QuestionWe have a 1990 Lexus LS400. We bought it used with 82,000 miles on it, it was meticously maintained. We have also maintained it meticously such as changing oil every 3,000 with Syntheic oil and expensive oil filters and all other services on schedule. Now we have 144,000 on it and it runs like new, is as quiet as when we purchased it. We want to keep it because it has cloth seats (in perfect shape) which are not available or hard to find in newer Lexus. We have two concerns.
The paint on it has cracked all over the top, on three doors and the truck lid. We took it to several body shops and they said because of the extreme paint cracks, they need to take it down to the metal and repaint it. It will cost about $2800. Is this worth it?
Second question is that the manuals on vehicles call for valve clearance checks after so many miles. What is this, why does it need to be done and should we get this done? Do you have any other recommendations if we decide to paint the car, like a compression check. It burns no oil whatsover, runs perfectly. About how many miles does a Lexus LS 400 go?
Thank you, this is the first time I use Allexperts.
AnswerHello Aime, The LS400 will have no problem going over the 200,000 mile mark. Servicing the vehicle is very important as well as using a shop that specializes on the Lexus. If you are happy with the car then I would say go for the new paint. It sounds like it may have been painted once before being that I do not ever see the Lexus paint crack. You may want to ask the paint shop that.
