2003 Lexus GS300? Anyone have experience?

[ryanschillinger]

Is that engine not the same as the 3.0 in the Camry and trucks of earlier years? Any issues known to these cars? My cousin is looking for a car and I found one with 130k and clean title. The guy will take $4500 cash. Seems like a good deal, just don't want him to buy a car hats trouble prone. Still see quite a few around so it seems like hey should be a good car.

 

[901Memphis]

You are good to go with that car, not part of the sludge fest. Those are awesome cars, seen a few with over 300k on them. Those are the Supra type engines, 2JZ pre fix, not the 1MZ

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/car-parts-and-accessories/engine-sludge/index.htm

 

[tinmanSC]

I have a 2000 Lexus GS300 with the 3.0 you are talking about. It's the Toyota 2JZ-GE engine with VVT-i (pre 1999 is without VVT-i), it's well known for being a good engine. My car has had few problems over the last 15 years and 140K miles. Nothing really stands out as being an unreasonable problem with it. I would recommend the GS300. there are some common issues with the GS300 that you need to be aware of. They are not overly burdensome. They are all well known issues and may have been addressed in the Gs you are looking at. You can research these on clublexus.com or other lexus forums, as I said very common but nothing outragous. Keep in mind when reading these, this is probably a lower than average common problem list. The hood latch inside the cabin is connected to the front of the car by a steel cable, that cable has a tendency is stretch and make the latch inoperable. The cable needs to be replaced if this happens, this is kind of a pain to do, but I did it myself. The catalytic converter heat shield makes noise on may GS300s I removed mine. Just don't park above any dry brush!

Forest fires are bad. It can be replaced, but you have to take a bunch of exhaust bolts off. The exhaust, however, is very nice stainless and even though I live in northern Illinois, it has not needed anything replaced except for the heat shield. If you have an aftermarket spoiler, they are installed by the dealer and use different paint. They can fade at different rates and sometimes the clear coat comes offs. Just like the SC300s, the GS300 can suffer from grounding issues. They sell engine/chassis grounding kits online. The lower ball joints wear terribly with age, but you don't notice it until you replace them. It's night and day. Having said all that, I think it's an excellent car and I would still highly recommend the GS. I like my GS and I don't plan on selling it any time soon. Nothing leaks, nothing rattles, it's always gotten me where I wanted to go. Even driven through the desert at 115 mph at 115 degrees. Worked fine.

 

[hypervish]

The biggest issue which has already been mentioned is the ball joints, aside from that it's a pretty solid car. The engine is fantastic, incredibly smooth. And, as mentioned is not sludge prone, completely different motor than the 1MZ-FE.

+1, to clublexus.com

 

[zach1900]

Is this a timing chain engine?

 

[Andrew1972]

Thankfully that car shares little with Camry and its a hoot to drive....

 

[btanchors]

I have a 2003 GS 430. Same car, but with a 4.3 Liter V8 instead of a 6 cylinder engine and a few other options.

I have owned mine since new. A couple of things to look out for:

1) The door lock actuators are a common failure point. They also cost $500 - $600 to replace, on EACH door, if you do it at the dealer.

2) If your GS300 comes with the Mark Levinson audio system, the subwoofer blows easily. Most are already blown by now. It costs about $609 to replace at the dealer - the rear seat has to come out to get to it.

I have had two other failures on mine - the starter failed and had to be replaced. It's a pain on the V8 because the starter is actually UNDER the intake manifold! Obviously, this is something specific to the V8, not the 6 cylinder you have.

My motor mounts also failed - meaning the engine would actually LIFT up several inches when under load.

So that's a total of 4 significant items - sounds like a lot, but bear in mind my car is over 12 years old. It still drives great, and I still really enjoy this car. I plan to keep it for several more years.

 

[tinmanSC]

Originally Posted By: zach1900
Is this a timing chain engine?

No, it's a belt and it's an interference engine (the VVT-i version is anyway) so it needs to be replaced on schedule.

 

[DeepFriar]

We had a 2004 GS400 on a three year lease back then and no problems at all. I did have an $8,500 (!) collision with a deer on the way to the 2006 Indy F1 race. Pulled into first available Home Depot, bought a crow bar, forced the passenger door open (front right impact) and soldiered on. The insurance was good about it and I was just glad the thing did not end up in my lap! To tell you the truth in the end I wish I had gotten an LS. If I was buying used now I would go for the LS assuming it had been taken car of. Just my opinion, The GS is a fine car.

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: btanchors
I have a 2003 GS 430. Same car, but with a 4.3 Liter V8 instead of a 6 cylinder engine and a few other options.

I have owned mine since new. A couple of things to look out for:

1) The door lock actuators are a common failure point. They also cost $500 - $600 to replace, on EACH door, if you do it at the dealer.

2) If your GS300 comes with the Mark Levinson audio system, the subwoofer blows easily. Most are already blown by now. It costs about $609 to replace at the dealer - the rear seat has to come out to get to it.

I have had two other failures on mine - the starter failed and had to be replaced. It's a pain on the V8 because the starter is actually UNDER the intake manifold! Obviously, this is something specific to the V8, not the 6 cylinder you have.

My motor mounts also failed - meaning the engine would actually LIFT up several inches when under load.

So that's a total of 4 significant items - sounds like a lot, but bear in mind my car is over 12 years old. It still drives great, and I still really enjoy this car. I plan to keep it for several more years.


FYI, You can DIY those door lock actuators for less $15 per door.

 

[Lolvoguy]

ugh, I've lusted after the 6 or 8 cyl versions of those cars for years now!

 

[ryanschillinger]

Sounds like this one would be a good deal then. Especially at that price and miles?

 

[Benzadmiral]

I liked the interior of one I checked out a couple of years ago -- as nice or nicer than the ES models. It's RWD too, right?

The saleslady who sold me my C-Class at the Lexus dealership had a GS, and I rode in it when she picked me up the day my car was ready. Very nice.

(So was the saleslady.)

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted By: Benzadmiral

(So was the saleslady.)

Do these require you run them on prem? or can you get away with regular?

 

[ryanschillinger]

Yeah. RWD

 

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted By: Lolvoguy
Do these require you run them on prem? or can you get away with regular?


I'm pretty sure they recommend 91+, but they'll run on 87 (with slightly reduced power and a little worse mpg).

 

[hypervish]

Originally Posted By: rslifkin
Originally Posted By: Lolvoguy
Do these require you run them on prem? or can you get away with regular?


I'm pretty sure they recommend 91+, but they'll run on 87 (with slightly reduced power and a little worse mpg).


Correct.

The manual states:
Originally Posted By: 2003 Lexus GS300 Owners Manual
Fuel selection:
Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher for optimum engine performance. However, if such premium type cannot be obtained, you may temporarily use unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating as low as 87 (Research Octane Number 91).

 

[ryanschillinger]

Nice. Well we checked it out and looks good. About ready for 4 tires and rear brakes, but no evidence of previous repair. No check engine light or anything. Talked the seller down to $4300 and our cousin is probably buying it in the morning. Pearl white exterior, tan leather interior. I really like the car. Power everything, heated seats, dual zone automatic climate control. Very cool. Just turned 130k miles, all the fluids looked good, but coolant was a bit low. It was reddish color.

 

[Vikas]

Great deal! I presume no rust given the location of the car. This vehicle will easily fetch double around my area.

 

[ryanschillinger]

It would've been perfect. And probably sell for at least $6k but the guys neighbor backed a big work truck right into the side of it this morning so obviously our cousin isn't going to buy it now. What bad luck. Thing had all original paint, even both bumpers.