Stop spending $20K on plastic! CAR WIZARD shows how this '95 Lexus LS400 is the perfect car
2022 ж. 27 Мау.
1 131 233 Рет қаралды
Prices on cars have gone through the roof, and they are mostly made out of brittle plastic pieces that won't last past your auto loan. CAR WIZARD 🧙♂️ shows how this '95 Lexus LS400 is the last of solid built cars. You won't believe how many miles it has and how little it needed repaired.
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the hood struts work so well because the only time the hood ever needed to be opened was for a oil change 😂
And to change that timing belt....big job. Oh, and to replace the valve cover gasket that always leaked.
@@wholeNwonI bought a 99’ LS400 last year with 94,000 miles and I had to replace every single one of those… All of them as a diy job except the power steering pump.
@@balakfnd1931 I edited my comment: Did not replace the PS pump. It did leak until I added a leak stopper and that worked! I only have 174K on mine and it's been incredibly reliable...vastly superior to the 2 new MBs that it replaced. I hope never to part with it. Good luck with yours. I avoid dealer "service". '98-2000 are their best years.
just knocked out a aisin timing belt kit, from noon to 2am. it’s more intimidating then difficult that’s forsure
@@ericklucht7174yea i’m a day into the same kit taking my time doing it after work it’s just a lot of taking stuff off to get to it not too bad
Of course the hood struts work. You never have to open it!
Hahahah😎
😂 lol
😂
😂
They were replaced already? I think they’re good for about 10-15 years
The first time I rode an LS400, and the only time, was once when our car overheated and needed to be towed in the middle of a highway. I was 7 with my younger siblings at the time, stuck waiting for help, and a lovely gentleman in a spanking new LS400 pulled over and offered us all a ride while dad stayed back to deal with the tow. I couldn't believe what I was in. I'd been in E classes and Audis. But this was something else. The leather. The character. The lighting. The solid feel. And just this warm gesture from the stranger. Something I will never forget.
*_Wow. That story is awesome. Glad that dude helped y'all out. I bet he was proud of his car and didn't mind showing y'all that it rides/drives as good as it looks. 👍👏_*
Sorry to hear you were molested
@@d_all_in if only he was selling ice-creams & pops...
So your dad just handed you and your siblings off to a complete stranger? Ok.
@@groundcontrol6876he needed the money to fix the car. 😂
My dad gave me his 95 ls400 and it currently has 285k miles on it and it's still one of the best car I ever own in my life I'll never sell this beautiful car.
lets manual swap it and put some coilovers on it..make sure to post the link here
@@SpaceRanger187 I’ll think about it
@@davidlee3254 hows the thinking going
Keep it, you won't ever be disappointed with it. I took a 91 LS400 in trade in 2009 with 234k miles on it and drove the wheels of the car to 500k miles. Obvious maintenance aside the car was bullet proof.
How'd the gas mileage?
When the Lexus LS came out, GM bought one, tore it apart and their engineers tried to see if they could build it at cost, they couldn't. I still remember the first time I sat in one, back in the 90's. It was an absolute tank. The fit and finish, how tightly the doors closed. I remember when I closed the door, my ear had a slight pulse from the air tightness. I have NEVER experienced that ever in any other car.
That door thing is a trick Mercedes figured out. You have to set up the door hinge so that the entire door gasket makes contact with its mating surface at the same instant. Most doors will land the hing side first then the latch side, that won't produce the "thump" effect. Interestingly, you can also find the Lexus/Mercedes style door hinge setup on many PACCAR truck cabs.
Love my ls400! Im on my second one. Crashed the first one 3 times. It still ran and drove perfect.
I guess you never shut the door on any 88-98 Chevy or gmc 1500 lol
The old vws used to do the same...and kenworth cabs.. they closed more easily with a window partially open.
Mine still does that. I know exactly what you mean! What an amazing car it is
I had to teach my wife not to try to start the car sometimes while it was running. The V8 engine on the LS 400’s are so well balanced you cannot see them vibrate or feel them run. I taught her to look at the tack to make sure. True story.
I have to do the same with mine, incredible machines
*Tach*
They actually have a fail safe on starter motor it won't hurt if motor running....
@@geoffbell166 the fail safe was on uz powered vehicles newer than this generation ls
@@aera6413 No I own a 96series 2 it's got it,engine running,you turn key on as to start no noise...
After working in the automotive field for 15+ years and retiring I can say this from working on and being a owner of a Lexus. These cars are highly underrated, easy to work on , and reliable than anything in the road today. You cannot find a finer car today . These cars are bulletproof . Everything he said in this video is 💯 l would not ever hesitate to buy any Lexus before 2006 . They are the best cars Toyota ever made and really the best cars made ever.
ES350 with NA V6 will go 300K miles with little maintenance and last 20 years.
I have a 2002 LS430, and I will say that it is the easiest car to repair I have ever owned. I’m just a shade tree mechanic and I even tacked the timing belt, which was surprisingly easy and I save myself $1500!
I refer sitting in a new LS400 in 1990, and just being completely blown away. Felt so solid, and levelmof luxury far surpassed anything from its Europen rivals for less money. I remember the infomercials for buying a Lexus with 100K+ miles. The place a full cup of water on the engine and it wouldn't spill over. They would also out one inside on the arm rest and selected reverse and drive to see if the engagement was smooth. My dad bought a used 1992 kept it for 3 years and sold it for what he paid.
Easy to work on? Hell no. Fords and Toyotas are easy to work on. The LS400 has a giant v8 crammed in there, and accessing it is hard because of space constraints. Yes, it's easier than German cars, but I wouldn't say it's easy to work on.
Older Japanese vehicles are today’s holy grail; easy to service for the DIYer , rock solid build quality and consistent reliability. Not at all surprised to see this Lexus still kicking at 300,000 miles. It will likely keep going past 500,000 , possibly more. 😁
Sadly the majority of cars aren't made that way anymore; from a business standpoint, it's understandable.
ls400s suck to work on man
@@kushandcars2429 So are many new cars.
