Potential Gs430 Owner

[Avernus]

Good afternoon,

I'm new to the forum, and this is my first post. I think I want to try owning a lexus, I've tried the Mercedes W202 C230 Kompressor (still regret selling it!), and the BMW E39 540i which was also great but VERY unreliable, whereas the mercedes was ultra-reliable.

Now, I'm searching for a GS430 between 2000-2004, and I wanted to know if there's anything I should be looking out for? I'm looking to spend no more than £5000 on one, I'd like it to be fairly specc'ed and preferably black.

I know these engines run on a belt, not ideal I admit, but how much would it typically cost to get done?

Other questions:

1. Are there lexus specialists like there are for BMW/mercedes, and if so, will they make the ownership a little cheaper (because obviously the dealer will be a joke).

2. Are parts hard to source? I've heard because these cars aren't as mass produced as their german counterparts, it may be hard to source 2nd hand parts for it.

3. I'm sure the V8 should have what I'm looking for in terms of reliability & performance, but is there any common niggles I can look for when buying?

Any advice is much appreciated!

Adam

[jad]

Good afternoon,

I'm new to the forum, and this is my first post. I think I want to try owning a lexus, I've tried the Mercedes W202 C230 Kompressor (still regret selling it!), and the BMW E39 540i which was also great but VERY unreliable, whereas the mercedes was ultra-reliable.

Now, I'm searching for a GS430 between 2000-2004, and I wanted to know if there's anything I should be looking out for? I'm looking to spend no more than £5000 on one, I'd like it to be fairly specc'ed and preferably black.

I know these engines run on a belt, not ideal I admit, but how much would it typically cost to get done?

Other questions:

1. Are there lexus specialists like there are for BMW/mercedes, and if so, will they make the ownership a little cheaper (because obviously the dealer will be a joke).

2. Are parts hard to source? I've heard because these cars aren't as mass produced as their german counterparts, it may be hard to source 2nd hand parts for it.

3. I'm sure the V8 should have what I'm looking for in terms of reliability & performance, but is there any common niggles I can look for when buying?

Any advice is much appreciated!

Adam

Hello m8 Ive had a 430 sport for just over a year , great engine but the rest of it not so sure about.What i will say is it is a glorified toyota and is no bmw or mercedes , i had a bmw 740 before and it aint a patch on that.

When comes to parts i am just about to have it serviced and a guy i know in europarts can get me everything i need all the filters ,plugs everything even getting an o2 sensor for me, says he can get me virtually anything for it.

Have been quoted around 240 for the cambelt to be done which i thought was reasonable so dont think you have to worry to much about that.When it comes to common problems with them brake master cylinder going is the main problem and very exspensive to fix but lexus sorted them on the later gs models.O2 sensors going seems to be common aswell and wheel wobble issues which alot of guys on here have had problems with, make sure you have a good test drive in one and get it up to a good speed to check for the dreaded steering wheel wobble.

All i can say m8 when buying one get one with a good history preferrably lexus and as latter aged model as possiable .

By the way i might be selling my in the in the future anyway good luck hope you get a goodun.

James