HowdyAudi

I can't justify paying that price for a car with such high mileage and that much work to be done. I don't know where you guys find such great deals on your GSs because every GS4 I find within a 700 mile radius of my house is easily $2000 more. People are wanting way too much for these cars. I'm contemplating an 03-04 Infinit G35 sedan if I chicken out on this GS430. The problem is that I'd have to travel to pick up one of those and to have a PPI done on it.

shurian

iTrader: (9)

door lock actuators u can find in good condition here in classifieds, spark plugs its not that hard to replace or try to look if some of the members is local to u and can help u with parts and installation for better price then a dealer,good luck!!!

shurian

iTrader: (9)

Thats a really good and strong car and wors every penny not even compare to g35 sedan , all u need its minimal maintainence to keep it in good shape, trust me u wont be dissapointed

chicov8

its easy to change spark plugs
if you wana long term car than buy it, if just for few months i would pass after you fix everything its should be good for next 50k-100k with no major problems
there is no gasket for transmission pan you have to use tube gasket maker, and after you open pan change or clean transmission filter

aneidiaz

Talk him down to $5,250. Lucky number. Give or take. Very overpriced. I bought mine same exact year as yours with 75,000k for $10,800. Given the $$$$$ your gonna have to invest in this bad boy and the year and mileage on the car, you should get it for $5,250 or less..... I mean post some pics up of the car and have let everyone see the cosmetic condition of the bad boy. I mean if it's in near perfect condition (which I doubt with that mileage) maybe the $6,000 mark is agreeable. But no more then that definitely.

chicov8

$6k for 2001 gs430 even with that milage is good price and not overpriced
a year ago i payed $9k for 2002 with 115k and it need some work (ball joints and upper control arm)
few days ago there was a post from a guy that bought 03 gs300 with almost 300k for over $6k and that was overpriced
there are not too many gs430 on the market and they keep price

HowdyAudi

If someone has a suggestion for a website where I can buy oem parts at a good price, then I could save a little money and just pay the labor costs. I found a trusted mechanic which is certified and only works on Toyota/Lexus vehicles but his costs were higher than the dealer.
What should a dealer be replacing with a timing belt job anyway?

And another thing, it seems like every repair shop I contacted had a different name for the same part. On the pre-purchase inspection report, the service writer indicated that I need new front strut rods. Fine, but WTH are front strut rods?! Shocks? Control Arms? Why can't the service department explain things in layman's terms and provide part numbers for every item they list as needing attention. Does Lexus provide a suggestion box for their service departments?

lextout

i would defentley go for the gs430, all those items seem minor and you could tinker with them one by one, by ALL MEANS do not get the c280, those have notorious electrical gremlin nightmares and is a slug compared to the 430, WIth the fluids looking clean that is a good sign and it seems that it had the tbelt and major done at 90k which is good, i truly believe that you could take it too 200k to buy you some time for the t belt, I say GO FOR IT, Also go to sewell lexus.com and sign up with your screen name, i believe you get 20% off parts, good luck!

HowdyAudi

Wow, thanks for the tip.
I'd like to get the front strut rods and door lock actuators repaired as soon as possible because of safety concerns. I will be buying a new set of tires for the GS since the current set is rather worn.

SureShot

iTrader: (1)

If you we're doing the work yourself and using sewell and rockauto to source the parts, I'd say it's a good deal at 6500. 6500 and then having to pay labor prices to get it fixed, is alittle high, IMO. But I guess it comes down to how much you want it.

chicov8

register at sewell and after discount cheapest oem parts
for some suspension parts you can use moog parts as some says its japan company suplaing toyota (moog parts you can buy or order i most auto parts stores)

chicov8

door lock actuators you dont have to fix it for now if you dont need power locks (if its driver door use key to lock and unlocked door, for other doors you would have to open it from inside one by one)

HowdyAudi

I just watched a YouTube DIY video on the door lock actuators and it's no wonder why shops charge $600+ per door. I feel very unsettled about disassembling the entire door. An Infiniti G35 is looking more and more appealing the more research I do. I know the GS is a far superior car, that much is a given. But I'm wanting to avoid another project car and this GS430 is not fitting that criterion. Has anyone owned a first generation G35 sedan who is willing to offer their opinion?

abounly

iTrader: (27)

The person who did the youtube video wasn't too smart. They should post on that video that there is an alternate way of doing it.

All you need to do is take off 5 bolts and the actuator is free. Its an easy job.

HowdyAudi

Which five bolts?