I have a 97 acura tl with 250,187 would you say those are reliable cars with low maintenance?
I miss them when they were brand new😊
I also own a 1995 ls400. I love the car today as much as I did when I bought it almost 17 years ago. It had 80k when I bought it and today it has 192k. I am a senior citizen and have owned many cars over the years and this Lexus is by far the best car I have ever owned. I have no intention of selling. Thanks for the excellent video!
I floored my 99 ls400 everywhere up to 255k miles crashed it twice topped it out at 150. Dead reliable. Got 28mpg hwy. Bought a new 98 ls400 with 150k shes my baby.
Where did the money came from ,? from which you buyed ls400 ?? You can't even affordable a meal, I have seen you many times eating from Garbage
Can I have your car if you die
@@luism8612 You can have it any time, No need to kill him
my 91 ls400 was the most boring, most comfortable, slowest, most problematic, cheapest to fix, immortal car I've ever owned. it was electrical problems( no lights at all...any and every light dead, no hvac) that made me sell it at scrap value $400. 298K mi and still kicking strong. there's no doubt in my mind it's lumbering the streets somewhere
A fun fact about that V8. At the time Toyota wanted to get into the small plane industry and was planning on using that V8 with a supercharger. So because of that it is FAA certified (which helps add to its reliability) and with stock components can take boost really well and reliable.
Toyota developed an entire line of FAA certified aviation motors. They decided the FAA's hostility to innovation and reliability combined with the US' insane legal liability laws created too much exposure. Even though they completed all engineering and development on an entire series of aviation engines, they canceled the project. Most engine piston aircraft are flying on 1960s era technology (generously an $8k engine for $60k-$100k), currently held in place by regulatory capture and certification hostility toward most things which modernize at reasonable market pricing.
Thank for this share! Quite nice to know.
I didn't know that!!! Cool story!!! That's why I love Toyota!
Nice info! Thanks for sharing
Fantastic news!
I have a 2001 LS 430. 260k miles on it and still runs great. So smooth and it feels like it'll never die. Just keep maintenance up on it, and it'll last. I'm shooting for that half million mile club.
I am in Scotland. UK. I have a 2005 Ls430 88000 miles. Best car I've ever owned
@@sg-tp7sc wow that’s awesome
Absolutely the most comfortable quiet and reliable car I've owned. Besides the seats wearing and ripping over time regular proper maintenance makes them almost immortal.
I hate the tiny cupholder which won't even fit a Coke bottle, let alone an XL drink. Not a car designed for Americans.
The Lexus LS400 and LS430 hands down, the greatest vehicles ever assembled. I own a 2011 Toyota Avalon Limited that’s almost like them but it’s not because unlike my car, these cars were made in Japan.
@@isk1tz seriously right! I was in the same market and yeah definitely changed my mind... forget it!
honda accord lxi begs to differ.
@@damionrichter Having owned an Acura CL, I would prefer Toyota. I used to be huge GM fan, but have soured on them. The LS400 is a dream car. I own two SC400s, used to own a LS430, and would love another LS.
Idk they are up there in quality, 1940s and early 50s chrysler stuff (briggs era bodies)was way over built, and had hardened valve seats and those weird door latches. early-midsixties full sized oldsmobiles and buicks (rivieras,starfires, 98s and electras)were well built, 60s lincolns- and the imperial divison cars(hand built) were tanks, and i might even throw in the 92-96 buicks and oldsmobile h bodys,not the best build quality but(better than most gm stuff of the era)good drive train. Im talking about build quality. Recent stuff id say toyota, but id say some older stuff has superior build quality.
I'll put my 1992 740 Volvo with 497K miles up against any car in reliability and ease of maintenance. It has never needed a tow and never left anyone stranded. Drive train is all original. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it cross country.
When a reporter asked Alan Mullaly, (Former Ford CEO and Boeing exec) why he drove a Lexus LS430 before he took the reigns at Ford in the mid 2000’s, he said it was the finest automobile in the world.
I agree wholeheartedly.
I own a 2002 Ford Taurus and a 2005 Ford Taurus V-6 Vulcan 🖖 engine. Second best car in the world.
He didn't drive a lexus. He had one on order. But he canceled the order when taking the job at Ford.
@@asianstud7 He canceled his order on the LS460 (which replaced the LS430), since it would be an embarrassment for the CEO of Ford to drive anything other than a Ford product. However, he did have a LS430.
@@ddk80 interesting 🤔
The LS430's are great cars too. I regret not buying one for relatively cheap about a decade ago when I had the chance.
My Dad worked for a Japanese company for years… the CEO picked him up in the Crown equivalent (brand new at the time) when he traveled… to this day, my Dad claims this is the best car he’s ever rode in, he stated “I was absolutely floored at the ride, quality, and luxury.” The ownership reviews on this thing are unreal. Truly a testament to how amazing they are.
That was nice of you to give Scotty a shout out. Thanks Wizard. Scotty might be a little over the top, but he is a brilliant mechanic.
I think Scotty gets his hate from German car owners.
I had to stop watching Scotty because of his click-bait titles.
@@andyleo8418 Were you losing money by clicking on the videos?
@@msw7021 no but I don't like the deceitfulness of doing that. The guy has millions of subs. I don't understand why he does that. Why betray people's trust? You will never get it back.
@@msw7021 Nah, losing brain cells.
A friend of mine has the Gen 1 LS400, with over 500,000 kms. It's running like a beast. Drives great, parts are still available, can easily do 160 km/h with no hiccup. I drove it from Khobar to Riyadh (420 km) in 45 C weather at 150 km/h fueling it once nonstop. Got decent fuel mileage too for a V8. It was ridiculously comfortable, AC was great.
500,000KM?? That’s barely broken in.
