Which STOCK second generation LEXUS GS (2GS) would I buy today? (300, 400 or 430?)
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- čas přidán 2. 08. 2023
- MY STORE: forward-momentum.printify.me/
On this episode I discuss which 2GS I would choose, stock-for-stock, if I wanted to buy one today. It also takes into consideration my driving style preferences, availability, age of vehicle, and ease of doing minor mods and tuning, etc.
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I had an 02 430. Completely stock but I did a muffler delete and it’s heavenly. I sold it last year and out of the blue last week I saw it again. I left a note on it and offered to buy it back and the new owner contacted me and said he’d like me to have it again haha so we will have to come to an agreement!
Thats actually amazing if it goes full circle and you get your car back!
Did you get it back?!
That's 🆒 as FUCK!
Did u end u wit it?
Don’t sell it agaij
As with all old cars: Buy the one with the best maintenance history.
As a 300 owner with TONS of work done to it (CD009, black interior swap, coilovers, chassis stiffening) I would absolutely sell it to get a clean 430. Another point to add on the market surrounding these cars: the 300's seem to be more "clapped out" and passed around. I got lucky and am the 2nd owner but the mass majority of the 300's seem to be owned by 17- 20 year old's that just absolutely rag on them everyday. And STILL want to charge 400/430 prices.. Great video, as always. We still need to meet up at some point!
Really good points! 😎
Finally..someone that feels the same way about most of the 300s they see! Thank you! They all seem like drift missiles or takeover cars. If you see someone under 30 on a 300 they're probably beating the shit out of it.
You would not happen to be in the mid-west, would you?
@@travisstamp7428You can thank the existence of the *Toyota Aristo* version for that. 😅
It has been used as a drift car in Japan for decades…
I have a 99 400 i got for $2500 in April of 2022 (just over a year ago). 199k when i got it, and 237k now. I drive it 100+ miles every day. Basic and routine maintenance. Occasional burnouts, donuts, and sliding. It hasnt given me a single problem in the time that ive had it. Its got a bit of a crazy backstory before i got, and it has a salvage title. I know im biased, but im sayin the 400 is best, mostly based on how reliable the 1UZ seems (even when stacked against 2 other notoriously reliable engines). Ive had plenty of other cars, but my 400 is by far the best car ive ever had!
Good score and I’m glad the 400 is working out. You know I like them!
Yes I agree, can't go wrong with any 2nd generation gs, but my best pic is the gs400, love the throttle by cable, & the e-shift features.
My thoughts as well.
+1
I picked the GS430!! Dead on with pricing. I paid $6500 with 123k miles from a independent dealership back in 2019 on A 2002 Black GS430. It had most of its life been serviced by Lexus so I was happy finding this gem. In that time I have replaced: Rack and pinion 2x (1 was from wear and tear and 1 was from a bad pot hole), power steering pump and line, radiator, castor arms (which you helped identify name lol) front upper control arms, 1 rear wheel bearing and a battery...Recently was in a fender bender front end damage, thankfully it was not salvaged by insurance. New hood, bumper and right headlight and some rail adjustment by radiator. Love my car and will ride it until it gives out on me but hopefully not anytime soon, at 186k currently and running strong. Did the usual upgrades which your videos helped with very much...Godspeed Rear toe arms,, Megan sway bars front and rear, rear wheel spacers, and front Megan rcas for the drop (need to install). Thanks for always helping us out!! And your a gentlemen in my book Lol Ps my stock Mark Levinson rear speakers and sub went low/work but can barley hear, tried touch screen audio settings and put fronts alone and work great but not the rears any suggestions? Thanks Again!!
I have an ‘04 GS430 all stock and love it!
Great vidieo cant go wrong with any of them, I personally own a 2001 gs430 i have full bolt ons with a quantum auto tuned ECU. Love the car!!
Loving your videos dude!🤘🏽
Im happy to announce that I recently picked up a silver 2001 GS430 with 208k on the clock. For the price I got it for and how clean the body is i couldnt pass it up. Of course, thanks to your videos the AR5 swap is one of the first mods on the scope of things that will get done to this car. Also currently have a 2004 LS430 and just happy to finally have a GS in my fleet.
