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Lexus LS 400/LS 430

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Comments

  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Run. Unless that car is free, I wouldn't buy it. Also, the Power Steering pump is located directly above the alternator in that car, and when it leaks, it will take out the alternator as well. Run.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    edited December 2011
    No power for acceleration, but no CEL, often results from a plugged catalytic converter.

    The issue of the PS leak resulting in alternator failure is only an urban legend.

    The PS pump is highly prone to leakage and the alternator slip rings are of a marginal design.

    Many, most(?) owners folks ignore the realtively "minor" PS leak until the alternator fails and so the "technicians" have concluded that the leak leds to the alternator failure.

    Simply not the case.
  • blacklx1blacklx1 Member Posts: 10
    Well actually the CEL is on......and the car is a family members so if I get it, I'm hoping to get it super cheap! I also want to fix it up (without spending a fortunate) so it is reliable.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Then use a paper clip to jumper the diagnostic connector and "read" the code(s).
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I still would avoid the car.
  • lavrishevolavrishevo Member Posts: 312
    Looking at a 99 LS-400 with 67k, in very good shape for $8500.00 Anything to be wary of? Seems like a great deal.
  • macdawgmacdawg Member Posts: 6
    Sounds like a great deal to me. I love my 95 LS-400. I've had it for 3 years, put on 35,000 miles, it had 145,000 miles, and other than changing the timing belt, water pump, and power-steering pump, it just runs and runs. All the little details, the instruments, work like they're brand new. Stereo rocks me silly.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Well sounds like a nice car...it's not a "great" deal but with the low miles, it's a good deal. I did a search 'globally' for '99s and found that the average asking price was $9800...so if we presume a 10% negotiation, that puts it at around $8900 selling price, private party. Dealers would be higher. And if we presume that some of the cars in that group would be higher miles than yours, we should add anotehr $500 premium to that, so $9400 would be "retail".

    So yeah, you're getting a bit of a deal on it.
  • lavrishevolavrishevo Member Posts: 312
    Ended up purchasing the car for $8,000.00 She needs a few things here and there but for the low miles and condition it is a great car.
  • saborgsaborg Member Posts: 1
    Have enjoyed my 2005 LS430 even after having to give up a GS because lease was up. Have driven the LS as I did the GS with almost the same degree of "really" driving. Currently has 80K miles and other than water pump @ 70K, everything else has been "usual".

    Decided to look for possible move to a hybrid SUV to replace this 19mpg 430. Just drove the RX450h. Really made me appreciate the LS all the more. RX is a "really" big truck and the hybrid side of it steals any thought of rapid acceleration. Found that I lost the sense of a "safe cocoon" around the vehicle - too much to watch out for.

    Anyway, the reason for writing this note is that trying "on" other car(s) made me return quickly, and with a continuing high regard, for 430.

    saborg
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Funny,...I gave up my LS because the RX felt much more like a "safe cocoon". Sit up higher so I look down on the bumpers of those big [non-permissible content removed] pickups. These days I'll trade acceleration for safety and FE any day of the week.

    But in truth I'm holding out for a hybridized Venza w/Atkinsonized DFI I4 and F/awd.

    Or maybe even an LS350 using the new GSes HSD system.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    edited March 2012
    I agree with some of those thoughts. I love the 3 LSes I've owned, including an 05. I think the RX is a "girls SUV" and would want a larger one were I to want an SUV. The LS is probably safer, being lower. The other thing I agree on is; the Toyota Hybrids are horrible off the line, or in any acceleration situation. Just unloaded my Camry Hybrid for that very reason. Great mileage, but you can get killed trying to get across the street.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Just as I would not allow my 10 YO, or teenagers, weigh in seriously on my choice of cars, I would NEVER allow someone else's "label" to bias my decision. I have owned a '98, a '99, and a 2000 Chryler T&C, all F/awd. Gave all of these to my daughter and she only recently sold the 2000 to some very old close friends, old with both meanings. She now drives a 2012 MDX.

    Lower is NOT safer insofar as being T-boned.

    At my age my driving style is always more in the range(***) of making judicious use of the brakes, not the accelerator. So our 1st gen Prius suits me just fine and I think the acceleration rate of the RXh & HH is a bit much.

