I am looking at 3 GS430's Specs below:

1 Black on tan 2002 GS430 81000 miles - 21500
2 Gold on tan 2002 GS430 65000 23000
3 silver on black 2001 gs430 59000 21500

OK the guy with the gold one says that it has the upgraded stereo with F&R side curtain airbags and everything else except navigation.

The other 2 have everything but the navigation and "supposedly" they dont have the F&R side curtain airbags. However, knowing how Lexus is such a luxery driven car, I would think that they would include the side curtain airbags. Would this be true?

I think that the black on tan looks EXTREMELY classy. The silver on black looks really sporty and the gold on tan, well it is local to Jacksonville. The black is in Atlanta and the silver is in Orlando.

I need to know if the air bags come standard or not and what everyone thinks that I should go with. I want the sporty, yer refined look if that makes any sense!

Buying on Friday so please get back to me.

Stephendudra@yahoo.com.

Thanks,

Stephen

 

Air bags were never available for the rear seats until 06

 

correct me but i think side curtin airbags (it's always front and rear) were standard since 01?

 

unfortunately the curtain airbags are only in the front...basically 6 airbags for the front seats (2 side in seats, 2 in front, and 2 front side curtain)...none for the back. Shame.

 

get one with a navi and lowest mileage possible.. i'd go with the silver and black

 

So the rear curtain airbags are an "option" on the '01 and 02" None of the 3 has NAV but one dealer tried to tell me that the Mark Levinson only comes in a car if it has the NAV system. Is that correct? I thought that I have seen them out there with the Mark levinson without the NAV.

I know on KBB.COM they list the F&R side curtains and Mark Levinson as an option not as standard.

Thanks to all that replied so far!!

 

Go with the Silver/Black. I am a bit biased on the silver color . I would not go with the gold . The black/tan is a great color combination but you will have to deal with keeping the black clean all the time. I had 4 black cars before I bought my silver GS and I have to tell you, I am loving the silver. It always looks good. Also, the black one you are looking at has a lot of miles on it for the same price as the silver. Going with the silver is a no brainer IMO. All this is assuming they are all in similar condition.

 

Thanks Texas! I am leaning that way just because of the mileage itself. However, it is 1 year older than the black and gold one. I have a black truck now and your right about keeping it clean. When it is clean, it is beautiful, but when it is dirty it is dirty. I'm trying to get more specifics regarding the silver one today. So hopefully he will be back in touch with me soon.

 

My '01 GS4 has the ML without NAV. IMO the mileage is close enough in all 3 cars that I would chose the one that has the colors and options I would want in the car. Once you do chose, post up pics!!

 

What is the big deal with the Mark Levinson System? What is the difference between the stock stereo and that?

To be honest, I would love for it to have an XM Sattelite system in it. Anyone ever seen this without taking away from the look of the stock stereo?

 

As far as the technical specifics go I can't tell you the difference. BUT, as far as my hearing goes the difference is night and day. The wife's RX has the stock system and there is a big difference in the sound quality between our cars. I know there are more speakers, more watts and cleaner sounds with ML. If you can get it, get it. Lot's here have installed satelte systems, do a search for XM or something similar. There are pics of some nice hidden installs.

 

Unfortunately, the one car that I am looking at, doesnt have the ML in it. However, there are always aftermarket stereo stuff that can be installed! Im not as young as I used to be and really dont care about someone hearing me a mile away, I just like a good clean crisp sound.

I know on the Ford side of the house, you can pull one stock radio out and insert another stock radio (factory upgrade) without having to change speakers or anything. My current truck, has the stock radio, but I can put in an upgraded one with the factory amp. I am thinking this would be the same for the ML system and the lexus.

Im not sure on that, but I hope to be able to find out as soon as this Saturday!!

 

ummm you sure? there are no more pics now of course (someone still with the lexus brochure?), but i thought i saw a pic with curtain airbags all the way across front and rear windows?

 

from my 04 GS brochure

 

Going aftermarket with stereo upgrades will cost much more than buying a car with Mark Levinson and nav, it won't win any contests but it is very clean and powerful with a front center channel speaker that even aftermarket won't give you, wait for the right car, good luck.