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Hi Gavin, Just to add confirmation, my last car was one of the first GS 430s, it was an SE, and was first registered in November 2000. It was a demonstrator, I bought it when 6 months old. Sat nav, etc but the demonstrators lacked one item - memory seats. When I bought mine in May 2001, there were several for sale, perhaps one at each dealer, all minus memory seats, so if looking and testing you can tell which ones these were. The earlier ones also had very bling chromed alloys. It is a fast car, very smooth and quiet, great sat nav, not the greatest cornering car. I do not know exactly when the 430Sport was launched, but a search on What Car or Parkers site might give you an answer. Regards, Tony ← As a new member, I thought I might be able to help out here. I've had a few GS430 SE's and just changed my 2001 GS430 Sport for a 'true' 2003 GS430 Sport. Bottom line is if your budget doesn't stretch to the 2003 'true' ones, a 2001 430 sport is a really different drive to the standard 430SE and is much improved. It handles a lot better and externally is identical to the 2003 model complete with the same 18" alloys and sport decals along with the spoilers front and rear. 2001 models also have the seat memory and the 100k cam belt change along with all the other 430 nice bits (like remote audio controls on the steering wheel) - my one also had sat nav which was the DVD model but the early version without the route preview and calendar capabilities. Lexus dealers also sell the 2001 version as a sport model and price it accordingly - it may only have different springs but it makes a surprisingly large difference to the handling. The 2003 true GS430 sport is even tauter than the 2001 sport I had and handles better still. Hope that helps. ← Does the same apply to the GS300 sport - i.e the 'real ones' are post 2003? regards Pete

Could there be a weakness in the screen design? Seems a little strange that 3 new GS's had the same problem.

General question - would you buy a 2003/4 GS430 SE or put a few more grand together and buy a new model gs 300? Seems the diff is around 3/4k?

I agree Astrid, the IS 200 is very well balanced in tight corners at speed. It really surprised me when I came across it. I think it is one of the cars strengths and certainly a lot of drivers enjoy that particular aspect. pete

Thanks Mike - I very much agree with you about the flatness especially in 5/6 gear. When I first came across it I thought the engine had fallen out. Having said that when I have had to go a little faster on the local winding roads, the holding and drive is very very good in 2nd to 4th gear above 4/5k rpm. Don't know what it does to the consumption though. Ok you may think that I am easily impressed as I jumped out of a 17 year old volvo 340gl into a Lexus IS Sport but six month earlier I was driving a 993 and before that a 996. So for what it is, the IS Lexus does a great job in the lower gears higher revs thing -can't understand why they were happy with the power trough in the other areas. There must be a reason. The other thing of interest, is your mention of the ' bumping, banging and crashing of the GS300 over rough roads'. Somehow I though the GS would be more friendly in this area - unless your talking about farm tracks. regards pete

Thanks Claire - yep its the luxury and looks part which I am being drawn to, must also add its reliability reputation. Anyway I think the only way to address that little niggle of mine is to try one out. I will give the IS sport another month so that it's character sits a little better in my bones and in the meantime keep my eye open for a good GS to try. regards, pete

HI Brettster, When I first went to the Lexus garage to compare an IS to the GS they had a couple of new GS's there - they look a lot nicer in the flesh than in photo's - a real stunner. Although I agree that the whole package appears to be a giant step up, there is something classic about the shape of the previous model I like. It has a quite presence on the road - a bit like the Bristol 411 when they came out in the 70's. You know, quality and individuality combined. I also think they are incredible value for money when you look at the 3-5year prices of the cars. Owning new is not something I normally go for - I have a thing about depreciation on new cars and the new GS would have to hit the 25- 28k mark before I got tempted. I have been driving around in a 17 year old volvo 340gl for the last six months, got me from a - b and turned me off buying the big bucks cars. Can't see the point now, especially when you have the quality and comfort of Lexus around at such reasonable second hand prices.

Thanks ScarFace, Matthew and Colin must say I've admired the photo's of Matthews car for some time now - shows what a real beauty the GS is! I was going for the GS but my 15 year old daughter diverted me towards the IS as the car is used to drive her to school - more street cred I suppose. I am in agreement with all the point you raise and the only question mark I have is to do with size. Does the GS feel as large as it looks when driving - it appears a lot bigger than the IS. I find the IS a pain when reversing - is the GS the same or is it something you just get use to? The driving ability of the IS is very good but swinging it around the lanes is not on my priority list. Sure if I need to get from a - b fast then ok but not as a matter of driving style. Anyway I think the IS is a great car - my first Lexus and very impressed - it's just that I have this little niggle in the back of my mind telling me I should have bought my daughter a corgi model of the IS and me the full size GS. Thanks once again pete

Has anyone moved from an IS to a GS? I would be interested in your thoughts about the two cars and the pros and cons of either. Currently drive the IS sport (2000) but have always admired the GS. I just do local country 'out of town' driving with the few long hauls. Thanks

Speak to your local Trading Standards department. Carcraft are scumbags. Carcraft in Newport used to be Carcraft @ Empress, which used to be Empress, also renowned scumbags. Check out the following BBC Radio 4 link:- Complaints made against the biggest car supermarket in the UK ← Thanks eXOBeX, - great information. Family are emploted by solicitors so have no worry that the small claims court will sort it out. in time. Prefer that route as it will / might make them pay. Not really worried about the warranty just don't like this sort of practice going on - bit old fashioned I'm afraid. Thanks again.

Thanks, I might go that route - not too worried about the car being checked with Lexus as it came with FLSH. hte last one being in FEB. I just don't want these guys to get away with it.

Bought an IS 200 sport with a non manufacturers warranty from a company called Carcraft. It's administered by NAC which they own. 2.5years still to run. Seems solid but has a max of 750 per claim, total can't exceed cars value. So better than nothing even if I am confident in the Lexus. Nice thing to have if I ever decide to sell. Carcraft were the original car owners - they sold it to a private buyer who bought the warranty (think 600 quid) He sold it to a private buyer who transferred the warranty to his name and who later sold the car to me. The W was sold as transferable to the original owner and the only clause in the documentation is that the W becomes void if sold to a dealer. So there is nothing to indicate anywhere that the warranty is not transferable. Now when I came to transfer it I was told by the Senior claims officer at NAC that it is not transferable. 1. he said I bought it from a dealer - later he agreed I didn't. 2. then he said it wasn't transferrable - told him that had been done once 3. he now said it can only be done once because there is only one transfer form in the booklet. There are also only two claims forms in the booklet but bet you can make more than two claims. Any way - get the point - I am dealing with a bunch of cowboys here so I will go shopping to the small claims court. Before I do - some questions. 1. Any idea where I can find out what a 2.5 yr warranty would cost me as I need to slap in a figure of what I would be claiming? 2. Anyone else come across these cowboys? 3. Any other advice? thanks