1992 Lexus LS400 review from UK and Ireland

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.

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!