anyone had or has a lexus ls400 1998?
tell me about the car.

It is a good, reliable car, but in no uncertain terms, Lexus are NOT drivers cars(like a BMW or Mercedes).

For driving 7/10th's, it will suit most people just fine.

And have it checked out by a reputable shop!

Good luck!

one of the most reliable cars on earth. 98+ had the new vvti 1uzfe motor making 300hp 300 tq. Basically, if you are buying an LS400, this is the year everyone wants because it has all the body and mechanical upgrades. You can easily cruise this car at 80+ without breaking a sweat. Should easily last you 500,000 miles if you keep up with regular maintanance.

The LS400 was launched in the UK in June 1990 as a one-specification model. It had a brand-new 4.0-litre V8 engine which set new levels for smoothness & refinement. All cars featured a state-of-the-art automatic transmission that made even the best Mercedes-Benz automatics seem suddenly second best.There was a minor upgrade in October 1991, when the vanity mirrors were given illumination - believe it or not. A passenger airbag was fitted from January 1993 & this model also received a slightly remodelled grille.The replacement second generation LS400 looked very similar, though it was an all-new car, & it arrived in October 1994. Neither car has sold in particularly high numbers, so finding a good selection of used examples may prove a little difficult. Late in 1997, a much-modified but still similar looking third generation car appeared. Changes centred on revised frontal styling, along with a more powerful V8 engine, now with variable valve timing, a new five-speed automatic gearbox & some technology delights such as a 'touch screen' navigation system. The LS400 was finally replaced by the LS430 late in 2000.

The big Lexus was designed primarily for the United States as the suspension set-up shows. It tends to ride less firmly than its German opposition, but the handling suffers only a little. The steering, likewise, is designed to feel a bit more removed from the road than, say, a BMW's, & may be overly light for some drivers. Roadholding is first-Class, however.

Lexus LS 400 Typical Pricing

Prices start from around £1,000 for the first 'H'-plate cars & the last of the series one 'M' plate cars should be around the £2,000 mark.The new-shape second generation cars start at about £4,000, though a younger N-plate will set u back just under £6,000. Dig deeper for third-generation models which start on 98R plates at £9,500 & go up to about £20,000 for a 2001 51-plate. Whatever u choose, u will find that this is one second-hand car that has an inimitable cachet about it.


Lexus LS 400 Parts
(approx based on 95/96 LS400) A new radiator is around £850. An alternator should be close to £710, an starter motor around £450 & rear brake pads would be around £65.A headlamp will be around £340, & expect to pay close to £970 for a full exhaust system (inc Catalyst).

What is Bad
Lack of steering 'feel' (even the Cadillac Seville STS is better in this respect).

Pre-1995 model-year cars could suffer from engine surging. Limo 'stretchers' not happy about the thickness of the body panels.

Lacquer coating on early-model alloy wheels peels off, allowing them to oxidise badly.

A new set of tyres & a complete exhaust system costs the wrong side of £2,500.

Slightly above average warranty repair costs in 2003 Warranty Direct Reliability index (index 107.78 v/s lowest 31.93)due to high cost of individual repairs. Average warranty repair costs in 2003 Warranty Direct Reliability index (index 101.16 v/s lowest 31.93). Link:- reliabilityindex.co.uk
What to Watch Out For
Underservicing. Some busy company directors ran these cars very hard as mobile offices, clock up 75,000 miles a year, did not always have time to get services done on time.

Check 'cats' (£610 each).

Buy young with high mileage rather than old with low mileage.

Toyota GB says: make sure the car has a full Lexus service history, that the automatic transmission fluid & filter have been changed every year, that the shocks & suspension r okay, that the timing belts have been changed at 60,000-mile intervals & that there is no excess wear on the rear discs through misuse of the parking brake. Check the exhaust system carefully (see above).
Recalls
(Unknown date)Cars built july 1995 - july 1997, possible separation of the lower ball joint, this affects 2230 cars. (Unknown date) Cars built 1992 - 1994, possible failure of suspension ball joint, affecting 1298 cars (Unknown date)possibility that the vehicle stability control (VSC), can operate wrongly when a call is being received on a mobile phone that is near the console box, if this should happen the brakes might activate without prior notice.
1998 (April '95-June '96 build): Risk of underbonnet fire due to faulty wiring.