@@TomTheCat. hahaha thanks for the laught mate, you're definitely not wrong tho haha
@@TomTheCat. haha, it could be true. The 45°C desert drive stresses alot of cars believe me. I was surprised how well it performed. Road temperature can reach 80-100°C. Realistically the car drove beautifully. Going 160 km/h on such an old engine nonstop was almost unnoticed.
The Car Care Nut channel says parts for LS400 is getting hard to find, so he now recommends the LS430 instead of the 400. Are you saying you have no problem getting parts?
Abbas Rizvi insha'allah you made the journey without any problem and without being pursued by Meccans - They were more dangerous than Mexicans
My 1989 LS400 was amazing. At $38,000, fully loaded, it was a steal. Today, I drive a 2001 LS430 and it'll last me a lifetime. If I get 18 mpg instead of 35 mpg, and drive 12,500 miles per year, then it's costing me $200/month for the pleasure. Well worth it.
If you go to Japan and see how respectful and diligent the people are , you will have a new respect for Japanese made cars . The 4 runner is still made there. Tacoma in Mexico
Whenever I watch CarWizard's video, things he says are almost always parallel with what Scotty have said now or in the past. That's why I like this channel.
Hope the Wizard doesn't go full Trumptard
My 94 LS400 has 356k on her, interior is amazingly in good condition for the age let alone the miles. EVERYTHING works on it as well, also paid only $900
I am so jealous of you owning that dime piece I wanna get one myself
@@smecheru_la_toti It is for sale! lol
@@kirtlandpratt873 ::: What did you get for it?
These are one of my favorite Lexus models. Just a solid tank. My 2002 Toyota Avalon has 240k on it and drives better than many cars with half it's mileage. It makes a great year round daily driver. I also have a 1999 BMW 740i and someday I'd love to pick up a decent LS400 to go with it since they were competitors back then. It would be cool to compare them in a video. No question the Lexus would win in the maintenance and reliability categories lol.
Great cars. Having been a Saab man for 30 years, I'm now a confirmed Toyota fan. I have you and Scotty Kilmer to thank for that. Since Saab went bust, it became steadily more difficult and eventually impossible to find parts for older, pre GM models. My Toyota is not new, of course. I have a 20 year old Camry that I bought from the original owner, a retired engineer. He had changed the oil every 5k miles and babied it. It has just gone over 100k miles and still uses no oil - not a drop - between changes. I take care of it. Completely rust free and no nasty plastic engine parts. Just put new pads and rotors on it and had a stainless exhaust made, with a new cat. At a recent emissions test, I was told it's as good as many new vehicles. I'd love one of the big old Lexus models (particularly a LS430), but they're a bit thirsty and I'm in the UK, so gas is horrendously expensive ($11 a gallon, currently) here.
I have a 2006 Lexus that I bought in 2011 and it had 65,000 miles. I bought it for $25,000 which was a great deal compared to all the others that were online. It still rides smooth, and I have no problems with it at all. I change the oil every 3 or 4 months and have 140,000 miles. The interior is leather and still looks new. I am very happy with it and paid it off 5 years ago. Saving Money is a good thing.
That's weird since according to the title of this video your vehicle is poorly built.
200k on my 96 LS400 and it's rock solid. It's a great highway cruiser.
Totally with you on the older car more reliable thing. I sold a 17' ecodiesel 6months for the same amount I paid new and replaced it with 3 ultra reliable older trucks. 06 Silverado 2wd 5.3, 03 Tahoe 5.3, 00 S10 2.2 manual. Bought 2 LS 5.3 spare engines and still pocket THOUSANDS. Car market is insane and new cars are way more complicated than they should be.
That 5.3 Chevy will probably go 400K miles if you take care of it. Tank of a motor. Chevy Transmissions and front ends... However....another story.
The early 2000 is300 is pretty solid. Had a roll over accident in one I owned. Didn't have seat belts on but the car body is made of steel so held up perfectly and we survived.
Definition of built to last. Almost like the car never wants to give up. Respect...
Yeah baby! Bought my 1997 LS400 for $5000 in February after my 2004 Toyo Matrix (292k miles) got rear-ended and totaled. BEST car buying decision I've made, especially in this climate of crap cars selling for crazy money! Thanks Mr. & Mrs. Wizard for the information and making it fun to watch! (oh, and the LS400 had less than 200k miles on her!)
god bless you and that sweet 1UZ ESPECIALLY the 96+ versions
You did very well. You bought maybe the best engineered car in the world. People are idiots.
Nice. Can't beat the deal I got on a running & driving 2002 LS430 close to a month ago though. $2500 Haven't done anything to it yet, just gas and a tire repair because of a nail.
@@BadaBing.UCF30 how many miles?
@@Shabbe02 92k miles, got a video of it on my channel. It's not as rough as you may think.
300k on a LS400 from the 90s isn't exactly a big deal. It's almost expected actually. And that's a testament to how well they were made then.
I bought an '04 ES 330 four years ago for $6500. Had a little over 100k, with new timing belt, water pump already done. I'm 65yrs old, this is the best car I've ever owned.
I got a used 95 ls400 for in 2000 with 95k miles and end up putting 350k miles on it. Engine and tran was still good but suspension started to get bumpy. I gave it away to a buddy. Last year my buddy was still driving it. One of the best cars of all time
How much did you pay in 2000 for it?
@@dakotakline461 got it for $13.5k at an auction
Why didn’t you just change the springs and shocks?
@@LuckyCharms777 it was an car so didn't want to put money into it
My granddad was a TV repair man through the 70’s and 80’s. The vehicles these days remind me of something he said about TV’s in the late 80’s. He said “I’m going to be out of work in couple of years because TV’s are disposable.” He said “It’s getting cheaper to just haul the old one to the dump and buy a new one, than have me fix the old one.”. He was sooooooooo on point. 🤣🤣🤣 I remember that I did a Picture tube regeneration demonstration as a science project wayyyyyyy back in the 6th grade. 🤣 I use to tag along with him on house calls in the 80’s.
TVs are one product I believe has seen significant improvement today. Perhaps not so much in reliability, but I can still lift and move my 50" LED TV. Attempting the same with my old 27" CRT set would probably mean a trip to the ER!