    *** Not "fast" except on the highway, unless I'm driving the C4. Still not "fast" in city, except for often an acceleration level that makes my wife wish she had stayed home..
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    "..want a larger one.."

    I wish to go the other way, a hybrid Venza or maybe the upcoming Porsche Macan R/awd. I've been hoping, probably a waste, for a hybrid C-max with the Escape style F/awd.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Sorry, LSes simply do not die, our '95 is now well north of 300K miles.

    I was forced to give away (family, friends, employees) our '91, 2 '92's and most likely now our '95. Sell or trade is impossible since very few buyers/dealers appreciate the true/actual value. No one but a long term owner will understand the true value of a high mileage LS.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    LSes simply do not die, our '95 is now well north of 300K miles.

    Exactly right.
  • casino2casino2 Member Posts: 26
    No, I don't think water pump last that long. You can take a chance not replacing it, but the risk is very high. It is suggest the the water pump needs to be replace, since it involved the timing belt. You will saved on the labor charges.
  • mheni1mheni1 Member Posts: 41
    My 2006 LS 430 is getting a little old. Am looking at a 2012 LS 460. Would appreciate comparison feedback on 430 v. 460. Am particularly concerned about driver seat room in 460. I am 6'2" and 240 lbs with multiple joint issues from extended Army time and arthritis. Limited neck mobility in terms of getting into and out of 460. 460 door frame seems lower that 430.
    Thanks so much.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    It may be too late - I had 2 430s and an 09 460 now. No comparison, to me. The 460 is hands down the most comfortable seat I have ever owned in a car. You should love it. Way superior to the 430s. The 460 is a smidge lower in the roof, you have to duck a little more to get in, but it's not been a problem. I'm 6'0". Highly recommend the 460 in every way.
  • casino2casino2 Member Posts: 26
    I agree with your theory. I planned on doing the same thing with my 2003 LS 430 certified preowned purchased. I've asked many mechanics about the longvity of a Lexus and the say up to 500,000 miles. It all depends on how you take care it. I also have a 2001 Lexus RX 300 which was purchased brand new. I am still own it. I want to see exactly how many miles can Lexus go.
  • casino2casino2 Member Posts: 26
    First, ocaasionally check under the hood for leaks and so on. If you hear any unusual noises, talk to you mechanic about it. You should make friends with a knowledgeable mechanic and ask questions regarding your cars. Your mechanic is your auto adviser so your mechanic will be able to help you in anyway possible.
  • casino2casino2 Member Posts: 26
    I have the same paint color on a 2003 Lexus LS 430. I usually take it a car wash for detail.They have professional detailers who uses a machine buffer to detail the exterior. It protects the paint from being faded and of the rain, sun and wind. Unles not forget that the use quality waxes that professional detailer use to protect the paint and keeps your car shine for a long time.
  • tmundotmundo Member Posts: 2
         I have a white 1994 lexus LS 400, with a strange overheating problem, and it's gradually getting worse.  I bought this car from a man while he was in the process of dying from cancer.  It was winter when I bought the car.  The car handled fine all year and throughout the summer it was fine.  Another winter passed and all was good.  It wasn't until the weather began to get warm a second time, that troubles began to surface.

         This summer is a lot warmer than the last.  It got hot early in the spring, and I turned on the air conditioner, but after about 10-15 minutes I began to notice an overwhelming musty odor.  I would later realize it was the odor of an overheating radiator, but at the time I could not place the smell, an the engine was not smoking.  I stopped at a random repair station (lets call him mechanic R), and the mechanic R did me a favor and sprayed some anti-mildew spray in the air ducts.  This did not work, because the next time I used the air conditioner, the smell was back.  I was told by a fellow who worked for an air conditioner company, to change the air filter and let the air conditioner run for a while.  I let the car sit while turned on for a few hours, and let the air conditioner run with the windows open to avoid the stench problem.  This seemed to solve the problem, temporarily, as the smell issue went a way for a while.

