Lukas99GS

I'm going to be selling my 99 GS300 in the next two or three months, and I'm debating between getting a gs430 2nd gen, or getting a 3rd gen gs350. Found a nice silver on black low mileage gs430 2002 for 9k I could likely talk them down a bit, also drove an 08 gs350 with 69k for 14k that I could finance, anyone have experience with them? My gs300 has been totally trouble free even now with 215k and I'm not sure if the third gens are quite as reliable, there's alot more to go wrong with them that can get expensive. Love to hear feedback from anyone who knows about the third gens, also considering an 04-06 ls430.

Debonair

You can probably find more insight into the 3GS in the 3GS forum. I would search terms like "common issue" or "known issue" and see what you get.

Lukas99GS

From what it sounds like, they have a lot more issues than our 2nd gens do :/

JLAWS

Yeah they do. From what I have researched the best 3GS to get seems to be the 2006-2007 GS430 . I plan to get one but they are extremely rare local with under 100K miles! The only concern are the electronic struts which can be expensive if you don't want to switch to coilovers, and the timing belt. The GS350 has a timing chain and you can get it with regular gas struts but there has been a well know issue with engine noises. Check out this post: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...e-start-5.html

By the way I have a perfect 2005 GS430,sale pending, it is a great car. Smooth, powerful and has given me no problems. The only reason why I am selling it is because it is a bit dated. I could see myself regretting selling it. I may already have the close to perfect car already sitting in my garage.

sam12345

iTrader: (1)

2nd gen is better

RamAirRckt

A friend of mine works at Lexus and says he feels the 3rd Gen GS430 is best of both worlds, he feels strongly the "Belt engines", aka, 1UZ-FE/3UZ/FE V8's are the best and much better than the chain engines (3.5L V6 and 1UR-FSE engines.

And he feels the 3rd gen chassis is more refined than the 98-05 chassis.

The 3GS cars are heavier than the 2GS. They do however get a 6 speed auto and the 3.76 or 3.92 gears (I forget which) so it makes up for it with gear multiplcation.

I really still enjoy the smoothness of my 1UZ-FE over my wife's 3MZ-FE (3.3L V6) in her RX330. It runs ok, but the V8 is sooooo awesomely smooth. No V6 can compare. I6 maybe, but not a bent 6....

Given a choice, look for a 3GS V8 and compare to the 3GS V6 and see what you think.

And the GS350 in the reviews I have read (2013 model) seems noisy compared to my 2GS4. But some may like it, I am just in amazement how quiet the 2GS4 really is. I love it. I don't like getting "beat" like my Buick Supercharged 3800 seemed to do to me on a daily basis.

Lukas99GS

Yeah, that really sucks because imo the 3GS is such a good looking car, I enjoyed test driving one the other day, I'll probably look into the 04-06 ls430s since those are pretty much bullet proof and have some newer features like backup cam, cooled seats, parking sensors. But definately need to drive one, I'm afraid it'll feel too big after driving the 2GS so long.

lextout

x2 i agree, especially with the drive train(trannys,motor), which is rarely unheard of in the 2nd GS

UDel

I would go with a 2nd Gen GS430, heard of too many issues with the 3rd Gen plus it is not as good looking as the 2nd Gen.

kowala

iTrader: (2)

IMO i've test driven 3rd gens and for some reason they just don't do it for me. Interior feels cheaper and the rear is a bit camry-ish? Front end lacks aggressiveness. As far as the car being as mechanically reliable, I've heard it's worse. When I was contemplating upgrading to a 3rd Gen I found many on craigslist with engine replacements from dealer. I believe they had piston ring failure which caused them to burn oil. I've test driven cars within the same year bmw, infiniti, etc IMO there's nothing else I've driven that delivers the same experience as the second gen. overall, for it's price point and market value now, there's no better car out. GET THE GS430.

Lukas99GS

Yeah after hearing the stories of 3GS problems, I've realized how much I appreciate how bulletproof our 2nd gens are, plus I can save a lot getting a 2nd gen, it is tough to find black interior gs430s in MN but I think im gonna go check this one out
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/ctd/4973401917.html
Really all I want is more speed so a gs430 makes sense