Avantime

Behold! https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1714791 In the Dutch household this evening there has been much conjecture and discussion. We have talked RX450, an import IS350, of which sounds bleeding amazing, like a cut price IS-F. However you have to add a digi speedo and the MPG could be less than a LS, but costs 3 x times as much to purchase. Therefore doesn’t add up to the household bangernomics theory. So surely a LS in silver looks amazing and this appears a good example if perhaps a touch overpriced. The Mk3 lines seem so clear and direct, also does this appear to have the DHP Mk4 Alloys? Then here we have the grandpa gold: (apologies to grandads) https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1750138 Again, sensibly priced and with a good MOT history. As mentioned I have to get my wife to be ok driving a 5 metre boat when she needs space that the MX5 wont suffice. So the RX or IS is maybe more agreeable but more dosh and it’s not a LS. My 14 year old boy is so excited at the Whitby prospect he can barely contain himself. He’s a JDM fan and it’s been very exciting for him to help me expand our Mk3 BBR 200 MX5s possibilities. I should add at this point he has been diagnosed as autistic/ADHD and while appears low on the spectrum, I don’t pass any chance to share our passions. I was very excited by the import IS350 but I’d be paying for 3 times the amount for GG and silver MK3, while still having about the same MPG and in what we see as a less interesting car. The RX 450H, a sensible choice but again more costly and in terms of interest perhaps a little less exciting, also stating at about 14K. I reckon we’ll do no more than 10k a year so the drive over the North Yorkshire moors will once again be a paragon of V8 beautificty, sheep will wonder what passes and the Fylingdale radar will only see a UFO pass by. So could I ask opinion of MK3/4. The household prefers the looks of the 3 but should I accept the 4 will be more liveable with, or in reality is the difference not that great on a day today basis. I shall be very happy to be once again in the Lexus domain as it’s such a friendly and reactive site. NIck in Sheffield.

I’m currently on the hunt for a Lexus to replace my aging Sharan. I have been mulling over a LS400 as I use to have a 430 (also a IS200 Sportcross) but other considerations have come into play. I’ve been aware of the import 350 for a bit was put off by the kph to mph issue but it appears that a digital speedo will suffice. Initially i was looking at the MK2 but the MK3 available aren’t a lot more and to my eye look superb. My heart and wife says go for a RX F Sport. Does any one on here have an import 350 and if so how are you getting on? Thanks Nick

First Lexus, I did exactly that read left and right but there is so much s***e on the Mail and i felt I was getting drawn in to it all. It was some of the staff writers on the Guardian I couldn’t stand. John Harris wasn’t too bad and didn’t appear as London centric as the rest. I pick up news more in a more ambient way now, I’m still aware but no it just as as aware of it all, too much information overload. I’m a 70/80s child and I’m just loving the radio now. If you haven’t already seen it can i direct you to this piece from the Guardian re reading the news. Very thought provoking and it in turn helped me with my new approach. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/apr/12/news-is-bad-rolf-dobelli

On the 10th August I gave up reading the Guardian, Mail, the Unherd website and LBC radio. I found that it made me angry, depressed, negative and the rest. Now I look at the guardian front page (mainly as there is no firewall), read the headlines out to my wife and delve briefly into an article if needed. Even in this short time I feel better for it and I have put Jazz, Classic FM, Absolute 80/90s and left on BBC2 on all my digital radios throughout. Again feel better for it. With the Mail (no offence to any Mail readers) you know what you were getting, but the Guardian has become some really self serving and quite at times nasty news site. This has also freed up more time to find a suitable LS400

Another car on my hotlist was a 3lt Avantime. I ran one before the Lexus. An interesting car, I loved it. Also a Volvo 240 Torslander, but probably too old and slow now and no abs etc and finally a Volvo 940. Curiously though none of those cars have a better MPG and certainly not as reliable. LS then! I may look for the DHP.

Yes my pal bought the car knowing he could get a few big bills at some point. It’s a beautiful looking motor and brightens up the street, also makes a lovely sound as it comes up the hill. Like me he loves motors and will appreciate a 400. The lady is concerned about the foot brake….. it take it that it has one?

