Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 18:43:35

Title: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 18:43:35
I'm thinking about one of these around J, L Reg, Much older than my 2002 Omega but they seem to do huge mileage seen a few for sale with 400,000 , 600,000 on the clock and still going strong  :o  .. Fairly well equipped cars and They have only one engine and its seems to be a cracker a 4.0 V8 32v with a 4 speed Auto or a 5 speed on the facelift 1997 onwards i think.


Was just wondering if anyone have had any (Positive) experiences with these "Japanese Rollers" ?..


 :)
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: henryd on 04 March 2013, 18:51:34
Nice car if you like the looks,just be prepared to throw it away if anything major goes wrong with it :y
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: albitz on 04 March 2013, 18:52:06
Havent owned one but did quite a bit of research on them as I seriously considered buying one before fuel costs got completely ridiculous.An absolutely cracking car imo.No downside at all apart from fuel bill,and parts can be expensive if you buy from a dealer.
Just like an Omega - check service history,especially cambelt changes,oil changes etc. and check for suspension wear as its a very heavy car so suspension components have a hard life.Seem to remember front wishbones can be expensive ? The owners forum used to be very good,but that was a few years ago.
Engines will go to the moon and back several times as long as they are reasonably well maintained.
Quite a few around that have been LPG converted,which would be well worth considering. ;)
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: VXL V6 on 04 March 2013, 18:52:23
I fear you may want to LPG it rather quickly after being used to the MPG of your car.
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: albitz on 04 March 2013, 19:00:19
LS430 with LPG on fleabay.I think th fron of the 430 is fugly personally,but still a hell of a car.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-LS430-LPG-AUTOMATIC-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-/121072799509?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c30804f15
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 19:02:48
I fear you may want to LPG it rather quickly after being used to the MPG of your car.
I'm getting around 20mpg in the 2.2 mainly because i think when flooring it its just got to work so hard to move the Omega's weight don't get me wrong it does move but I'd have thought a bigger engine would have to work less and over all would be better MPG (I've probably got that wrong the Lexus would probably do 6mpg  ;D )
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 19:04:09
LS430 with LPG on fleabay.I think th fron of the 430 is fugly personally,but still a hell of a car.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-LS430-LPG-AUTOMATIC-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-/121072799509?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c30804f15 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-LS430-LPG-AUTOMATIC-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-/121072799509?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item1c30804f15)
Agreed, I personally prefer the boxy LS400 mk1 and wouldn't be looking to spend more than a grand on one.
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 19:07:57
That's a good looking brute... (for a large car of that era)


(http://i1158.photobucket.com/albums/p620/Agemo_Legend/lexusls400_zps32a2013a.png)
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: albitz on 04 March 2013, 19:22:12
Plenty on the bay for around a grand. :y
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 19:22:48
Plenty on the bay for around a grand. :y
I've got my eye on a minter.  :y
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: albitz on 04 March 2013, 19:24:31
Good luck with it.If it werent for the running costs I would have one like a shot.Twice as good a car as any Omega imo. :y
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 19:26:59
Good luck with it.If it werent for the running costs I would have one like a shot.Twice as good a car as any Omega imo. :y
That's my only concern as i wouldn't bother putting LPG on one, But a refined Lexus 4.0 quad cam 32v V8 shouldn't be much worse than a 3.0/3.2 Omega not by much anyway  :-\
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 19:30:06
http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=2985


Sounds similar to Omega 3.0/3.2 Consumption going by these posts on a Lexus Forum.

EDIT: Just noticed those posts are from 2002
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: albitz on 04 March 2013, 19:30:30
Motorway MPG shouldnt be too bad,but if you do a lot of town driving.... :-X :o
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 19:38:23
Motorway MPG shouldnt be too bad,but if you do a lot of town driving.... :-X :o
;D  Not really, But allot of narrow country roads, The way i feel about LPG is say it costs £500 to install one (probably cost more for a V8 :-\ ) you might as well just use that £500 for petrol. Especially on a old car like the LS400 its probably not worth it.
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 19:40:32
copy and past from auto trader. for a 1992 4.0 V8 LS400  :o


Fuel consumption (urban)
21.2 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban)
35.6 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined)
29.4 mpg
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: VXL V6 on 04 March 2013, 19:43:13
Motorway MPG shouldnt be too bad,but if you do a lot of town driving.... :-X :o
;D  Not really, But allot of narrow country roads, The way i feel about LPG is say it costs £500 to install one (probably cost more for a V8 :-\ ) you might as well just use that £500 for petrol. Especially on a old car like the LS400 its probably not worth it.