         The next hot day I put the air on, about 10-20 minutes later the smell was back.  I drove around with the air on and the windows open, the smell went away.  I went to run a few errands and when I went to turn the car on again it began to stall.  I decided to take it to my mechanic (lets call him mechanic M), it took me about 10 minutes to get there.  As I pulled into the mechanic M's station, the car began to smoke like crazy.  I popped the hood and we let it cool.  I left the car overnight and  mechanic M said the radiator had a hole in it, he said he replaced it and that was that.

         Now when I drove the car, the engine was making a louder sound.  It was no longer quite and purring like a kitten.  It was sputtering and would seem to want to stall when I would start it and accelerate in the morning and after work. Yes, It had trouble accelerating, but it would be fine after I drove it for five minutes.  It would have trouble accelerating every time I used it, after a few hours of non-use.

         Any use of the air conditioner would produce the same overheating after 20 - 30 miutes of driving with the air on.  The fan clicked on when I used the air conditioner.  So it wasn't that.  I took it to the mechanic who repaired it for the original owner (lets call him mechanic O).  He said he had tried to figure it out but could not.  He said the original owner had given up on them and went somewhere else.  He took the car, said he ran it for 30 minutes with the air on, said he ran it in the shop with the air on as well.  He said he could not find anything.  He told me the radiator looked old, and like it was the one that came with the car.  I had suspected my first mechanic had not replaced the radiator, this confirmed my suspicion.  I also believed my first mechanic had not changed the oil much earlier.  This newer mechanic also did not have time to change the oil.  So how much attention could he have given the car, other than running it.  A friend had suggested that a lexus has a second speed setting on the fan that clicks in on extra hot conditions and is sometimes affected by the fuses.  This newer mechanic said this wasn't it.  But how much time could he have dedicated to it to know that.

         I was running out of options, the previous owner had experienced the same issues and had brought it to two different mechanics with no success.  I had brought it to two different mechanics with no success (although one had been used by the original owner and one simply cheated me.)  I thought about going to Lexus, but tales of high prices were discouraging me.  I drove another week with no air conditioner use and for the final 3 days of that week it was very hot outside.  A strange vibration was coming from the engine, I could feel it through the steering wheel when I started the car after work.  The temperature gauge always seemed in the middle so I figured I could get by for a while if I didn't use the air. I stopped at a store on my way home from work and the strange vibration I had felt through the steering wheel was back.  I shut the engine off, and as I began to walk from the car, I noticed smoke coming out.  I went and got some water from the store.  The radiator was so hot and empty if I added water it would evaporate and shoot back out.  I left the car at the store.  The store is close to mechanic R (who had first helped me with the smell in the air conditioner.  I now recognized this smell to be an overheating engine.  It must have sucked the vapor into the air conditioner system.

    Notes:

    - Initially the car would only overheat on a hot day when the air conditioner was in use, but now additional damage has been done with the engine being louder.

    -The water level must be dropping, but my ride two and from work is not filled with traffic.  I must have slowly been loosing water for the car to overheat without the air on.

    -The car doesn't overheat when I am driving.  Only when I stop and turn the car off.  Then the fan is off too.

    -The oil needs to be changed

    -Mechanic R is close to the store I left the car at, but I am confident when I fill the car up with water, I can drive to the lexus dealer.

    -It is a busy summer season where I live, and mechanics are busy making fast money on out of town customers, not spending time on people from the area who have problems that don't have a simple solution.

    -I don't have a lot of money to burn.

    Any hints or suggestions or solutions are welcomed at this point, I believe I will take it to the lexus dealer.

    -Thank you
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    edited July 2012
    1992 LS400 "drinking" PS fluid.

    I am/was well aware of the propensity of the PS "idle up" valve sucking PS stearing fluid into the intake manifold so the first thing I did was close off the tube to the intake manifold.

    Fluid still seemed to magically disappear, no serious visible leaking anywhere.

    Finally dawned on me to check the idle up valve atmospheric inlet tube downstream of the MAF. Sure nuff, PS pump pressurizes fluid and forces it, via the valve internal leak, out the inlet tube. No manifold vacuum "sucking" required.

    Next up, replace the idle up valve, dirty greasy job I'm not looking forward to.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    $90.00 new, Carson, $40.00 used, Ebay, $0.50 pipe plug...

