I am thinking about buying a 2003 GS430 but a little worried about the fuel consumption. I know every one drives differently but would appreciate some indication of worst and best consumption.

Assuming the 2nd & 3rd gen are similar, this is what I have had & might help-

Long motorway trips on cruise at an accurate 77 (83 on speedo)- 28-31
Mixed, occasional squirts! - around 25
Short journeys, heavy foot - around 20

My 2001 model averaged about 23mpg over the 50k miles I had it. Slightly better on a long journey, but never got more than about 27 out of it.

I think the newer models (3rd gen) are more efficient, probably due the the shape. In fact, the LS430 has better official consumption than the GS!

Thank you both very much. I assume that over 50k you had no serious problems.

Over 50k I had to replace the battery (after I'd left the lights on at Heathrow for a week). That was it for 'problems'... Obviously I had to spend money on other areas - it had a new cambelt, several sets of wiper blades, one set of new tyres, but otherwise it was solid as a rock. One of the rear windows packed up but the garage looked at it, said they couldn't do much, and an hour later it started working again! Just gummed up through lack of use, I think, as it never stopped working again.

If you keep an eye out on Autotrader looking for 2001 models somewhere vaguely around the Reading area, you may even come across it for sale - it would be just as good a buy as a 2003 model as the history of that particular car is impeccable. I only traded it in on Saturday!

To add to the other comments, if you spend a lot of time sitting in traffic the GS430 will consume a lot of fuel - likewise it will too if you have 'fun' often. On a long run on a flat road using cruise control I can get about 29mpg average in perfect conditions. Obviously if you drive around 60mph you will get better consumption readings.

The MK 2 LS430 (up to 2006) and MK3 GS430 offer slightly better fuel consumption than the MK2 GS430 simply because they have a different automatic gearbox which has an extra gear. The engines as far as I know are unchanged from the MK2 GS430.

Either way if you can afford the fuel bills it's a good used buy whether you go for MK3 or MK2.