Frann

First time poster (long time lurker)
My primary goal is to buy a mint condition stock GS430 or GS400 from a private party. Priority is dependability and freedom from repairs - not power. Either 400 or 430 in stock form is plenty of machine for me! I like the LS luxury, but I detest overly cushy suspensions so I prefer the firmer ride of the GS. My budget can go as high as $9,000, for a mint, low-miler... Searching about, I am seeing so few mint GS400s (so many have been molested by the boyracer/boomcar car manglers), that I am slightly leaning to the GS430. Any thoughts or tips or opinions? Is the gs430 as reliable as the time tested 1UZFE or the gs400? I'm one of those buyers who can be patient and picky and bide my time. Thanks, all!

firelizard

iTrader: (1)

Yes, pretty much.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Theres an L-Tuned 2001 GS430 on autotrader with 46k miles for about 10k. You may have to travel, but if i was looking for another GS, especially a V8, it would be at the top of my list.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Both equal in reliability. I would go for the GS430 since they're newer and you get minor updates to the interior and exterior.

lextout

Gs400 All the way, eshift and drive by cable will be hard to beat.

its always best to go with an even number engine size 4.0Liter

aneidiaz

I bought my GS430 4 years and 1 month ago. It's a 2001. Bought it with 76xxx miles on it. I've been driving it EVERY SINGLE DAY since I bought it. Never drove my Civic again. Barely. And I can attest to this car. It's been absolutely BULLETPROOF. And I gotta nasty foot at times. It has 111xxx miles now. Haven't even changed the timing belt yet and it still drives amazing. Tho I drive more calm now. Aside from new cats and o2 sensors that I WANTED TO PUT IN from Sewell Lexus and a seized caliper, the car has been problem free. Had a little servo motor replacement and that's it. It has the navigation and woodgrain steering wheel. I'm still in love with this car like the first day I had it. It's all preference and money options. But for the money I'd go with a GS430. I'm sure GS400s are just as reliable and maybe even same power. But I will tell you this. I've been on CL reading for a few years. And I have seen way more problem threads for 400s then 430s. Just thought I'd share that. Good luck with your choice and I hope you find the car you deserve and want buddy!

kevin3344

You can't go wrong with either vehicle, I have a '99 GS400 and love the e-shift! Just passed 216,200 miles and hardly any problems.

Be sure and ask for the vehicle service history. You'll want to be sure it was property maintained. Along with regular dealer service, I add my own service history done by my indy at http://drivers.lexus.com/. I also have a spreadsheet with probably every bulb, battery and brake pad I ever bought lol. With proper maintenance these cars will run forever...

Fish

iTrader: (26)

I feel exactly the same way. I had a 98 GS400 and currently have a 03 GS430. But my 400 felt faster for some reason.

GSBeliever

First of all welcome Frann and congrats on your first post!

I would have to agree with Gsteg on this on...both are reliable but I'd go with GS430 for the minor upgrades on the interior and exterior. I've owned both models and prefer the 430 I have now. Due diligence and patience are important. A couple tips that have put my mind at ease is getting the car inspected by an independent garage before hand, trying to find a 1owner car as well as looking up the VIN number through the lexus website. Not sure how many know but if you sign up for the My Lexus website and punch in the Vin for the car your interested in, you will be able to pull up the maintenance history for that car if it was serviced at the dealership.

Good Luck in your search!

MattyG

Frann, just make sure you have a really good pre-purchase inspection. Even then, there will be maintenance items not matter how low the mileage or receipts.

At its best, you're buying a 10 year old car. At it's oldest, you're looking at a 17 year old car. These were preemo vehicles that were were upwards of $50K or more.

Buying a used luxury car in this category means maintenance one way or the other. If you can get a car well below your upper limit, you should allocate at least a $1000/year for the first year and probably the second year.

Tires, brakes, timing belt/water pump, shocks, fluids.... etc.

They drive like new though when everything's looked after.

aneidiaz

They definitely do drive new when well maintained. Mine still drives like new. I love it. And the upper control arms are in very bad condition at that. Just got them new. Can't wait to feel the difference in the driving experience after I change it. One thing is clear tho MattyG, these cars ARE WORTH the investment in comparison to BMWs and Benz vehicles that were released these years. Those cars are KNOWN for expensive problems almost 80% when your purchasing one. So I'll take the minor suspension, o2 sensor, servo(s), etc compared to thousand dollar sensor problems. LEXUS THESE YEARS WERE BUILT TREMENDOUSLY SUPERIOR PERIOD.

100bajan

iTrader: (12)

I will jump in with the majority and say do the 430. Like the others I had the 400 before, and it was AWESOME!!! My 430, is an 01, one owner dealer trade in with 73k, got it last November, I did the timing belt right away just because... Put new tires, new rear brakes, and about to do the ball joints. Only "issue" so far is condensation in the driver headlight, which only started after I changed the city bulb to led on a somewhat chilly morning ( big hands and small spaces are NOT compatible!!!) and recently both passenger side door locks have been acting up, and not locking or unlocking with the remote. This could be the motors, which there is a sticky on fixing without buying new ones. But like the others say, 15 year old car that still turns heads....yes please!!