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I have two GS's, a 1999 GS400 i special order brand-new and a 2005 GS430 i bought Lexus CPO with 18K miles at the time of purchase. (I don't daily my cars but i do drive them maybe for a month or two everyday and then i resort back to it being a weekend car. I'm one of a few guys on here who wants to preserve the car's longevity for as long as possible. (i'm commited to keeping the car for remainder of my life and i'm in my 40's)
In the 21 years i owned the GS400 and 10 years i owned the GS430. I have not encountered one problem -- ZERO problems (I maintained my cars regular and probably over-maintenace them). I've had newer cars and they just don't compare when you drive them to the older GS's. Ofcourse the Tech in the 2GS's is really old, i still have a tape deck. LOL but the car for its performance value is unmatched for the kind of characteristic these cars have. They're not fast anymore for today's standards, but it can easily hold its own on the highway against many modern performance cars. ( i ran into a Infiniti Q60 coupe modded on the highway in my GS430, my GS430 is comletely stock, The Infiniti probably had atleast 50hp more than my GS and I was able hang with him to 130mph no problems and still had plenty of power left to pass him at 140! So these cars are old but will surprise people that underestimate the GS.
Since, I don't daily them everyday. <my mileage is quite low> My GS400 currently has 49,500 miles. and my GS430 has 47740 miles.(with Zero problems to date) Knock on wood..
For the alternative prospective, my 2003 GS300 has not been entirely trouble-free.
Bought in 2014 with 71k on it, it now has 125k. In that time, I've had to replace:
-Transmission solenoid C
-Y-Pipe (due to a rust hole, wouldn't pass inspection)
-Exhaust Manifold (due to a rust hole, wouldn't pass inspection)
-ABS sensors
-AC compressor and drier/condenser
It still doesn't run right; hesitation from idle and an odd hesitation at 4,000 RPM. So far I've replaced the TPS which hasn't solved the problem; there are no trouble codes. The usual problems are present - Door lock actuators, HVAC flapper motors. The clear on the paint on horizontal surfaces (roof, hood, trunk) has deteriorated and is basically gone.
None of these should be considered normal wear items.
2003 sport design gs300..
Just hit 225K on the body... Front seats are trashed(my poor saddle leather) and about time for a suspension rebuild as just about all the bushings are trashed.
Replaced the cats at 190K and did an engine swap at 190K because mine was running into nonstop electrical issues..
new motor already has oil leaks at 70K...
New gaskets/seals and bushings all around and a new stereo and I would say it will keep me happy for another 5 or so years.
Check the bottom of the Air resonator box for crack at the seam.
I had this problem, and replaced several parts needlessly.
You will need to remove the heat shield on the bottom of the box..
Love my 2004 GS300, w/ 143K miles. 2nd owner for 13 years.
Hey everyone, New to the forum but not to the world of Lexus. my 01 GS300 is still rolling at 319,000. Daily drive and still running them down (on occasion, dont tell). I purchased at 26K and almost 20 yrs ago. BEST car I've ever owned. To this day people still are amazed its looks so good and runs great.
Ok so the Work I have done :
replaced radiator this year (was original). Brake work (as we all know those brakes aren't the best), Oil variable timing solenoid....Car was erking and jerking along, I found the code and replaced it myself, after that ran like new. All the bulbs pretty much, head unit, speakers and sub (paper cones worn out and Mark Levinson head unit said bye bye), also replaced upper and lower control arms around 100k That's pretty much it.
Seats are starting to show their age but they still work and heat just fine. Driver side front door and passenger rear door lock actuators stopped working. hood latch cable broke (have to use pliers to pull cable to release hood and hood struts need replacing. AC is starting to lose freon weekly.
Crazy part....No engine work done (except the solenoid). Original timing belt, spark plugs, Exhaust, etc (I believe if it's not broke don't F*@k with it) and No transmission issues at all. I use the paddle shifts all the time. I do have a little rust around the drive rear wheel well (being in the midwest and snow its expected but it's only that)
I LOVE my GS and shooting for 500K
Thought about getting a newer one for a daily drive but none compare to the 2nd Gen....NONE !!!
The windshield repair had been done years before I got the car. I showed it to a body work guy and he showed me where they didn't seal the moulding properly and guessed they had scratched the paint as well.
Here's my '99 GS400 w/238k. No issues. Just did my second starter a few months ago. TB/WP #1 @ 120k TB/WP #2 @ 220k. Car doesn't get driven as much now since work is about 5 miles away but still runs great.
^^^ looks like in North Carolina headlight covers stay nice - mine look like crap!!
His original headlights were replaced. Honestly aftermarket and even OEM in certain cases are easily attainable and affordable, so I don’t understand why people continue to drive with foggy lenses. Even if your car is clean, it looks dirty with foggy headlights lol.
Regarding my car, it still looks like my signature, except I have 20% tint. I’ve been thinking about painting the car a kandy oriental or cobalt blue to mimic the factory SBM color, but the cost is probably more than the car’s worth. One of the OGs has an amazing kandy blue car, but he doesn’t post anymore. 169k and still rolling without any issues. I recently purchased a koyo wheel bearing and seal since one of the wheel bearings are bad. I replaced all front suspension parts last year, which took care of the shakes and wobbles, I’m regularly do bi-yearly or yearly oil changes (depending if I used dino or synthetic oil) and drain and fill the transmission every 30k.
Honestly aftermarket and even OEM in certain cases are easily attainable and affordable, so I don’t understand why people continue to drive with foggy lenses.
OEM HID headlights are not easily attainable or affordable. New OEM has an MSRP of $1,200 per side, although they usually list for a more modest $600 per side on eBay. Used, if you can even find a properly clear set with the right colour of bezel, will cost anywhere from $300-500 depending on their condition and if they come with ballasts, and they will still continue to fade.
There are no reproduction HID headlights for the 2GS, and it's a crapshoot if the lenses from aftermarket halogen lamps will fit on OEM housings.
OEM HID headlights are not easily attainable or affordable. New OEM has an MSRP of $1,200 per side, although they usually list for a more modest $600 per side on eBay. Used, if you can even find a properly clear set with the right colour of bezel, will cost anywhere from $300-500 depending on their condition and if they come with ballasts, and they will still continue to fade.
There are no reproduction HID headlights for the 2GS, and it's a crapshoot if the lenses from aftermarket halogen lamps will fit on OEM housings.
I never mentioned OEM HID specifically, but my original statement still stands (in some cases). You can find new or good condition, used OEM headlights via this site or on eBay. I was about to buy a new set of OEM halogen headlights for $450 (after negotiating) shipped prior to purchasing my LS 430 retro headlights from a member on this site. If you’re paying MSRP on eBay without negotiating, then that’s a serious problem. To further prove my point, see link....$235 for new HID headlight, shipped! https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-OEM-Hea...ry!77025!US!-1
Regarding aftermarket halogen, it’s common knowledge that Depo aftermarket headlights fit perfectly and was the go to headlights for retrofits. I haven’t priced those headlights in years, but you could buy a pair on eBay for $250 shipped everyday...again easily attainable.
^ thanks - emailed that eBay seller for more info. Might be worth the appearance of the car not to mention better brightness. Looks likes there's lotsa different prices. How much do ya think installation might cost?
07-08-20, 02:31 AM
319,000 miles and still rolling !!!
