1998 Lexus LS 400 from North America

Summary:

A top quality machine all in all

Faults:

The front tires need to be changed out. No issues at all.

A close friend was the orig. owner,& He was taken advantage of by the local Lexus dealership. For example: @60,000 miles he dropped the car off for a routine minor service.(Oil etc) The car was operating perfectly as always. Yet they installed: A new Rack & Pinion steering system, new power steering pump, Timing belt, All pulleys & gears connected to the timing belt & A new water pump. His minor service cost $5,000!! I swear this is the truth & have all records of the work since the car was new. My friend is in his 70's & they always told him the car might break down on the highway. So he always said "whatever it needs, just do it" -- trusting in blind faith. He just purchased a new 2008 edition, & the Lexus dealer offered him exactly $5,000 for this gorgeous 1998 car in trade. I happily paid my friend considerably more than what the dealer offered him.

Other "needed" services were also rather suspect & costly at the same dealerhip. Needless to say, I will take the car elsewhere for maintenance.

General Comments:

This car is stunning & pristine in every respect! It has been garaged & meticulously maintained (see above) since new. My 1998 LS 400 Currently has 66,000 miles on it & There is no sign of any wear on the car at all. The premium build quality & high caliber materials are very apparent. Even after 10 years it honestly looks new. In particular, paint & interior materials are top quality indeed.

The car has a fine navigation system & the audio system is amazing! (Except that it has an utterly annoying & inconvenient CD changer setup).

Driving performance is outstanding & the smoothness of the drive train is wonderful-Creamy smooth & silky. I've previously owned an Infiniti Q45, which really does not compare to this car in so many respects.

I love the car & am fortunate that it has come into my care. I'll continue to give it proper treatment for a long while. (Rest assured that when my buddy tires of his 2008 edition, I will be at the standby to snap it up!)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st May, 2008

16th May 2008, 09:47

I think the dealer that the former owner of your car went to should be in jail. There are LS400s out there with 350000 miles that have never had a rack and pinion problem.

16th May 2008, 23:17

Wow, sounds like You found yourself a NICE, low mileage & well maintained (perhaps overly maintained) 98 400LS! Congrats., the car should last for a very long time. You're right about the overall quality of the car being so superb. And yes as well about the fussy CD changer setup you mentioned. Its odd, everything is where it ought to be, and is easy to operate, so the clumsy fumbling with the Cd's is out of place in a 400LS.

Anyhow, just wanted to say that I hope you enjoy your car for a long time!

1998 Lexus LS 400 from North America

Summary:

Best car I have ever owned

Faults:

I had two minor problems. I had a small transmission leak which was fixed by changing a small part. There was nothing wrong with the transmission itself. Hood does not stay open so when I am trying to give my wife's Mercedes a jump I have to be careful.

General Comments:

This is the most reliable car I have owned. It runs like it did the first day I drove. Interior loos great. Seats have not cracked. I still have the original head light bulbs (Xenon). I have original shocks. I no longer use premium gasoline. I save about 30 cents a gallon. I get 21 miles per gallon of gas. I have never been stranded on the road. Only extra maintainance I have done is to change all the hoses, timing belt and fuel pump every 90000 miles. Dealership service has been excellent in the past, but I no longer go to the dealer as I don't really need any special service.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 6th March, 2008