mclarenf1kidNovember 23, 2010
#356789Budget VIP Action from South Carolina
Recently joined ClubLexus too, so figure I'd get in on all the fun here.I'm Steven.
I've been a sucker for the LS400 for many years now. Primarily the UCF10/20. To me it is the definitive style of what a big-bodied luxury/VIP car should be; V8, well engineered, all the amenties. I told myself it was finally time to get one.
Beginning of September this year, I found this diamond in the rough on Craigslist. 259k on the ticker, fairy clean, ran like a champ. Just need some love. $1000. It was calling my name.
Brother's Miata in the background
Had some buddies spray the hood and bumper for me, washed her, threw some new cats on it, and she was good to go.
Mechanically, minor issues. Brakes need some grease and needing an alignment.
Worst of my issues is a CEL code 13. After doing my research (this site rocks btw), I installed new(er) camshaft position sensors. Didn't fix my issue. Seeing as the car starts and drives great, I'm sure it's not my crankshaft position sensor either (I read that the car won't start if its the crankshaft position sensor). I'm just gonna do a timing belt job as that seems to be leading culprit to that code (jumping a tooth, etc). Car is pinging and gas mileage could be better, so I know that's also a possible giveaway to the issue.
Nevertheless, she gets me to and from work in comfort.
But the height was killing me.
Megan Racing EZ Street coilovers came in last week.
EXACTLY what this car needed. I love the smooth ride of the stock suspension, but it felt too much like a boat. It rides EXACTLY the same now, just much more firm and precise around turns.
How she sits now:
Now that that's taken care of....
I'm a stance junkie. Love everything stance does to change a car's personality.
So I got some wheels.
ALT Wraith. 19x9.5 +10 (effective with spacer)
This is gonna be fun lol! Test fit was prior to coilovers
Saving up for tires right now. So far I have around $2000 invested in the car including the car, and that's what I'm going for. Super budgeted VIP styled daily. So far, this car has been perfect for the project.
With this car being my daily, I obviously have my "car."
This is Shaquita, my '94 300ZX. 5 years of blood, sweat, and tears. And I'm still not done.
That about wraps it up. I'm seriously attached to this car. No other car has done this to me since my 300ZX. My Lexus isn't perfect, but its everything I've been looking for. And to me, the car feels like a million bucks in every way.
Thanks for reading!
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Recently joined ClubLexus too, so figure I'd get in on all the fun here. I'm Steven. I've been a sucker for the LS400 for many years now. Primarily the UCF10/20. To me it is the definitive style of what a big-bodied luxury/VIP car should be; V8, well engineered, all the amenties. I told myself it was finally time to get one. Beginning of September this year, I found this diamond in the rough on Craigslist. 259k on the ticker, fairy clean, ran like a champ. Just need some love. $1000. It was calling my name. [IMG]http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h189/mclarenf1kid/Lexus/Picture001.jpg?t=1289150019[/IMG] [IMG]http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h189/mclarenf1kid/Lexus/Picture007.jpg?t=1289150045[/IMG] Brother's Miata in the background [IMG]http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h189/mclarenf1kid/Lexus/Picture003.jpg?t=1289150121[/IMG] Had some buddies spray the hood and bumper for me, washed her, threw some new cats on it, and she was good to go. Mechanically, minor issues. Brakes need some grease and needing an alignment. Worst of my issues is a CEL code 13. After doing my research (this site rocks btw), I installed new(er) camshaft position sensors. Didn't fix my issue. Seeing as the car starts and drives great, I'm sure it's not my crankshaft position sensor either (I read that the car won't start if its the crankshaft position sensor). I'm just gonna do a timing belt job as that seems to be leading culprit to that code (jumping a tooth, etc). Car is pinging and gas mileage could be better, so I know that's also a possible giveaway to the issue. Nevertheless, she gets me to and from work in comfort. But the height was killing me. Megan Racing EZ Street coilovers came in last week. [IMG]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs919.snc4/73266_445341025949_511485949_5929496_2360710_n.jpg[/IMG] EXACTLY what this car needed. I love the smooth ride of the stock suspension, but it felt too much like a boat. It rides EXACTLY the same now, just much more firm and precise around turns. How she sits now: [IMG]http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1093/5150701642_5a092fd85a_b.jpg[/IMG] Now that that's taken care of.... I'm a stance junkie. Love everything stance does to change a car's personality. So I got some wheels. ALT Wraith. 19x9.5 +10 (effective with spacer) This is gonna be fun lol! Test fit was prior to coilovers [IMG]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/5080072472_99b128cacf_b.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5080072088_6994f0a767_b.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/5079477373_de1b3e6192_b.jpg[/IMG] Saving up for tires right now. So far I have around $2000 invested in the car including the car, and that's what I'm going for. Super budgeted VIP styled daily. So far, this car has been perfect for the project. With this car being my daily, I obviously have my "car." This is Shaquita, my '94 300ZX. 5 years of blood, sweat, and tears. And I'm still not done. [IMG]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4758321287_9d5871b01f_b.jpg[/IMG] That about wraps it up. I'm seriously attached to this car. No other car has done this to me since my 300ZX. My Lexus isn't perfect, but its everything I've been looking for. And to me, the car feels like a million bucks in every way. Thanks for reading!
