LowriderUK

Do we really need ANOTHER insurance thread?

Yes insurance companies will use any excuse to drive up the price of a premium. That's probably because any of those excuses have demonstrated a lack of judgement by the driver, and therefore makes you a higher risk, and a more likely candidate for the insurer to have to pay out against.

Want to know the MAIN reason insurers use any excuse to put your premium up? It's because they are losing money hand over fist to the anbulance chasing vulture 'No Win, No Fee' solicitors that plague the media these days. It seems like every other advertisement on tv, radio or in a newpaper is about "Have you had an accident that wasn't your fault? Then call Schyster, Scammer, and FastOne now".

Ooh, sat down a bit too hard and tweaked your neck at work? Obviously your employers fault for providing chairs that are too hard. Sue them!

It makes me sick, no-one has any responsibility for their own actions anymore, and are always looking for a way to blame someone else and make a quick buck in the process.

It's **** tiring...

It's a common problem, the unit either needs repair to the backlighting or replacing with a known working unit.

Googling "LS400 stereo lights" or entering similar in the search button on this forum would yield many results.

It's a common problem, the unit either needs repair to the backlighting or replacing with a known working unit.

Googling "LS400 stereo lights" or entering similar in the search button on this forum would yield many results.

I would suggest that he changes his sales price to £19999 whenever he sells a car, but the classified ad still has time to run, to prevent further unneccessary sales calls. The high price will put off caller for a car that is already sold, and the vendor can allow the advert to run to it's conclusion.

I am sure he could have pulled the advert at the time of sale, but it's probably quicker just to change the price and leave the advert up as exposure for his business.

The thing is if as alot of people do these days know their way around eBay you would see that lot and run a mile as all it deos is scream SCAM SCAM SCAM You certainly wouldnt trust anything he tells you.

Mike

Not at all, a vastly over-inflated price wouldn't be the ploy of a scammer, quite the reverse.

Now, if he was advertising cars at well BELOW their market value, I'd tend to agree with you.

I see plenty of vendors on eBay who suddenly increase the price of a product that is usually £9.99 to £999 simply because they are waiting to restock, but don't want to pay for two listings.

I would suggest that he changes his sales price to £19999 whenever he sells a car, but the classified ad still has time to run, to prevent further unneccessary sales calls. The high price will put off caller for a car that is already sold, and the vendor can allow the advert to run to it's conclusion.

I am sure he could have pulled the advert at the time of sale, but it's probably quicker just to change the price and leave the advert up as exposure for his business.

Still looks a nice car tho' Malc

Looks very nice indeed. Incredibly shiny :)

Apart from the terrible repaint of the lower moulding in the N/S/R door. Not insurmountable though.

You would have though that someone would have taken the effort to wire the fogs into their correct location though.

Factor in 20% VAT and 3.5% Import Duty and it's still a good saving.

If they only last a year, surely they are not "fit for purpose", assuming not high mileage, so might be worth tackling the supplier?

I'm not sure about this, but haven't I read on here that somebody found it cheaper to import suspension parts from the USA?

Its the rubber boot that fails and lets all the road grit and dirt get in. USA isnt an option as I dont have the time; they need doing in the next week or so.

If i cannot find another supplier ill go back to where i got the last 2 from and try to rig up an better boot to go over them. A piece of bike inner tube is the favourite so far; cable tied over the original boot.

USA most certainly is an option, RockAuto usually dispatch the same day and it takes approximately 3 days to arrive in the UK.

www.rockauto.com

Even with shipping and taxes/duty, it will still be less than Lexus prices.

I know lots of people who have used this company with a great deal of praise.

It's not eBay's fault, it's down to the seller. If they don't select LS400 as a model in the dropdown list, but type LS400 in the title, then it will only appear if you search "LS400", and not if you search Lexus, then select LS400 from the model selection box.

It's the same as when the selling 'grid' that shows all the information for the car - such as fuel type, number of doors, mileage etc - is almost empty, and all the information had been typed out in the description.

It's just laziness on the part of the seller.

Hi Dan,

Cant agree with you there although there are always mistakes in listings I checked 3 cars from both the 21 list and then the 30 list and they are all listed correctly.

It dosent seem to make any difference if you put LS 400 or LS400 and whether you choose to put Lexus at the begining of either of those search terms.

If you just put LS400 into the search only facility and you dont even have to select it to search Cars you will get a return of 35.

If you go through the eBay listing search ie Motors, Make, Model, etc you get a return of 21.

All cars are listed as far as I can correctly.

Mike

Searching LS400 brings up a list of 35 vehicles in the 'Cars' catagory.

