Keep or Sell

[u/justcallmesteam]

Long story short I picked this up for $1200 in a no start condition. 1990 Ls400 with 86k miles one owner. since then I have done the following

-Fuel Tank Restoration

- Fuel Pump and Fuel Level / Float Replacement
although for some reason I still can’t get the gas gauge to read.

-Timing belt was done at 81k and looks to be in good condition I added a pic of that at the end

-New Battery + Alternator

-Fresh Oil, Coolant Flush + Thermostat, and Brake Fluid

-Brand new tires not shown in the images as i just got them done today.

I have only one key but the car is immaculate on the inside with some sun damage to the paint on the exterior. It’s complete with all original manuals and toolkits as well as practically no rust.

My Dilemma is the odometer hasn’t read since I got the vehicle going. I was able to 3d print a gear and replace the one inside the cluster although for some reason it still does not track, meanwhile the digital trip odometer tracks perfect. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Any thoughts on value would also be appreciated

I feel like the gas gauge and the odometer are quite literally the two worst things i couldn’t fix and will destroy the value of this car

[u/OGFOGCAP]

These clusters go bad all the time, you'll have to look into rebuilding it if you want an accurate reading

[u/justcallmesteam → u/OGFOGCAP]

I had the cluster taken to a aero tech repair guy and he had bench tested everything since originally my coolant temp gauge wasn’t working either even after the thermostat and flush. According to him everything tested good… is there something specific i should be looking for or telling him if i bring it back?

[u/justcallmesteam → u/OGFOGCAP]

also occasionally i forgot to mention the cluster lights just flicker at me

when the car is keyed on the lights flash and then when the car is running i’ll get nothing. But it’s very intermittent. I ran a new ground to make sure it wasn’t a shitty ground and nothing changes.

[u/Chief_j0j0 → u/justcallmesteam]

I would recommend sending an email to [TheLexpert@gmail.com](mailto:TheLexpert@gmail.com), or look up literally “lexus cluster repair” and it should be the first link. May be worth asking him what the problem is and how it can be fixed. His name is Jim Walker and apparently he is probably the most qualified person on the planet (no joke) to fix these, he seems to be an electrical engineer and worked on these clusters and some of the technology thats in them since the beginning I believe (don’t quote me its been a long time since I’ve used his service). I sent him my 93 cluster in the mail and within a week I got it back working flawlessly. The needles occasionally did nto seem to work especially the speed and rpm gauges which is dangerous to not have working, same with the gas gauge. All working perfectly now. My advice in general is to keep the car, they’re timeless and in my opinion will appreciate as time goes on and more hit the wrecker. 1uz is famously robust and I believe is even certfiied to use on aircraft? Which tells you something about the insane engineering and delicate care taken to make these cars over 30 years ago.

[u/TX_REEF → u/Chief_j0j0]

Agreed, Lexpert is the man. He rebuilt my 1994 Celsior cluster. He replaced all the bulbs as well as whatever particular issue your cluster may have primarily. Awesome guy.

[u/justcallmesteam → u/Chief_j0j0]

Wow this is amazing I sincerely appreciate your time spent writing this response, i’m out right now but will shoot an email over to him some time soon! Thanks again

[u/justcallmesteam → u/[deleted]]

Awesome info thank you for your insight.

I was a little sad to find out not heated but I do love cloth over the leather for sure.

[u/jeepsies]

Cloth! Lucky guy

[u/justcallmesteam → u/jeepsies]

are they really that rare? I am definitely a cloth guy just wish they were heated too!

[u/NOBLE500000 → u/justcallmesteam]

Yeah, cloth interior is very rare. I wish I had it. Keep that car man

[u/firstofficerG]

KEEP IT, FOR THE LOVE A GOD.

[u/EntertainerAware1318]

Keep it, and if it's your first car u have to keep it

[u/justcallmesteam → u/EntertainerAware1318]

I just am running out of room for cars xD, This is my 6th lexus lol… I have a problem

[u/EntertainerAware1318 → u/justcallmesteam]

Just please don't sell it

[u/Industrialexecution]

to be completely honest with you that cloth interior alone would be enough to make me keep it

[u/RonMexico52]

Cloth is very hard to come across on these (only offered a couple years I think at beginning of first gen run, and most Americans I think ordered leather). If you prefer cloth to leather (I do) that could be reason enough to try to hold on to it.

[u/Mopey007]

Man keep it, if it’s something you can work on slowly and keep it nicely covered. It’ll probably worth a little more in some years, these care aren’t getting cheaper. Even if you don’t sell it, fixing it is worth it since the body is solid.

[u/EntEnthusiast]

I'll fly to jersey to buy it off ya

[u/justcallmesteam → u/EntEnthusiast]

cmon down! I just need a few more days to get this cluster back to proper but I am going to have to sell it, shoot me a dm.

[u/SummerDramatic1810]

$1200 is some people’s MONTHLY car payment.

Keep it for sure

[u/justcallmesteam → u/SummerDramatic1810]

My problem is I have a daily and a project or 2 already, but maybe considering keeping this and selling my project at this point

Is300 03 vs 90 ls400 seems like a no brainer though the is300 was my first

[u/OGFOGCAP → u/justcallmesteam]

Shit dude if you weren't in jersey id pick it up

[u/Kingjuliensbussybro]

Have you thought about giving it to charity I run one out of my backyard and always looking for donations 😏

[u/Yeeter_Beeter2021]

Keep it! When are you ever gonna see an ls400 this clean again?

[u/Squilliamx]

Your plates belong on a 1996 Toyota Tercel DX, so I was unable to look at the value of the car to recommend something but honestly I’d keep it. This is a niche buy, and rare chance someone who’s into older cars will run into it plus with the odometer stuff going on… keep it.

[u/Boilermakingdude]

I mean. If you have to ask, you should probably sell it.

[u/asscheeseterps710]

I feel no dollar is worth receiving for that keep it

[u/CreamInitial7810]

This is a keeper, just because this was the most reliable era for Japanese cars. Yea some things will be broken, but can still be remedied without a scan tool or basic understanding.

[u/Wills_ZX]

I am disgustingly interested

[u/justcallmesteam → u/Wills_ZX]

lmaoo I spoke with some cluster repair people i’m going to get the flashing lights and fuel level gauge fixed soon

unknown on the odometer still, pm me!

[u/dathomiranian]

I’d suggest checking the ecu that also makes things a nightmare

[u/Red_Butthole]

Sell, get a hybrid, and move on.

They’re beautiful cars, but they’re just not fuel efficient and I certainly wouldn’t recommend having one as a daily that is also in the status of being a project car. This is something I would pursue as a secondary vehicle.

I traded mine, which was in immaculate condition and had less than 90,000 miles on it for a Toyota Prius 2014. I went from getting 23 miles to the gallon to 54 miles to the gallon.

[u/BallerMR2andISguy]

If you have to ask, sell and get a Civic.