Sold my 92 LS400 for a 98 Q45

[johnsy33]

I just sold my 1992 Lexus LS400 with 215k for $2k & bought a 1998 Q45 w/ 92400 for $1900. While I'm not sure whether or not I necessarily "upgraded" I definitely didn't downgrade. I think it's a great car overall & reminds me a whole lot of the LS400.

First off, I want to say this forum has already been a tremendous help in putting me up to speed with the car I own and the different directions I can take her.

I've had much of the routine maintenance done by a local Meineke shop. Admittedly I'm not that handy when it comes to cars but I'm learning all the time & enjoy getting my hands dirty. The owner of the shop let's me stay in the garage with the mechanics & not only watch the job & learn but get my hands dirty too! So far I've had done: m1 synthetic oil & filter, fuel filter, cabin air filters, spark plugs, pcv valves, rear o2 sensors, & rocker cover gaskets & now I'm saving up to do the fluid flushes. I think the transmission flush is 1st in order as she isn't consistently smooth when finding gears. I also replaced the hood struts, battery terminals, & windshield wipers. I think I'll have to replace the reveal molding&/the windshield dam as: 1) I'm pretty sure I feel the cold winter air seeping in the cabin 2) can smell the cigarette smoke of drivers in front of me (or their exhaust) & 3) hear more road noise than I think I should. There are a few minor things here & there but I can't tell of anything major at this point *fingers crossed*.

Modification wise, I tinted the windows limo in the rear & 35% in the front (NJ state troopers pulled me over a couple times before in my LS400 JUST for the tints in the front which were 20%). I also added some simple chrome muffler tips until I save up enough to do some real exhaust work. I custom spray painted some G35 17" 6-spokes wrapped in winter tires for now & when spring is officially here & the potholes start getting patched up, I have some chrome 19" staggered niche rims that I will put on her (I had them on my LS400 last summer). I wanna drop her with lowering springs over the stock struts as soon as I can. The remote start/alarm should be installed in the next couple of days.

Overall, I'm excited to be a Q owner & this forum makes it that much more exciting!

All the best

[OwnerCS]

Welcome to NICO! We're glad you are enjoying your Q..

It is good to have a shop that will let you participate in some maintenance activities.

When I read about your tinted glass experience in NJ, I can definately relate. In 1988 when I moved to NJ, as soon as I crossed the state line going in from PA, a trooper pulled me over to say "when you get to where you're going, you gotta get rid that film on the windows, it's illegal here". All in all, I had a lot of fun living in NJ in those days..

I installed sound deadening material in the doors of my Q to reduce noise level. A company named Elemental Designs seems to have a good price and helpful installation instructions. I also spent a bunch of money on Dynamat with my first installation, as it were..

[maxnix]

Lexus wheels will not fit unless you can get the correct centering ring. OEM struts will be gone really fast if you use shorter stiffer springs (and from whom?). You should wait until you can get some KYB SR from Japan. And lost of new rubber for the suspension.

[johnsy33]

I installed sound deadening material in the doors of my Q to reduce noise level. A company named Elemental Designs seems to have a good price and helpful installation instructions. I also spent a bunch of money on Dynamat with my first installation, as it were..

Great ingenuity! Thanks for the suggestion.

[johnsy33]

Lexus wheels will not fit unless you can get the correct centering ring. OEM struts will be gone really fast if you use shorter stiffer springs (and from whom?). You should wait until you can get some KYB SR from Japan. And lost of new rubber for the suspension.

Not sure what bore diameter the wheels are but I needed hubcentric rings to make them fit on the LS400. I'm sure you're right that I will need them for the Q as well. Thanks for the heads up. I will save up for the KYB SRs in addition to the Espelir springs I saw on upgrademotoring.com for $240 (not sure of shipping) as I can't afford to prematurely wear out my struts. I'll start my research for replacing all the bushings. Thanks again.

[OwnerCS]

Hey John - if you get a chance, post some pics of your Q and JC..

Here's a former JC resident. One day I heard a ship horn outside my apartment window and looked out to see that boat going down the river. I snapped the river picture from inside the apartment.

I bet this little bit of shore line is way different today.

[johnsy33]

Wow...you lived in a nice part of JC! I'm about 5 min from there in "the Heights". The section you lived in (downtown) has changed a whole lot over the decades (for the better). Trump just built the tallest residential structure in the State not too far from where you lived. & of course the tallest building in NJ is right there as well (Goldman Sachs Tower). The waterfront is known as "Wall St West".

Over the next week, I'll take some shots of my car with JC in the background. I like that idea!

[johnsy33]

Here are a few pics of my car with JC/NYC in the background. I don't have an "eye" for great pics & I used my camera phone so these aren't the best but enjoy!



my Q with Empire State Bldg in background



my Q with Statue of Liberty in background



my Q with Trump Tower JC in background

[johnsy33]

[OwnerCS]

John - Great pictures that bring back a lot of memories.. I always thought JC had the best views.. You can commute to anywhere around the PATH line in NYC faster from JSQ, HOB, or PAV/NEW than most people that live in the city -- especially in the UWS or UWE areas.

Nice looking Q too. You got a deal there buddy.

[johnsy33]

John - Great pictures that bring back a lot of memories.. I always thought JC had the best views.. You can commute to anywhere around the PATH line in NYC faster from JSQ, HOB, or PAV/NEW than most people that live in the city -- especially in the UWS or UWE areas.

Glad you enjoyed the pics! JC downtown is an excellent location. You can definitely access Manhattan quicker & easier from there than you could from most parts of Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn or Staten Island. Not to mention great eats!

Nice looking Q too. You got a deal there buddy.

Thanks. It has some dings & scratches but looks good when washed & waxed. Now if only I could figure out why I'm still getting 11.6 mpg after all the work that's been done, I'd be good to go!