That's when they switched to a single tiny circuit board sitting on the ground inside a big, empty chipboard cabinet with fake plastic drawer fronts and woodgrain decals on the outside. The craftsmanship just died.
@@sunbeam8866 🤣🤣🤣 My granddad was about 6’1” but REALLY skinny. I remember watching him open up the the back doors of his service can wrap those long scrawny arms around a big old console tv, lift it and carry it inside the shop. I asked why he never used his dolly. 🤣 He said “People pay a lot of money for these things and I’m taking a of scratching anything.
@@11sfr yep. Them old solid cabinets were built like boob tube tanks. He use telethon me help change or recharge the picture tubes and vacuum tubes. 🤣 He was so near sighted. His shop didn’t have AC and he’d have his nose so close to whatever he was soldering that sweat would drip off and screw stuff up. Every so often you’d hear “Aaaaaaasht” his version of “well shit” because he’d catch hell if my grandmother heard him let a cuss word slip 🤣🤣🤣
@@Lumpygrits76 Yes. But in the days before particle-board and plastic-wood, those things were furniture. In the early '70s, I rescued a 1960 Zenith 'Space Command 400' console TV from a curbside trashpile. Replaced some missing tubes and it started working. Found an original "Space Commander' remote in a pawn-shop for $2. Still working right up to the day broadcasts went digital!
i will never forget when i worked at bmw as a parts delivery driver. most of the part they sold were flimsy plastic. I didnt know about cars at the time and i remember being shocked by how most car parts felt flimsy, easy to break or plastic, yet were so expensive relative to the quality.
I understand your point completely. I own a ‘98 LS400, 111,000 miles in excellent condition. I’m the second owner and this car still drives and rides like a dream. It’s my second vehicle and my go to for most runs. I would advise someone looking for reliability to take your advice. Great video!
You have to understand that the LS400 is one of the best cars ever to roll off an assembly line, ever. This car was like a damn spaceship compared to everything else in it's day... even the Germans admit that. If you find a decent one, grab it!
dude.... mercedes w140 is heads and tails above this car when they came out, but I will say this was RIGHT behind it and beats out the A8 and BMW 7 series
@@mattadrev471 Nope. The LS400 has proven to be better than the W140. The W140 is a maintenance nightmare and just not as reliable/durable as the LS.
@@electrikoptik Ehhhh....still plenty of 140's on the road, I see them everyday. The materials were of a higher quality, and the later models of the w140 are actually quite reliable. I am preeeety sure the 140 topped the LS in date of production reviews too. Ha, yes beat 140's that didn't see love can be a nightmare I will give you that. But, I am not giving all the weight on judging these two cars on just the fact after 30 years the LS holds up better. That is only one aspect. And again, I am talking more about when they came out. Now, the fact the LS engine was made to aviation spec was something I did not know before and very cool.
I'd buy a GX because then you have an enthusiast base (overland) on top of all the usual Lexus qualities. The LS doesn't really have an enthusiast following, but what has better resale than a Toyota 4WD?
@@mattadrev471 Your Mercedes is dung. Class dismissed.
Every time I see one of these on the road (and I still see a lot of them), I'm like "wow! That person isn't on a first-name basis with their mechanic!".
I just got gifted a 1992 LS400 from my In Laws. It was originally my Mother In Law's Mothers car that was purchased New. They have a binder of every receipt and maintenance record since new. Currently it had been parked for a couple of months and they had put ethanol free gas in it. Car cranks but does not start. Removed intake and just sprayed some starting fluid in and she started right up, occasional spurts of fluid would keep the engine idling even. Stop spraying and car dies. Believe it is fuel pump, so just waiting for part to arrive and then hopefully that fixes the issue. Car has about 215k and is very clean.
My wife had this car we bought used in 2000. She drove this for 9 years with 180,000 Miles on it. We changed the timing belt, water pump and thermostat and regular oil changes. Did have to replace a glass headlight. Fantastic car.
I was recently inspecting my wife's LS430 and really enjoyed seeing just how overbuilt they made the LS. 20 years old and 120k and all it has needed is oil, tires, shocks and brake pads.
I was going to ask about the LS430 too. Mine is 21 years old and nearly perfect.
120K miles 😂😂😂
@@jibrilthegreat35 mine just ticked over to 100k in 22 years
'02 here in the UK. 86k in perfect condition. Everything works, even the 2 motors for the steering wheel adjustment. Will stay with me for as long as I can afford to maintain it properly.
@@Scoots1994 My SC430 was bought used (48k miles at the time). For the last 14.5 years, I put like 25k on it. Yeah, our V8 are a little under utilized😊
That Lexus LS400 was made at the Tahara plant by TMC. The fit & finish at that plant is amazing. There may be things like LCDs that may go out, but they can be repaired by aftermarket companies. As long as you do preventative maintenance, that Lexus should last a long time.
My prado was built at the tahara factory too. 300k hard km on her and she still purrs better than many cars today. Tahara plant was the main factory, followed closely by motomachi plant, for Toyota's higher quality worldwide cars. Really you only get issues that come with time and owners abuse. Even without regular maintenance, Toyota's will still outlast many other cars.
What an excellent idea ! Thank you dudeWiz . I suffer terribly from back problems ( sciatica )in the cold season , but never thought to use the heated seats because it makes me feel like I've had an "accident" 😉 . (SC430) ,
You know a car is good when seasoned mechanics endorse the ever living heck out of it
There's a mechanic on here that works at a Mercedes dealership and all the mechanics there drive Lexus lol
My '02 LS 430 has close to 400k km on the odometer, and while its stock parts are rusting away after fifteen to twenty years, the engine is still perfect. It's just as quiet and smooth today as the day my parents bought it back in '04.
Glad to hear that I have Same year with almost 222k miles which is about 357k km, I got it almost 9 months ago
lol 400k km, congrats.
