I was looking into buying a 1998 LS400. I found a pretty nice one with 68K and all service records. My big worry is that it has air suspension.....is that reliable? I drove the car and it was VERY smooth. The shifting was barely detectable and you cant even tell the engine is running most of the time. Bottom line is that im torn on the car....wether to buy or not. can anyone give me some insight? Thanks...Jason

 

ls430s are fuckin sick....toyota celsiors i think, they pimp the shit out those cars in japan

 

Very solid cars, lots of the original early nineties LS400s going over 200K on original engines.

The 1998 has lots of advantages over earlier models. 290hp vs. 260 with no mileage penalty, 5 speed automatic vs. 4spd., styling, resale value.

http://www.kbb.com/kb/ki.dll/kw.kc.s...nc&usedcarstab

As far as fixing the expensive stuff, well, you'll maybe have to do it sometime way down the line. At that point, you'd be well served to lean on the online Lexus community, who can tell you where to get expensive parts cheap.

Honestly, that's one of the best made used cars you can buy. If the price is right and the thing hasn't been wrecked, you'll make a good purchase.

Cheers,

-Mirror

 

I had one back from late 97 to late 2000. It still remains one of my favorite cars. I sold it and a Porsche Boxter and bought a Range Rover (never buy one of those they are horrible). I thought that going from the Lexus to the Range Rover would be a pretty nice transition, but it was not. When I looked at getting a new car when I finally got sick of the maintanence costs of the Rover I went straight back to Lexus. I was really close to buying another LS but ended up getting a 2003 GX470 beings that they had recently been released. I love Lexuses, they are, in my opinion nicer than any other car I have driven, or can afford. I never had a single problem with the air suspension in the LS400, the only costs I incurred was a replacement windshield, and regular scheduled maintanence. If you can get a good deal on one jump on the opportunity, you will not be disappointed.

 

Thanks for the recommendations. The vehicle im looking at is a 98 pearl white, navi, chrome wheels, 68k and all service records (was CPO at 30k). Its in scottsdale, AZ so they want quite a bit (19-20,000 before negotiating). My big worry is that its a little too old for me (Im 33).

 

yup

I used to own 1996 LS 400 **given away from my dad**
I love the car . Run smooths as silk.
solid, strong engine ....etc

but yes, it's a little too old for me * I am about your age*

thinking about own one when I hit 40 yrs

 

go pick up a "VIP" luxury sedan magazine from japan and try to tell me a big lexus is for old guys

 

If it's in your price range, a LS400 is a safe bet. I don't think it's "OLD" say, like a Crown Vic. And the mod possibilities from Japan are crazy! Very VIP.

 

Im so torn on what I should do. The reasoning behind looking for a different car is purely financial. Were having a house built and will have an extra 150 a month or so if i trade in my 05 TL. Part of me would like a bigger softer car....but the other part craves some handling and driving fun. I guess no matter what I decide to do...its not permanent....
Either way, I need to make this decision by monday or the car will be long gone. ...These cars go fast here in AZ (lots of blue - hairs).

 

They had air suspension? I did not know that..

 

To me, the LS is the finest sedan for < $100k.

I love the 430 with the ventilated seats!

Sweet ride for all!

 

awesome car. smooth as hell too. however its a gas guzzler

sidemarker

 

my friend has the Lexus that looks liek the very first gen LS. Heck its so old, that the car is jsut call "Lexus". He has well over 450K miles on the ls. Everythign on it is still orginal

 

IMHO, go for it! Don't feel like time is a contstraint, however, for there are plenty of good pre-owned LS400s around. Ebaymotors has tons of them.

Like everyone has said already, the LS is bulletproof. Service will be a little bit spendy, but not too bad. You also need to remember that this car won't be in the shop too often. When it is, however, service it at the dealer, for Lexus service is superb.

As for the age thing--blah blah blah...who cares? I'm rather young and would not think twice about driving an LS. The LS is an incredible car and can be appreciated at any age. However, if it gives you second thoughts, you might want to think about a pre-owned GS. You can find a good pre-owned GS in the same price range.

Good luck with whatever you purchase...and do post pictures

 

I test drove one before I bought the 540i, and it's a nice luxury car, but just not for me. I felt a little too detached from the road.

But if you're looking for 4 doors, luxury and reliability, you can't go wrong with the Lexus.

 

detached is a great way to describe the feeling i had driving it...Not really any room for play in that car unless you mod it im guessing....

if I buy, Rims (appropriate not ghetto of course) and a nice lip spoiler would really make it look great.

 

My brother drives one. Black 96 LS400 with 160K on the odo. Extremely dependable, with a luxo ride. The interior quality and option still rivals the one in my own 6 year younger 2002 TL-S. Nothing's wrong with it except for some asshole who keyed it. He kept up with all the maintenance, changing timing belt, brake rotors and what not.
It's an awesome car for its age.

 

Like everyone said, you'll lose performance but gain $$ due to lower payments and reliability. However you'll take a huge loss on the TL so you'll just have to live with it for a while. Oh and I knew an 18 yr old that drove a gold one and he still looked pimp.

 

Everytime I see one of those, it reminds me of that car you get to trash in the bonus round of Street Fighter II.

LS400s are nice rides though, riding in a black one makes me feel like a Yakuza. Plus you get to experience Lexus dealership service.

 

it will be worth your while

 

Ok, thanks so much for the information. I have decided that the LS is a bit too detached for me. I have decided to focus on GS 400 or 430 for now. Does anyone know if it rides better or worse than a stock 05 TL? Thanks again!!! Jason

 

its a lot softer than a TL

 

Hmm...another thread got me thinking. A 2002+ Infiniti Q45 might be worth looking into. Decent vehicle, just wasn't anything too special in its segment. Great for buying pre-owned.

Here's a decent example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...QQcmdZViewItem

 

mom had a 92 LS400....I learned to drive on it. Very awesome car for a big sedan. I loved that thing. Even had the option of owning it at one point. Very solid.

 

i still see a lot of the very first gen LS on the streets and still running good, no problem

my dad used to drive that as company car and he loves it, it was the later model LS400 facelifted with xenon lights and 5spd auto

 

My brother had a 99 LS400 and that thing was rock solid. No engine, wind, tire noise... it was quiet and smooth.

 

 

Late-nineties Lexus's make fantastically reliable, luxurious, stylish, and economical used cars!!! Any LS400 (or other variant) will be an amazing daily but I'd love to find a cheap SC300/400 to daily myself! They may have been somewhat boring cars at the time, but they were built like tanks and will run forever!

Oh dear God this thread is from 2005!!!! I was about to say that $20k is way too much for a 98 LS400 despite the 68k miles, lol!!! Welp, I've fallen victim to the old thread resurrection yet again!!!

 

Test drove a 1998 nav model back in 11/2012 and man that car was smooth! Good visability! It was the golden years for Lexus!


They're fast as hell for what they are... Super soft suspension, it's definitely a cruiser... Do not try to drive fast around coners, lol!


New suspension parts will help a bit, but they're just smooth, quiet cars!


I love those old Lexus models!

 

Who keeps bumping old threads?


I was going to say 68K miles is low on a 20 year old car anyways!

 

Lol, I fell for it too!!!

 

Agreed that those SC's are pure sex especially with Supra engines