Thing is... how many tankfulls of fuel is £500.... 4 1/2? 5?  Doesn't take much maths to work out that LPG'ing it will work out cheaper within a few months on a vehicle with a large block.
 
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: albitz on 04 March 2013, 19:50:16
I would buy one with LPG already installed. ;)
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 20:01:29
copy and past from auto trader. for a 1992 4.0 V8 LS400  :o


Fuel consumption (urban)
21.2 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban)
35.6 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined)
29.4 mpg

better than an Omega if im not mistaken ?
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: tunnie on 04 March 2013, 20:13:02
Those things make a Facelift Omega look like an Aston Martin DB5 in comparison, always thought those big Lexus lack a bit of soul. Going to lack a good technical forum like this too  :(
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: VXL V6 on 04 March 2013, 20:25:40
copy and past from auto trader. for a 1992 4.0 V8 LS400  :o


Fuel consumption (urban)
21.2 mpg
Fuel consumption (extra urban)
35.6 mpg
Fuel consumption (combined)
29.4 mpg

better than an Omega if im not mistaken?
A 3.2 can manage 22.... mines currently running at 25 (mainly motorway), so i'd struggle to believe those figures to be honest.
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 04 March 2013, 20:44:10
I'm with TB on this one! Stick with The Migs!!  8) and get a V6 next time!!  :y
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: Nick W on 04 March 2013, 22:09:00
I'd have an LS400 in  heartbeat if they made an estate. Just like an Omega, but bigger, faster, cheaper, even more comfortable, and without the long list of niggly faults that shouldn't have made it past the first prototype.

Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: albitz on 04 March 2013, 22:16:17
Yep,an infinitely better car than an Omega in every possible way,apart from looks possibly,but thats a subjective thing anyway. :y
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: Del Boy on 04 March 2013, 22:16:58
I've had a couple of Lexus', decent enough cars, well specced, although they feel like a big Toyota. I had a 2006 GS300 not so long ago, small inside, good amount of kit, but didn't feel anything special.
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: the alarming man on 04 March 2013, 22:17:05
I fear you may want to LPG it rather quickly after being used to the MPG of your car.
I'm getting around 20mpg in the 2.2 mainly because i think when flooring it its just got to work so hard to move the Omega's weight don't get me wrong it does move but I'd have thought a bigger engine would have to work less and over all would be better MPG (I've probably got that wrong the Lexus would probably do 6mpg  ;D )


i really dont know how you are only getting 20 mpg as i dont hang around and my one gives at least 27 mpg around town...in fact my V8 is betteron fuel than that :y
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: Del Boy on 04 March 2013, 22:19:01
I should also point out, the brakes were pretty naff on all of the Lexus' I've had.
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 22:57:41
Going to see the one i've had my eye on tomorrow. Will update on what i thought of it.  :)
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: bigtow on 04 March 2013, 23:19:56
make sure you have a good test drive when my mfl mv6 died i brought a mint p plate gs 300 i had it a week and sold it and brought a 3.0 elite . it wasnt that the gs was a bad car it was just so dull and un involving to drive and drank like a fish . and beware the banger boys have taken a liking to these now they have almost used up all the mk 1 and 2 Granada's ( i still have a soft spot for those cars )   
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 23:22:29
make sure you have a good test drive when my mfl mv6 died i brought a mint p plate gs 300 i had it a week and sold it and brought a 3.0 elite . it wasnt that the gs was a bad car it was just so dull and un involving to drive and drank like a fish . and beware the banger boys have taken a liking to these now they have almost used up all the mk 1 and 2 Granada's ( i still have a soft spot for those cars )
Yeah i'm sure  :-\ , This one seems genuine (probably not tho  ;D ) very clean and pretty much 1 owner and just over 100k on the clock for a 1992 car.
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: 2woody on 04 March 2013, 23:23:34
we had an LS400 when they very first came out. It was superior to the new Bentleys in every way apart from it had no soul. It's just transport, and not anything to inspire or be proud of in any way shape or form. A bit like the automotive equivalent of Simon Cowell.

yes, that's the word - dull in every way
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 04 March 2013, 23:31:38
we had an LS400 when they very first came out. It was superior to the new Bentleys in every way apart from it had no soul. It's just transport, and not anything to inspire or be proud of in any way shape or form. A bit like the automotive equivalent of Simon Cowell.