Sold my first one with 255k miles. If it gets vibratey its usually the engine mounts and transmission mount. Also has a couple weird front bushings that cause vibration.
i had one of these about 10 years ago. i got it with 220k miles and was still running super smooth at 380k miles but was involved in a wreck and was totaled. if it wasn't totaled i'm sure it would've reached a million miles! love this generation of Lexus cars
Great cars, I like the 98 99 looks
We had the first year 1990 LS...bought it at 10 years old with 165K miles. BEST CAR we ever owned. After 15 blissful years It was cruising to 400K miles when same thing happened ....massively rear ended at full speed while sitting at a stop light by a millenial twit who was texting. I was SO MAD. Still miss that car.
Good. My Bonneville has almost 700,000 miles.
@@robertcohen8554 I want to see that on video, thats awesome
@@Veikra not that uncommon, plenty of old domestics last. Buick V6 powered (early pre 3800 series)
That mini-visor above the rearview was also on my 92-95 Civic. It was a 90's detail which is a godsend. I don't know why it went away, because the sun still does sun things like leaking above today's rearview mirrors. I also used it to stretch around my hs prom date's garter. 😆
lmao at the gm heated seat recall, i've done so many of those and its funny to look at the "module" you're replacing. just a blank circuit board inside
The LS400 and gen 3 Camry also inspired me to become a mechanical engineer. The build quality was so awe inspiring. It's hard to find that kind of engineering even in the aerospace industry
what do you think of the newer LS's?
@@Veritas-dq2hs for what it gives you the car is great value though unfortunately it doesn't sell that good people aren't buying full sized sedans anymore
@@Veritas-dq2hs they also made the rear legroom super tight for how big of a car it is, definitely not as roomy as the older LS models
@@kgisabeast never would have thought
@@Veritas-dq2hs depends which one. ive owned a 2007 ls460 and sold it. love my 2003 ls430 ultra luxury so much more. the ls460 mpg was amazing though. almost like a 4 cylinder with the 8 speed tranny
Great video. Older is better!! I have an 03 Grand Marquis that is all original except for the intake manifold, alternator, and gear selector bulb. 394,000 miles and as smooth as butter... Sure it could die any day, but so far so good. In the family since new.
I'm from the UK; I visited California in 1990 and opposite the motel where I was staying was a Lexus dealer. I'd read about them but at that time I had not seen any in my country. After looking at the cars on display, I promised myself I would buy one eventually. It took until 2001 when I bought my first GS300 and I loved it, the quiet smoothness, the obvious quality of everything. Since then, I have owned a further two GS300s and a 1994 LS400, just like the one here. Apart from the normal maintenance, I never had any issues with any of them; all of them were utterly reliable.
Reliability is paramount in my book, and Wizard outlines exactly the reasons why I have a 90s Ford pickup, a Jeep with a 4.0, and a newer 4Runner - I like stuff that doesn't break all the time, or cost a small fortune to keep going between annual inspections.. especially since I drive at least 40k every year. I literally have zero time or bandwidth to deal with the bs that new cars bring with them. Give me something old school cool any day!
Totally agree. I just repaired my Honda Accord having trouble with a solenoid stuck open, just cleaned it and works again. Just dodged £150 for the part, I don't know how much it would cost for the mechanic to do it. Tho I would think a lot since one of my friend just paid £500 to do his front brakes O_ O I think he got scammed prolly.
That many miles in a 4runner or cherokee is a waste of money, get an Avalon or Lexus es hybrid, still comfortable but way better on fuel
@@alinutzalin6346 replaced both front brakes? If so it can get expensive, if they installed new discs, calipers and all plus if they have to air out the system, 500 is not too bad. Waste, hours and chemical handling adds up quick in shops.
@@4doorsmoreguns193 New Calipers? ahaha. That'd a steal right there. No, it was just 2 disks and 2 pairs of pads. Not even bleeding the air out. The price for those is around £150, so he paid £350 for labor. I don't know how much mechanics get paid per hour here in UK, but is exponentially lower than US for a comparison. Forgot to ask how long it took...
Had one of these, 250,000 miles ran like brand new. Sold to an employee , regret it but he worked hard. Lincoln towncar, 2011. Well built also.
I just picked up a 2006 LS430, solid car worth every cent.
LS400 facelift with a more powerful V8 (-97-00) is my dream car especially on black colour.
You’re both good people with great, honest advice. I’m down under in Australia and I’m taking your advice regarding Lexus 👍👌
The 1UZFE is such an under stressed motor, it's an absolute tank as long as you keep up on maintenance. Do your timing belt service intervals, do your oil changes and it will be a fantastic car. Plus the Toyota automatic transmissions from this generation especially late 80s to 90s are fantastic as long as you keep the fluid changed and filters changed.
The original starter motor on my 2000 LS400 died a few months back after 221k +/- miles, absolute tank.
1uz is the best but all the UZ engines are solid. I sold a 2004 Lexus gs430 last summer with 266,000 miles. The car ran great and I drove it 12hrs away from home more than once. I have no doubt that car will make it to 400,000 miles. I just replaced all the timing components, valve cover gaskets, pcv valve, tires, serpentine belt, and spark plugs before I sold it too.
Yes under-stressed because it only makes like 200 hp
The major downside is obviously the fuel economy. They average around 18.5Mpg combined, and require premium fuel. Hence, this LS400 has consumed a staggering 16500+ gallons of Premium gas so far. At even an average of $4 a gallon, we are talking about $65000 worth of fuel. Or, every 240k miles or so, you are buying this car again at its original MSRP...
@@redbaron6805 and that’s the exact reason why I sold my gs430…these UZ cars are reliable great cars but the gas mileage is bad no doubt.
