Faults:

The Hood Struts no longer hold the hood up on their own.

The Antenna for the stereo no longer raises or lowers, it just makes noise.

General Comments:

This car is the perfect every day car. It has an almost perfect blend of comfort, power and performance. The 250hp V8 never seems to be down on power. Most large sedans have way more than 250 horses these days, but this car makes the most of it and it feels more than adequate. When you step on the gas, the car inhales and just throws itself down the road like a rock down a well.

If you focus on engine alone you might just think you are a match for every sports car out there. That is until you need to negotiate corners. Once the car takes a set, it's fine, but getting it to settle down and take a set takes the edge off of the driving experience. Upgrading the spring/shock combo will work wonders for this car as it was set up to be first and foremost a luxury cruiser.

Every material on the car is of the highest quality as evidenced by how good most of them look after 15+ years.

I thought that my Mercedes 300E was the best car I've ever owned until this one. They both have different character and they both have tons of soul. The Mercedes is more performance oriented than the Lexus, but the Lexus is a do-all wonder that cannot be matched on the used car market (in my opinion).

Faults:

At 485,000 miles this Lexus has been tested.

Problems over the 11 years of ownership:

1. Power steering pump leaking badly at 95,000 miles.

2. A 'faint' engine 'miss' between 40 to 45 mph at time of purchase. The torque converter was replaced years later and the problem disappeared. Endless tune up parts were replaced to remedy this problem earlier, but nothing helped until the torque converter was replaced.

3. A/C not holding freon at 68,000 miles (time of purchase). After endless leak tests the system STILL will not hold freon over three months. This could be the expansion valve leaking under the dash.

4. Serious road noise (transfer noise from tires into the interior). It's still not as quiet as it should be in my opinion. Many brands of tires have been tried over the years.

5. The Pioneer radio has been replaced or rebuilt many times. Lights that constantly blow out, tape not working or volume control problems that still occur to date.

6. Antenna mast replacement, at least three different times. It binds itself and finally quits.

7. LED A/C control head unreadable after 150,000 miles. I was told heat caused the problem. The replacement head works fine to date.

8. Coolant recovery bottle cracking and leaking at brass connection.

9. Drivers side retractable seat back 'ROD' stripped and had to be replaced.

General Comments:

Quite possibly the most reliable automobile ever built, regardless of the minor problems mentioned.

Overall material quality is remarkable and well engineered.

Extremely well handling, smooth and stable at speeds over 100 mph, designed for speeds exceeding 140 mph.

The engine was derived from Toyota's own racing V8. Possibly the finest engineered motor on the market and ultra reliable.

Well thought out in every detail.

Faults:

Nothing. I would actually, honestly expect at least something to go wrong on so old car with so many miles, I never had better car even though most of my previous cars (before I purchased my first Lexus) were younger. Car is unbelievably reliable.

Some would ask... how many parts have You replaced? Not a single one of them.

General Comments:

Vehicle is worth every penny and more. It is just great. It practically never breaks. Engine, transmission and whole drive train is simply "bulletproof"

Thing such as window regulators, switches or other frequently used mechanisms should eventually go wrong over time. NOT ON THE LEXUS! I have owned at least 7 Lexus's in the past and I don't think I will ever want another car. You got much more for Your money than You would ever expect.

Many thinks that Lexus style is to conservative. Mercedes, Audi or BMW might look more modern, but it doesn't even comes close to Lexus's reliability, price and overall quality.

Faults:

Oxygen sensor replaced DIY.

General Comments:

The Climate Control system is very seriously flawed. Designed by NipponDenso, Denso USA, and used by many Japanese manufacturers.

In order to increase MPG the ability for fresh airflow is severely restricted by the size and location of the cabin atmosphere exhauster port.

Restricting outlet airflow does reduce the need for the A/C compressor to run, but at the same time increases the probability of the cabin atmospheric humidity rising to the dewpoint of the windshield and windows.

Vehicle is therefore horribly subject to instances of sudden and spontaneous windshield fogging in cool and cold climates.

Faults:

1. Air conditioner compressor replaced.

2. Power steering pump failed, which lead to the failure of the alternator by way of a fluid leak.

General Comments:

1. This car has never let me down. Even when the alternator failed, I was still able to start and get to the dealer.

2. Superb comfort even with 124,000 miles. I've had it six years and intend to keep it until final failure.