Welcome to club 400/430😉
I love the videos man
I have a 04 gs430, black exterior nice paint, with saddle interior. Very happy about it
Saddle is my favorite! I would love to swap mine to saddle!
I have an 02 IS300 but a 1998 GS400 is one of my dream cars. It seems like the perfect highway cruiser
The 430 came with all the Sport Edition upgrades on the 300 stock. Perf steering and suspension. Again, this is stock. Not considering those that are doing upgrades. I personally love my 430.
So do I
More of these drive-along videos. They are very entertaining.
You got it. Being self-critical of myself, I figured they were boring, but feedback has been good.
I have ‘03 with 230k still 24mpg on the highway bought it neglected and with some money spend (3k😅) now runs perfect head gasket done with a lot parts changed with process of doing it love my 430
I have a 2nd gen gs430 in fair condition the only reason I took it was because it had a trimming belt at 100k and the engine is still powerful and the trans is solid.
Word of advice find one with no leaks and more importantly watch out for those HIDs. They can not be found in good condition but only at the dealership from 700-1200. Imanaged to fing a good pair and still paid 400 bucks.
First of all , thanks alot for the lovely vedio, I enjoyed every second 😀, secondly you are right : the best or nothing , I give my self as an example, I choose LS400 , I am second owner, I imported it from US , it's very clean , in that time I don't have enough money to get the LS430 2005 or 2006 .
And after 18 years , I discovered that. I like my LS400 very very much , but all that time, I'm still thinking of buying the LS 430 .
I am 42 year old now , and the speed & fast cars , These things no longer interest me as much as they did in the past .
Believe me brother , if you want to have Such a nice car , with no regrets, take the LS430 2005 or 2006 only , avoid 2004 .
Because 2004 comes with little issues ( you know the all new vehicles when they just arrived) .
If you can find LS430 clean with good condition and low mileage, just take it .
You will transfer your self to a wonderful level .
Do LS430 test drive , and if you can take it in long distance, that will be nice .
I am not gona tell to sele your GS , after all what you did , it's become a pice of art .
But you will not find anyone who appreciates this beauty and gives it its true value.
So keep it , because you will miss it after while , I know the feeling 😌.
Just I want you to know that the LS430 2005 or 2006 is the best car ever made in the whole cars industry .
It's deserve to be made of gold.
I guess we overpaid slightly for both of our GS's but they were rare finds for sure.
My little brother's 2001 GS430 fully loaded black on black we picked up last year, 1 owner grandma owned, her name was Lucy. Car was serviced at the dealer it's entire life and timing belt and water pump service had been completed prior to us purchasing. We picked it up 1 owner clean title no accidents 84k original miles for $10500 and given the mint condition it was well worth it. At the time of purchase last July, it was the lowest mileage example for sale in the country.
Fast forward to last week. I purchased a GS for myself. This time a 1999 GS300 black on black nav equipped lol. It was owned by a rich older gentleman who lived in his Arizona house during Chicago winters and that's where this car spent its whole life in this man's garage. Clean title 1 owner car no accidents 78k original miles, list of all service records and over maintained obviously lol, in showroom condition purchased from local Lexus dealer here in Chicago. Overpaid for this one as well but condition was well worth it to me $15k. This one was also the lowest mileage example in the country at the time of purchase.
Love your channel man! Currently binging all your videos to familiarize myself with the platform lol
Excellent purchases. Those scenarios are worth a little extra vs these 8-owner clapped-out hoopties I’m seeing on the on FBM. 😆
In my opinion, the best is the 430, but the most important is the technical condition. that's how I became the owner of the 300... but I still sigh for the V8
Yup! What I said in a different way, lol.
I rarely see 400 and 430's anymore in my city (Cincinnati Ohio) except for mine.
me too i took many opinion before buying the mechanics and junkyard guys all said 300 as its easy to find parts and its reliable im happy with it but my demon wants more power
Got a 01 gs430 in mint condition crazy find at 7k
430 my favorite. 400 close behind. If I was to get. 300 it would HAVE to be sport design.
got a sport design for sale
I bought an '06 GS430 three years ago after driving my friend's. I found a very clean one (Damn near perfect) with only 52K miles and paid $11,500 for it. Interior was/is also perfect. Love this car!!