I’m a mechanic and work on all makes, and I routinely come across cars I can buy for a fraction of their value due to a needed repair that requires almost as much cost jn labor as the car’s worth. I just got rid of my girlfriend’s nightmare of a 2012 MB ML350 with 180k miles and bought her a 2000 Lexus rx300 w 228k miles, for $1600. Had to put about $500 in it to make it up to my personal specs, but She LOVES it. I love it. I love most the fact that I don’t have to work on it!!!! And when I do, it basically takes Camry parts. Me, my boss and coworkers all drive Toyota/Lexus, Nissan/Infiniti, Honda/Acura and Ford pickups. The one exception? Our part time 17yr old who drives a MB CLS63 AMG, w 90k miles….guess which one gets towed in weekly? Lol
i got a good guess its the Nissans right? [they are Renaults]...unless they are late 90s.
@@ywe3 Benz boy 🤣
@@andymairena3221 Does anyone believe a car gets towed in weekly? It takes some next level Jap fanboy/German hater to buy that bullshit. Either way even if the CLS63 did get towed in weekly it'd still be worth driving it the the rest of the time instead of some shit pickups or those slow couches on wheels. Toyotas, Nissans, Hondas safe for a very select few special models are all cars you drive from A to B and when you get there you forget what it even was you were driving because they're so unremarkable. Nobody drives a CLS63 and not want one afterwards. Hell just the fact that the word "pickup" was used says it all. If you're the kind of person who seriously considers driving a pickup truck as personal transportation then Germany simply does not make cars for you. People in Germany generally like their cars capable of actually accelerating and going around corners.
idk bout y’all but id still rather be in a amg 63 even if it has problems sometimes
Judging a 17 year old for buying a cool unreliable car is like judging a baby because they can't read. You're not supposed to make good choices at 17. You're supposed to make choices you will learn life long lessons the hard way from.
Wizard, I have a 2007 Hyundai elantra with 470,000 miles with original engine & trans. Runs great and the engine leaks no oil. In fact the engine cases are white with no dark stains from oil leaks or weeps and bone dry underneath. Absolutely drives great with no issues other than a cat. code which does not affect drivability! Curious if you have seen others like it.
Fantastic review Wizard!!; Nowadays most anything is very expensive 'plasticrap' + 'Planned (EARLY) Obsolescence'. Many thanks to you & Family!!.. 😊🇺🇲🙏🙏🙏
I read somewhere that back in 1989, GM secretly purchased an LS400 and disassembled it to look for any cost-cutting measures that Toyota did on it. They found none. Instead, their accountants estimated that Toyota was losing at least $1,000 for every LS400 sold.
Ford did the same with a 4th gen Camry and concluded they didn't have the capability without charging something like $33,500 instead of the $20,000 Toyota sold them for.
@@zyxzyx3030 4th gens are bullet proof
At US labor rates though...I don't know what they make per hr in Japan, but I doubt it's what automakers here are making.
@@mattgreven7615 Camry’s were/are still made 100% in the US.
@@mattgreven7615 Labor is part of it, Japanese use more non-union labor, but it's mostly about their manufacturing efficiencies.
I agree with him 100%. And I’ve been telling everybody this. The price of the cars are going up and yet the quality of built have came down. These cars are costing too much
its because they put to much useless technology into the car, including LCD, touch screen, etc but they decrease the quality of the parts and interiors and other parts. so they can make money on replacement parts. but regardless. still Made in Japan cars are still good quality.
@@annakessler9372 Nah, i’ve had all of my audio, ac/time LCD screen, and put in a nice touchscreen apple car play so it has a big screen with navigation, radio, bluetooth, aux usb, and other stuff for like barely over a grand put in my LS400 at Best Buy. I think the companies are just overpricing and greedy nowadays!
I used to be a valet in the 90's. I drove all kind of luxury cars, but the LS stood out. It was so quiet and smooth!
I hear you Bro. My first car was a 60 Mercedes that I rebuilt when I was 17 and been working on my own cars ever since. Just turned 70 and don't know what to do because like you say everything is garbage that cost a fortune!
I got a 1995 LS 400 in November and I'm blown away by how fantastic it is. I have had five Toyota products & they have all been great. The LS 400 takes it to a whole new level.
Agreed bro 🤝 had a 2002 Toyota Avalon now own a 2006 Lexus LS430 what a major difference never getting rid of my Lexus LS430 💎🥰😎
Suspension upkeep will bankrupt you. I've never owned a car with a worse wearing suspension. There's always a new knock somewhere. Engine is impeccable and the best I've owned.
I've heard from a reputable source that coilovers are the key.
My company regularly repairs the amplifiers and radios from the LS400 and LS430 vehicles. This is proof enough to me that these vehicles last for incredibly long and are also worth repairing when issues arise.
That's a pretty amazing recommendation all by itself! Normally, old cars' minor gremlins don't get fixed.
WHERE IS YOUR COMPANY LOCATED SIR?
Yes, where is your radio/amplifier repair company. I have a '98 LS400, purchased in '04, love that car. I purchased it after my husband passed since we had a MB constantly needing repair. The only major issue with mine (300,000+miles) has been repairing the radio,CD system that also controls heating & air. Without it being repaired I couldn't control temperature. Located repair shop but they didn't do the work well, costly but finally located another individual that was able to replace system. Problem now is locating parts to replace. Great video!! Thanks.IQ BTW, neighbors, friends & family have been trying to convince me that I should purchase another more current car...keep telling all that I love this car, quiet fast ride with the best original sound system. LEXUS forever!!!
Dear Mr and Mrs Wizard…. Great Channel…very creative…professional in every way!
Just got a 2005 Avalon yesterday. Not the same league as this, but what a well built car. At 128K miles I'd take it over 99% of all new cars.
Avalon's are also incredibly underrated cars too. Love them as well. Can't beat the toyota
So glad I bought a salvage title 2017 Camry that essentially was brand new at an auction for half the price in 2018.
what state?
IL Traced it to a Toyota dealership In Missouri that got rid of the car due to floods in 2017
I was just given a 1995 Acura Legend with 41k miles as a gift and I’m seriously considering returning my GTI to the dealership. It feels brand new and it’s 27 years old.
