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Thanks for the words of comfort. Bearing in mind the bloke is my Dad's best mate, he won't let us have it. Him and his brother are the best engineers/mechanics I know and they said they wouldn't even touch it. I see what you're saying chips and I pleaded with them but it's a no go. They're just going to stick it through an auction so someone who has the money and can do without a car for a bit will get a real bargain. All is not lost though. The plan was to run it for a year or so and then when I've left Uni, to take out a stupidly big loan and buy another car. After driving the GS, I think that other car is going to be a Lexus. Again, thanks for all your help and who knows...I may speak to you again in a year or so. Cheers, Adam

I won't be getting it after all. All sorted until today when I get a call. It's jumping out of top gear all the time and could cost thousands to fix. Such a shame - it was a really nice car. Gutted that I can't have it but relieved all the same that this happened before I bought it. Thanks very much for all of your help though gents. It was much appreciated. Adam

Hi Chips, That sounds like a pretty good idea. Any chance of some pics? Cheers, Adam

Hi - I hope Shanice won't mind me sort of hijacking this thread but it's about the same thing so it may be useful. If all goes to plan, I should be picking my GS up next week (Mark 1). Now I know for a fact that a bulb or two has gone but I can't remember for the life of me whether it was the dial bulb or the needle itself. I know that the needles are irrepairable but I have a question. (Well two!) a) Where can I get the normal dash bulbs from? I don't have a clue where the nearest Lexus dealer is although I'd guess there's on in Liverpool but even then it'd be a fair trek. I would be happy to wait if I could order them off the net. B) I've been reading about the needles and I almost wet myself (laughter wise of course) when I read they want 1200 quid for a new cluster. Ha! I was thinking - is it not possible to stick "normal" needles off another make entirely that would be lit by the other normal bulbs or not? Why are the electroluminescent needles so special? Alright - 3 questions! Thanks, Adam

Thanks for the help gents. Not much more to report I'm afraid - still waiting for the all important call from someone wanting to buy Dad's car! Although I think the ad only goes in the Loot on Tuesday. The suspense is killing me!!

Thanks for that Tony. One last thing. He never mentioned anything at all to do with the gearbox so I'm guessing it's never had any remedial work or been replaced or anything. The car's done 170 thou so am I going to have to take it easy on the box? I only ask because I know the first thing I'm dying to do is kickdown and see what I've been missing out on. But then I'll love it so much I'll be doing it all the time! How durable are the auto boxes? Any foreseeable problems? Adam

Thanks again for all the advice and opinions. Unless it blows up spontaneously, the car is mine. It's been taken off sale and my Dad's mate is just waiting for his money. I just need to get rid of Dad's 626 which should be in The Loot from Tuesday and then I can get it! A few questions though if you don't mind. 1) This will be my first ever automatic. I know how to drive them but is there anything GS specific I should know? 2) The badges on the car as well as the aerial is gold. But by sheer coincidence I saw another GS today! (Probably because I'm looking out for them) and the badges were silver. Does this mean the person beforehand has put his own gold badges on or does it mean something else? 3) You can't mention sport alloys. Anything with the word sport in, and I have to buy them!!! Again, many thanks. I appreciate all of the help. I think I'll be joining proper if all goes to plan. Cheers, Adam

Tony, Paul, Thanks for the valuable help. It's looking more likely than it did yesterday so I'll keep you all informed of what happens. I can't believe the tank is 70 litres. Mine's only 55 I think! Anyway - thanks again to all of you. I'll report back when I have something interesting to say! Cheers, Adam

I'm getting that excited feeling now!! I'll try and get down there tomorrow and have an extensive play in it. Thanks for all the help, Adam

I'm not in the market for a new car to be honest mate. It's just because this one came along and I have a chance at having it. Besides which, show me an IS for 1200 quid.

I know it's bad replying to my own message twice but I've done a bit of searching on the forum and it looks like the bulb itself can be replaced. Thanks

Thanks for that dipstick. The only thing we never checked were teh discs. It looks like it needs a new instrument cluster then? How much are we looking at and how difficult are they to fit?

Cheers mate. I think we'll have a family conference tonight ;-)

Thanks for the reply. Some more info. Rang my insurers today, they want, get this, 300 quid extra. I thought that was amazing! The bloke is Dad's best mate so when he says it's a goodun, it is. He's said we can have it now and pay him whenever which I liked :-) To us, £1200. Dad has a Mazda 626 so I think I'd give him my car, sell his for 2 grand ish and have 800 quid as emergency money. As an aside, I was amazed at how much kit there was on it. It makes you realise how much Ford rip you off when it comes to options. I'm really tempted. I think they're great cars. Thanks again, Adam

Thanks for that Kam. Cosmetically, the car could have passed for new. That's how unmarked it was. I was in the back on the test drive and it was so quiet. In fact, the only problem I noticed was that one of the guages never seemed to be lit up. A blown bulb I take it?

Hi all, Before I start, I'm going to point out I'm a student. That will become important soon. I've currently got a 1.8 Focus. Almost faultless. Love the car but I've always wanted a bigger engine. My Dad's mate (an engineer) has recently acquired a 1994/5 (not sure which) GS300. Dad and I went to take it for a test drive with the intention of Dad having it for himself. He doesn't want it...but I do!!! I fell in love with it straight away. It looks in mint condition - I couldn't find a mark on it anywhere. However. It's done 170,000 miles. Now no matter who I speak to, everyone says "It's a Lexus. They don't break". Obviously stuff is going to go wrong with them though as well as consumables although fortunately, it's had new belts, radiator, tyres and exhausts so that's one less thing to worry about. So, from you guys in the know, would purchasing one of these at age 20, as a struggling student be foolish? Is the fact it's done so many miles going to cause trouble later on? Try and be as impartial as you can :P Many thanks for any help you may have, Adam