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I'm going to be buying a car for my wife for her new commute and I've narrowed it down to the Lexus GS or LS, years 2000 to 2005 with a budget of around $6500. There's great examples of both in my area, so I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of each car. The GS would more than likely be a 300, since the 400/430's are pretty rare and the ones I do find look beat up pretty good. I like that the GS300 has the dependable 2JZ straight six and is a bit smaller than the LS which seems huge. I thought the GS would get better MPG's than the LS, but oddly the average is almost the same between the two so no advantage there. If anything the LS makes me a bit more leery because of it's rep for the electronics being wonky with age, I don't suppose the GS would be much different in that regard either, although it doesn't have as many options as the LS, so less to go wrong I'm thinking but that's probably me just being paranoid. So I guess what I'm looking for is some guidance from anyone that has experience with these cars, common issues, what to look for, etc.
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Mar 27, 2016 17:24
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| # ¿ May 10, 2024 14:05 |
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Was that an LS or GS? I'm in Florida so that helps a lot, rust is not an issue so as long as the drivetrain can go for 300k I can replace suspension parts all day long which are priced about even to a Camry with the GS. I basically wanted a RWD sedan that was dependable with high miles and cheap to keep and the GS fits the bill. The LS just seems like the logical upgrade if she decides she wants the bigger car. Here's the two GS300's I'll be looking at next weekend: http://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/5462541671.html http://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/5503871358.html The '04 is being sold by a dealer, and the '01 is private party and after speaking to the guy he already knocked a grand off the price. Waiting on a VIN for both. Applebees Appetizer fucked around with this message at 22:55 on Mar 27, 2016 |
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Mar 27, 2016 22:52
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After some more research on parts availability it looks like the GS is ahead so far, many more parts available, at least on rockauto. On club Lexus now finding out more info.
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Mar 28, 2016 07:55
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Un-l337-Pork posted:Seat heaters suck, but the coolers work well in the summer. The front cup holders are abysmal (and by that I mean, extremely bad -- not deep). Costs a pretty penny to fill up and the mileage isn't great (but it's not bad for what it is). Everything else about it is basically loving awesome. I purposefully avoided the Nav package -- figured it was just one more electronic thing that would be outdated and prone to loving up. Yeah from what I've read on the Lexus forum so far is to stay away from the Nav equipped vehicles which rules out pretty much half of them. Funny thing too is that the GS300 with a straight six has almost identical gas mileage of the heavier LS430 with a V8....What the gently caress. This is going to be a tough decision but I'll let my wife have the final say on which one she would prefer. They both seem to be great used car values for the price. MomJeans420 posted:I have a 2003 GS430 (bought new in 2003, now has 160k) Wanna sell it? 
Applebees Appetizer fucked around with this message at 04:12 on Mar 29, 2016 |
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Mar 29, 2016 04:06
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I know you said you like the LS for commuting, but which one do you think is the better car overall? Also have you priced out parts for replacing the LS suspension yet? I'm thinking the LS is going to be a lot more expensive in that regard. This is about double my budget but sooooo nice, very tempted to make payments  http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/ctd/5511119703.html
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Mar 29, 2016 16:35
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SouthsideSaint posted:Holy crap a Toyota Avalon with a v8. Sorry Thats what that car listed reminds me of. And I have ridden in a shitload of avalons and they were all nice riding cars with decent speed. And just like with all aging Toyota's rock auto is your friend for suspension parts. Yeah I looked at Avalons, but for some reason the reliability is horrible for years I was looking at (06 to 08) apparently there is a bad oil leak problem with the cars. Also FWD, I would much rather have RWD in a bigger sedan. Also have been looking through rockauto and it is not looking good for the LS. The GS has WAY more suspension parts available.
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Mar 29, 2016 17:41
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^^^^Cool, thanks man. Found this one out in Orlando, looks like the best one yet, one owner low miles. Gonna try to check it out this weekend. http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/5482372666.html Price is a little high, so hopefully he's willing to negotiate. [edit] It sold already 
Applebees Appetizer fucked around with this message at 16:57 on Mar 30, 2016 |
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Mar 30, 2016 05:41
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Test drove an '05 LS430 today, an although the car I drove was a bit unkept and not a car I would buy, it drove amazing. Plenty of power. It drives way smaller than it looks if that makes any sense, compared to a Crown Vic it felt like a Corvette. My wife loved it, I think we're hooked.....Now time to find a private owner car with low miles and service records......shouldn't be too hard to do in Florida with these cars all over the place...... http://orlando.craigslist.org/cto/5515671365.html First thing my son said was Heyyyyy why don't I get cooled seats?   cooling seats are awesome
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Apr 3, 2016 05:29
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If I can get a mint 430 for 10k or less with low(ish) miles... gently caress it I'll just replace control arms when they go bad, it's worth it. Maybe by then there will be aftermarket control arms that are worth a poo poo, who knows. A guy on the Lexus forums made a good point.......Most of the LS's are bought and taken care of by people that can afford to keep them perfect, in Florida lots of them are owned by older retired people that pamper them and cruise to the buffet and shuffle board courts putting hardly any miles on them. The GS's tend to get ragged on and are much harder to find in excellent condition. It's becoming very clear watching the CL adds that my odds of finding a mint LS are much higher than a GS. Applebees Appetizer fucked around with this message at 06:26 on Apr 3, 2016 |
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Apr 3, 2016 06:21
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NoWake posted:There's a '04 LS 430 a consignment shop is selling for 7 grand, has 170k miles on it though. Plus it's likely been through 12 Illinois winters. I've seen it on their lot for the last 6 months or so, I'd bet they want it gone. I could take it for a spin sometime if you're interested, let me know. I live in Florida, there's tons of them down here so I have no need or want for a northern car that has seen any winters. The car I just linked sold already. I need to have cash in hand ready to jump apparently 
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Apr 3, 2016 17:21
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It's the same thing here, half of them are modded in some way and the nice(ish) GS's are few and far between. Looked at another LS today and was not impressed, I hate how cars look great in pics and then in person are below average. Looking at an '03 tomorrow, but I need to be impressed in order to buy, there are so many of these cars around that I feel if I'm patient I'll find a gem.
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Apr 9, 2016 23:16
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From what I've been reading so far, according to Lexus techs the 430 is the best LS made, and the later models of that ('04 to '06) are the best years. Trying to find the time to go look at this tomorrow: http://tampa.craigslist.org/psc/ctd/5530667414.html This color combo is the poo poo, best I've seen so far. [edit] Maybe not, the Lexus service history is showing every single recommended service (including the timing belt) denied by the PO, what the gently caress. Applebees Appetizer fucked around with this message at 04:45 on Apr 10, 2016 |
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Apr 10, 2016 04:10
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| # ¿ May 10, 2024 14:05 |
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Raluek posted:Maybe they had it serviced by an independent shop? Could be I suppose, but what's weird is that the PO took it to Lexus for every oil change, but then refused every single service that was recommended. If the PO was too cheap to have it serviced at the dealer, why take it there for oil changes? I'll have to call the dealership to find out if they have any other records.
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Apr 10, 2016 15:48
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