If I could find one, I'd get the chassis uzs143 aristo from japan with ifour. AWD all wheel steer thick rod 1uz 1st gen gs400 from japan. has a custom oil pan to allow a driveshaft through, can barely even find photos of it let alone listings. Would love to turbo one. Wish they did the same for the 2nd gen chassis.
Two moments stood out for me as the perfect description of the Lexus GS 2nd gen: “realtor” and “older gentleman”. You can clearly see, hear and feel that Lexus took the Mercedes E class as the blueprint and not the BMW 5 series. Driving my GS 300, especially here in Germany, where the car or the brand for that matter never cought on for obvious reasons means there are only a handfull for sale in the whole country and that means people that are not into cars do not know how old the car actually is. The overall reaction to the GS is generally positive. Also while snaping necks of ladies in my WRX might have been fun, I tend to think they appreciate the ride in the “older gentleman” Lexus much more. As for the bros, the first question I got was “What are you into oldtimers now?” But the answer “I am paying down my morgage as fast as possible” did the trick. If you need a presentable car on a budget, there is none better in my opinion. As for street cred, the car had a cameo in the movie Ghost Dog. As for the issues, my powersteering hose disintegrated at the pump, but that is not the first time I had this problem on a car of this vintage… always problems with them hose. :)
Well said! Thanks for commenting!
Funny you mention it, I got my GS430 ECU over at Quantum Auto right now. Hoping to have it back in a week to try out their reflash.
Awesome. Please report back on your thoughts!
@@ForwardMomentumwill definitely give an update. I am particularly interested as it deletes the engine detune every time the trans shifts. That would be in contrast to the valve body upgrade you did. More to come.
@@ClovisGeneralI'm curious too now can't wait to hear back from you
So I’ve spent some time with the re-flashed ECU in my car and here are my thoughts. The mapping is aggressive (good!). Throttle tip in and power is immediate. Car feels alive and slightly angry. Power increase is in the low to mid RPM range, which is great for ripping out of sweepers on country roads. Car can be a bit jerky around town, especially when driving off from a cold start. Other people have noted a somewhat dangerous instance where the new mapping causes the car to lurch and accelerate as if you floored the peddle when hitting the 1800 rpm mark. It appears to be a mapping flaw. I run into this every time I accelerate but it can be mitigated with a judicious foot at initial throttle tip in. That said, don’t hand your keys to the uninitiated unless you want your car wrapped around a telephone pole. Another interesting aside is that you can smell a change in the exhaust from the advanced timing…smells more like scorched eggshells. This differs from the usual partially burnt fuel smell from the stock ECU. Finally, the refreshed shift points and downshifts are pure brilliant. I would buy the remap for this change alone. Additionally, the new mapping deletes the engine detune that happens with each shift in stock ECU mode. Now the shifts are snappier. Bottom line, I love it! Cars feels 25% more powerful on the bottom end and pulls with authority to 70mph. Would I do this remap again? Hell yes!
@ClovisGeneral Thanks for the info I was thinking of getting this. Did you send them your ecu or find a used one?
I'm going for GS400..e-shift, cable throttle snappier response and of course because it was available in Spectra Blue Mica. If GS430 had that color then I'd choose GS430
Got one and it’s amazing the blue color with black interior is actually rare
I have quite of an history with 1st gen GS and 2nd gen, but as the years moved on im more of an LS430 guy now, but i see my self buying another GS for fun it would be a Gs300 with the 2jz.
I have a 99 gs 300 would like an 05 gs300
460 for Life ! 🔥🔥😎
Love your gs man 🙏I’ve got a 1998 gs400 with 240k and I love it. It makes a squeaky noise from the steering column every here and there. Would you recommend building the auto trans at all, or just do the cd009 swap? And do you know if the m122 supercharger will fit on the intake?
That squeaky noise is probably the BMC on its way out. I really hate the auto trans, so my answer will be biased. The MT swap is a huge pain to do correctly, so just keep that in mind. I I believe the M122 is too tall and the inlet isn’t ideal, but don’t quote me on that. TVS1900 is the desirable move if you can swing it. 👍
Great vid! What would you expect a GS 430 with all the bolt ons and a tune to make? And how much more would that be compared to the GS 400?
