2GenGS430

Firstly, I'd just like to say hey to everyone, I am brand new to this forum, and have been on a search for a GS430 for a while.

I am looking for a fairly lower mileage GS430, and am just at a loss. I know these cars aren't the easiest to find, but I feel like in this area it's even tougher. I live in the Raleigh area of NC, moved here a year ago from NJ, and have noticed how much more difficult it is to find a specific car. I even checked the classifieds here, and am unable to find something that is close to me. I don't know if anybody has any suggestions, but I'd love to become a contributing member to the forums, and get my own GS430. I drove a 300 and really liked it, but I have my heart set on the 430. Any guidance would be appreciated!

Neomoogle

I live in NC as well and just bought a GS430. I ended up having to drive about 4 hours to VA to get the car though. The best advice I can give is to broaden your search area to the surrounding states. I know it sucks having to make the drive, but it's worth it for the right car.

2GenGS430

I am considering that now since it really is a tough find out here. My main concern is purchasing a car so far away. It would be away big decision based mostly on pictures and the seller's word of mouth. Obviously I would get to inspect it once I get there, but does anybody have any advice on buying vehicles from a far diztance? Such as what to look/ask for?

JLAWS

Just a couple things when buying from primarily a private party"
Get a scanner and hook it up to the ECU. Check for codes and whether they were recently erased. The scanner will say several monitoring systems are "not ready" and will require about 200 miles of driving to be ready. The owner is hiding something if the codes are cleared
Check to see if the Ball joints were done recently. Turn the wheel left or right to listen for squeak noises from a bad ball joint.

Really, if there are no cleared codes and it drives smooth and everthing works then you are really good to go. There is nothing really on a Lexus that can go bad that will cost you lots of $$$ to fix like Euro luxury cars.

2GenGS430

Appreciate the response. That's exactly the info I needed. I wish someone on the boards locally was selling but I'll broaden my search. I'm a honda/nissan loyalist but recently leased a 2014.5 camry se for my fiancé and have been on and toyota kick since. Plus I've always loved the gs so I'll be going all out to try and get one. If anybody happens to come across one in my vicinity of the country please pass it along.

JLAWS

Don't forget about the GS400 which came out years 1998-2000. It's pretty much the same car. You still get 300hp but the Gs430 is much smoother more refined.

2GenGS430

I considered the 400 but I would rather the 430 frankly because it's a few years newer. I'm curious though I've done a bit of searching but couldn't find an answer, can you hook an aux cable up to the stock mark Levinson system by possibly unplugging the cd changer or something?

I only found how to's that involved cutting and splicing wires which I'm not willing or capable of doing lol, and I'm not sure you can even switch out the radio if the car has factory gps. Of course correct me if I'm wrong.