Hey everyone , so i'm planning on buying a Lexus GS 2nd gen soon and i was wondering if theres any years/model changes to the vehicle? and which year i should avoid??

i read up somewhere the 98's have some problems with the stability control so im gonna try to avoid getting a 98. Are there any problems with the GS in general or for any other years i should know about?

Also are there any changes during the time span of 99-05 for the GS? If so what are they?



Just wanted to ask the more knowledgeable crowd, i did a couple research on GS's and couldn't find anything else, so maybe you guys might know something i couldn't find.


Let me know thanks



also whats a good pricing for vehicles with 100XXX miles, 110XXX miles, 120XXX, 130XXX, 140XXX, 150XXX, or less than 100,000 miles??


i dont want to get ripped off or spend anymore than i should

 

Well, I guess I will start, I am sure I will miss alot of stuff that others can fill in. The 300 is from years 98-05, 400 is from 98,99,01-05 (dont think that they made one in 2000), and well the 430 is from 01-05. If I were you I would get a 430, keep in mind though it is the bigger engine of the three (3UZ 4.3 V8) but the car comes with sport suspension, navi, and its all around the fastest (stock). They also retain the best value (check it for yourself). The 300 is the most economical (2JZ) engine... Its a 6 cylinder engine, very strong and the bay has the most room of the three for engine mods (turbo, turbo, turbo...lol) if you are in to that, of course.... The 400's are nice they have the (1UZ) engines also a V8 as the 430, but they dont come with sport suspension and its more an advanced 300 IMO... sorry guys... The 300 did come with a sport design, which has sport suspension, down shifters on the steering wheel (very nice car indeed)... The rear lights changed in 2001, the 98-00 models came with the amber part in the middle and the 01-05 came with the amber on the bottom ends (much more nicer and looks official). The headlights also came with a green tint in the 01-05 models which compliments the front appearance... I am sure that I forgot some other stuff, but these were the differences that came to mind at the moment....

Also, welcome to the forum, whichever you decide to get, they are great cars. This forum helps alot with any problems that you may experience, always check here first... We get great discounts through, sewell lexus and carson toyota (dealers) as well as an abundance of modification vendors... I myself can get some parts at a decent price, PM me if the need arises... Good luck, and remember, getting the car is just a baby step, you will get addicted to modifications... lol $$$

Again, welcome... Hope someone else can pick up from here and guide you in a better direction (OH most importantly, you can run a search on the forum and get additional info on you questions, this one and much more). I am sure this has been answered before... I dont know if you meant that you researched here or elsewhere... Good Luck!

Rich

 

oh i meant i research elsewhere* , heh im really new to the forum.


THANKS FOR THE INFO!, i have a few questions about pricing ^^ that i re-edited my original post above.

i love how the lexus forum is more mature than the honda forum. i just recently got sick and tired of all these thieves trying to "master key" my hatchback so i sold it about 4 days ago. Didn't want to see all my hard work get stolen away from me like that.


also is there anything i should know about lexus theft? i know for the honda's you can go through the windows by bending it and use a similar shaved key to break into the car, im hoping Lexus was smart enough to counter this to prevent this from happening?? thanks for the info once again.


cant wait to find a good priced GS

 

forget the 300. they are slow and suck to drive.

Get a 400 or a 430.

 

Well, lets put it this way, A 98-00 GS300/400 with 110-175 miles in driveable condition could run you within the range of 5k-10.5k (depending on looks, possible mods and mileage). Whereas, a 01-05 430 will run you about 10k-approx 14k... (again depending on mileage, mods and looks). I was lucky enough to pick up my 430 last year with 102k on the clock and bone stock for 10k, since then I have put in approx 5k into it with mods and oem replacements/upgrades. Now, I am about to put another 3k into it for a nice facelift (full paint job). Not to mention the 20's I have as well that I paid $2300 with tires and a full veilside kit (picked it up on a trade when I crashed my last 300 )... So Roughly, if you sum all those up You are looking at roughly over 20k on a car that I may get 12.5k for if I decide to sell (sorry to go off key here but I thought you should know all this, because you did say you love the drive and the car itself, and if you are anything like me, you will put the money into your car for it to look and drive the best way that it possibly can).
A 01-05 300/400 should be about 2k less than the 430, and again, if you like a little pep, get the 430 You will not regret it...

Keep in mind as well, mileage is just like age, it is just a number... The only difference is that we can change parts in cars and not us lol... Once you keep up with maintenance and care for your car, I dont see why you cannot get up to 300k on the clock... Ive seen threads on this and also I have seen some recent posts that guys have been picking up 300's for approx 5k with like 150k to 175k (just to give you a ball park range). Check on craiglist and dont be scared to go to auctions, sometimes you might get a better deal (the only thing is that you might not be able to start it up, and you may be more or less buying on impulse of looks only)...

Good luck again, I hope I helped out a bit...

 

GS300 (I6) -> 98-05
GS400 (V8) -> 98-00
GS430 (V8) -> 01-05

On top of the things that Rich listed, the grill was different from 98-00 and 01-05 (looks better in my opinion). Also, the 01+ have perforated seats. And the airbag is smaller on the 01+ with a chrome emblem. You also want to keep in mind what your plans are for this car. If you want to go FI then the 300 is the way to go. If stock speed is what you want with the same gas mileage at the 300 then 400/430 is your option. Look for service history, especially ball joints and 90k service. If i could do it all again, i would def. get the 430 or a 300 Sport Design w/ saddle interior. GL

 

thanks you guys

 

Looks like im getting an 01+

read about too many bad things about 98-00, and i really like the changes they made .

 

If you haven't read this already and you're planning to buy a v8, this should help you alot on your decision, Thanks to 1SICKLEX

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...-analysis.html

Welcome to CL and GL

 

Buy a GS300, I know I wish I did.

 

hahaha... To each is own my brother... 430!

 

haha man im still waiting for the right price to pick up a car... this search has been endless

 

really............ Is this how you low key down talk on members with a 300?

Dara

 

GS300's are not slow. They're just not fast. Slow is a a 70 hp geo metro. Where do you even go fast? And since when is a 265whp v8 3600 lb. car fast?