lexussc400

I'm coming from a Lexus SC 400. I always love how the gs looks. I never drove one yet. But since i'm coming from a V8 car...my first choice would be the GS 400. 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.

The GS 300 and GS 400 that i'm looking at both have about 53 miles on them..both of them are also 1998. I know i will have to do the 60k maintenance right away but i'm just wondering if the cost of maintenance is about the same between the 6 cylinder vs the 8. I know it's a lot easier to maintain the sc 300 than the sc 400. Is it the same between the GS 300 vs GS 400? And is the cost really much of a difference between them? Is the insurance also a big difference between a V6 vs V8?

My other option is a 2002 Lexus IS 300 5 spd. Is there a big difference between the cost of maintaining an IS vs a GS? and what about the difference in there insurance?

chuckb

I vote for the V8

so you have to buy 2 extra spark plugs when the time comes, you can swing it

I'm curious, why was the SC4 more to maintain than the SC3?

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

gs400 and sc400 use essentially the same engine 1UZFE, the major maintanence difference is you have to get irdium spraks. If you can handle a sc4, you can do a GS4 too...
I vote for V8! Always love them!!! especially consider they have similar gas mileage

INHOCJP

I had a 99 GS300 and thought it was a wonderful car. That being said, the extra power of the V8 is hard to resist. If I was in your position, I'd get the GS400. Like blacksc400 said, the gas mileage is pretty comparable. I think the costs of maintaining each car is similar, but both should be pretty reliable.

Remember that '98 models had a few TSBs associated with them. One was for a new ECU, and I can't remember the others off the top of my head. Definitely look into this.

As for insurance, it'll go up a bit. Moving from my GS300 to my GS430 resulted in about a $200 premium increase for the year. Not too bad.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

just like others said, if you can afford a bit higher on the insurnace (though now they shoudl be really close to each other), get the gs400. it's worth it

chuckb

the racks had a bad design on the earlier years that was upgraded too. Henry, you had that changed didn't you?

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Here you go... search works great here in the GS forum , welcome to CL


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...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

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

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yup, steering wheel column right? but that's not under warranty technically though

kazam

Without a doubt, the GS400 is the wiser choice. Personally, I wouldn't be able to handle a GS3 with a camry engine. And for the IS300? IMO, these cars should be reserved for females. They just don't carry that masculine appeal. To "Sally" for my tastes.

FYI: If your not planning to mod your future GS4(if you purchase it). Make sure you buy one with the options located on my signature. Belive me, without these options, the GS4 is dull.

Enjoy.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

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.

lexussc400

i've read some threads about 300 vs 400. I didn't find anything about the difference in cost of maintaining, insurance... Honestly, i would love to drive either one..but if there is not much of a difference in insurance and the cost of maintaining in the long run...then it will be an easy choice to go with the GS 400...unless i have plans of modding the engine in the future.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Insurance is...up to you, I wouldn't rely on the forum. Its too individualized to compare what someone else has (age, location, marital status, record, etc etc etc), so just pick up the phone and call your agent. Give them the VINs of the two cars you are comparing and ask for quotes on those exact cars for exactly the coverage you want.

Maintenance will be about the same IMO. You'll have those two extra spark plugs to pay for at 100K .

Hameed

It's funny, but when I was getting my GS400, the same dealer had a 99 GS300 in the same color and a couple of thousand dollars less than the GS400, however I wanted the V8 power in the 400, so did not get the GS300.

In hindsight, just like you, I probably would have bought the GS300 instead for the same reasons as you. More potential power with FI and more tuners that know the I6 motor.

BazookaJoe

iTrader: (1)

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.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

Seems like you have buyer's remorse, so do you want to trade Dave??? I'll personally deliver my car to you

With that last statement, I feel better about the GS3. I had always felt the 300 was slow (of course as stock), but never knew the potential of it being a speed monster