Faults:

Not much gone wrong since I got the car in Aug 08...

I've put about 16k+ on it, and the only major issue has been the battery going weak and frying the starter.. not a cheap repair, but it was probably the original battery.

Currently replacing a stuck right front caliper.. again must be the original and probably got stuck to due to the massive use of salt in my province! (shakes head)

Other than that, it's a BEAUTIFUL car! So very comfortable and quiet.. you can have a conversion on the phone and there is NO wind noise or background noise.. true story!

I admit that the cost to repair things are not cheap, but this car is so durable compared to my Merc ($ pit!) that I don't mind. My father has a 91 with 370k on it and he has not had to do really anything major on it other than a recent shock job, so I decided to pick up this one and I will not look back to getting a Merc again unless they make them as reliable as these cars..

Next one will be an LS430! And I'll hand this one to my father!

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!)