cobra2top

I have a 98 GS400 nearing 90K. The past few weeks I have been thinking of selling before I have to drop $1K in it to get the 90K service done.

Just when I am ready to pull the trigger on something newer, I find something like this tonight:


I was looking at that GS those kids were "ghost riding" (what ever the h*ll that is) on youtube and decided to search GS400 while there and this little gem from 1998 came up. This damn car is SO SWEET!!!! What was said in 98 is still so true 10 years later. After watching that video, I'm back on board and going to take her in when I hit 90K to get her done. It's then staying for the long haul!!!

Here she is, stock with Nak and spoiler delete but dumped the 16's added the chrome 17" last year. Could use a little drop but the roads here in S. Jersey are horrible so I'm keeping the gap:

jcat_350

well look at it this way....spend 14-18k for a comparable car that'll last you the next 50 or 60k miles...

or spend the 1k for the 90k service and the GS will will last you another 160k miles.



kiiiiiiinda sells itself.

cobra2top

Yeah, at the current 87K the car is still very solid. The bonus on my car is I know the history and that may not be possbile with another car as I will be buying used. (my GS was owned by the classic "old lady". You hear stories about cars owned by little old ladies but this one actually was).

Looks like I will toss the $1K for the 90K and also will need brakes and will have them look at the tie rods based on what I am reading.

Any recommendations on going back to Lexus or a Indy? She only has had service since day one at Lexus. Would you switch it out now that it needs the big package or run it back and just pay the $ for piece of mind?

jcat_350

as long as the dealership is competent (some certainly are not) let them do it. That way, there is much more liability (through lexus corporate) should anything fail down the road because of their work. Also, those techs eat sleep and breathe lexus, meang they know everything about one thing. Whereas an independent shop knows one thing about everything. See what i'm getting at?

get it done right. There's no amount of work that you can pay for based on how long the car lasts that will ever cost you more than getting a new car. It's a proven mathematical fact. In stock trim, with only 30, 60, and 90 thousand mile services, among others (tires, oil change, plugs, brakes etc.) outlast damn near every car on the road. Taken care of properly, this car in its 2nd generation will outlast 5 and 6 generations of comparable luxury sedans. If there's any way to keep it, god damn it keep it. Watch, as all of these bargain korean pieces of garbage start falling apart on the highway and the US cars fail to provide good fuel economy and reliability, these GS's, and lexus vehicles in general, will become EXTREMELY hard to come by.

not to mention the 2gs will shortly be a classic design, regarded as one of, if not the best looking vehicle ever to come stateside from japan.

wowitztai

iTrader: (1)

keep her..and drop it!!!

McKrevice

iTrader: (1)

great video....and though I've owned my GS4 for a month, I can't imagine putting it through those kind of tests...haha. That's what my race car is for.

JeffTsai

iTrader: (1)

I put it through those tests a few times a week lol. Going sideways and smoking the tires is easy and too much fun not to do in my car

Frankdorn

iTrader: (7)

At least do an Eibach Pro Kit drop. It's only like an inch, but it'll put a dent in that wheel gap with bringing you too close to the potholes.

huddleston

iTrader: (3)

nice choice. car looks good

GS300Jason

Go turbo it's fun!

You will feel like you're in a luxury TT Supra every day LOL.

gs4004gs

Being a new GS400 owner myself I appreciate getting to see that video! I am coming from a Firebird Formula so seeing a GS do a smoke show was totally awesome!

You're car has been good to you and will continue to from everything I have read. Good choice to keep her!

May you get another 100k problem free miles.

UDel

You want them to look at and most likely replace the lower ball joints, that is the issue that is the most important on the GS and you do not want you lower ball joints going on your car or you can pretty much multiply that 1K service by 3 or 4 if one does go.

If no other car out there really interests you and you like your GS and money is a little tight then I would just spend the 1K and keep the GS for a couple more years as it is a great design and still nicer then 85% of the cars on the road and you know the history of your car.

shvc1991

Wow, a 98 with only 90K miles.... Amazing. I'm at 109K in my 2000.

Stick with it man. Just do the 90K service and she'll last you so much longer.

KNEXX

iTrader: (1)

Talk about a blast from the past. That was aired on TNN!!!

Yeah the GS is hard to beat... just as the guy mentioned its the best of both worlds. I picked my 3 early this year and absolutely love it.

Frankdorn

iTrader: (7)

I am also a new owner of a 400--owned it for about 3 weeks. Also a '98, but with 109K miles, got it for less than $8K with a 90K mile service and EVERYTHING else done at Lexus per the schedule (even taillight bulbs!). Anyway, for the price, I can't think of a better purchase.