    Guess which I'm going with.
  • slexy1slexy1 Member Posts: 38
    Hi, I am the original owner of this car ( White/Silver 1990 ) and have had nothing but dealer or independent Lexus/Toyota service shops working on the car for 22 years. I have a spread sheet of every bit of work that was done on the car with dates including Mobile One oil changes. It has only 190,000 miles on it (always garaged) with new shocks, brakes, radiator, A/C repairs, etc. (all verifiable). While the photo is 5 years old, it still looks this good! Don't you agree with me that eventually this "Mercedes/BMW Spoiler" will go up in value, as it is the 1st year model of the Lexus flagship that took a nice share of the luxury car market? I may be looking to sell it soon, but I want someone who appreciates the "Classic Car" aspect, as I do. It runs and rides beautifully, has Nakamichi, CD Changer, Leather seats with Sheepskin Covers, and Chrome Mags, and I use it for local travel here in SC."
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    edited August 2012
    That is a beautiful car, and a beautiful home behind it!

    I would agree that "eventually", the car may appreciate, but not if you keep driving it. In fact, you are probably already WAY over the mileage limit for a classic. Condition is great, but use is also a factor. How many miles do you see on your average Pierce-Arrow or Duiesenberg in collections? Also, how long is "eventually"? Right now, it's worth $3850. If you keep driving it, it won't appreciate. With 200,000 on the clock, probably never will. Enjoy the car - it's worth more to you than to anybody.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I'd have to agree---there's virtually no chance of this car appreciating as a classic. Historically, very very few modern 4-door sedans of any stripe or vintage have appreciated in value since 1990....perhaps the Impala SS of 1994-96 (and it's pretty much shot its bolt on the value curve). Given that your car is already 22 years old and shows no signs of going up in value, I'd say it's not going to happen.

    However, it has real value to you, and would probably command a premium price as a used car--but even that premium price is not likely to warrant holding onto the car for value. If I were you, I'd use the car up and enjoy every minute of it.
  • slexy1slexy1 Member Posts: 38
    Thanks, nvbanker and Mr. Shiftright, for your compliments, good evaluation and advice. I'll probably wind up doing what you both suggest, unless the "on sale date" of Nov. 2012 for the 2013 LS 460 tempts me to buy another 1st year model Lexus. I also have a 2001 LS 430 EuroSport, so I guess I have a thing for Lexus flagship 1st year models. If that does happen, what would anybody here recommend as the best way to advertise to get the best price for my 1990 (I don't do Ebay). Whoever gets it will get a great car that should last with proper care for a lot more mileage! I sure won't be able to replace the colder freon that cools this hot car (with smaller cabin) off faster than the newer, less cold refrigerant models, IMO.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Lexus uses an EPR valve to regulate the level of cooling provided by the evaporator so I doubt that going to r134 would make a difference.

    If you want to see the effects of "wasted" cooling capacity have a look at the return line to the compressor just under the bottom of the radiator after a long drive on a hot and humid day. Up to 1/2" of rhime ice.

    As of ~95 Lexus moved that line to the firewall behind the engine in order to improve the compressor life, engine heat "absorbs" the excess cooling.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I think an ad in www.autotrader.com is your best bet for attracting the type of buyer you want. Unlike Craigslist, which usually caters to bottom-feeders (like me :P ), with Autotrader they offer plenty of sophisticated search functions, so that buyers can isolate cars by zip code. So you can get local buyers even though you have a national ad in place.

    Also if you have a highly reputable broker in your area (someone who sells "classics" or special cars in a nice indoor showroom and who takes perhaps 15% off the top), that's a good way for a hassle-free sale.
  • slexy1slexy1 Member Posts: 38
    I'm sure you're right about the EPR valve, wwest, but all my wife and I know, for many years now, is that we both get "brain freeze" a lot faster with the freon than the r134. I'm not sure, but it appears that the 1990 has a smaller cabin interior size than our 2001 LS 430. Maybe that has something to do with it?