Of those 35, only 20 have the model correctly listed as 'LS400', the remaining 15 have the model listed as 'Other', as I explained above.

I've taken the time to list the auctions seperately.

All of these 20 listings correctly show the model as 'LS400'.

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4ab4920e55

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3cc237d44b

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item19ce1fc365

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a171153a8

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4ab44c100c

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4844301c53

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4ab48c1888

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4cfe066feb

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item33726abdc4

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4cfe980a9f

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1e6b62bf16

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item20c309d65d

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3cbda9745a

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1e689b6ad0

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1e68a29719

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item53eb1b1155

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a6d10e96a

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item53e9f99c7b

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item41630e1c36

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item35b89647ef

These 15 listings show the model as 'Other', or have no model information at all.

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item43ad99482c

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item19cdf4dfb3

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3372510a69

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item20c2f219e1

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2ebb41c9d1

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1e6ba84d60

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3371473c58

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item1e6b1fb4f4

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2ebbbe02b4

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item43adaac9ef

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item46015a1c96

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3a70fd66d0

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3f13f07a16

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item3f1456ebb2

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item46015fc902

Therefore where the model is not shown as LS400, selecting 'Lexus' and then 'LS400' from the lists will NOT show these cars.

I stand by my statement that it is no-ones fault but the sellers for not correctly designating the model of their car.

Insurance is much more expensive in the States, especially when you are younger.

When you work on cost of living in the States is slightly less than in the UK, a $700/year premium is pretty high for a 33 year-old.

It's not uncommon for a mid-20's person to pay over $250/month to insure a Honda Civic.

Hi Dan

Cant agree with you there.

We have members here who are over just over 30 being asked for premiums in excess of £3000. This guy has told us that he pays $700 which works out at todays exchange rate to £443.03 per annum.

The cost of living in the States is not that much different to us and in many cases wages are considerably higher.

Mike

You can't apply an exxhange rate to compare the costs of Insurance. What determines whether it is expensive or not is how it compares with the cost of living in that particular country.

Anyone paying £3000 at age 30 for an LS400 is either in an incredibly high risk area or has zero no-claims discount. You have to compare 'apples for apples' when looking at the difference between costs here and in the States, and in the majority of my friends and colleagues Stateside, America is MUCH more expensive for car insurance.

This one, for example, has the Manufacturer as 'Lexus', but the model as 'Other', so won't appear if you go down the route of selecting 'Lexus' and 'LS400' from the make/model selection, but will appear if you type LS400 in the search box.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1995-LEXUS-LS400-GREEN-AUTO-LEATHER-MOT-TAX-TOYOTA-/180825816432?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item2a1a0efd70

All because the seller hasn't bothered to ensure the details are correct.

It's not eBay's fault, it's down to the seller. If they don't select LS400 as a model in the dropdown list, but type LS400 in the title, then it will only appear if you search "LS400", and not if you search Lexus, then select LS400 from the model selection box.

It's the same as when the selling 'grid' that shows all the information for the car - such as fuel type, number of doors, mileage etc - is almost empty, and all the information had been typed out in the description.

It's just laziness on the part of the seller.

Insurance is much more expensive in the States, especially when you are younger.

When you work on cost of living in the States is slightly less than in the UK, a $700/year premium is pretty high for a 33 year-old.

It's not uncommon for a mid-20's person to pay over $250/month to insure a Honda Civic.

I had a GS300 before the LS I have now. The GS feels a little more modern inside, and I actually prefer the looks over the LS, but you definitely feel less torque in a GS.

Also, beware the electronic brake booster problem on Series 2 GS300s, as it'll cost almost £3000 to fix if it goes!

Would be a good option if you had a 1UZ in a different car, but pointless for an LS400, as unless you're running one as a stripped out track car, the overall design and set-up of an LS simply won't match the more aggressive parameters that the ECU gives you. Apart from faster accelaration [and the LS400 is plenty fast for a barge anyway], it would offer little benefit for a street driven car.

An independant garage will charge you half that price, simply not worth going to Lexus directly for that sort of work.

My O/S wheelbearing cost around £280 at Albin B [independant Lexus Specialist] in London.

A Lexus in PC?

No thank you, it's simply not a marque with sufficient heritage or timeline to suit the readers of that magazine, and I'd be quite dissappointed if I picked up a copy and found them in there.

Maybe in 10-years time or so.

Such an article would be better in the likes of Auto Express.

A Lexus in PC?

No thank you, it's simply not a marque with sufficient heritage or timeline to suit the readers of that magazine, and I'd be quite dissappointed if I picked up a copy and found them in there.

