ScousePaul

109K miles is no big deal with these engines. I've an 83K miles LS430 that could be mistaken for straight off the factory floor from some angles and handles like new. If you look after them then they'll look after you.

It was probably listed with a BIN price of £700 but it was still an auction rather than a fixed price sale so would have had a starting price below that, which becomes the current price if bid on, cancelling out the original BIN opportunity.

Sticker looks tasteful! Not for me but it sits well on your tints.

Yeah, the LS400 was to me the first American-styled Japanese-built car that made sense on UK roads . They lost that trajectory a bit in more recent LS revisions, but give me an LS430 interior in an LS400 body and with some of the more contemporary LS460 gizmos and I'll not ask for more. Not going to happen though.

To me, all of the LS's are interesting for different reasons. I do find the LS400 exterior to be the best. Sleek lines which don't age, or at least now just look classic. Relatively simple technology and solid build. I still miss my old LS400 MKIV, but when I was looking for a an LS recently I went for an LS430. There are just more of them available in great condition so wasn't hard to find a good one. I also much prefer the interior of the 430. A few more gadgets to break, but so long as I don't get the fabled collapse of the air suspension in the next 5-10 years I'll be happy with mine. The 460/600 are wonders of technology. More modern body shape (to me, better on the eye than the 430 but again not as sleek as the 400). Lots more to go wrong and expensive to fix, but I may look at them with more interest in 5-10 years ;). Unless I find a mint LS400 that's not already been grabbed by the eagle-eyed members of LOC...

LS430 alloys are my favourite. Mated onto an LS400 (my fave body shape) is a very good choice.

Clear indicators always look great on the LS400 for me. Gorgeous looking car.

I sold my LS400 mkIV about 10 years ago. Still regret it, but had been given a company car at the time and couldn't justify running a second "weekend" car. When I jumped back into the LS world recently I went for a 430 as to me that was closest to the LS400 in style and build and there are plenty of very good examples available. The LS400 still beats it in exterior looks though. Would have snapped up a mint example 400 for similar price, but those are now like rocking horse sh*t.. There's no doubt they're a classic car these days and worth investing in, and worth preserving and looking after.

Gotcha. So not as lovingly well maintained as described. Ebay descriptions can be quite florid though ;).

What do you reckon the lowest cost is to fix those though? Things like ball joints are £50 or so. If you're a dab hand mechanic and can do it yourself it's not a big expense. Wouldn't be an LS for me (I can hardly change a light bulb) but probably not a big thing to others. No doubt others out there better value, but the gene pool is getting smaller and smaller for this model.

I do think the asking price is on the high side, so yeah caveat emptor

The advisories don't seem particularly horrific for a 130K miles 17 year old car. All the info is there for any buyer to make an informed choice :).

Personally I just want the plate :). Shame I've just bought one...

Nice work Nige! I'll send you a PM with my contact details.

Calling to cancel is a guaranteed way to get a discount :). All of the CSRs who take your call are primed to offer you a retention package should you say you're going to cancel. I used to work for an ISP and this was standard practice. Much cheaper for them to offer you a discount than to lose your long term value for ever. Anyone with Sky or Virgin Media - give it a go and see .

Nige, Yes it's the offside rear handle.

Extremely low mileage, but even without being a cat D the price seems on the high side to me. Plenty of low mileage well looked after FLSH examples of an LS430 for 1,2 or 3 thou lower than that. I know as I've been actively seeking one until very recently :). Cat D is the least risky categorisation I guess, but it's still an insurance write-off. Well to give autotrader some credit, they do at least highlight this http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201609187884756?make=LEXUS&radius=1500&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=price-desc&postcode=pr99lu&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&model=LS 430&page=1 Ebay just doesn't care about that kind of thing.

I found that out recently using Renapur on ventilated seats. Worked really well on the leather where it doesn't have the perforations, but elsewhere clogged the holes and stood out. Warm soapy water cleaned them up, but best not to go there in first place. Lesson learned!

It certainly looked well polished :). Where's pics of the new one? Has to be gleaming by now .

It's like watching open heart surgery . I'm hoping it all fitted back together again with no bits left over :).

Thanks James, I take it that's the one listed here? https://www.yell.com/biz/mobile-vehicle-repairs-liverpool-liverpool-7852180/ Nice and local to me. Will give them a bell.

Wow, respect Chris. Couldn't have imagined getting away with that in my youth :).

Thanks Nigel. Local Lexus dealer just looks at screen and says "computer says new door handle", but if you can find one then that would be awesome! Yes looking again at my pic I can see holes where I guess pins are inserted. So not just adhesive.

There is only one true red as I'm sure you know... . My cars are a bit like my team - a bit lacking in modern features but solid quality that will outlast fashionable whippersnappers .

From googling around it seems it's not that uncommon for these to pop off. Looks like they're just glued on. Called Lexus to see if they supply replacements, and the response was "of course sir, that'll be £250". In other words, you have to buy a complete handle! Not going down that route for something that's mostly cosmetic... So will have to be on the lookout for one via the usual places. I did see a set on ebay for around £136, which is still way more than I want to pay though that is for all 4 of them. They're also in that shiny chrome finish which I don't really think will look right... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-PUTCO-Chrome-Door-Handle-Covers-FITS-2006-2007-LEXUS-LS430-/371708023522?hash=item568b8652e2:g:TO8AAOSwubRXI9yz If anyone knows of other sources or has other suggestions then let me know.