artimus74

Here it goes .. I've owned a 98 gs300 since 02'. I currently have approx. 164,000 miles. I've done minor things to it like tint windows, lower it 1 inch 19" rims in summer and strut braces. Its been paid off for a while so i kept it because it actually still looks and drives good and of course, no car payment is nice! I always enjoyed my car but recently my car broke down twice because of my throttle accelerator sensor 6 months ago $650 and more recently my throttle position sensor which showed a different code on the diagnostics $675 then i got a list of things i need to replace from lexus dealer.. left n right rear upper control arms $1,798. left near knuckle $1,576. left and right front upper control arms $1,493. I also know i have to replace the mufflers soon which isn't cheap and my valve cover has a sm oil leak prob $1,000 I wanted to buy a used 3rd generation 07' gs350 RWD. The problem is after reading threads about hearing rattles in the dash n a noisey windshield n squeaky rear brakes. I'm a little bit nervous to buy one! I can spend $26,000 the most and i'm trying to get the most car for the money.. lexus IS is too small for me.. The ES interior is nice but the body is boring to me..I can only get a used ls430 for that price but i feel that body style is dated n would rather get a newer generation..Ugh! Is the 3rd gen worth buying I would appreciate your advise!!

lkapimp216

iTrader: (2)

The dealer will rape you on replacing those parts you can find someone else to do it for much cheaper or diy. And go get an alignment. Sounds to mr like it's time to mod out the 98. Btw I'm not trying to steer you from the 3rd gen in anyway I love mine and have had very minor issues and the dash rattles aren t in every car and some have fixed them with simply stuffing felt between the windshield and dash. If you get one just get the platinum extended warranty to cover your ***. How much they offerring for the 98???

IXI187IXI

iTrader: (3)

if your in NH it will be hard to find a RWD unless you fly to pick it up. The dash noise will happen on any 3gs but its easily fixed at the dealer. ive had mine done for over 2 years now and no problems. the squeaky brakes is just something with the lexus pads. ive replaced my rears with aftermarket pads and have not had any squeaks.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Your in luck if you go to lexus of watertown in Boston you can get a RWD car it's mine so its selling for $22,899 and the best part is they haven't changed anything so it still has the K&N filter as well as the yellow foglights. the other thing it has is the seat clips which I changed and the rear bumper applique. here is the link to there site. It also has every Lojack and the protective film in front!

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

artimus74

I didn't bother asking what i can get for my car but im sure the dealership wouldn't give me much lol! I just went to a european garage owned by a father/son type deal and he's going to get back to me if he is able to fix my car for a way cheaper price.. I'll post it when i get a call.. Thanks for the info btw!!

lkapimp216

iTrader: (2)

If not got pics of the 98?

artimus74

Thanks for the response.. The silver gs isn't too bad actually. I really would like the ivory interior on a white gs or charcoal grey gs.. Give me a heads up if you come across anything. I would consider going AWD since i do live in nh but i hate the wheelwell gap. Thats why i did eibach pro kit on my 98' with the same rate spring as stock.Can you lower an AWD gs?

artimus74

Here is the pic of my 98'

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

you can lower a AWD its just that there are more problems with lowering as opposed to just getting a RWD, it whatever, I think your better off trying to fix up your car its looks real good and just drive it tell it dies on you!

SLVRGS

I just went through the same situation, traded my 2001 for a 2009 AWD......didn't have many issues with my 01 besides a caliper kept freezing up giving me a terrible shake and ball joints were starting to go it seemed..........with the rear wheel drive, living in Chicago I would not drive it in the winter barely at all, so the AWD intrigued me, now after spending some $$$ I don't want it in the snow either.....I like the car, but am not totally in love with it yet....but I missed my 95 when I got my 2001 too so who the heck knows.....mine is going to get the dash checked soon.......

maficrock

I too have heard a lot of lexus owners mention squeaky dashboards and rattles inside the cabin. I previously owned a 2003 GS430 and put over 200,000 on the thing. Didn't experience a single rattle anywhere. I currently own a 2006 GS430 that has about 60,000 miles on it, and like the 03 GS haven't experienced any cabin noises at all. I love the GS430 as it is rear wheel drive and has the V8 engine with plenty of power.

Of course I have experienced squeaky brakes, but who hasn't? I just changed all four rotors and pads and the brakes perform awesome. Am running on the new Michelin AS Sport tire which were expensive but are well worth the money. I live in California and don't have to deal with the snow like yourself. Anyway, just wanted to share my experiences with you and to say I have had pretty good luck with both the 2nd and 3rd Generation GS's. An option is to look at some of the dealer only auctions where you can save some money. I have purchased my last 4 cars through the Riverside auction in LA. You can check them out at jonthecarguy.com. He is a retired US District attorney and is an avid car lover. There is plenty of inventory of used Lexus'. Used car prices have gone up a bit as well over the past year due to the sluggish car market. They can send you photos of the cars that are coming up for sale, with carfax reports. I would only look at Grade 4 or 5 cars though (cars that have been inspected by the auction house and graded clean or extra clean). Good luck