GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

GS400 or GS430?

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Old 05-24-05, 10:54 PM
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Lextreme
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Default GS400 or GS430?

Hey Gang,

Thinking about selling my built Cobra for a GS. I am trying to decide which GS. 400 or 430. Can someone give me some advice on which one i should go with. Money is not a factor. Please tell me why.... I am interested in the last year of GS400 or first year of GS430.
Old 05-24-05, 10:58 PM
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vicestan
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The gs-400 is faster then then 430 for some reason.
Old 05-24-05, 11:30 PM
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GQD_GS4
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GO WITH THE GS400 w/navi for coolness.

several reasons:
the gs400 has "F1 shifting" on the steering wheel, while the gs430 does not. this is actually worth the entertainment at times.

the gs430 has a 4.3 litre v8 while the gs400 has a 4.0 litre v8. however, the gs400 is faster, i think because it is lighter.

although money is not an issue, the gs400 is cheaper, being a little older than the gs430.

there's plenty more, but these are good starters...
Old 05-25-05, 12:37 AM
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rominl
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there are a lot of threads on that, so you can search on it. i am sure someone (hey johnny, where are you ) wil post up all the links too

if you ask me what to get, i will ask you what you want. performance? the luxury? what do you want?

the gs400 is faster imho, better throttle response, i like that. and it has the eshift if you want some spirited driving.

but if you want luxury, quieter interior, better audio (ml), or nav (dvd nav), the gs430 will win the gs400 by a mile in terms of that. somehow i think the gs430 is a lot quieter than the gs400
Old 05-25-05, 03:24 AM
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TLW
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Originally Posted by rominl
there are a lot of threads on that, so you can search on it. i am sure someone (hey johnny, where are you ) wil post up all the links too

if you ask me what to get, i will ask you what you want. performance? the luxury? what do you want?

the gs400 is faster imho, better throttle response, i like that. and it has the eshift if you want some spirited driving.

but if you want luxury, quieter interior, better audio (ml), or nav (dvd nav), the gs430 will win the gs400 by a mile in terms of that. somehow i think the gs430 is a lot quieter than the gs400
lol right here my good man
here is the starters guide to the GS

YOU can thank Dave gs4

welcome to ClubLexus! You'll find most all of the questions you have as you're getting started have been asked over and over again and you can get an instant answer using our forum search feature. I'll post some links for you in a second that will help get you started

Should I get a GS300 or GS400? (found by searching with "which gs300 gs400" in the GS forum)

Sample Related threads:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs400

GS300 or GS430
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs430
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs430
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs430
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs430
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ich+gs300+gs430

Typical GS problems you should be aware of (most consider these minor)
Moisture in Healights
Low/rough Idle Issue
Door Actuator Problems
Dash Rattle
Sunroof Rattle
Vibration at Highway Speed
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...S400+Rough+Idle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...t=Door+Actuator
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ght=Dash+Rattle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...=Sunroof+Rattle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...=GS400+low+idle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...dlight+Moisture
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...Gs400+Vibration


Is it worth getting a CPO vehicle? (found by searching for 'CPO worth"

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...&threadid=76991
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...light=CPO+worth
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...light=CPO+worth
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...light=CPO+worth
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...light=CPO+worth
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...light=CPO+worth
Old 05-25-05, 05:18 AM
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chuckb
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Originally Posted by vicestan
The gs-400 is faster then then 430 for some reason.
wrong.....
Old 05-25-05, 05:43 AM
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i have to agree with chuckb on this...

i don't understand how the 400 is faster than the 430. If at all, the 430 should be faster..

I know the engines really arent too different... but if i remember correctly, the 430 puts out a larger amount of torque....

the times are pretty much the same though...

if anyone can tell me exactly why the 400 is faster than the 430, it would be helpful.
Old 05-25-05, 06:10 AM
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bluelex
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i've always read the same that the 400 is actually faster than the 430 head to head, just a little bit. they are both 300hp even tho one is a 400 and the other is a 430. i think i read that the 430 has better emissions and something to to with the pedal response in the 430 that makes it lag a little more than the 400. i would rather get the 400 cus you have more FI options and you have the e-shift. as far as the luxury that the 430 comes with, you could always buy the wood wheel and cluster upgrades....
Old 05-25-05, 06:11 AM
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bluelex
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Originally Posted by chuckb
wrong.....
don't take it to heart man. its still a fast car.
Old 05-25-05, 06:15 AM
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nyczdave
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Originally Posted by rominl
there are a lot of threads on that, so you can search on it. i am sure someone (hey johnny, where are you ) wil post up all the links too

if you ask me what to get, i will ask you what you want. performance? the luxury? what do you want?