Probably +30 to +40 crank HP. The tune really takes a lot of lag out of the shifts I hear, so it is probably an impressive change. Might drop the 0-60 .2-.4 sec with all of that.
The Aristo would be cool to do in a clean VIP style. (🇯🇵 vibes)
Other than that I would rather have an original LEXUS model.
Probably a GS300:
All stock in black with either black or cream leather interior.
On some clean polished - period correct 19 or 20" wheels!
Just keep it classy! ✨
GS430 a little bit heavier 4.3 and throttle design different. Off the line very different than from a 40 or 60 roll. They also took away manumatic shifters. My pick: GS400
Understood. Apparently quantum auto can tune most of those issues out with an ECU reflash. The main thing for me is I can get a much newer 430 (up to 7 years newer) which can mean there are better specimens in some markets, generally speaking . A lot of the 400’s are clapped out trash that have been thrashed and crashed by some kid, whereas the newer 430’s can still be had from one-owner elderly owners. Just my thoughts. 👍
Part of me thinks the grass is greener with an aristo or the 430. But given that I have an gs400 MSM-platinum edition with black interior… I probably can’t do much bettter honestly. The “only” perk for the 430 I can see is the tunable ecu. But I can also merge in an EcuMaster in parallel with the stock ecu. I actually appreciate the auto trans with the sport shift. I don’t have the need for a manual in my 4000lb dd sedan honestly.
It’s definitely close between the two and e-shift is a great feature that I used a lot on my 400 when it was AT. I would certainly consider either option. A black interior is a huge plus as well. This grandpa oak interior sucks.
@@ForwardMomentum well maybe one day, we will see a video of you scavenging a wreck Sport design interior. That ought to round out your build perfectly
My dream is all saddle. I think it would look amazing with my cinnabar red pearl color. In close second is all black for sure.
Have GS 430 I.Put some race gas in it octane at 100 rating i believe and damn it really opens it up
I had 04 300 which i sold and then i got 03 300 Sport Design , pearl white with Black interior and it has HID with more wood trim and other options like better struts , i recently replaced the lower ball joints , upper control arms , inner and outer tie rods and rear struts , it is nice and tight now , it runs amazing , it has enough power to zip through traffic and great cruiser on highway . In my opinion the extra weight of 400 and 430 engines throws the balance off on this light body .
Except that the 2JZGE engine weighs about 50lbs more than the UZs. 😎
@@ForwardMomentum From looking at reputable sources online, the GS300 seems to be the most lightweight out of all 3 models by at least 20kg, so the engine weighing less doesn't really matter lol
Except that the original comment was about engines, so my comment was relevant to that specific point.
@@ForwardMomentum Yeha, guess I could've worded my comment better. But still, I like your channel as you seem to be the best source of Lexus GS info in video form
Oh no worries. No matter what, these are heavy beasts. Thanks for watching the vids!
Update: I just picked up a 2005 GS430, 3 owners 186k miles. Immaculate interior, needs a little bit of paint correction and timing belt etc brake bleed service.
Car was California owned it’s entire life until last month, it went to Las Vegas to a used dealer, I picked it up and brought it back to California.
Paid $6500, they were asking $7800. Not sure if I got a fair deal, definitely gonna have to put 2-3k into it to make it absolutely cherry but it’s in very good shape, bone stock. What do you think?
Sounds good. I probably would have been more comfortable at the $5950 mark, but these are strange times. That’s a solid platform! 👍
I a got 99 Lexus GS300 with 326 power Japan body it on it and it’s pearl white lowered with some nice hot boy wheels 🔥In excellent condition too
It’s also a V.i.p build
From a 98 gs400 to 01 gs300, and now 02 gs430. I wouldn’t get rid of my gs430
I’ve owned all three myself. All great cars. My favorite was my spectra blue gs400. It was a more raw analog experience. That said, the gs430 is more refined and I’m going to keep her for a long time. Hoping the ECU remap (coming this week) will give it a bit more of that cable throttle feel!
