I get rid of it (maybe when it's 20 years old?) I'll be able to find a good 430 at a reasonable price. What else is there for us 400 owners to drive?

Is it accident damaged (total loss)? The reason I ask is that a 430 being broken for any other reason just seems WRONG. Especially when my car is quite a few years older.

I need to get rid of my original wheels, so if anyone wants a set that needs refurbishment without having to have their Lexus standing on bricks for a few days, and can collect them from Brighton, they're welcome to them.

I've got the same problem. The centre caps were the brightest bits of my old wheels but now they let down the look of the new ones. I was going to buy four new caps until I realised how expensive they are on eBay.

Mark, this is why some of us are reluctant are trade up (?) to a 430 - we're more comfortable sticking with what we know. Unfortunately, by the time I get a 430 (which I'm sure I will, one day) there won't be any 400s left to go back to. Since I bought mine in 2010 there's many fewer to choose from, and prices for decent ones are going up. I'm very glad I got mine when I did.

Someone on here once recommended that we open our bonnets once a week or so, just for the sake of it, because this helps to keep the struts pressurised. I don't know if that's true, and in any case I keep forgetting - until I need to fill up the washer bottle.

I agree with Mike. When I started looking for my car three years ago there were always about 100 LSs (all ages) for sale on Autotrader but now there are only about 60. And most of the 400s look a bit tatty and/or overpriced. It seems like most owners are hanging on to them, which will make your search difficult - but there are good ones out there if you're willing to travel to check them out. Mine's done nearly 148,000 but the seats and steering wheel have very little wear. In fact a foreign friend who rode in it last year thought it was a nearly new car (I wish, at £50,000, or whatever it cost new).

Interesting that there are bids on only TWO 400s on eBay at the moment. Most of the other cars are overpriced and/or look tatty, or are classified ads with prices. Not a good time to be looking for one, I suspect, and I'm glad I got mine when I did.

This will be interesting to see what this goes for.

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2327734a32

It's a pity more sellers don't take as much trouble to describe and photograph the car they want to sell.

In addition to the LS400 (perfect on long journeys, thirsty and a nightmare to park in town) I have a smart cabrio (the complete reverse). Both cars are brilliant at what they do, but they do quite different things. I know it's two lots of insurance and tax but I split my mileage between them, so neither has clocked up a lot of miles. It may seem like an extravagance to run two cars, but in some ways it makes more sense than running one boring mid-range-mobile that's worth about the same money (£4000 combined). And even if it doesn't, whenever I do a long journey in the Lexus I think, 'Who cares? I love this car.'

I don't think I've ever seen a 430 advertised that DIDN'T have the Premium Pack. Are there any 'standard' models out there? I'd be more inclined towards one of those on the grounds of 'less to go wrong'.

Mark, I don't know how tall you are, but have you noticed more headroom in the 430? The cabin looks deeper than the 400s, which feels a bit cramped to me.

Yes, good luck with it Mark, and let us know how you get on. Meanwhile it's interesting to hear your first impressions. And I hope your 400 goes to a good home.

Same here. if I bought another one I'd only go and split it on a kerb. Easier to keep a roll of black sticky tape in the garage.

It's easily broken on high kerbs. Mine's stuck together with black tape. Hitting a christening font would probably cause more damage.

I do like the LS' s. If I had enough spare cash and my wife in agreement, I would like to get a year 1 (1989) LS400.

Maybe we can all have a word with your wife for you?

It's the best looking car Lexus have produced, IMHO, and one day I'll have one (I hope).

I had to go to a family funeral in North Norfolk yesterday and wasn't looking forward to doing the whole trip in a day (fog all the way there, dark on the way back, temperature barely above freezing). I left home at 8.00 a.m. and drove there mostly at the legal limit, and came home slightly more slowly because I wanted to reach the Dartford crossing after 10.00pm so I could avoid the £2 (rip-off) toll. Supreme comfort all the way, engine noise barely noticeable, plenty of power in reserve for overtaking, brilliant sound system (no need to turn the volume more than half way up), and of course it ran like a train without missing a beat. Indicated tank average over 400 miles: 33 mpg. Got home at 11.30 p.m. tired but not shattered - I haven't fallen asleep at work today. And all that from a car that costs no more than an old Fiesta, and which is worth pretty much what I paid for it in August 2010. And did I mention two MOT passes without work needed? I know I'm preaching to the converted here, but after two and a half years that car still amazes me.

For me, it all boils down to trust, especially when it comes to major work like cambelts or starter motors. And you're probably more likely to trust a main dealer (and to expect service like ambermarine got when they c*ck up). I take mine to an independent who isn't the most conveniently situated but who's Toyota/Lexus trained and who was generous with his time giving me tips on what to look for when I was Lexus-hunting. That's the sort of specialist who's worth seeking out, but not everyone can be so lucky.

If you spend an hour or two around Knightsbridge or Kensington you'll see loads of new Merc S class and BMW 7 series but not a single LS600.

I assumed that virtually all new 600s were leased, because of the massive depreciation from new. Would the figure of 10 fleet sales include leasing, or only outright purchases? Anyway, 10 private owners (with good taste) bought one.

Hi Beeblebrox and welcome to the Club. I echo what Malc and Mike have said: there are good 400s out there, but you may need to spend some time travelling to find them. Mine was bought privately in August 2010 from someone 230 miles away, which may seem a bit mad, but after looking at another example (younger, more expensive, fewer miles but more faults) I could tell it was a good buy - and I still think it was. Apart from the pleasure I get from driving it, it's got through two MOTs without work and has barely depreciated. So I'd say: look at a few cars, then you've got something to make comparisons. You won't regret buying a good one, but you might regret settling for a dodgy one. Any good one will need maintenance and will have the occasional problem - they're just cars, after all - but people on here are very willing to share their knowledge and experience. Good luck with your search.