Lexus LS400

I have decided to sell the Cherokee. We don't need two SUVs and it just sits in the driveway. I want a car again and I have decided on a Lexus LS400.

Why?

Because I like big cars. The LS400 has Toyota reliability and luxury car appeal. Now I'm not trying to be a poser, but I'd like to have something with leather interior, quality sound system, and descent looks. The particular models I'm looking at are 1990-2000, the first 2 generations. I have done a lot of research and they are rather easy to work on. Even to change the timing belt and water pump isn't difficult, just time consuming.

Now, here is where I am conflicted.

1990-1994 Mk I
250 hp/260 ft-lbs V8. 4-speed Auto. MPG: 23 hwy/18 city. Non-Interference engine. Love the looks, but at that age, they are beat to hell and in need of lots of repair on minor things. Usually can be found between $2k and $5k. Lowest miles found: 85k, Average miles found 175k. Seems that many owners are in the high 100k miles and have no problems, if they were serviced properly.

1995-1997 Mk II
260 hp/270 ft-lbs V8. 4-speed Auto. MPG: 25 hwy/19 city. Interference Engine. Don't like the headlight setup as much as the Mk I, something about it is off to me. Can be found with same issues as Mk I, same Mileage, and same prices.

1998-2000 Mk III
290 hp/300 ft-lbs V8. 5-speed Auto. MPG: 25 hwy/19 city. Interference Engine. Love the look of the headlights, better than the first two versions IMO. Better Quality of everything. More gadgetry. These are usually less abused, lower miles, and range from $5k-$9k.

The mechanic part of me wants to find a fixer upper for cheap (Thanks Wheeler Dealers) and spend a little money to make it right. But the sensible part of me wants to find a nice one with no (major) issues and just be able to drive it. Oh and my budget is probably $3k.

Picture reference:

Mk I


Mk II


Mk III

My buddy had one of those for a while. It was one of the V8s and it had 180k when he bought it. He didn't have it for very long and sold it when little things kept going and he got sick of paying Lexus prices. But, again, it already had 180k.

I have always liked those cars. The first two gens moreso than the third, that kind of reminds me of an avalon.

Buy the best quality MK2 you can, then rice it out bosozoku style. The wannabe yakuza look would be a most excellent way to have some fun. You could drive around offering people grey poupon at lights, and when they say yes, chucking a load of wasabi at them and taking off...

spaced cowboy wrote:Buy the best quality MK2 you can, then rice it out bosozoku style. The wannabe yakuza look would be a most excellent way to have some fun. You could drive around offering people grey poupon at lights, and when they say yes, chucking a load of wasabi at them and taking off...

I'm pretty sure SBF implied all of that in his first post.

sounds to me like you have champagne tastes on a beer (hamms) budget.

I see a panther platform in your near future.

Nope, if I get a panther platform car, it's going to be a Maurader and I know I can't afford one. I'm sick of Crown Vics and Grand Marquis.

The older LS 400s are rather affordable and still in good condition. I'm not wasting my money on a beat-to-shit Police Interceptor or Ex-Taxi. I have riden and driven Panthers since I was a child. I recently rode in my dads PI and it was just MEH.

Then i might go find some old ladies Roadmaster Sedan.

Much easier to improve the Driveline if something does go wrong.

Well where I live, it's hard to find decent roadmasters, but even as cool as a sleeper that they are, I'm not a huge fan of them.

yeah, it's even hard in the south to find them

But since 5.3's and 6.0's are readily available and reasonably priced, you really don't need to find one with an LT1.