Gti is garbage drive that acura til the wheels fall off
Everyone’s favorite Acura was the legend. My master tech told me not to be fooled, they are terrible cars now. And I saw why, repairs were difficult and expensive. As a matter of fact, half of the replacement parts for your legend do not exist anymore. Sorry to be a bummer.
@@2fast790 You're full of schit, Rockauto has everything you'd need. You probably work for some BHPH or some "donate your car" scumhole that was made to take pre OBDII cars off the road and are trying to discourage someone from owning something that will actually last.
Was a great platform. 1UZFE engine was a tank. Unfortunately the price for parts in my case a throttle position sensor cost $1300 when i owned one. That ended my journey but it was a wonderful time and a great car. I bought a 79 camaro with a 383 stroker and posi track rear end after the lexus was gone.
I had one of these when I was much younger and I did not treat that care well but it didn't matter. It was a really tough car and it always worked very well.
My little sister needed her first car, when my parents asked for help finding one I told them PLEASE buy a Toyota. Ended up finding a 04 Camry with 140k for $5,000. Very well maintained and Runs like new, I bet it will outlast my moms ‘20 Chevy Equinox
The 2.0t in the higher end equinoxes is a pretty good engine. If it's a 1.5t the Camry will definitely outlive it lol
As long as a Camry doesn't have the 2az engine (08+) you can pretty much not go wrong with a Camry that hasn't been abused or wrecked. The 2az will start burning oil, and then it gets REAL bad fairly quickly and it will need a new engine due to cylinder and piston damage. And a new set of catalytic converters will set you back a few k$ further if you are in a strict state since the prolonged oilburning will have ruined them.
@@volvo09 good to know. Sounds like I’m good being as it’s 04. It seems incredibly clean and well maintained, Texas car, lots of service records
@@volvo09 06-08. 2009 they fixed that issue with the facelift. I have a 2010 doesn't burn a drop between changes.
My dad had a pristine LS 400 growing up. It ran smooth as butter and even when he traded it in for a new model (maybe 10 years ago), the dealership couldn’t believe how good of shape it was in. If you take care of them, they will take care of you.
I want to say a great big THANK YOU for this video.. it got me to really thinking and led me down the 'vintage' lexus rabbit hole... I now own 2 LS 430's and could not be happier.. you might even say I've become somewhat obsessed with them.. After our first purchase of a silver with grey interior, our daughter fell in love with it.. so.. we've decided to gift it to her and we purchased a black on saddle 2004 Ultra Luxury edition.. which retailed around $75 K back in 2004.. I bought it for $6100 from Copart with just minor dings and a salvage title.. dings are being popped and new timing belt installed.. when it's all said and done I'll have 10% of what the original purchaser paid and have the same luxury.. thank you for such a no-nonsense approach! LOVING the Lexus life!!
older volvos like the 740 or 940 are really good alternatives. very reliable, cheap, larger trunk then most suvs and semi good on gas
Don’t forget the Crown Victoria’s! Body on frame tanks that protect and serve their new owners. XD
I have an '02 that's been in the family since new and just passed 200K.
yep. Id still be driving mine if it had a nicer transmission and awd. Plus everything rust here I had to buy a german car to avoid rust issues
Yep I saw w my own eyes...them crown vics , and the Lincolns some years last pretty good too, little maintenance.
@@Veikra Im in Ohio....yeah we have rust issues too.
Later model Grand Marquis is my next car.
When people ask my recommendation, I always say that whatever your budget is, buy the newest and lowest mile Lexus you can find in your price range. It's worked for me for 20 years.
Would you say that applies to Toyota's also?
When I worked in a Auto Refurb Bodyshop near Berlin Germany,we had the use of an 6 Yr old VW Passat with 340,000 km on it. Was immaculate inside and out. Long as you maintain the car properly,they will last a great deal of time. I'm based in the UK and love your videos,keep up the great videos please, love them
This engine and their smallest ( Echo ) were very good and not prone to sludge like the other Toyota engines after OBD2 came out.
I daily a 95 LS400 and it's definitely worth the cost of premium gas. 200k and drives like a brand new car. Ultra comfortable and smooth
I daliy my lowered 96 not as comfortable but still drives classy
i daily an 03 ls430, it's surprisingly efficient. with some conscious driving you can get almost 30 mpg on the highway
@@dominic7114 same, I daily mine in the city and I'm getting 23 mpg which is insanely efficient for a V8.
you dont even need to put premium in them. i've had a 96 ls400 for 5 years now and i've only put regular into it, no problems.
@@spencer1280 I did the same with the 95' I had 10 years ago.Regular was all I ever used
I have a 1994 Golf Mk3(3 Door Hatch) with about 203000 miles on it. 28 years old all original, except for the paint, garage kept and still runs so damn smooth. Ofc it doesn't have NAV or any of those fancy things you "need" nowadays but its a time capsule and a trip to the old times. I especially love it cause I can perform the services on it myself basically due to the engine being a 1.9SDI (which is capable of reaching 1.5mil and still run smooth, theres video proof of it on YT) is so small and has a lot of space you could fit an adult under the hood. The filters are all easy to get to with your whole hand, nothing like plastic covered crap nowadays where you can barely work on engines. You really explained cars nowadays well Wizard and took the damn words outta my mouth since I was thinking the same. Nice video👍❤️
im so glad car wizard knows exactly what hes talking about with all these newer cars. super expensive and made of plastic and electrical nightmares waiting to happen
All subscribed! Excellent post CW. Yep no lighting money on fire!! I love buying used well-running cars (mostly Toyota's even before I learned of Kilmer and you). What's being made now is disposable junk like most things. Thanks for this detailed video helping so many who cannot afford the new cars and need to keep their great cars running!
I daily a 2001 Lexus LS 430, which recently hit 350,000 miles (358,221). Can confirm, early Lexus LS models are fantastic.
That’s why I’m never getting rid of my 2006 Lexus LS430 💎🥰😎
i have a 2003 ls430 with 114k miles, excellent car.
