Faults:

Fuse blown due to a loose cigarette lighter.

General Comments:

I was very happy with my two previous LS400s, both Mk 2s, but I saw this immaculate low mileage Mk 3 and bought it the same day - for what you get it is so cheap.

I have owned some nice cars (Rolls Royce - a bit flash, and over complicated; Jaguar - mobile fluid leak; Bristol - over-rated and noisy; Mercedes - reliable but rust prone.) but the LS400 combines the best characteristics of all of them - quieter than any, fast enough, comfortable and roomy, smooth ride, but most importantly everything always works, and given good servicing and regular use, goes on working.

I've seen some say that the handling is not to sports car standards, but to me the car feels safe and stable, and I don't like making my passengers ill by hurling them about on corners.

In my 40 years of driving, this is the best car I have owned; only my Volvo 760 estate that I have owned for 13 years rivals it as a good buy.