NoChaser

Good day everybody.

I am looking into getting a nice car and thought about the 2nd gen GS300. I like how it can look with few tasteful mods, and I hear it can be safely modded to 350hp. Which I like for a daily. I was recommended to consider the GS430 because it looks the same and already has the hp I am looking for. I looked into it and was told the 3UZ can safely go up to 600hp without significantly modifying the bottom end. Hearing that, I considered a 430 could be something to play around with if I ever decide to get another daily instead. This is where I have my first question. Why would anyone get a GS300 if the GS430 is the same car, but better ? I suspect the full story wasn't told to me. Some more conversations about the GS430 made people tell me that the 3UZ really is a weak engine and couldn't handle 600hp at all. If anybody with some experience could clarify on what it is, I'd greatly appreciate it.

A lot of recommended for me to look at the GS400 and suggested that the V8 is most enjoyable. The 2nd Gen GS400 wasn't sold in the EU, and I'm not interested in importing one. From what I have read I like the 400 but it's off the table for now.

DMPesso

I would get a GS400. I’ve had a GS300, 3 GS400s and a GS430 and the 400 is the most fun to drive. The 430 is more refined and has a bit of a delay in the gas pedal in comparison to the 400. The 430 is still good but if performance is what your after go for the GS400. The 1UZ is my favorite engine. Fast, responsive, smooth, and reliable. The only reason anyone would pick a 300 over the V8 is because either they never drove the V8, or just love that in-line 6 2JZ or plan to turbo it. With all the headaches that come along with tuning and turbo setups I HIGHLY recommend you just stick with the V8. It’s plenty fast and fun to drive for a daily. Once you change out the suspension and refresh everything like the o2 sensors, plugs, MAF, all fluids, it’s drives better then many new cars on the road.

NoChaser

The GS400 is the better option to the GS300, for sure. I didn't know much about the car until you mentioned it. I'm in Europe and the two major EU marketplaces don't have an option to search for it but I didn't find an answer whether the 400 was ever released in Europe. I wouldn't want to import one, shouldn't there be any for sale here. I'd stick to what's available in the interest of keeping the budget on modding the car. Fast, responsive, smooth, and reliable sounds like something I am interested in though. An alternative to the GS400 would be the Aristo, but that's a different budget all together. I would hope to get something like it out of the GS430 if even that is a better option to a GS300. Delayed pedal response sounds like an uncomfortable driving experience, though.

BayAreaLex

V8 no question

DMPesso

I am not even sure if the V8s were available in Europe I thought it was America only. If you can get the 430 then get that! The V8 is the only one worth getting, the 300 feels old and slow and will leave you craving for more. The V8 will bring a smile to your face every time you drive it. The 430 is still light years better then the 300 if that’s your only two choices. But if you have a choice, 430 or 400 I would choose 400 for performance because of the 1UZ and the fact it still has a throttle cable. If you want to learn more about one of the best V8 engines ever made, check out the link below. It’s pretty amazing the amount of engineering that went into this project in the 90s. This story is about the making of the 1UZ which was originally used in the LS400 and luckily they put the same engine in the GS and SC.

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/t...8s-176248.html

firelizard

iTrader: (1)

The only reason people were buying GS300s instead of 400/430s from the dealer is because they were cheaper. Now, people buy them because modifying the 2JZ is cheaper and easier than modifying the UZs.

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Also, suggest you use search on this question, there are at least a couple dozen threads on this exact topic. here is a paste of a similar reply from 5 years ago, there are more threads

NoChaser

I liked that article and appreciate you letting me know about it. The 400 v8 and the 1UZ are respectable. I have called Lexus, and they made it clear the 400 wasn't released in the EU. I am now looking at the 430 over the 300. Before my next car I had driven a 2006 Audi a4 with 256hp. I have driven it a lot, but in terms of hp, I still have a virgin foot. I expect 300 to 350hp will impress me. For a daily, the GS430 with a few tasteful mods might just be enough for a while.

DMPesso

It will definitely be enough, especially if it’s more hp then your used to. It’s just the V8 that makes it so much better. I’ve driven plenty of new cars including the new GS which is also 300 HP but it’s a V6 and I feel the difference anytime I get back in my car. There’s just something special about that V8 bro. You’ll see. Just don’t judge it until you have a new MAF, new spark plugs, oxygen sensors and you’ve drained and filled the transmission fluid and differential fluid a few times. It will drive better then most new cars! Good luck on your search. One thing I liked about the 430 more was it had steering wheel audio controls and that makes a big difference. I used that more then I use the e shift buttons on my 400.

archerpr79

I happen to own both a 2001 GS300 and a 2001 GS430. Both identical color and spec. I say stock vs stock obviously the V8 is a much better performance vehicle. Both get 18-20mpg
If I were leaving the powertrain stock I much prefer the V8. Suspension, brakes, interior etc everything except the engine is identical
maybe the turbo jz guys think the 300 is better, I don’t plan on building a unstreetable drift missile so my opinion is a bit biased.
tl dr: if you are building a crazy hp project then go with the 300, if you admire the S160 platform and just want to accentuate the good start with a V8 400 or 430. 👍🏼👍🏼

DMPesso

you know your a 2GS enthusiast if you called it the S160. Lucky to get 18 mpg. In NYC I can’t get more then 14 mpg with all the stop and go. It’s crazy how the V6 and V8 get the same MPG. Even more of a reason to only get the V8.

NoChaser

I know these engines hold on for a long time. A lot of the 430s I am seeing available in the EU have high mileage. At what point does it become too much and the car is at its end without sinking a lot of money into keeping parts fresh ?

archerpr79

These cars are typically very durable. Just like all vehicles they require maintenance. My gs300 has 275k, just replaced the trans.
The 430 I bought from the original owner a few months ago it had 322k miles and was running great until the timing belt broke and bent valves. I bought it and swapped a motor from an 07 sc430.

DMPesso

It all depends how the car was treated. Miles don’t really matter on the 2GS. Just make sure when the timing belt was last changed as that’s a $1000 + job. These cars are known to go 300-500,000 miles on original engine and trans. I would just look for the most well maintained GS430 you can find. You can find one with low
miles that might need more work then one with 200,000 miles because it still has the original parts on it from 20 years ago! Just try to keep it under 200,000 miles. Ideal for me would be under 150,000 miles.

DMPesso

wow and to think 275k and it just needs a trans to keep it alive. Not many cars on the road that you can do that with at that mileage. These cars were built like German tanks. Running great at 300k miles is something very rare. They just don’t make them like this anymore, I’m always amazed when I hear these high mileage stories