Faults:

Even upkeep is expensive on this car; $1000 for full tune up. Rims tarnished badly; $625 a piece from a dealer.

Power steering pump bad; $1300.

A/C went out; $1000.

Rear view mirror stuck on dimming position; $500.

General Comments:

I have always wanted a Lexus, and I have owned Cadillacs, Lincolns and Mercedes.

It's a nice car, but not worth $1000 for almost every repair, and it's nearly impossible to find these in junkyards.

Lexus dealerships seem to have a snobby attitude and parts are stupidly expensive.

Reliability was good, and it better be at the prices it cost to keep the car! I understand that high end luxury cars are generally higher than a mainstream car, but this is a bit much; repairs exceed way beyond Lincoln, Cadillac and even Mercedes Benz on certain things.

I believe it's a good car, but it's best to get a one new or leased, because once it breaks the price costs about as much as a two mortgages!!!

Look and design was nice, but not as flashy or elegant as other domestic or german luxury cars.

Comfort is about the same as a Toyota Avalon. I'm not knocking the car, but if you have owned American or German luxury, stick with Cadillac, Benz and Lincoln; I know I will.

Faults:

The A/C broke somewhere around year 10 but the interior is light so it's not that bad.

Part of the front seat mechanics don't work anymore (also year 10) but the seat is in the right spot so it's OK.

Little bit of rust showing this year after 13 years. Not too bad.

Windshield solution pump broke, year 10. Easy fix. Did it myself.

General Comments:

This is the best purchase we ever made of a used car. I was leary in the beginning because the price was high for a used car, but it has really paid off.

The fact that it needed premium fuel also turned me off, but what I have saved in aggravation over the years I no longer care. Even with today's gas prices.

No major repairs needed since we have owned it. This car is so loyal and willing to run.

I will drive this car until the it dies and I will be really sad when it does.

Faults:

The car was reliable in terms of zero breakdowns, but each time the car went in for a service, the dealer found items that needed replacing. Luckily, I had bought mine with a 3 year unlimited mileage warranty from Lexus, so that covered some expensive items.

In 6 years of ownership, this is what was replaced (as well as normal maintainence) :

Steering rack

Water pump

Gearbox speed sensor

Power steering pump

All brake lines

Brake discs every 20,000 miles

Brake pads every 6,000 miles

Battery

New shock absorbers all round

Front upper control arms

Front lower control arms

Rear upper control arms

Rear trailing arm bushes

Anti-roll bar bushes all round

Strut rod bushes

Transmission mount

Both engine mounts

Front springs (apparently, were cracked)

Front strut bar

CD changer had to be disconnected, since it kept draining the battery even when the car was off

Driver's seat only reclines from one side (so seat becomes twisted)

Windscreen was replaced (and wind noise was really bad afterwards compared with zero noise beforehand)

Both headlight bulbs replaced.

Looks like I bought a lemon, even though it was certified by the Lexus dealer and had a service book full of stamps. I complained to Lexus HQ in England who told me admitted that the car had suffered a "hard life" from it's previous owners, but there was nothing they could do about it.

If you are looking to buy a vehicle like this, don't accept anything less than full service history (i.e. all the previous invoices to ensure that previous owners spent money on looking after it, not just the oil and filter type of service that some folks do). The dealers will still stamp the service book even if they say the car needs 4 new tyres, new brakes etc. The value of stamps in a service book is not much at all.

General Comments:

Despite all the bits and pieces replaced, the car was supremely comfortable and had masses of torque from the V8. I drove the car across Europe in the summer of 2003 and it never missed a beat. I drove to Scotland (500 mile journey) a few times, and each time, you would get out feeling refreshed. I used to get between 15-18mpg around town, and even managed to get 32mpg driving on the motorway at 70mph with cruise control set.

The car was written off in late 2004 after an accident with a tree. Despite hitting a tree at 50mph, the car rolling, and not wearing a seatbelt, I walked out of the car without even a scratch! The car is built very strongly despite being such an old model and not having airbags.

I have driven lots of modern cars recently, and whilst your typical mass market vehicle like a Ford or Vauxhall has improved in the last 10 years, but for the money the insurance company has given me, I cannot find anything that matches it for a relaxing drive.

Saving up hard for a LS430!