GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

Thinking of a GS400

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-14-11, 09:15 PM
  #16  
NEbiker10
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
NEbiker10's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MA
Posts: 958
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

gs400 best thing I bought. If you are patient you can score a good deal. For example I got my 99 a month ago for 5k flat with 128,000 and this thing was wicked mint. Boston area though could have something with it being so cheap
Old 10-14-11, 09:40 PM
  #17  
cdg306
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
cdg306's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Ia
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I love Boston! lol Great excuse to see the city again. =)
Old 10-18-11, 12:31 AM
  #18  
Mofoe
Driver
 
Mofoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: mn
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

do it. i also am a long time stang guy (still have 94, until it sells). just bought 99 gs4 a couple months ago for a daily driver and get 18-20+ doing mix of cty/hwy. love the car has good power and room.
Old 10-18-11, 11:44 AM
  #19  
repugnante
Instructor
 
repugnante's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 996
Received 23 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

You cannot go wrong with either one when it comes to power and performance. But be patient and try to lean towards an 01+ 430....parts are pretty much the same when it comes to repairs but, it was the corrections done on the 01+ that makes the difference. Good luck
Old 10-18-11, 02:56 PM
  #20  
cdg306
Rookie
Thread Starter
 
cdg306's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Ia
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I'm officially on the hunt. I will have one of these.

What are the corrections you talk about on the 01+? Obviously the motor is bigger but the output is about the same. Just a little more torque. What other changes were there?
Old 10-18-11, 03:08 PM
  #21  
RamAirRckt
Instructor
 
RamAirRckt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: IL
Posts: 1,242
Received 24 Likes on 21 Posts
Default

The powerband is lower, so that helps, mpg didn't officially change. They went electronic throttle, and some really hate that, all depends on how you drive I suppose.

I have a GS4 (been 2-3 weeks now since I got it) and it is a fine car. I like it a lot. Some say the GS's ride soft, I can't imagine what they are thinking, mine is solid, and over bumps you don't WANT it firmer, not here up north. And I have 16's not the 17's.

The 01-up GS4's lost the e-shift. Can't say I would care, it is nearly useless in my opinion as it won't hold shifts like a Tiptronic does. It only upshifts IF you want it AND the PCM is willing. Gate shifting to me is much better. But gate shifting on a GS400 is crap too, it goes 5-3-2-1, and on the GS430's it goes 5-4-3-2-1. But the gates are a joke. You can't race with that. The e-shift on the steering wheel is poor placement, you can't corner and shift. Duh, what were they thinking? The e-shift is just e-shift. NOT Tiptronic like people claim. Worlds different. Not even comparable. Basically it lets you determine how HIGH the gears can go, 1-2, or 1-3, or 1-4 or 1-5. No more than that. A Tiptronic lets you set the gear and it stays there until you do something stupid like 2nd gear and try to do 75 mph. Or stop and start in 5th. Else it does what you tell it. E-shift does nothing of the sort.

Give me a His/Hers shifter from my 80 Turbo Trans AM. That is a shifter that is worth using. You can bang shifts all day long with it and be spot on when you shift and how hard you shift it.

HID's became std in 01-up. New taillights, I think suspension parts were updated. Nakamichi sound made way for the Mark Levinson sound. People are divided each way. NAV got bigger screen in 01-up. I don't have it, and don't necessarily need it, but it would be nice. I am happy with the Nak sound system.

Powerband is higher in GS400, lower in GS430. But I wonder how the high rpm power is. The GS430 is slightly faster, but at high engine speeds, I don't know if it really would be faster there when you spend more time at high rpm. I wish I could find a powerband chart to compare them. LIke the 300hp Cadillac Northstar and the 275 hp Cadillac Northstar. The 275hp was better for most everything short of high rpm, the 300 hp shined there. But the 300 hp got 3.71 gears and the 275 got 3.15's. They were actually closer matched than ever. And the 300 hp edged out on top a bit.

There are times I could see the part throttle torque of the GS430 being nice, but else the GS400 is a great driver. And if you can get cheaper, don't turn it away.

Originally Posted by cdg306
I'm officially on the hunt. I will have one of these.

What are the corrections you talk about on the 01+? Obviously the motor is bigger but the output is about the same. Just a little more torque. What other changes were there?

Last edited by RamAirRckt; 10-18-11 at 03:14 PM.
Old 10-19-11, 12:50 AM
  #22  
shurian
Pit Crew
iTrader: (9)
 
shurian's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Toronto
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It's no first gear on GS4 what u talking about
Old 10-19-11, 06:03 AM
  #23  
Vegas
Pit Crew
 
Vegas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Nevada
Posts: 162
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Bought my 400 with 144k on the clock for $6k.
Old 10-19-11, 06:54 AM
  #24  
repugnante
Instructor
 
repugnante's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 996
Received 23 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by cdg306
I'm officially on the hunt. I will have one of these.

What are the corrections you talk about on the 01+? Obviously the motor is bigger but the output is about the same. Just a little more torque. What other changes were there?
New and improved DVD based NAV system, not the old school hard drive version. Bigger and more a responsive brake master cylinder. Caster arms and ball joints were strengthened and improved. Few interior/exterior touches that displays a bit more luxury (i.e. taillights, steering wheel, guages etc). If you don't necessarily care for those things, then you can opt for the 400, because as I previously pointed out, you can't really go wrong with either one.
Old 10-19-11, 06:13 PM
  #25  
lexusben
Lead Lap
iTrader: (3)
 
lexusben's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by repugnante
New and improved DVD based NAV system, not the old school hard drive version. Bigger and more a responsive brake master cylinder. Caster arms and ball joints were strengthened and improved. Few interior/exterior touches that displays a bit more luxury (i.e. taillights, steering wheel, guages etc). If you don't necessarily care for those things, then you can opt for the 400, because as I previously pointed out, you can't really go wrong with either one.
I never heard about the updated brake master cylinder. Good info I don't think the Ball joint was modified though, just the Caster Arm (and Bushing).
Old 10-20-11, 06:11 AM
  #26  
repugnante
Instructor
 
repugnante's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: CA
Posts: 996
Received 23 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

Yea, Lexus increased the BMC by like 5mm or 6mm. From 22 to 27 for better "pedal feel". From what I have researched, Lexus produced a new batch of ball joints. Also, from what I have read on here, if you purchase a set from the dealer, you won't get the ones that came with the 98-00 models, yet you will get the ones from the 01+ models. I haven't seen any 01+ models have the scary ball joint issues that the 98-00 models have so I'm figuring Lexus did in fact address this issue with the ball joint failures.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ta1972
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
2
02-13-12 11:49 AM
NEbiker10
Lexus Vehicles Classifieds
2
09-19-11 06:58 AM
Lextreme
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
38
05-26-05 09:46 PM
looknow12
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
7
05-10-03 07:25 AM
xshadowz
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
26
08-02-01 07:55 AM



Quick Reply: Thinking of a GS400



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:23 PM.