btanchors

Hello everyone,

Well, I'm considering a 2003 Lexus GS. I'm not sure at this point whether I'm going to get the GS300 or spring the extra $$ for a GS430. Aside from the obvious difference in horsepower, what other differences are there?

For example, I know the GS430 comes standard with perforated leather, which is only available in the SportDesign version of the GS300. I also know the GS430 comes with several items standard that are optional on the GS300, and that the GS430 has a couple of options not available on the GS300 (like 17" tires).

But, what about differences that are not obvious from looking at the Lexus website? How about the cost of maintaining? Are maintenance intervals (oil, timing belt, etc.) the same on the two models? Is the gas mileage significantly different between the two in real driving conditions (I know the EPA estimates are slightly different). Also, what about costs to insure? Do auto insurance people charge more for the GS430 since it has more horsepower?

Any advice regarding choosing between the GS300 and GS430 are appreciated!

Dennis

gs400998

"Well, I'm considering a 2003 Lexus GS. I'm not sure at this point whether I'm going to get the GS300 or spring the extra $$ for a GS430. Aside from the obvious difference in horsepower, what other differences are there?"

The less horsepower of GS300 translates to about 1.5 second slower 0-60 and 1.2 second alower 1/4M times than GS430. GS300 will be slower than a lot of the lower priced Japanese V6 such as Acura TL Type-S, Nissan Maxima, Altima, 03 Accord V6, Infiniti G35 sedan...

"But, what about differences that are not obvious from looking at the Lexus website? How about the cost of maintaining? Are maintenance intervals (oil, timing belt, etc.) the same on the two models? Is the gas mileage significantly different between the two in real driving conditions (I know the EPA estimates are slightly different). Also, what about costs to insure? Do auto insurance people charge more for the GS430 since it has more horsepower?"

Using my Lexus dealership's maintenance handbook, the difference is minimum between GS300 and GS430. For example, timing belt and water pump at 90K mile service is $150 lower for the GS300.
Lexus.com gives 18/25 MPG for GS300 and 19/23 MPG for GS430. Not much an advantage for GS300 and GS430 has 80 more horsepower with V8. My insurance company charges my GS based on the current replacement cost and not because it has a V8. Other factors to charge more insurance fee for a specifc car is theft rate, number of claims, crash rating.......

garnet92

This is my admittedly subjective opinion – if you can drive them both and have trouble making a decision, buy the 300.

For me, the 400’s power made the decision easy. I dropped back a year to stay within the budget and still get the additional power and haven’t looked back. I'm quite sure that as good as the 300 is, I would have always wished that I'd bought the 400.

My .35 cents worth

RON430

I have to echo garnet92's statement. I have both a 2k1 GS430 and a 2k3 GS3 in the garage. My wife drives the GS3 and I don't have much of a handle on gas mileage and the insurance also is not easy for me to decipher because they are on the same bill with a few more vehicles and it is a new GS3 vs a two year old GS4 so my guess is the charges are pretty close.

If you drive them and can't tell much difference or if the difference isn't worth the difference in price (right around 10K without tax in our case) go for the GS3. Once you get past the numbers and just drive, the GS3 is very, very nice. I believe the inline six engine is a tad smoother than the V8 and the response is by no means dangerously slow. There is no getting around the power of the GS4 and I have a very good feeling about that Toyota mill but I had the straight six in a Supra or two and I know it will go forever with little if any maintenance. If you can tell the difference and the 300hp is worth it, step up to it.

Just can't improve on the comment that if you don't realize enough difference in the V8 to justify the increased price, you will probably be very, very happy with the GS3. A lot of what we wanted, the room, the solidity, the design, are identical. And the bilsteins are going on right now and the TRD sways are in the garage. OK, so she is a woman but when we first met we both had E types. She finds most Honda/Acuras too softly suspended for her liking and liked driving the bimmers but reamed the BMW customer service people a new one on the cost and frequency of maintenance when the last seven got turned in - she won't even put bimmer on her list because she values reliability so highly. When she went out shopping, I didn't tell her anything about what to get or budget. She did some looking and test driving (coming out of a dearly loved Maxima) and got it down to the G35 and the GS3. In the final analysis she just liked the GS3 a lot more and she hasn't looked back. Of course she can always take the GS4 if the mood moves her.

Iceman

Another difference (and I'm going by hearsay as opposed to taking the time to look up actual figures) is that the resale on a 430 will be a little better. They are FAR more exclusive and therefore will tend to hold their value better. And if it's worth anything to you, there is definitely the exclusivity factor. If not, then the 300 is 95% the same car and as anyone here will tell you it's a pretty fantastic one!

DontHateSc

hi, my mom is looking for a brand new GS3/430 or an IS300. I drive her old car, an sc400. Anyway, I was trying to convince her to get the IS300, but she just likes the styling of the GS more. I think we are going to go with the GS, but i really want her to get a v8 , anyone know a good year to get a used gs400/430.

Thanks!

BuyERTS

Yeah, you just have to pull an extra $12,000 out of your butt...

Also, keep in mind that Lexus doesn't usually sell "base" models. The 300 will probably come with a leather package, and the 430 can't be had without the Nav, Lev, and a bunch of other non-optional "options".

Can't remember what the exact sticker price on the 300 is, but I believe it's near $42,000. The MSRP on the 430 is something like $54,300.

meanboy

They will deal on a GS300 on price...I don't know about the GS430.

Doesn't the GS300 now have e-shift while the GS430 doesn't?

BuyERTS

In this economy, they're gonna be dealing on both.

Proof? The dealer I'm working with is offering the 300 at invoice and the 430 at $2000 over invoice. Their price on the 430 is well below the $54K+ MSRP.

BTW, I'm in So. Cali.

joshoowa

iTrader: (1)

yup i bought my gs3 for 42k

joshoowa

iTrader: (1)

42k = msrp + tax + title

meanboy

That means the spread is about 12k? 36k versus 46k+2k=48k? Those figures are just off the top of my head for invoice. Plus, you have tax and fees. Add at least another 10% for that. Plus, next year you will be paying 2% of the your purchase price less 10% for your fees. So at 48k X .9=$864 and 36kx.9=648 next year for registration.

Lexus GS3

iTrader: (2)

Oh my God what kind of question is this. The difference is the liter size of the engine/HP/price. The GS300 is a 3.0 motor and it has the Supra Non turbo engine inline 6 which pushes 220 hp at the flywheel. The GS300 has the sport shift. GS430 is a 4.3 liter engine and its a v8. Pushes 300hp at the flywheel, no sport shift. Both has the same body design.. Prices differences between a gs300 and a gs430 is about 10 to 12 grand. Hope this will help you bro. If you still want to find more detailed info. Check out Lexus.com and click on the specifications, you'll find anything you want to know in there.

ToMMy

Iceman

I think he KNOWS that. What he was wondering is are there more subtle differences that are not readily evident (like perf leather on the 4 or e-shift on the 3)? Sometimes these small differences aren't even published in a brochure or website, so it's a fair question to ask the experts who hang out here!

btanchors

Iceman,

Exactly! Thanks for clarifying, this is exactly the sort of information I was seeking...

To follow up, I'm pretty much settled on a GS430, now I am starting to concentrate on how to find one at the best price. I've submit several queries through various internet car buying services and will see what sorts of responses I get from local dealers....