Lexus running costs?

[tbourner]

My mate's looking for a new second-hand car at the moment.
He's got about £1500 to spend, and it needs to be big. He's into cars so would like something a bit fast too (although economy may be an issue!!).

I keep saying he could get a lovely Soarer or something for that much or maybe just a little bit more, but he keeps saying the running costs would be too high - he does his own repairs on all his cars and thinks that parts 'from Lexus' will cost shite-loads.
Is this true or can he get cheap Toyota parts, or equivalents from motor-factors or something?

[michael]

He could always get a V6 Camry if the Lexus badge scares him.

[grimreaper]

My mate's looking for a new second-hand car at the moment.
He's got about £1500 to spend, and it needs to be big. He's into cars so would like something a bit fast too (although economy may be an issue!!).

I keep saying he could get a lovely Soarer or something for that much or maybe just a little bit more, but he keeps saying the running costs would be too high - he does his own repairs on all his cars and thinks that parts 'from Lexus' will cost shite-loads.
Is this true or can he get cheap Toyota parts, or equivalents from motor-factors or something?

just sold my gs300 and im glad, you need a petrol tanker with you, do they drink.

[Hermit]

But Soarers are Toyotas!! Course you could get parts from Lexus, but you'd simply be paying more than from Toyota for the exact same thing!

Generally I'd guess it costs about the same to run one as a Supra, certainly not a lot less. And also very similar to work on.

Not sure if 1500 is enough to get a decent one, it would probably need some work doing at that price. But he might get lucky if he checks enough out, and I can't think of any alternatives to suggest :)

[mattanna]

1500 would not get you much certainly as far as a tt aristo is concerned, Lexus parts are expensive and some parts for Aristos etc can only be sourced via Lexus or try and get them from Japan.Fuel consumption on my tt will be about the same as a supra tt, i got my tt for around £3000 and have now had my expensive rebuild done as engine was shafted, not saying that is the case for all. If i were him i would go for a soarer

[tbourner]

Yeah I said Soarer, I know Hobgoblin had one for sale (http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=94715) for under £2k, so they must come up! He could fix anything himself it's just part costs that are the issue.

[garethr]

Soarer TT oil filter and air filter are the same as the Supra. Cam belt is different, but fitting is exactly the same. Plugs are the same. Coil packs and connectors are the same. Soarer TT brakes are the same as the J-Spec Supra and the UK brakes fit. Wheels are exactly the same PCD, offset, and centre-bore as the Supra. Supra shocks and springs fit. Most are auto, manuals are rare.

Expensive stuff to watch out for:
Power steering pump (can rebuild)
Air con compressor (can be rebuilt)
Radiator tops crack
Turbos
Coil packs / connectors
Suspension bushes (some suspension parts, like front control arms, are interchangeable with the Supra)
Door hinges are often worn
Door trims aren't strong enough to pull the enormous doors

Lots of information on TIF (www.toyotaimportsforum.com) and ALSC/Soarer Central (http://www.lexusaustralia.org/) and Planet Soarer (http://www.planetsoarer.com/)

(and it's not a bloody Lexus :))

[Hermit]

The heater matrix is another expensive one to get fixed because of the labour.
If your mate could handle that 2+ day job it might be a good way to get one cheap. :search:

[grimreaper]

lexus gs300 engine same as supra non turbo.