Hi Malc, thanks, yes I’m aware and have read the advert. The good news is that my fine lady has agreed to drive the Lexus for work if she can’t take the MX. She’s a professional singer and I think turning up in a LS would be rather grand. The Jazz can wait till I retire and we leave Sheffield. She does think we should have a more efficient car and I use to worry about that, but not anymore. In fact a pal on our steet has a Maserati Gran Turismo and I’m sure that’s a V12 and we all only have street parking. Cheers Nick

Thanks all, I have gone through most listings on line and have seen a few what I consider nice ones. Pete, I too need a tow bar to get two road bikes on the back, not a deal breaker but if i could get a detachable tow bar that would be cool. The fuel costs aren’t really an issue, I dont do to many miles and the times I do, well I will just enjoy a V8. Paul, that’s my thoughts on the MK3, better without the nav etc, but as yet not sure of all the differences yet between a 3 and a 4. I’ve seen the gold one and silver one in Cheshire. Malc, yes I watched the You Tube vid on that. Think 15K is a bit steep though, however it was a good back story to the car. There’s also a gold MK4 on Classic Car at 5k with what appears lowish mileage and a decent MOT history. ULEZ not really an issue until the cars are taxed off the road. Rarely go to London and as yet no ULEZ charge in Sheffield. I shall keep looking and will check out the right ones. Thanks for all the advice and I will keep you posted. Happy Saturday (off to Whitby) Cheers, Nick

Thanks Stan, A very interesting and helpful reply. I lived in Kuwait for a year as a kid and I can recall those intense temperature's. The Sharan is being tidied up today and may well go on Autotrader so I can start looking. The rise of the EV car has made me want one even more, not that I dislike EV’s, I just feel it may be my last chance to run a V8. I intend to keep my MX5 for as long as I can. Looks wise I prefer the non sat nav (is that a Mk3?) but maybe a later car would be better. I may well of course end up with a GS450H but long term will cost more to run I think. I see the 400s have risen in value too, but still a few to choose from at the moment. Thanks GEN, Interesting that you say the 400 was your preferred car and while I have never driven one it’s want I really want. I have the budget for a really nice 430/600 but I want the classic look and less chance of borkage. Also my boy really loves the 400 and I want us to have car we can enjoy together. Nick

Done, thanks.

Hi Malc, smashing, I knew you’d reply. I’m surprised I want a 400 and not a 430/460/600. But after reading many of your posts (and others) over the years I’ve come to the conclusion not only does a 400 look the best it’s probably going to be less problematic. We just have to talk my dear lady in to it, and once that’s done it’s a goer. Do you think it is possible to properly daily a 400. MPG not a huge issue, neither is ULEZ (are they compliant?) and we have Dave at LexTek nearby. It will be used continuously, trips about town, up to Whitby and for work. Could I ask Malc, is a 95 more difficult to look after than a say a 99/2000. I think i prefer the dash of a 95 (is that a mk3?) as there is no dated satnav. Towbar, well I was once driving down to Sennen Cove hill and saw a 430 with a roof rack and I want to go one further and have a towbar and a square roof rack to lob my road bike on. If you can stick em on a 911 then i can get one a 400. I also want a tape deck again, our house is a haven of old tech, vinyl, Linn LP12, cassette decks, old hi-fi and GPO wall phones that now don’t work and to add the worlds best V8 would be ace. The GS450h F Sport seems a great car for the money you can get one for but I can’t see that being on the road in 20 years time, far too much tech to go awry. I’m actually getting very excited at the possibility of having a 400! Nick

Hey everyone! I had a lovely LS430 for 3 years back in 2016. It was my second Lexus as I also had a is200 Sport Cross, a good little car. For the last 5 years I’ve been doing my family duties in a VW Sharan, which has been excellent. My boy has taken a real interest in cars and this pleases me greatly, but not supercars but the more mundane and JDM. WE have a BBR MX5 2.0 which is fab but I think we’d like another Lexus so could I ask the following? I’m more interested in a 400 than a 430 as I prefer the shape and it’s an older car, which of course may bring me more older car problems. However a sorted 400 could be ok maybe? I will be adding a towbar at some point. Also not on the right forum, also possibly on the hit list could be a GS450H F Sport for about 12 to 14K, or am I asking for trouble? I’ve read up on the RWD drive business at 10K, not good. Also an import is350, that does appeal but maybe a bit small. So a 400 appeals and the look of the MK3 is really impressive but rarer and harder to keep on top off I imagine. 400’s seem to have risen a bit and now could be the time to buy. My wife will daily the car and she’d much rather a Honda Jazz but me and my boy just want the 400. Cheers Nick

Have you tried Dave at Lex Tek in Sheffield? He was always very good with my LS.

