Timing belt AISIN or Mitsuboshi

Aisin is definitely a go to.

I would just buy the Aisin timing belt kit TKT-031 and then seals from the dealership (or an online Lexus/Toyota OE website)

The Aisin kit will have OE parts, where as other brands probably won't (Dayco definitely not, Continental is a mixed bag)

Nothing is really hard at all to work on with the UZ series V8s. They're not even that expensive either - a complete Aisin timing belt kit with a new Aisin water pump, Japanese idler pulleys, new tensioner and Japanese belt costs less than the Dayco kit from Autozone.

Just go to Rockauto and get the Aisin Timing Belt and Water Pump kit, its like $170 and you're getting OEM parts.

But I would do a Lexus and go the extra mile for the Toyota OEM TKT Aisin kits for timing belt/pump/tensioner replacement.

Highly recommend using the Aisin Timing Belt kit (TKH003) as it contains the actual OEM parts in a kit without having to use more expensive Honda parts.

My mother had an '86, then upgraded to a '93 Pajero (so euro) 2.5TDI GLS. Not what you're looking at but I'll share some stuff FWIW. She sold the '93 in 2010. It was a pretty good car. Big and slow, but surprisingly comfortable, especially in the front. These are not as refined as a Range Rover etc, and they feel a bit like farm equipment at times. Got around really well in snow and cold with its advanced 4WD system, could put it in 2WD and get power oversteer too (I managed to smash a fence this way). Interior never felt top quality, but held up really well in terms of wear and tear. Floaty steering feel, squishy manual gearbox, easy clutch, squishy but decent brakes, turbo lag diesel engine. The timing belt snapped (probably because the mechanic did not replace it properly) and the head cracked, which cost a lot of money to replace and was difficult to source. Overall, not a great driving experience, but a decent and solid car that will do whatever you ask of it without grumbling.

my dad has a 97 and that car has been pretty much great to him. never had a tranny issue or a head-gasket. the only problems he has had are have the timing belt snap on him (we think due to improper installation), leaking valve cover gasket (it is a PITA to change) and a heater core leak nothing insane though.