Faults:

In no particular order:

1. Engine mounts.

2. Transmission mounts.

3. Tires.

4. Hood hydraulic supports failed.

5. Carpet pulled back under driver's seat.

6. Electric antenna doesn't retract.

7. Plastic "finisher" bits have fallen off -- like the interior finishers in the door pockets.

8. Plastic surround on the power seat controls has loosened.

9. Carpet on door panels fell off.

10. Leather on seats and arm rest have cracked.

11. Speedometer sometimes does not register speed.

General Comments:

This car is extremely well made. The issues I've had are less than what one would expect on a 18 year old car.

The major functions like the transmission have not failed.

The car rides very well, is quiet, is dependable, and feels sturdy.

The features on the car are very nice even by today's standards -- for example, separate automatic temperature controls.

New tires made a huge difference in the comfort and drivability.

I thought about getting rid of it, but after test driving both newer and new cars, I couldn't find anything that would be better than the Lexus for as cheap as it was to do the recent repairs it needed (see above) and insure it, etc.

Faults:

Speedo needle was only half illuminated.

Driver's seat did not heat.

General Comments:

Both faults were present when I bought it.

Otherwise absolutely perfect condition throughout.

Expensive on petrol, so I have had an LPG conversion done.

Now get 6 miles per litre! Performance is even better than on petrol!

New LPG systems are very sophisticated and 'talk' to the car's ECU.

Capital depreciation... ZERO.

Faults:

The handbrake seized up at 220,000 miles through a combination of lack of use and British weather. Not that it is needed in an automatic with "Park". New brake lines back to front were replaced at the same time.

At 220,500 the front nearside suspension spring broke - very cold weather and poor road surfaces in the bad weather at the beginning of 2010 caused this.

General Comments:

Superbly quiet at all speeds - it really is surprising at first, and every car I travel in now sounds loud!

Seats are comfortable and hard wearing. After 15 years and 226,000 miles, they are in superb condition still.

All the electrical items (windows, seats, sunroof, climate, dash lights, etc.) all still work as they should.

The stereo is absolutely fantastic - no wonder few LS 400's have them changed, unlike most other cars.

I can get 32 mpg (British gallons) on a long run (at 80 mph), but down to 18 mpg around town or when "playing".

Faults:

Head gasket blew at 160,000, despite meticulous maintenance. Required a replacement engine at $2,400.

General Comments:

Up till the head gasket blowing, it was a perfect car. Just routine maintenance (which I did mostly myself). Frankly I still can't believe it overheated one day and messed up. The timing belt and water pump were replaced at 120,000 miles, and apparently this new water pump went bad (or did the Toyota dealer REALLY replace the pump like they said??).

It IS the smoothest ride of any car I've been in. I valet parked cars in college, and this is the best, hands down. I have a 99 Jag, and it's nowhere close.

Great power. With the replacement engine, I plan to continue to see if I can get it to 300,000 miles.

Oh yeah, I did buy a 2005 LS430, and as good as the LS400 is, the 430 takes it one more step. It's so nice that I'm almost afraid to drive it.