Planning to buy a 1998 Lexus GS300 OR 1998 GS 400
07-15-05, 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by BazookaJoe
IMHO - having owned an SC400 and GS300 both engines are stellar.
I would state my opinion as follows:
With a 1998 GS300 you essentially have a supra engine -- lots of upgrade potential.
If you want nice torque and an steady power curve with no mods -- go with a GS400. However, if you want to tinker and have the potential for significant power via FI, go with the GS300. A positive by-product of going with the latter is cheaper insurance.
I currently have a 1999 VVT-I and performance is very nice. However, this year seems to be the limiting factor for upgrades.
I would state my opinion as follows:
With a 1998 GS300 you essentially have a supra engine -- lots of upgrade potential.
If you want nice torque and an steady power curve with no mods -- go with a GS400. However, if you want to tinker and have the potential for significant power via FI, go with the GS300. A positive by-product of going with the latter is cheaper insurance.
I currently have a 1999 VVT-I and performance is very nice. However, this year seems to be the limiting factor for upgrades.
When u say, this year seems to be the limiting factor for upgrades...is 2000 also limited? I don't recall any major changes between year 1999 or 2000 for the GS 400
07-15-05, 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveGS4
Kazam,
While I somewhat agree with your sentiment on the stock GS3 power (when compared to a GS4), I'd definitely disagree with the 'Camry engine' comment.
The Camry comes with a v6, the 2Gen GS3 and IS3 both come with an I6 (basically the non-turbo version of the supra motor).
As a GS400 owner with forced induction (supercharger) I state for the record that if I knew when I bought my GS that I was going to modify it as much (and add a supercharger to it) and had a better base of facts about what the 2JZ (GS3 and IS3) motor is capable of, I would have made a different decision. Significant power-adding mods (NA-T) for th 2JZ are much more plentiful and there are more people (tuners) that know more about getting the most out of that engine.
Having said that - if you don't plan to add a turbo, get the GS400
. Just don't badmouth the GS3 or you'll see taillights from somebody whose done a litle homework.
While I somewhat agree with your sentiment on the stock GS3 power (when compared to a GS4), I'd definitely disagree with the 'Camry engine' comment.
The Camry comes with a v6, the 2Gen GS3 and IS3 both come with an I6 (basically the non-turbo version of the supra motor).
As a GS400 owner with forced induction (supercharger) I state for the record that if I knew when I bought my GS that I was going to modify it as much (and add a supercharger to it) and had a better base of facts about what the 2JZ (GS3 and IS3) motor is capable of, I would have made a different decision. Significant power-adding mods (NA-T) for th 2JZ are much more plentiful and there are more people (tuners) that know more about getting the most out of that engine.
Having said that - if you don't plan to add a turbo, get the GS400
. Just don't badmouth the GS3 or you'll see taillights from somebody whose done a litle homework.Actually the Camry statement was a little bit of sarcasam.
Per the orig topic: "However, if the cost of maintaing and how difficult it is to maintain is a big difference between the 300 vs 400, i'm willing to go the the 300 route."
Sounds if this guy is looking for a GS with the most cost effective route in mind. Pretty much his whole topic is about cost. From my understanding, if he is already worried about the cost of maintaing on of these fine automobiles, then I belive doing significant power add on's is not his main concern(at this point). Especially considering the cost of modding.
So, if he's looking for immediate power and not interested in doing significant power add on's, then take the common sense route and get the GS4.
Enjoy.
Last edited by kazam; 07-15-05 at 01:57 PM.
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