Would appreciate some help, trying to gauge how much costs would be to own a car with that many miles or if I should look for something different or less miles. The care has about 150K miles. I want a daily that I will be able to keep for years to come and not having to worry about putting money into it. I plan on doing suspension and wheels and slowing modding after that. What type of question should I ask or what should I look at when looking and test driving the car.

1. How expensive is this car to fix compared to other cars?
2. What specific things should I be looking for with cars with this high of mileage
3. How much per month should I be saving for possible repairs?
4. How long will the engine last ?

Thanks in advance!

 

All I know is that I have a '98 GS300 with 136,000 miles and it still runs strong. It's all about maintaining...

 

Do not buy a GS300 with that many miles unless you get it for a smoking good deal.

Save yourself the trouble and get the 8 cylinder. The 300 is not fun to drive and gets about the same mileage.

 

I agree. I only bought the 300 because i'm doing a 2jz-gte (Supra) swap. The 300 is severely underpowered because these cars are pig heavy, so opt for the 430, and ditch the 400 as well.

 

What would you consider a smoking good deal on a 98 GS300? I'm not being sarcastic .

 

1. if you know how to do the fixes yourself, it isnt that expensive
2. check the ball joints for front and back, check if the recommended maints were done, 70k and 100k are the big ones (timing belt etc)
3. different for everyone, some will drive their cars and have no problems, while others will break stuff all the time. i usually have 1g saved on side for misc problems...just spent 700 last week on the front upper and lower ball joints lol
4. the motor is great as long as you take care of it, do the regular maints (change oil every 3k etc)

 

Any maintenance history? What kind of shape is it in?

 

If the owner can't show you a comprehensive maintenance history, I'd probably walk from it. Like others have said, maintenance is the key with this car (and any other, for that matter). If it hasn't been maintained, it's probably going to be trouble after you buy it.

There are LOTS of 300's out there -- all it takes is time to find the right deal.

 

No maintenance history in hand, but he said he has done the timing belt and water pump at 100k and recently did the bushings.

Also what do you consider a good price?

 

i dont think the 300 is underpowered i mean its not a monster but its definitely not underpowered, when i want it to go the car moves it isnt underpowered it might be slow but its got enough power for be just fine.

 

What makes you say this, if I may ask?

 

if you're going to buy a 300 at this point, at least make it a 01+ or sportdesign, or be ready to mod it.

 

How come? Is a 1998 gs300 not good?

 

A newer GS300 is better than having a older one due to mileage, condition and E-shifting on the steering wheel. I opted to go with a 300 because it is near impossible to get a 400 in the color I wanted let alone a 400 anywhere on the west coast without importing.

I will one day do a swap, until then it is modding and styling to my taste.

 

Ok, I got a GS400 and since then, I've been dumping money on it. Its got 100k so I just did the timing belt and water pump for around 1400. Then the ball joints and outer tie rods were replaced. That is around 400 I think. The upper control arm went out and the dealer wanted 1600. I got it replaced for 600 by taking it elsewhere. Obviously, they ripped me off by charging for 3 hours of work when it could be done in 1. About a month ago, I got all the bushings replaced except for the steering rack and got new shocks. That was around 1000. Then, my alternator went out and took the battery with it. That was another 500. Now, I'm getting the car checked for leaks so either the Power Steering is leaking or it's coming from the valve covers...not fun. And the brakes need replacing so we'll figure in about 300-400 for parts.