Why would you buy a GS?
#31
Forum Administrator
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Good info! I see both the BMW 5 and 7 series in the top 10 list as well .
When I was considering both the BMW 540i Sport and the GS, the GS was cheaper for me for insurance. This was five years ago, though. May be based on local driving area as well?
Anyway - back to the topic of the thread, sorry.
When I was considering both the BMW 540i Sport and the GS, the GS was cheaper for me for insurance. This was five years ago, though. May be based on local driving area as well?
Anyway - back to the topic of the thread, sorry.
#32
I would agree - the location probably has a lot to do with it. My GS insurance is almost 20% higher than my 540 was. BUT, back to the darn topic again... what was that again?
#33
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Originally posted by doug_999
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The GS430 costs more to insure than the 540. In fact it is the 3rd most expensive car to insure.
Doug
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The GS430 costs more to insure than the 540. In fact it is the 3rd most expensive car to insure.
Doug
#34
Lexus Test Driver
Doug, good find.
At the time the GS was cheaper to insure than the 540. Do they put the GS400 and GS430 in the same category. I think there is a direct relationship regarding the age of a vehicle and the insurance cost.
Does a 1995 M3 cost the same to insure as a 2001 M3? My guess, would be that the 1995 M3 would be cheaper to insure due to its age and its overall value.
At the time the GS was cheaper to insure than the 540. Do they put the GS400 and GS430 in the same category. I think there is a direct relationship regarding the age of a vehicle and the insurance cost.
Does a 1995 M3 cost the same to insure as a 2001 M3? My guess, would be that the 1995 M3 would be cheaper to insure due to its age and its overall value.
#35
Who knows. The insurance companies are strange. My friend pays a LOT less on his new Tahoe than he did on his 2000 Durango - but he is in Texas.
I personally believe that the alarm system on the GS is to blame for the high insurance rates. I hear that if you force the door lock it will disable the alarm. Not good. I also think that the GS430 has too much power for the current suspension - but like I said, I just don't know if it is from collision or comprehensive that makes the GS430 so expensive to insure.
I should mention that a friend who works for State Farm tells me that prices for Mazda parts are out of this world (not sure if this still holds true for the 626) and that those cars are very expensive to insure per him.
I personally believe that the alarm system on the GS is to blame for the high insurance rates. I hear that if you force the door lock it will disable the alarm. Not good. I also think that the GS430 has too much power for the current suspension - but like I said, I just don't know if it is from collision or comprehensive that makes the GS430 so expensive to insure.
I should mention that a friend who works for State Farm tells me that prices for Mazda parts are out of this world (not sure if this still holds true for the 626) and that those cars are very expensive to insure per him.
#36
Mortgage Slave
This is a great thread guys, keep it up! Being a Soarer (Soarer 2.5GT-TL) owner, I naturally have a love for Lexus cars, and I'm thinking about maybe trading in (sometime in the future anyway, or maybe even as my primary car? ) for a GS300, the turbo power's getting to me! Here in Australia, a nice GS300 with avg. milage would go for about AUD$53000 (US$35000)... gotta start saving more!!!
BTW, just out of curiousity, does Lexus America sell the L-Tuned GS300 as a package (say) from the dealer? They've just started to here in Australia...
BTW, just out of curiousity, does Lexus America sell the L-Tuned GS300 as a package (say) from the dealer? They've just started to here in Australia...
#37
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Originally posted by doug_999
Not to turn this into ANOTHER GS vs. 540, but I assure you the 540 with sport package will smoke a GS from 0-30. From 30 on, I assure you the GS430 will beat the 540. Trust me, I've owned them both - the torque converter on the GS430 just has too low of a stall speed plain and simple. Ask the people who have changed their torque converter about the difference it makes in acceleration.
Not to turn this into ANOTHER GS vs. 540, but I assure you the 540 with sport package will smoke a GS from 0-30. From 30 on, I assure you the GS430 will beat the 540. Trust me, I've owned them both - the torque converter on the GS430 just has too low of a stall speed plain and simple. Ask the people who have changed their torque converter about the difference it makes in acceleration.
oh and if you think Lexus drivers are hated, try driving a BMW.
#41
Pro: Car attracts women like crazy
I know some of you don't want women to want you because of your car, but if you don't want any type of relationship at the time, whats wrong with headin out to the club bringin back a nice lookin girl and droppin her off in the morning, nothing more. The girls I have talked to about this car all agree its one of their favs, none seem to like the 5 series, and all of them also like the 3 series, but they feel the Lex is more baller (probably because there are sooooooo many 3 series here). And once you add mods to a GS.....dayum.
I know some of you don't want women to want you because of your car, but if you don't want any type of relationship at the time, whats wrong with headin out to the club bringin back a nice lookin girl and droppin her off in the morning, nothing more. The girls I have talked to about this car all agree its one of their favs, none seem to like the 5 series, and all of them also like the 3 series, but they feel the Lex is more baller (probably because there are sooooooo many 3 series here). And once you add mods to a GS.....dayum.
#42
Originally posted by lexguynj
What really bothered me was the loose steering, which I could only resolve by buying a BMW.
What really bothered me was the loose steering, which I could only resolve by buying a BMW.
#43
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Join Date: Jun 2001
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Originally posted by ChrisFL
What about the Steering ECU? That tightens up the ratio for the steering
What about the Steering ECU? That tightens up the ratio for the steering
There is only a little noticeable difference with the L-Tuned Steering ECU that I had installed in my GS. I was hoping for a significant change, but you're not going to get it with this upgrade. I actually believe that any change is in my head and that I truly want to believe that there is a improved difference.
The new 2004 LS430 will have the sports package option with those nice 18" rims and sports suspension, so I hope this option will follow in the GS, however either way, Lexus will not change their cars that much, so will never achieve the tightness and solid steering feel of a BMW.
#44
Originally posted by lexguynj
Hey ChrisFL,
There is only a little noticeable difference with the L-Tuned Steering ECU that I had installed in my GS. I was hoping for a significant change, but you're not going to get it with this upgrade. I actually believe that any change is in my head and that I truly want to believe that there is a improved difference.
Hey ChrisFL,
There is only a little noticeable difference with the L-Tuned Steering ECU that I had installed in my GS. I was hoping for a significant change, but you're not going to get it with this upgrade. I actually believe that any change is in my head and that I truly want to believe that there is a improved difference.
#45
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Originally posted by ChrisFL
Ah, ok, I thought it would be better than just a small difference
Ah, ok, I thought it would be better than just a small difference
I noticed you have a 99GS. There are fellow members on here that said this upgrade does make a difference when upgrading from a 99 or older GS, however I was upgrading from a 2001 GS430, which others also said makes little difference or is actually the same part already installed in 2001 GS430.
You can do a search if you are interested in doing this upgrade and find a lot of valuable info on this great site!