I need advice on buying a 2nd hand Lexus LS400

leesharp

Hi
i have been toying with the idea of buying a 2nd hand Lexus LS400,
i have a budget of £2,500, so what should i be looking at?
Do i go for a older model with high mielage or a newer model with lower mileage? What should i look for when buying? Also been thinking about a Lexus GS 300 with a budget of around £8,000.
I drove a LS400 many years ago and thought they were nice ,but then too dear,ive looked at e-bay and on Autotrader to get some idea,but really need your help in selecting one. Feel free to offer any advice or tips
Thanks in advance
Lee

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Ask on Pistonheads.

jeannieblue

Older ones are nice in the fact that they seem more sumptious. But you have to remember that any Lexus is high maintainance. They are heavy cars so you have to factor in the odd ball joint here and there. IS200's for example - go through tyres like there is no tomorrow.

I would recommend that you join the Lexus owners club forum, they will give you alot of advice, some you may need to discard, but generally, they will point you in the right direction.

Lexus are good - and don't go wrong that often, but when they do - it can really hurt! I always recommend, buy a Lexus and take out a savings account for it, so when it does need any work, you have the money there for it!!

MX5huggy

How to sort out IS200's need for tyres:- http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/tyres-wheels-lexus.php

motorguy

leesharp wrote: »

Hi
i have been toying with the idea of buying a 2nd hand Lexus LS400,
i have a budget of £2,500, so what should i be looking at?
Do i go for a older model with high mielage or a newer model with lower mileage? What should i look for when buying? Also been thinking about a Lexus GS 300 with a budget of around £8,000.
I drove a LS400 many years ago and thought they were nice ,but then too dear,ive looked at e-bay and on Autotrader to get some idea,but really need your help in selecting one. Feel free to offer any advice or tips
Thanks in advance
Lee

Why is your budget £2500 for a LS400 but £8000 for a GS300?

Dont forget you may well be buying a £50K car for a few thousand, but it will still have prestige car running costs. Air con, auto box, engine, electrics - all horror stories to repair.

leesharp

Reason for the budget is ,the LS400 will be my fun(week-end )r lol
hope that answers your question?,thanks for all your help guys.yes i know when they go wrong it will cost me, i will have my wife to remind me lol
Lee

Sidmon

With that budget make sure you get a mk4 LS400 which can be identified by the 5 speed autobox and they do not have orange indicators on the front bumpers (unlike the earlier LS400's). Go for condition and good history over "low mileage". Can't remember the cambelt change period on those but you'll find out off the lexus owners club forum and ensure it has been changed before purchase, or haggle price down accordingly.

fatbelly

Look for Lexus service history and a 5-speed auto gearbox.

Don't worry if mileage is 150K

Brilliant cars if you can afford the running costs

leesharp

Thanks for that guys,been looking a one on pistonsheads.com a 1992 ls400 looks very nice but the guy says hes got no service history,heres the link let me know what you think? I have spoken to the the and hes willing to do a deal,just not sure though

http://www.pistonheads.com/SALES/1012269.htm

sheslookinhot

Don't buy anything without service history.

trumpton

Look at the car-by-car breakdown on the Honest John (Daily Telegraph) motoring site for a summary of good/bad points.