yes, that's the word - dull in every way
True, They are in no way a good looking car like tunni said , "Those things make a Facelift Omega look like an Aston Martin DB5 in comparison"

Even the new Lexus don't look that good. But are very well equipped and reliable that's the trouble with Japanese cars they have no soul. although they do look OK now days.  :-\
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: ffcgary1 on 04 March 2013, 23:34:35
I had a lexus ls400 a few years ago, loved it fantastic car and a brute of an engine, smoth refined and very quite, ride was very wallowy when i first got it and, as the shocks were shot but new shockers sorted that. One thing to watch out for is the dash lights they can fail to light when the car is cold but as the temp starts to rise in the car they flicker into life, this is cured by replacing a couple of capacitors on the rear of the dash pcb, also the climate control lcd start to go black and clear as the temp rises in the cabin, these are common problems for the early cars and parts are horrendous from toyota/lexus.
Mine as a 93 k plate car and i still have some new parts for it in the garage so if you need any then get in touch. also if you need any other info please pm me.
I would have another tomorow if one came my way. :y
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: feeutfo on 05 March 2013, 00:54:44
Mrs Gixer loves her is300. Although probably nothing like the car in question. :-\

I like the is300 too btw. Nice rasp from the quicker straight 6 engine. :)
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: omega3000 on 05 March 2013, 15:56:13
Mrs Gixer loves her is300. Although probably nothing like the car in question. :-\

I like the is300 too btw. Nice rasp from the quicker straight 6 engine. :)

                         (http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt84/SVT-GT500/smileys/drooling2smiley.gif)

Quite shocked how many of those 400's are for sale , sign of the times again with fuel consumption  :( Nice car though if you can afford to run it  :y
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 05 March 2013, 16:35:52
Seen it , don't like it. Not this particular car it was sound but they are not feasible really now it's just like a boat the shape of a brick and feels old and very Japanese  ;D, good solid reliable cars though...
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: omega3000 on 05 March 2013, 23:47:05
Seen it , don't like it. Not this particular car it was sound but they are not feasible really now it's just like a boat the shape of a brick and feels old and very Japanese  ;D, good solid reliable cars though...

 ;D

I think you must get a V6 jag or a Merc  ???
There was a LS400 down the scrap yard a while back , even then i was drawn to it and popped the bonnet just to have a look at the V8  :P I tried pulling the grille off but it was put on so good i didnt get it off  >:(
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: OmegaAnglesey on 06 March 2013, 00:17:58
Seen it , don't like it. Not this particular car it was sound but they are not feasible really now it's just like a boat the shape of a brick and feels old and very Japanese  ;D, good solid reliable cars though...

 ;D

I think you must get a V6 jag or a Merc  ???
There was a LS400 down the scrap yard a while back , even then i was drawn to it and popped the bonnet just to have a look at the V8  :P I tried pulling the grille off but it was put on so good i didnt get it off  >:(
Its a lovely engine even with over 100,000 on it was spotless under the bonnet and the engine had no noises and fume-less and the sound  :-* , If I'm not mistaken didn't someone called rats or something put a ls400 4.0 V8 in a PFL Omega ? 
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: omega3000 on 06 March 2013, 14:09:55
Seen it , don't like it. Not this particular car it was sound but they are not feasible really now it's just like a boat the shape of a brick and feels old and very Japanese  ;D, good solid reliable cars though...

 ;D

I think you must get a V6 jag or a Merc  ???
There was a LS400 down the scrap yard a while back , even then i was drawn to it and popped the bonnet just to have a look at the V8  :P I tried pulling the grille off but it was put on so good i didnt get it off  >:(
Its a lovely engine even with over 100,000 on it was spotless under the bonnet and the engine had no noises and fume-less and the sound  :-* , If I'm not mistaken didn't someone called rats or something put a ls400 4.0 V8 in a PFL Omega ?

Just 2 pots have worn in at that mielage  ;D Still your search continues .. i put in a search for V8 in egay and hundreds of Land Rovers come up  ::)
Title: Re: Lexus LS400
Post by: Bixy1 on 07 March 2013, 20:44:30
Stonkin' car! Can't beat 'em.
Too cheap to run for me though. . . I wanted something reliable and thirsty . . . ::)
(Just a hint of irony there. . . )  8)