Chigga

hey fellas, first time poster here on clublexus, I'm currently looking to buy a used car to replace my 94 GTI. right now my choices are E39 528I & GS300 (2nd gen), since V8s are too expensive for me to run and I drive a lot.

some quick questions, on a used GS300 what should I look out for? is there any specific problems or recall? how easy it is to cheat on an odometer on a GS300? I know the 2JZ-GE is an incredible engine, so I don't have much worry regarding the engine.

thax alot!

Vette Boy

Old Bimmer vs old Lexus? No question in my mind, the Lexus will be a better car. There's folks with 300K trouble free miles on a Lex, I've never heard of anyone enjoy an old high mile Bimmer. If I was to buy the Bimmer, I'd be sure to become close friends with an good mechanic.

chuckb

buy a V8 GS or you'll be sorry. The gas mileage is almost identical.

Chigga

really, wow, what about when comes to maintenance? does it cost more to mainten a 1UZ-FE than a 2JZ-GE? and what about the car itself?? I know the GS400 has some more option and the steering wheel button shifting, would that create more opportunity for parts to break?

and if you are kindly enough can you tell me what kind of fuel mileage you getting??

thanks a bunch!

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Chigga,

I've don't ever recall reading of anyone's eshift breaking. If you haven't already tried the search feature of ClubLexus, please do so. You'll find a LOT of great information out there that will answer many of the questions you're asking with no waiting! We have over four years of Lexus knowledgebase and there won't be many things you ask that haven't been covered before.

For example:

Should I get a GS300 or GS400?
Related threads:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ch+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ch+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ch+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ch+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ch+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ch+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ch+gs300+gs400
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ch+gs300+gs400

What are common problems with the GS (both 300 and 400)?
The 2nd gen GS Series has few and relatively minor problems including the following:

Moisture in Healights
Low/rough Idle Issue
Door Actuator Problems
Dash Rattle
Sunroof Rattle
Vibration at Highway Speed

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...400+Rough+Idle
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...=Door+Actuator
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ht=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...light+Moisture
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...s400+Vibration

Gas Mileage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hlight=mileage
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hlight=mileage
among others...

Chigga

hey thanks a lot, I really should've searched, stupid noob I am.

anyways, after reading all these I'm a bit dissapointed in the selections I have up here in Canada, it seem you guys have really low mileage cars, most GS300 here are in the 70k-90k km and GS400 are in the 100-110k km zone that are in my budget.

Vette Boy

I wouldn't worry, these cars run for 200K miles easy. I just bought a 2002 GS430 with 70K miles. Only thing about the higher miles cars is the 90Kmile cam belt R&R. If I had to pay a dealer for that

mmarshall

Welcome to Club Lexus.
If you like the 3.0 in-line 2JZ-GE engine, also consider an IS300. It is smaller and lighter than a GS, sold for less brand-new, and is likely to be less expensive as a used car. According to Consumer Reports, its repair record is even better than the GS.
I agree with you.....the 2JZ-GE is a phenominal engine. Smooth as butter, reasonably powerful, durable, good exhaust tone, and reasonably easy to work on except for the oil filter. Only weak points are the drive-by-wire system that sometimes gives uneven throttle response at low speeds and the fact that the gas mileage (on premium gas) is not much different than the 4.3 V8.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

although the engine is strong, but i don't think you should just neglect it. it's good but you still need good maintenance to keep the condition of the car, that's important. so look for leak and so too, just in case