LaZeR

Hi, just wondering, post here if you have a 1st or 2nd Generation GS, its condition, and is it still going strong? THINK Lexus (build) quality was better back in the good ole days - especially their sheet metal - there's just something SO RIGHT about these "old" cars.

In my case, I have a Gold/Tan GS300 RWD, & can attest that they're built like TANKS. After several Cross Country road trips (in total talkin bout around ~15,000 miles), stopping every ~2 hours, through all southern states, PLUS north to canada & back, (hotels at night), many hot summers, freezing cold winters w lotsa snow literally burying the car, beaches, mountains, ski trips, etc, & several zinger dingers, it's still going strong after around ~133k miles, & ~21 YEARS.

Many strangers comments include "wow it's still clean", "looks like new", etc. Got both refurbished Lexus GS Starter & Driver Side Mirror (which insurance paid for coz a bad driver busted it off), a couple brake jobs of course, replaced the Front Hood Lift Supports with the BOXI brand, small body panel area cheapo patch/paint job, and some winters got it rust protection sprayed. I still have yet to change any drive or timing belts. Also have a separate set of Chrome Wheels with Dunlop Snow/Ice Winter Tires if anyone might be interested.

Plz enlighten as to other cars that comparatively afford/provide/offer literally "proven" DECADES of this combination of strong reliability + service + luxury + performance + VALUE and I'll go buy one.

KNOCK ON WOOD *KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

Arcadian

Yep, 320,000KM and drives nearly new. I just had the summer tires put on and got an alignment. I have to say the alignment tightened things up in the front end and the car feels amazing, no rattles, no slop in the steering. Yes, there was some shake in the wheel after the alignment, but I drove it at highway speed on a rough highway and that settled things in. Except for some very annoying rust at the windshield header (due to a botched w/shield replacement) I'd easily drive this car ten more years. As it is, I will get the rust patched and drive it five more years. So, I expect to be driving a 25-year old car daily. Again, except for that rust, the car looks nearly new. There are no rips or splits in the leather, only a few creases. The paint still polishes up beautifully. Nothing of any note has ever broken. In fact the only failures have been the Nakamichi amp (typical) and a few bulbs. No switches have failed, no electric motors, nothing, never serviced the A/C. And, I daily drive this car in central Alberta where we have winters 5-6mo long. Honestly, I don't know how I could give up driving a car with the 1UZFE, that engine is the Rolex of engines. I drove a 2019 SG350 last week and the V6 just doesn't cut it for me. Now I keep hoping these cars will finally become collectable and go up in price.

LaZeR

Wowza Nice - almost 200,000 MILES. Curious about the Windshield replacement which guessing is 3rd Party/After Market - was it due to a crack/shatter, or personal preference, and can you post how much $$?

My windshield is "OK" but want a new one - also for an IS350 FSport. Lexus ain't so great when it comes to windshield quality/longevity.

TrueGS300

As a tech, I do have to say, Toyota and Lexus have gone away from their usual over engineered masterpieces. Things aren't holding up so well on newer vehicles. Blows me away how many fuel pumps I've had to replace on 2015ish Toyotas lately. Never happens on the mid 90 to early 2000s. They are no where near as smooth and comfortable anymore either. Or roomy. Definitely love my GS. Has all the tech I care for and simplicity. Wish I could say how long my engine would have held up, but I went and blew it up with a turbo. At least it's running again!

LaZeR

Well there's MANY Fuel Pump Recall Notices also wrt Lexus. Just google for 10s of 1000s of hits.

MOAWINGS

Yes, 270,209 miles. I have a CEL with p0446 and p0420 that I need to fix. I have the solenoid and emissions are no longer a thing in Washington so my options are varied.

Gosser

269,000km/168xxxmiles and it runs great. It has had its fair share of work, TB, trans rebuild, starter, the usual. Otherwise, driven in the winter for its first 16 years of its life it still smooth and every button works and its nice and tight to drive.

firelizard

iTrader: (1)

254,000km checking in. None of the power door locks work, the sunroof drain periodically comes undone and drains inside the car, it's rusting faster than I can have it repaired, the trunk lock seized, the driver's side seat heater burned a hole in the seat, I've had to replace all the ball joints, the bushings need to be replaced, it has "The Shake" at highway speeds, I've replaced both rear calipers because one was seized, either the parking brake or the rear diff clunks in reverse, I've had to replace the Y-pipe and third cat, the radiator needs to be replaced, and it has leaked its refrigerant out over the past few years. It also has lots of seized bolts.

That's pretty much all the bad stuff though. It has otherwise run like a champ the whole time I've had it. As long as it has a charged battery, it started up no problem even in -30*C without being plugged in. If I didn't care about the details, this car would probably run strong for another 200,000km with a couple more timing belt and water pump services.

01GS430

16 years of ownership to this date and just clicked over 250k miles.

jimbo60

How long are the original starters, and fuel pumps lasting?
I have a 2004 GS with 142K miles

Tuanville

I have a gs with 250k miles and still had never touched the starter or fuel pump. I also took my car cross country in all 50 states except canada like OP.

newgsman

iTrader: (4)

I was hoping to hit 500Kkm this summer on '98 GS400. Unfortunately last week the muffler to Y-pipe connection rusted out. Normally that would not be a big deal except I was driving at the time and at considerable speed (80kph) down a boulevard. Well the front part of the muffler fell to the ground and it literally pole vaulted the back end of the car up into the air. The muffler itself was that strong. Anyway the car went up came back down onto the muffler and effectively buckled up the entire trunk upwards about a half an inch or so. There is also evidence of buckling on both quarter panels just below where the roof line meets the quarter panel. I am so disappointed because otherwise this car has been an incredible machine. Even now with the disjointed rear-end the car still drives straight and smooth. I might yet reach 500K before the fall, I'm at 496Kkm. That's 22 years of Canadian winters and very little rust on the body. Oh did I mention, I am so disappointed...

LaZeR

^^^ ya damn, that sux d big bag... but thx 4 d warning... better get under there and check sh|t out. Did you never get rust protection spray esp the under carriage?

newgsman

iTrader: (4)

The car is rust sprayed every year but that doesn't really help exhaust. The rest of the undercarriage is remarkably clean. It's partly my own fault. I knew the flanges at the end of the Y-pipe connecting to the muffler were very on their way out. I actually already had a brand new Y pipe ready to install. Just couldn't find the time to do it soon enough. How crazy is that, one bad pipe destroys a car...

KTGS300

250K miles and still running strong. I recently had to drop the transmission oil pan to fix the infamous solenoid C issue.