Faults:

Recurrent problem when slowing down for tight cornering; the engine stalls.

Doesn't happen every time, but can stall pulling up to a stop sign, and it's annoying.

Otherwise utterly reliable.

General Comments:

I bought this car from a private vendor last year for $7250. It needed about $800 worth of panel beating, but the result was a beautiful and luxurious vehicle that I now take on a two-way 170 km journey each week, plus driving around town.

It is an ex-Singapore second-hand import.

The handling is not brilliant, but then again it's not a sports car. Power is more than adequate. Very quiet engine, road noise a bit intrusive, but my mechanic (I don't use the local Toyota dealership) says changing the tires will improve this significantly.

There is some wind noise, which I understand is common if the windscreen has had to be replaced.

Back seat leg room is amazing - best I've ever seen in a sedan - and though this comes at the expense of boot space, how often does one need all the boot space?

Sound system very good, and handy having the 6 disc changer in front of the passenger seat.

Not expensive to maintain; as I said earlier, I use a mechanic who loves Toyotas - when I first showed him the Lexus, he said "At last you've bought a real car."

Styling is a little dated, but hell, who cares - this is a classic.

I'm taking the vehicle in next week to get the fault I mentioned above fixed (hopefully). I hear electrical problems in these vehicles can be expensive.

I get up to 730 km from 70 litres, so good economy for a V8.

I realised my dream of owning a Lexus before age 50 (just!), and would recommend doing this to anyone. Used ones are incredible value for money. The 1UZ-FE V8 engines are legendary for reliability and quietness.

The person who sold me the vehicle had upgraded to a LS430, and I would probably do the same. His parents also owned a Lexus each.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one.

Faults:

Car has reproducible brake failure. Showed to dealer, dealer tried another similar car, which showed the same problem. Dealer conclusion: All 1995 LS400s work like that. Will not investigate further.

Conditions of failure:

- Cold weather (20-25 degrees F or -3 to -6 degrees C).

- Just started so engine running cold at 1,500 rpm.

- At speed under about 5 mph (8 kph) and on a slippery surface such as packed snow, the brakes simply DO NOT WORK.

- Makes for an exciting exit from my driveway when hard packed snow is on the ground.

- The problem is not locked brakes causing tires to slide, the brakes are simply not engaging.

- Work-around: Shift into neutral and brakes immediately start working.

Documentation. Letter to dealer and to national sales office in 2003. Repeat letter to dealer and national sales office in 2010.

My diagnosis; ABS software is sensing slippery surface, ABS software is sensing engine RPM at 1500 (50 MPH at normal engine temp), therefore ABS prevents brakes from locking.

Love the car, have driven it for 12 years and 120,000 miles. Just don't let spouse drive it on very cold mornings when snow on ground.

General Comments:

Quiet, comfortable, would buy it again.

Had serious problems with original equipment adaptive air shocks. Dealer finally replaced with conventional shocks, all with no cost.

Bought a 3-year-old dealer certified car with 100,000 mile warranty, and would do it again.