    Mr. Shiftright, thanks for the great, specific suggestions, in case I want to sell the 1990 eventually. Your suggestion actually reminded me that I have a friend on the west coast who is a manager for AutoTrader.com. It will be great to touch bases with him again.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    yeah, if you want bang for your buck (dollars spent per viewer), Autotrader is hard to beat. Plus you get print and internet ads in a package. I've sold 2 cars for friends that way, and got a good price, too.

    Craigslist is nice because it's all local, but some of the people you attract, plus all the scammers, makes it a tedious enterprise.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    The "brain freeze" in the early models isn't the result of the different refrigerants but a change in the design of the climate control system.

    Up until ~95 the system would go into rapid cooldown mode, close to the maximum level of cooling when you initially started the car on a HOT day. Apparently this was deemed somewhat discomforting for some buyers, northernish buyers(?).

    When we purchased our '00 F/awd RX300 I was mildly surprised that I now had to "manage" the system on my own if I wished to more rapidly cool the cabin down to our comfort level.

    Turn the system to MAX cooling, or closely thereby, lower the blower speed to a more comfortable, more quiet level, until the cabin was more comfortable.

    THEN you can put in fully automatic mode.....EXCEPT...

    Being extremely careful to not allow the system to switch into cooling mode automatically on the coldest night in the dead of winter. Somewhere about '05 Lexus came out with a C-BEST option that when set other than the factory default would force the system to stay in heating mode when the OAT was coolish/COLD.
  • saeed4saeed4 Member Posts: 1
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  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I sure won't be able to replace the colder freon that cools this hot car (with smaller cabin) off faster than the newer, less cold refrigerant models, IMO.

    au contrare - my 2009 LS460's A/C blows ice cubes. I'll put it up against your old R-2 system anytime....
  • erudyerudy Member Posts: 1
    Just recently had my driver's side HID lamp changed. When the bulb was screwed in by the mechanic (not Lexus dealership) it was not seated correctly; only one of the "nubs" was in, the other was out. I think this caused a short or arcing in the receptacle. It doesn't look like the black receptacle can be changed as it's attached to a cable. The Lexus dealership tells me the cable assembly is "the computer" and it will cost around $900 for a replacement part. Has anyone had any experience with this? Is there an aftermarket cable assembly for less money? Is there another solution rather than this costly one?
  • casino2casino2 Member Posts: 26
    I had the same problem with my 2003 LS 430. The cushions are flatten after a short time. I had a upholstery guy replace both front cushions plus added more in so the seat wouldn't be so flatten. The cushions for the LS 430 is low quality made. I have also a 2001 RX 300 which I purchased brand new, the front cushions on this truck is better and still holding its thickness. I still drive this truck.
  • rennyboschrennybosch Member Posts: 329
    My friend has a '04 LS430. Recently he has been sick and his car was only driven about 10 miles per month. Three months ago it was dead. The dealer said the battery was bad and replaced it under warranty. Yesterday it was dead again. Now the dealer is saying you have to drive a car at least 20-25 miles per week or else the battery will need a charge. He recommended a trickle charger to be installed if the car is driven less than that.

    Is there an authoritative source of information on the minimum amount a car needs to be driven to keep the battery healthy?
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    I can tell you that my Mother's 2006 Lexus ES330 must be driven at least an hour once a month...she is retired and may not use the car for a few months, and the battery will be dead...the dealer did change the battery once (bad cell) but the problem was still there...when we took the car back to them they noted that she had not put 200 miles on it in the LAST TWO YEARS...my brother now "borrows" the car one week a month and drives it like his own car, to keep the battery up...also, he turned off almost all of the possible power-draining accessories...

    As long as he drives it once monthly, all is OK...I have never seen that with any other car...
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    It varies from car to car depending on what equipment the car uses and even how it is stored and what climate it is in. But as a rule, after 2-3 weeks of non-use, you are pushing your luck.

    But the recommendation of a "maintenance charger" is a good idea---this may not be the same as a simple"trickle charger"----a "smart charger" maintains a battery at an optimal level by use of a microprocessor, while cheapo trickle chargers may not have a microprocessor at all.

    Here's a REVIEW OF BATTERY CHARGERS that might help you decide which is best.
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