My dream ride
#1
My dream ride
Hi guys, after owning 02 GS430 for many years with 220k miles it was a natural progression for me to jump into an LS430. I have thought about used LS460 even the new BMW's (I get crazy good employee discount) but I just pulled the trigger
on a car that I always wanted ever since it came out back in 01. LS was driven by an old lady that barely drove in Santa Monica and ALL the maintenance was done at dealership, here are the good and bad.
Good 1. 2005 model with 84K original miles
2. Clean carafx, not a single bodywork on it.
3. Got a "pretty good?" deal. paid 12k
4. Car drives like a dream, still turns heads
Bad 1.Had to replace a radiator about a month after because end tank was leaking coolant. Went with OEM Denso, thermostat, radiator cap and upper and lower hoses.
2. LCA needs to be replaced, heard its a pretty common thing on our cars so no biggie.
Thats pretty much it!!, only modification I did was to install Osram CBB bulbs, installed clear projector lense and removed amber lense.
Here are some pictures, thanks for looking! FYI last two pics are my old GS.
on a car that I always wanted ever since it came out back in 01. LS was driven by an old lady that barely drove in Santa Monica and ALL the maintenance was done at dealership, here are the good and bad.
Good 1. 2005 model with 84K original miles
2. Clean carafx, not a single bodywork on it.
3. Got a "pretty good?" deal. paid 12k
4. Car drives like a dream, still turns heads
Bad 1.Had to replace a radiator about a month after because end tank was leaking coolant. Went with OEM Denso, thermostat, radiator cap and upper and lower hoses.
2. LCA needs to be replaced, heard its a pretty common thing on our cars so no biggie.
Thats pretty much it!!, only modification I did was to install Osram CBB bulbs, installed clear projector lense and removed amber lense.
Here are some pictures, thanks for looking! FYI last two pics are my old GS.
The following users liked this post:
Dubbayoo (04-17-19)
The following users liked this post:
02blkgs430 (09-14-18)
The following users liked this post:
02blkgs430 (09-14-18)
#4
Congrats! 84k is a good mileage, I was told when I got mine at 81k, that it was totally safe to drain/fill tranny 3X. I DIY my wife's SUV, but the LS I let the indie do it....the LCA bushings seem to either be DIY, or pay an indie $150 to $300 (seems to depend on region of country) labor, and get the OE parts on eBay...
The following users liked this post:
02blkgs430 (09-14-18)
The following users liked this post:
02blkgs430 (09-14-18)
The following users liked this post:
02blkgs430 (09-14-18)
The following users liked this post:
02blkgs430 (09-14-18)
#9
Thx guys for all your kind words, I plan to keep it clean and stock.
Johnnylt- I had Osram CBI bulbs on my previous GS and looked great, I think you can get them for like $120
Daspyda- You know my GS spoiled me lol, so I was kinda surprised to when the radiator stopped working only @84k miles. I love this car, no complaints here.
Asked for a complete service record and looks like timing belt package job was performed @69k miles also even the park plugs and all the fluids were flushed 10k miles later.
Is that a Z32 I see on your avatar? great car but also gave me a back problem from leaning so low to work on it lol
Now I just gotta do something about the navi bezel, looks like the previous owner loved wearing lots of jewelry, any ideas guys?
thx in advance
Johnnylt- I had Osram CBI bulbs on my previous GS and looked great, I think you can get them for like $120
Daspyda- You know my GS spoiled me lol, so I was kinda surprised to when the radiator stopped working only @84k miles. I love this car, no complaints here.
Asked for a complete service record and looks like timing belt package job was performed @69k miles also even the park plugs and all the fluids were flushed 10k miles later.
Is that a Z32 I see on your avatar? great car but also gave me a back problem from leaning so low to work on it lol
Now I just gotta do something about the navi bezel, looks like the previous owner loved wearing lots of jewelry, any ideas guys?
thx in advance
#10
Can you be more detailed about how you removed the amber inserts from the headlights? Looks really clean. I've been contemplating JDM units because they don't have the DOT required amber reflector, but then the beam pattern will be different due to RHD...
The following users liked this post:
02blkgs430 (09-17-18)
#11
Thats a great looking car, congrats! A little work isn't too suprising, but that car should do well otherwise. Besides the radiator (at 150k) and a control arm mine hasn't needed anything since I bought it 7 years ago. It continues to look and run like new. Its a 2001 that hit 200k miles last month.
The following users liked this post:
02blkgs430 (09-17-18)
#12
Yah I didn't wanna mess with JDM ones, most of them I've seen are over priced (04-06) and too many of them all have broken mounting tabs which I really hate.
Thats a great looking car, congrats! A little work isn't too suprising, but that car should do well otherwise. Besides the radiator (at 150k) and a control arm mine hasn't needed anything since I bought it 7 years ago. It continues to look and run like new. Its a 2001 that hit 200k miles last month.
The following users liked this post:
02blkgs430 (09-22-18)
The following users liked this post:
02blkgs430 (09-22-18)
#15