@@ClovisGeneral I do missed the cable throttle feel. I have to look into the ecu remap myself
There’s not a lot of info out there regarding the remap. Only three shops that I’m aware do it. Speed Academy on CZcams did it to tune their supercharged LS430. There’s a couple YT vids by SC430 owners - not comprehensive. Best bet is to call Brandon at Quantum Auto out of Salida, Ca. He was helpful. I’ll post feedback once I get my ECU back this week.
@@ClovisGeneralplease do
You forgot to mention that the GS400 is throttle by cable and the GS430 is throttle by wire. Also a plus to the GS300 is that it is more balanced and provides better handling and sportiness.
Yeah, I didn’t name every single difference, that’s for sure.
2000 lexus Gs 300 Platinum edition
I have a Lexus Gs 430 and looking to modded it (tastefully of course), any ideas for a nice exhaust system. I wanted Greddy but its discontinued and the HKS seems to be just a catback. APEX-i seems to be quiet but im not sure
The stock system flows great up until about 350 WHP. That being said, I wouldn’t waste my money on a performance system that might get you 3 hp. Instead, if you’re just after good sound, I would focus on the muffler positions. I have numerous videos on that topic. Simply replacing the stock mufflers with pipe or performance mufflers and then getting bigger tips will get you some good sound for not a lot of money.
You should buy my silver on black 2008 GS460 with only 75k miles! You will love it!
I take donations only! 😆
Mpowersubie12… what kind of price would you want for your 460
@@Itsleethe1 $21,000
You can turbo all these cars but i would think a turbo set up would be a lot easier in a 300. You can find gs aristos...there is a dealer in Florida that sells them
Yep, as mentioned in the vid, you can get an Aristo - but it’s going to cost you a pretty penny.
@@ForwardMomentum agreed whats your take on piggy back ecu's for GS400, you run the Apexi Neo correct? Any other piggy's that come close?
Not that I am aware of. There’s some stuff from Perfect Power that could work, but I’m not familiar with much else.
@@ForwardMomentum Do you have url or contact info for Perfect Power?
I don’t. They were out of South Africa I believe. I used the SMT6 on my supercharged 5VZFE 4Runner, which is my only experience with the device.
400 4 LYFE FTW
Ok,what to choose, a gs400 bs 430, both equally cared and condition. The 400 has 97k and all full timing belt with oil and water pump . The 430 is 148k all maintenance’s done. Same price both wich one to pick??
I’d go 400 in that case. 👍
i have 300 model 2000 with black interior blackwood steering and trim sports design logo on astray with original aristo body kit im 43 car looks good for my age its fast and fuel effective as its my daily but if 430 more faster than im thinking to change if fuel mileage is similar im getting 300 to 280 miles on full tank will it be similar
Yes, mpg would be very similar. Part of the reason is the rear diff ratio. On the 300 it’s 3.9 and on the 430 it’s 3.2.
I have a 99 LS400 and am very interested in SC, you said in the video that tuning for the 1uz vvti ECU isn't feasible due to nobody having done it. Is the only option for tuning the route you have gone, (SS enricher,)? Than you.
My ECU (and I assume yours?) cannot be adjusted. Well, no one has bothered to do it. So we’re left with piggybacks or standalone tuning options. I run the budget-minded option as a good standalone and all associated wiring and tuning can easily run north of $2K.
@@ForwardMomentum Thank you.
GS 400 engines better than the 2JZ-GE engines of 1998 GS 300's?
Stock for stock was the intent of the video, so my answer is yes, 4X0>300.
I love my manual GS500 (1gz-fe+ar-5) 😬
Quit lyin lol
Please post your IG so we can see your build. I have never heard of someone doing this.
@_gzs160
Thanks. Crazy pics. I have never seen anything like that!
@@ForwardMomentum im dont use social media much 😅 but i have 3 years now using enjoying it
400 /thread
Unpopular opinion perhaps, I prefer the GS300, a little work and a big single turbo it's a monster
This was stock-for-stock though. And from the decision point of selecting a DD. 😎
I just got a 00' GS300 with 135k given to me (mom didn't want it)....litteraly nothing wrong except a parasitic draw...figuring out what to do with it is the problem.
