I bought my 09 GS350 AWD in January of 2018. It has 90K miles and has not used a drop of oil in the first 5000 miles between oil changes. I don't drive it in the winter here in WI so it doesn't accumulate miles very fast.

 

06 430 compared to the GS350, the 350 is faster, better on gas and there are more on the road then 430's. Dont get me wrong the 430's are very stout engine and transmissions, with only issue is the timing belt/water pump maintenance. GS350 has a timing chain, so no need to replace that, just replace the water pump every 100k miles.

The oil issues to me I think it mainly comes from people who run there oils too long. I change my oil at 3k, and im close to 180k miles on my 08 GS350 awd with no issues. The longer you drive on your oil the more contaminants in the oil you will see. The issue with burning oil is the holes in the pistons, and the piston rings. When your oil is dirty it gums up the piston rings therefor gumming up the oil control rings. That allows oil to pass by, burning oil. The GS350 pistons/rings are the same on many 06-2019 Lexus vehicles, so the 460 has the same pistons as the 350/IS/LS/etc.

 

The GS350 may be quicker, slightly, but the GS430 will be more reliable, smoother, and i think sound better. The issue is with a 350, you can get a much newer one, while a 430 will limit you to a 2006 or 2007, they also have the brake actuator issues, which I guess aren't as common as people make them out to be. From what I've read, the V8 models, and the hybrids, also have progressive steering, while V6 models do not.

 

GS430 engines are known to be bullet proof, there super reliable in the 2GS. The 350 are not too far off, ive seen a few in the 300k miles.

 

After looking into the brake actuator issue and the cost to repair, I'm not as warm on the 430.

Overall, what type of annual repair bills do you guys/gals see with an 07-09 GS350? What about the 06-07 GS430? I'm trying to gauge which one will be the least trouble and the least expensive to own. I won't be driving it hard, just a lot of freeway miles in Los Angeles . I know the critical unknown is how well it was maintained and how hard it was driven by the prior owner(s). But all things being equal, what does this panel say?

 

Found an 08 within my price range but so many miles....https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=235925545
So tempted.........The pictures look great. Wish I was closer to look at. I'm 71 miles away.

 

avoid the 06 300 because it has an engine with much less power than the 350 or 3.5 liter is a massive reason to me. A 350 would smoke a 300 in a race to 60. The 300 has the 2jz engine which is legendary but dated now.