by "Peter Monshizadeh" (practicalenthusiast)
Published 02/26/2017 at 13:15
by "Peter Monshizadeh" (practicalenthusiast)
Published 02/26/2017 at 13:15
Tags: Lexus
; LS400
; Ownership Costs
; Running Costs
STARS: 7
I was bored this morning so I went through all my service receipts for my 1993 Lexus LS400. I’ve done a decent amount of work to this car to keep it in good, reliable running condition as it is my daily driver. I’ve owned the car a total of 39 months and have driven it about 51,000 miles. Here’s the breakdown for all you metrics types:
Total maintenance costs (including everything from oil changes to large repairs): $5,431.30
Average Monthly Maintenance Cost: $139.27
Average Annual Maintenance Cost: $1,671.17
Average Maintenance Cost Per Mile: $0.11
The car was well cared for when I bought it, and I also do all my own mechanic work, so that has helped a tremendous amount in keeping the vehicle affordable. Regardless, this is real-world ownership data that can be used to justify buying one of these big vehicles.
If you’re curious of some of the repairs I’ve done to it, here’s a write-up I did of one of the more involved ones:
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I’d be happy to answer any questions!
"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman)
02/26/2017 at 13:23, STARS: 2
Neat! For some reason I thought it would be less expensive, but it is still an older car. Thanks for sharing!
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
02/26/2017 at 13:31, STARS: 5
Considering the massive amount of work you did on your previous post, I would assume those average annual costs will continue to drop.
I think the difference from people like you vs people like me, is I’m just trying to keep it running. You are actually taking the effort to have it run like a clock and ride like a cloud. I envy your enthusiasm.
"dogisbadob" (dogisbadob)
02/26/2017 at 13:33, STARS: 1
to be fair though, Toyotas don’t take much effort to run like a clock and ride like a cloud :o)
"Peter Monshizadeh" (practicalenthusiast)
02/26/2017 at 13:35, STARS: 0
Honestly, I thought it would be less too. It’s the little things that start to add up though, like quality oil and OEM filters.
"dogisbadob" (dogisbadob)
02/26/2017 at 13:35, STARS: 2
Those costs would be even less over here, where the parts cost less and are easier to come by. I heard that in Europe, parts for Japanese cars are harder to source and more expensive.
But still not bad though, and it shows you why Lexus/Toyota is so awesome. An S-class or 7-series would be at least double what you spent!
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
02/26/2017 at 13:35, STARS: 2
Not until you get quoted 7 hours of labor on your front shocks on a damned Tercel.
The rep was pained when he quoted me. “That’s the problem with older Toyotas: they last too long.”
Guess I’m forced to do it myself. Should take six weeks, give or take a day.
"Peter Monshizadeh" (practicalenthusiast)
02/26/2017 at 13:37, STARS: 8
I would have preferred to have stayed in the “keep it running” mindset, but when it takes so much work to go in and fix the little thing you need to fix, it’s just better to replace as much as possible on your way back out.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
02/26/2017 at 13:38, STARS: 5
Sure, it’s like when you replace a timing belt. Yeah you could replace just the belt, but with what a PITA that alone is, you may as well replace everything else you took apart so you don’t have to get back in there.
"dogisbadob" (dogisbadob)
02/26/2017 at 13:54, STARS: 1
7 hours to do shocks?I know that some shocks and struts can be hard and labor-intensive due to compressing the spring and shit, but damn! This is why I love quick struts, just too bad they don’t make ’em for your car.
I know a lot of the older Toyotas used those stupid serviceable struts with the cartridge inside them. All of the work that struts are, plus you have to open it and replace the cartridge! They finally stopped doing this shit in the mid-90s (halfway through the 3rd gen Camry)
It’s also possible they overquoted because they don’t feel like doing it.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
02/26/2017 at 13:57, STARS: 1
I am positive they overquoted me because they didn’t want to do it.
Another shop said they could but it would be over a week to get parts and they wouldn’t use the shocks I bought because of “liability” reasons.
A third shop says they didn’t have the part in their database and they would “have to make a phone call and get back to me.”
Basically, three shops told me to get fucked.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
02/27/2017 at 02:40, STARS: 1
Depends on the car obviously, but yes Japanese cars tend to have more extensive parts. When I owned both a Japanese and an (Italian built) French car at the same time last year the Japanese parts were clearly more expensive and more difficult to source. Cars were the same age, size/segment, engine displacement/power. The French one was more expensive when new, was more reliable, less (not?) Rust prone and better built despite higher mileage. I still liked the Jap one though, I haven’t made it the current DD of my parents for nothing. Currently still DDing the French one myself. Peugeot 406 coupe versus Mitsubishi Galant wagon.
"DJ MONSTER JAM" (djmonsterjam)
03/25/2017 at 11:14, STARS: 0
French/Italian cars that are more reliable than a Japanese car? Just curious what you’ve been smoking.
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
03/26/2017 at 16:45, STARS: 0
That’s not what I said, now was it? I said my 1 French car was more reliable with cheaper parts than my 1 Japanese car, despite both cars being somewhat similar in age/segment/size/power. My point being that Japanese cars are not by definition more reliable, although they frequently are.
I drove that Italian built French car (with 296k on the odometer) on the Nurburgring
today
and revved its nuts off. It was absolutely fine.