Sounds like a great deal. Run a parasitic draw test and pull fuses until you find it.
Hey, bud, great video. Yeah, it sounds like a 430, obviously bigger engine, more power. I am an owner of a 06 GS 300, which I'm very pleased with. I'm very happy. I love what you've done to your GS. Yes. The super charge the manual swap. Transmission, awesome sounds amazing. I wish I could do that to my Gs 300. But I'm very, very happy with mine, I've had mine for a couple of years, it's very clean. Anyways, thank you for the video and keep the videos coming.
Dont think 430 caster arms can be used on a 400. Mounting bolts are different sizes
They can if you swap the entire arm and hardware. That’s why you see some early GS’s with 65mm arms and bushings.
If you live in Dubai or Texas GS430
In Europe GS300
In Asia 2JZ GTE.
Ah it’s you with the Henched Forearms 💪🏿😂💪🏿😂
$what would you value a 2000 gs400 platium edtion florida car and original owner worth,with 120,,000 miles in excellent condition !
If I was in the market, and if all maintenance was good and the car was basically flawless, $6-$8K is what I would pay.
Angelnegrom did you buy that gs400 or is it your car
Someone is selling an 84K mile 1999 GS 300 in my area for $9600. Insane.
I’m not familiar with Lexus/Toyota cars but shouldn’t it be more expensive since it’s got 2JZ engine?
@@generalrommel5666 it's not the same version of the 2jz with forged pistons and connecting rods.
*A few people will say the bigger engines. Yet smart people know those engines have limits, while the GS300 has a 2JZ ( yes, it still has the same GTE block ).*
As stated in the vid, this is about stock for stock with the possibility of a few mild bolt ons/tune. While the 2JZ block might be the same (the GE is missing oil squirters and oil feed holes so it isn’t exactly the same not to mention differences with the internals between the two but that’s not the block per se). That being said, it will take FI to get the 300 to the 400/430 stock power levels, and then you have to worry about that A650, which is arguably a little weaker in the 300 as-is.
@ForwardMomentum It takes a total of around $2,500 to get 400hp out of a stock 2jzge-vvti engine. It's been proven for like 30 years lol. With stock internals, and transmission.
I’d like to see a parts list for almost doubling the HP for $2500. No way that’s happening with a decent stand-alone and supporting mods. And I would NEVER trust that crap A650 in stock form with that type of power.
@ForwardMomentum Huh??? Lol. Let's not argue. If you don't know, just say you don't know. You don't have that platform, so it's understandable. But I'll run it down...60mm turbo, manifold, downpipe, head gasket, head studs, intercooler, and piping. A fuel pump and injectors aren't really necessary but you could throw them in with DIY labor it won't cost over $3,500, and that's after a tune... You know it's actually kits out for NA-T bolt on, plug and play right?
@@ForwardMomentum It's been 30 years of the 2JZ being developed with aftermarket parts, Clublexus forums, Supra forums etc.
my uncle wants to sell me his gold ep3 i currently have a gs300 what do you think is better
Depends on your stage of life. The EP3 is way more mod-able and is like a FWD go-cart. It’s bouncy and noisy. The GS3 is basically opposite in every regard; big, smooth, slow. Not as easily mod-able. We own both, but ultimately it’s your call.
i appreciate you chiming in seeing as u have both im only 19 so super torn between comfortability and fun@@ForwardMomentum
The GS will help you stay a bit incognito. The EP3 will attract more unwanted attention.
Im an inline 6 kinda guy. I’ve owned jeeps, bmw’s and diesel trucks with all inlines. So I gotta go with the v6 in the 300. Hoping to buy one this weekend 🤞🏾great video though, lots to think about!
Dude cmon lol . Once you drive a gs400 you never go back
I mean, that’s what I drive, so I think I have some opinion in the matter. Fact is the GS400 has older parts and tech and I’m constantly upgrading to newer 430 parts, such as caster arms, PS pump, HBBA, etc. Plus the 430 ECU can be flashed and the 400’s can’t be. Aside from e-shift, there’s just no reason to go with a 400. But that’s just my opinion of course. 👍