@@dominic7114 🤝
Great post. Most of everything from the 90's were rock solid from cars to motorcycles? It truly was the last decade that car builders used durable materials and metal parts for longevity and safety? Fast forward to today, thin sheet metals, plastic body parts, and artificial power have taken it's place? If you are old enough to remember the 90's, it was indeed a great time for automotive engineering and build quality. 🙏🏼
I honestly could listen to Wizard tell stories about cars going wrong all week
Love, love, love this video. Could not agree more! Keep these great videos coming Wizard.
I have always regretted trading my 2002 Lexus LS-430 with it's big V-8. That car always got 26-28 on the highway while being smooth as glass.
Great car but I wouldn't say a 4.3 liter V8 is big. Still great car and engine though.
Guzzler!
Scotty is one of a kind for sure ! ☺️ This is a great video with a lot of factual information !!! (Subscribed 👍)
I can't watch Scotty, because of the stuff he does with his hands all the time.
Been a fan of Lexus for 30 yrs. I had the first GS300 and then the gen 2. Both brilliant also.
I remember growing up, my aunt bought a new LS400, likely around a 96 or so. I was impressed how nice and quiet it was! They don’t make them like they used to. A mechanic myself I’ve owned a 1994 k2500 Chevy since 2005. Does it get great gas mileage, no, is it rust free, no. It is reliable as all heck, easy to work on, parts are cheap and plentiful, and I paid $4k for it 17 years ago. It has 304k and owes me nothing, and I’ll likely keep it until I die. Also picked up a 2001 Tacoma with a 2.7 and a 5 speed a few years ago. They just keep on going!
I have 90’ LS400 with 130k 😮💨 best car I ever owned. If other KZhead videos about the 400 didn’t raise the market enough, The wizard’s video surely will now
His last one on that gold one did
I got me a '94. It's hard to find a 1st generation that's not beat to piss. And parts are even more scarce for them as well
Someone in my area has a 1990 LS400 (brown with brown cloth interior). Asking $6,000
I had one 1996 model in Australia. 400,000 kms rang like dream, oil always looked good and super quiet. Built like a old Mercedes.
This video represents the reason The Car Wizard is the best KZhead channel for automobiles. That is if you want to learn about cars from one of the best and capable mechanics out there. Makes you wish you lived in Kansas City and had him to work your own vehicles.
That could be true for Japanese cars from the 90's, but nowadays with so many electronics, reliability is questionable throughout all the Automotive industry. The key part is schedule maintenance.
Pretty sure it always has been! Even if you DO perform all the maintenance on time on a new car, it STILL will not last!
@@Johnathan_Waters Especially the German brands and Chrysler's. The company I work for has a fleet of multiple cars but the Chryslers are always in need of repair even with our strict 5000km maintenance intervals.
It's very true. I doubt any modern car will be able to be maintained for decades like current classic cars. Even something as simple as a turn signal stalk needs to be programmed after being replaced now. With so many computers controlling every little function, as soon as they start failing and they aren't made any more the car is scrap.
We have a 1990 LS 400, rock solid reliability. After a few minor parts failures (e.g., air conditioner components) we became concerned about parts availability because of its age and bought a 2010 LS 460. The LS 400 is still going strong (210,000 miles), we are having electronic failures with the LS 460 (just under 80,000 miles), and guess what? Can't find new electronic parts for the LS 460, we have to buy used! And you are absolutely correct about maintenance.
I've owned quite a number of aging 90's Japanese cars including a few V8 Lexus's - they are mechanically great - but the electronics & electrical systems are a nightmare to deal with once they get old - My SC400 for instance, I had to replace the entire high tension system when it was 12 years old, and a lot of the very extensive pile of vacuum lines started to split and caused it to run terribly a few years after that. Then the engine ECU developed leaking capacitors that again caused it to run terribly, and was difficult to find someone interested in fixing. The fact is more modern cars from some companies (Lexus for example) are going to be much easier to live with than a 30 year old vehicle - a late 2000's or early 2010's LS460 would in my opinion be a better buy at this point. They have far better injection and fuel systems that don't rely on a multitude of electrical and electronic parts for a start - even if they do break down they are easier to diagnose.
I have said this for years about cars and people laugh. But it’s so true. This is the same reason I keep my 18yo Volvo V70 in tip top shape as it’s a well engineered and long lasting car. Great video Wizard
Well said. Can’t believe people buy new crap. And I can afford it.
@@777jones yeah i have a 1999 Ford Fairmont Wagon (Australian) and it is in great condition structurally. I have 380,000k on the speedo. As things break they get replaced. fortunately we can do most of it at work and we have a mate with a hoist at his home for when that is required. I can't see the sense in buying a new car unless you want to buy electric.
@@ianmontgomery7534 My friend has one of those as well, hasn't changed the oil in 100,000km (car is at over 400,000km) and it still pulls up to 110 with 5 people in the car like nothing. They are genuinely indestructible.
gus fring also used to drive that Volvo (V70 wagon)
I am in total agreement with you two. Great write up, thanks a ton!
Love my LS. I have a 460 now but the 400 is a tank. They spent a fortune on building perfection. Always heard the dealers were upset because they never broke. They only think I thought was stupid was putting the starter in the middle of the V. I think the green footwell lights were not added and were standard. I know my 1992 SC400 had them.
I've been searching for a LS400/430 to restore and build for a long time. Genuinely one of my favourite cars of all time. Might end up buying an imported Toyota Celsior since they have even cooler features and can be found in better shape
There’s a black on black 05 Ls430 that’s mint by me selling for $4500, literally pristine inside and out, only thing is it has 335k miles 😅 very tempting
@@kgisabeast I always check out the Vin, if it was dealer maintained, lower owners, has decent service records, etc, then its worth the buy.
My first gen Lexus is on 750,000+ miles. Still going strong 💪
That doesn’t surprise me. You’re insane to get rid of it. You’re only exception is if it gets totaled and I mean catastrophic wreck. Stay safe!