GS300 Vs GS430
Discussion
I seem to recall some horror stories regarding the brake booster. There is an electronic module attached to it which means replacement costs can reach 4 figures.
I have the older model GS300, 20 years old this year and the engine still purrs. Leather has dried out and is a bit squeaky, but other than it's the usual Lexus build quality. I am averaging 21mpg with pretty sedate driving. My previous LS400 was similar so I would try to get a V8 if there is one in your budget.
I have the older model GS300, 20 years old this year and the engine still purrs. Leather has dried out and is a bit squeaky, but other than it's the usual Lexus build quality. I am averaging 21mpg with pretty sedate driving. My previous LS400 was similar so I would try to get a V8 if there is one in your budget.
Edited by redtwin on Monday 5th January 18:09
If they're both similar in price then there's no reason not to get a 430, but I found that there were relatively few around, so you couldn't be as picky about their condition. I have the 300 and performance is perfectly good.
Pretty sure the brake booster issues only affected the earlier ones, if you go for a later (post 2000-ish) model then it should be OK. I love mine to bits - it's an enormous amount of car for the money.
Pretty sure the brake booster issues only affected the earlier ones, if you go for a later (post 2000-ish) model then it should be OK. I love mine to bits - it's an enormous amount of car for the money.
drfrank said:
Seen a few of these around within my price range (<£3k).
Some cherished examples around, any advice with regards to purchasing ?
Have you thought about one of these:Some cherished examples around, any advice with regards to purchasing ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-Toyota-Aristo-V300-...
I'd go V8 every time. Mpg difference will be negligible, so worth a little extra expenditure for the bigger lump.
Had the NA 2JZ engine in my mkiv Supra, and it really is a lovely old thing. Not as thirsty as you might expect, and a wonderfully smooth 6 cylinder cruiser.
Always fancied doing a V8 conversion (1UZ from the LS being the standard choice), mainly because my inner child would like to stick an aftermarket exhaust on a big V8. Mkiv Supra with a big Lexus V8 and a manual box- heaven.
Aristo is a nice alternative (2JZ-GTE) with the mkiv Supra TT engine in a big saloon. A different proposition to the V8 in terms of character, power delivery will be less linear and it'll sound a bit more 'whooshy'. This would be the choice if your planning any kind of modification...
Anyway, its the 430 for me. LS lump in a more compact package, and arguably has a slightly better 'image'.
Had the NA 2JZ engine in my mkiv Supra, and it really is a lovely old thing. Not as thirsty as you might expect, and a wonderfully smooth 6 cylinder cruiser.
Always fancied doing a V8 conversion (1UZ from the LS being the standard choice), mainly because my inner child would like to stick an aftermarket exhaust on a big V8. Mkiv Supra with a big Lexus V8 and a manual box- heaven.
Aristo is a nice alternative (2JZ-GTE) with the mkiv Supra TT engine in a big saloon. A different proposition to the V8 in terms of character, power delivery will be less linear and it'll sound a bit more 'whooshy'. This would be the choice if your planning any kind of modification...
Anyway, its the 430 for me. LS lump in a more compact package, and arguably has a slightly better 'image'.
300 is a much nicer more balanced car, economy on the GS430 was a fair bit worse in the real world and the engine always seemed a bit ill at ease in the GS, the LS430 was always more economical strangely
Whilst the Gs300 didn't waft as well as the LS it was a nice place to be, bar poor road surface ride quality, the GS430 never really knew what it wanted to be (particularly in Sport guise)
Worked for Lexus for several years when these were new
Whilst the Gs300 didn't waft as well as the LS it was a nice place to be, bar poor road surface ride quality, the GS430 never really knew what it wanted to be (particularly in Sport guise)
Worked for Lexus for several years when these were new
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