the gs400 is faster imho, better throttle response, i like that. and it has the eshift if you want some spirited driving.

but if you want luxury, quieter interior, better audio (ml), or nav (dvd nav), the gs430 will win the gs400 by a mile in terms of that. somehow i think the gs430 is a lot quieter than the gs400

I couldn't agree more. The interior of the GS430 is a lot quieter then the <01. And the Navi for >01 is a lot better. DVD navigation is with out a doubt better then the HD navi. And the ML system in the >01 is bumping.
Old 05-25-05, 06:17 AM
  #11  
DaveGS4
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David,

Johnny did an excellent job pasting in my FAQ setup except he didn't have the final set I'd gathered for exactly your question

I searched for "gs400 gs430 difference' and found the following threads among others... These threads will tell you the differences between the models and member advice on which to get.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...430+difference
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...430+difference
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...430+difference
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...430+difference
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...430+difference
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...430+difference
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...430+difference
Old 05-25-05, 06:53 AM
  #12  
chuckb
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if both cars are rolling in Drive,and floored, the 400 has a touch quicker downshift. that is the 400's advantage.however, if the 430 is locked in say 2nd gear and you hit the gas, it jumps immediately, and that's when the extra 15lbs of torque and bigger motor shine. I think someone who knows how to drive a 430 can give a 400 problems.

now, if you're buying the car to put on FI, TC etc., the 400 is a better choice for you.
If you wan't more luxury and don't plan to do FI or TC, the 430 is the way to go.
Old 05-25-05, 09:13 AM
  #13  
rominl
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Originally Posted by chuckb
if both cars are rolling in Drive,and floored, the 400 has a touch quicker downshift. that is the 400's advantage.however, if the 430 is locked in say 2nd gear and you hit the gas, it jumps immediately, and that's when the extra 15lbs of torque and bigger motor shine. I think someone who knows how to drive a 430 can give a 400 problems.

now, if you're buying the car to put on FI, TC etc., the 400 is a better choice for you.
If you wan't more luxury and don't plan to do FI or TC, the 430 is the way to go.
to be honest i think the two cars are just the same in terms of speed, i dont' think one is faster than the other . lexus has posted the speed to be from 5.8 or 5.9 to 6.2. i dont' think that's clear cut to say which is faster. the gs430 has a bit more tq but it also a bit heavier too, so it's very hard to say
Old 05-25-05, 09:37 AM
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They are both pretty damn fast. I'd only get the 400 if you really want eShift. Otherwise, the 430 with all the changes would be my choice.
Old 05-25-05, 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by vicestan
The gs-400 is faster then then 430 for some reason.
Faster in what respect?
Quarter mile times? From what I have read, the cars are so close (within 1 or 2 tenths) that drivers become a factor. I have read road tests that rate the 400 slightly faster, but never when both cars are compared at the same time.

Top Speed? How many of us have pushed their cars to the computer governed speed limit?

I think it comes down to seat-of-the pants feel. If the lag that the 430 supposedly has makes the car feel less than responsive compared to the 400, it's deceiving at best. The 430 puts out more torque which is noticeable. If the 430 is quieter, it will be perceived as not going as fast.

I got a good lesson of this years ago. A friend and I had a performance car tuning business during the late 60's, early 70's. This was when the Detroit muscle cars ruled the streets. We worked on a guy's Pontiac Bonneville 421. Recurved the distributor and tweaked the carburetor. Driving the car, the engine torque moved the body around and it made a lot of noise at wide open throttle. Car felt REALLY fast. My partner had a 390 GTA Mustang that we had worked over. The Mustang didn't feel as fast because it was quiet and the suspension with stiffer so the body didn't move around at full throttle. We raced the Pontiac against the Mustang, it wasn't even close. The Mustang was clearly faster (The Mustang ran 13.50's)

I don't think you could go wrong with either car.


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