gatorphan

I've been looking for a 2006 GS300 or 2007 GS350 for about 2 months.

I first started with the GS300 and about halfway through my search, learned about the carbon buildup issues. I had posted about it in the Lexus subreddit but decided you guys were the better resource.

I know there was a TSIB or recall for this issue and that it recently expired so I'm wondering if I should even bother to continue looking at the 2006 GS300 anymore? What are the chances that previous owners haven't addressed this nearly 10 years later?

And what are the common symptoms of carbon buildup? Lost compression?

There's one '06 in my area but the dealer told me there's a "delay" between the 2nd and 3rd gear on acceleration. Is that a carbon problem or a tranny problem?

Anyway, just wondering if I'm being silly by ignoring '06's altogether at this point?

Thanks!

msgs350

iTrader: (2)

I say you should just go for the 350. It's got a little more power and the newer generation Navigation and screen. That "delay" sounds like a transmission issue.

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

07-up or even better 08-up will have better technology and updated front end.

06's are prone to have carbon buildup and transmission problems, plus they have smaller brakes and are under powered compared to the gs350

masboy

iTrader: (30)

my friend just spent $3500 to fix his 2006 GS300 NEW transmission. and it only have 70k miles or something, majority of 06 GS300 are junk

TRD_Power

Get it, slap in a 5.7L i-Force with a nice exhaust, then post the progress pics for us Or, save up a bit more and get a GS350.

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

2jz gte with a tremec gear box

socaligs

iTrader: (3)

I sold my 06 so that I can purchase 2010 GS350. I would highly recommend to stay AWAY from purchasing 06 GS300.

Fausty

For the difference of a grand or two get a 350. I too got rid of my 300. It had the recall done but it was only a matter of time before it would show up again.

4ringsa6

I thought the 07+ shared the same 6 speed auto as 06?

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

2006 internals must be different from 2007-2014 are the same, I just did a cross check and 2006 is different. The outside cases look the same

2006's have a lot of issues with bad solenoids in the transmissions

Sodium

At the risk of getting a lot of shıt, I'm going to take the opposite tack and suggest that you shouldn't dismiss the '06 GS300 as a matter of course – most of the 3GSs I see on the road are GS300s. Unlike the Pinto, there's nothing inherently wrong with the 300, and the carbon buildup is a problem with all engines that are solely direct-injected. If you get a 300, just be aware that cleaning the carbon deposits is another maintenance item you'll have to take care of at some point.

Regarding the transmission, if I were in the market right now I would treat the transmission of any 3GS with suspicion – because Lexus claims that ATF WS is "lifetime fluid", and most owners probably don't even know that transmissions require fluid of any sort, I'm sure that most 3GSs on the market are still on their original fluid.

So if you find a GS300 at a good price that ticks all your boxes, don't dismiss it immediately, just factor the additional maintenance into the price.

Having said all that, I am very happy with my '08 GS350, especially the power and brakes

bullhog

How about an '03 GS300 SportDesign, 1-owner w/65k miles, mint interior and exterior and all maintenance up to date...

Sodium

My dad has the exact same car, except it has 165k miles, and neither the interior nor exterior are mint (several parking lot dings, and a bit of discoloration on the center arm rest after detailers used some leather product)! Haha is yours dark gray with black interior? Yep 2GS is definitely a great car, but there are a lot of the features on the 3GS which I don't think I could live without!

If you don't mind my asking, why're you selling?

verly6565

07 on up best bet

Swinke

I wouldn't even consider a 300. Being a 06 your out of warranty for your free engine rebuild and carbon clean up. Fuel system clean maintenance doesn't touch the carbon that's built up. I've seen it before and after. 350's have no carbon issues at all.

As as far as what problems you would see is misfires with a check engine light. Sometimes will cause a hard miss when carbon is bad enough.

Dont get it.