Hi and thanks for the replies. Pete, I wasn’t aware of these. Four bikes on a sucker, think I’d be a nervous driver, however I will look in to it. I know these cars aren’t designed as lifestyle utility vehicles so maybe I should look elsewhere, say RX450, but I have an itch to scratch. Malc, I’m glad you still drive the 400. They have to my eye aged extremely well and could possibly be all the car I need……. But I just can’t help wanting a 600L and for not a lot of money at the mo. Obviously a lot more to go wrong. I’ve been looking at a BMW 5 GT530, but really I want a NA engine so of course back to a Lexus. Nick

Evening, So here I am up on the Isle of Skye on a peninsula called Waternish, the village is called Stein. Do you know it? It truly is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been too. Five years ago this week I came up here in my 06 plate LS430 and it was the best drive I’ve ever had. My boy and I still talk about it to this day….. cruising up the M6, through Glasgow, past Loch Lomond, the Cairngorms, Fort William and beyond to Skye, crossing over on the small ferry at Glenelg. What a drive, despite having three bikes on the rear and one stuffed in the boot. We stayed at a house called Loch Bay boathouse, once owned by the folk singer Donovan. George Harrison once stayed at the house, adding to the magical aura. On the stereo all we seemed to play was the album Revolver. Such a happy holiday, the kids young enough to still think I’m the king of all. 3 years later I was back, this time dutifully in a VW Sharan and I’m here now again in the Shaz, my shed on wheels. Stuffed with bikes, walking kit, stuff and more stuff. As we all know nostalgia can have a hold and the past is another country….. but gosh I want another LS. I wonder how can I make it work? As far as I know you can’t fit a tow bar or a roof rack to a LS600. Will the battery be tired on a 08/9 plate, in fact is the car just to old now as a daily? finally my wife likes the Shaz, coming from a Jazz my lady thought it was massive and took a while to adjust. I can’t recall her driving the LS. Like many on here I’m a car enthusiast, my other being a MX5 NC BBR 200. I miss the V8, the comfort, ease of power, the reliability, the toys and much more. Any thoughts or comments on Skye and car appreciated. Nick in Sheffield. PS once in Sennen Cove (other end of UK) I saw a LS400 with a roof rack and when in Skye that first time with my LS I was followed by a LS400 near to Dunvegan, the car was aloof and didn’t even flash.

Thanks for all your helpful reply's, I really appreciate it. My business partner (and good friend) noted the age and the price, I didn't want to listen and felt compelled to have a look. A 430 seems to be wrought out of rock, it was sat next to a new shape XJ and the interior in terms of build quality didn't compare. The leather to my eye seemed of a lesser grain and I noted the inside door handles creaked a little when i pulled it shut. Also when those TFT screens fail, how much will they cost to replace?! Of course a much more modern affair inside but then I really like the 430 interior, despite it's age. I have seen the 05 with radar, looks good also. I think about now is the last time I'll get the chance to buy a decent low mileage LS. Re insurance, yes it's an issue isn't it. I also own a Renault Avantime, dare hardly drive it as I think the windscreen and some of the panels are probably getting irreplaceable and it can't yet I believe be put onto a classic insurance. To me it seems a worth it and as we all know it's worth what someone will pay for it. I feel I'm right in buying a top end 430 rather than a very used 460 and I just like the shape of the 430. A bit old school but a little fresher than the 400. However I've seen a couple of nice 400s in Sheffield and often see one on my commute between Matlock and Sheffield that has aged very well. It really is good fun looking and I really want to spoil myself I really do. I'll keep you posted.

Yes it is top dollar but I think it will sell. One owner from Montys and as I said it is in very good condition. I rather liked the black leather and perhaps easier to keep clean with my young kids. A low mileage 460 would be considerably more? I see that a 460 with similar mileage is over 16K, bar the one at 10K, I didn't check everything but if i go back i certainly will. I think now I will need to see a higher mileage car to compare. It's been a while since I've been in an LS but the build quality is as I'm sure many of you agree is superb. I drove back home in my Grand Espace and realised the interior is mainly made of cardboard. I am now imagining trips to Cornwall in a LS.

Hi all, Have always kept an eye on the forum over the years and once owned an is sport cross which i liked a great deal. I've always wanted a 430 and feel that i may soon get one. Today, after enjoying the delight that was Brodsworth Hall, I went to have a look at this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607165898299?search-target=usedcars&make=lexus&model=ls_430&radius=1500&postcode=s118sa&sort=pricedesc&page=1&onesearchad=new%2Cnearlynew%2Cused&logcode=p&adPos=2 It really is in stunning condition inside and out. I didn't think i was sat in a 12 year old car, it felt almost unused. However is it worth it? Compared to any other 8K car of its ilk I'd say it is, but what does anyone on here think? I'd be very grateful for your opinions. All the best Nick