RE: Shed Of The Week: Lexus GS300
Discussion
As others have stated, it is a belt, not a chain, but not a big job anyway.
The killer is indeed the brake booster which has an electric pump on it - eventually they start leaking and losing pressure and time out when pressurising bringing up the brake/ABS/VSC warning lights.
IIRC a new one used to be something like £1500!
If that has been done and the suspension isn't worn they are far, far better bets than the typical manky Merc, BMW or Jag you'll find for the same price. The engine is nice, they are very comfortable and are really well put together.
If the VSC light doesn't come up after a cold start and there is no evidence of brake fluid leaking looks a steal at that price.
The killer is indeed the brake booster which has an electric pump on it - eventually they start leaking and losing pressure and time out when pressurising bringing up the brake/ABS/VSC warning lights.
IIRC a new one used to be something like £1500!
If that has been done and the suspension isn't worn they are far, far better bets than the typical manky Merc, BMW or Jag you'll find for the same price. The engine is nice, they are very comfortable and are really well put together.
If the VSC light doesn't come up after a cold start and there is no evidence of brake fluid leaking looks a steal at that price.
patmahe said:
Every now and then these pop into my head and I think I must remember these the next time I'm changing car. Then I usually forget and buy something worse and get a pang of regret when I see one next 
I use Saved searches on Autotrader as a wish list... I've just been and set one up for this 
I know I'll be swapping/scrapping my current shed sooner or later, so if something perfect comes up fairly locally I can be straight in there; otherwise it's a set of Post-its for when I come to have a serious/desperate/emergency look!
Digga said:
Ran an M-reg GS300 Mk1 as a daily driver back in the day.
I'd previously used a couple of LS400s when hiring cars in USA and thought the smaller car more UK (parking space and fuel price) friendly, but in point of fact the engine never felt torquey enough and it somehow, in the smaller chassis, lost some of the bigger car's composure.
In hindsight, I have a sneaking suspicion of having made a mistake in not going for an XJ6.
My dad tried both around that sort of time, when I was a teenager, and he went for the Jaguar.I'd previously used a couple of LS400s when hiring cars in USA and thought the smaller car more UK (parking space and fuel price) friendly, but in point of fact the engine never felt torquey enough and it somehow, in the smaller chassis, lost some of the bigger car's composure.
In hindsight, I have a sneaking suspicion of having made a mistake in not going for an XJ6.
He took me out for a spin in the Lexus he tried out. My memories of it: great headlights, but really nasty interior. Cheap-looking. Gimmicky and plasticky. Too many buttons. The Jaguar seemed a lot nicer inside, though I'm sure as an adult I'd have done a better job of spotting the cost-cutting
(His previous car was a V6 Citroen XM. To be honest, neither was really up to the same standard in terms of passenger comfort. The XM had excellent vertical legroom and comfy seats, and I'm sure the air suspension helped too. My school bag could fit comfortably under my legs in the XM's front seat, but had to go in the Jaguar's boot.)
Edited by to3m on Saturday 19th December 23:57
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