Maybe in 10-years time or so.

Such an article would be better in the likes of Auto Express.

The reply to my questions...

It does state Lexus LS400, Gas means petrol, It does have the height adjustable suspension. The plate is a private plate that goes with the car. Any more questions please call me then at least I know you are halfway to being a serious buyer.

Regards

Lee.

I'd steer clear, if I HPI my own Lexus is states fuel as Petrol, not Gas, so something definitely fishy going on there.

As said before, his attitude stinks though, I gave him the benefit of the doubt in the ad, but that's no way to respond to a courteous enquiry.

A DVLA check does not match a result to the VRM with either Lexus or Toyota as a manufacturer.

An HPI car check gives the following results - https://www.mycarche...46928/FRPYVMGJ/

Make & Model Lexus Ls 400

VIN Check You have not performed a VIN check yet.

Engine Size 4000cc

Engine Number NOT KNOWN

First Registered 4 Dec 1998

Year Manufactured 1997

Former Keepers 0 (Current keeper has held the vehicle from first registration)

Body Saloon

Colour White

Fuel Gas

Colour changes We have no record of this registration being subject to a colour change.

Plate Transfer This registration has been involved in a plate change, the transfer history is displayed below.

Registration On Off R170EJA 22 Jun 2002 C12OWN 22 Jun 2002 17 Jul 2002 R170EJA 17 Jul 2002 10 Dec 2007 R400ABU 10 Dec 2007

Scrapped We have no record of this registration being scrapped.

Exported We have no record of this registration being exported.

Stolen We have no record of this registration being stolen.

Destroyed We have no record of this registration being destroyed.

Insurance Write-off This vehicle may be recorded as a write off, however, as it has undergone a plate transfer further investigation is required, please call 0844 482 1948.

Vehicle I.D. Check We have no record of this registration being subject to a Vehicle Identity Check.

The 'Insurance Write-Off' part worries me, I'll give them a call later to see if they can clarify.

It would appear to be an LPG-equipped car, as the eBay auction lists fuel as 'Other', and the HPI check states Fuel as 'Gas'.

I've sent the seller a courteous e-mail with a couple of questions, as below. Will advise on the reply.

"Dear this_is_common_sense,

Good morning, I wonder if you could clarify a couple of points for me.

1. Is the car fitted with an LPG system, as the eBay listing says Fuel: Other, and the HPI check states fuel type as 'Gas'.

2. Is the car fitted with adjustable air suspension? Looking at the engine bay picture, the strut tops looks like the air-equipped version, plus it would appear from the interior shot that the height adjustment button is present in the centre console underneath the radio, alongside the heated seat button. It's a little unclear to make out.

3. Does the V5C state Lexus LS400 or Toyota Celsior, this being an import car, as this can affect the ease and price of insuring, as many companies don't insure import models. The HPI check states Lexus LS400, but a DVLA check under the registration number does not give a result when using either Lexus or Toyota as a manufacturer.

Many thanks and kind regards, Dan Haines"

Nope, as the LS400 was the type of car more likely to be sent into a garage by it's owner, rather than service at home, there was not a demand high enough to warrant production of a manual.

Haynes decide whether to invest the time and money in producing a manual only if the demand would warrant it, and at the time these cars were new, any Lexus simply wasn't looked at as a 'home mechanics' type of car.

O2 [lambda] sensors are screwed the device that screw into the exhausts, so it's not any challenge for any competant mechanic to change them.

The LS400 [all models] had both pre-cat and post-cat O2 sensors, so finding out which ones are faulty is important if your going to replace them with OEM parts.

You can use a universal O2 sensor instead of a genuine part, but it will require the original plug from your existing sensor cutting off and soldering onto the univeral one. Again, not a hard job.

Here's a guide for the UCF10 as an insight into what is required. It's pretty much the same, from what I can tell, for a UCF20 [Mk3/4].

http://www.lexls.com...ygensensor.html

http://www.lexls.com...ygensensor.html

Get your tracking checked!

I had a similar problem on mine, thought it was a bearing and had it replaced, still there.

Turns out the tracking was out, and the inner edges of the tyre had unevenly worn into a hardly noticeable 'saw-tooth' shape, resulting in the noise you describe.

Mk3 have much shorter indicators, the side profile is squarer and the top of the wings are more 'knife edged'. The Mk3 also didn't use larger tail-lights for Europe/North America/R.O.W. application like the Mk1/2 did. Finally, the Mk3 didn't come with that awful blue leather interior.

It's a Mk2, as Mk1s have an analogue odometer.