tomeatv

I have the opportunity to buy an 03 sport design. It has had 3 owners and has 100k miles. It is black onyx with saddle interior. No navigation unfortunately. 10k is what I can get it for. Is this a decent deal? It was originally a lease car and has all history with lexus until 50k miles. It was then sold and passed Wisconsin state emissions twice at 2 different intervals after the 50k mark according to carfax. I am unaware if the timing belt has been changed. My other dilemma is I have a 98 gs300 with 98k miles that drives absolutely perfectt, i am the second owner. I have been offered 9500$ for and can essentially get in the sport design for 500$ more. Is there a big difference between my 98and the 03 as far as reliability/options/drive ability? I paid 8500$ for my 98 1.5 years ago fwiw. Unsure what to do here...

acnup00tl

iTrader: (1)

I have a 03 Sd same color and interior as you are interested in, and it blows the 98 Gs away. I used to own a 98 Gs ,and the 03 Sd is head and shoulders above the 98. The interior alone is 100X better. I searched for 6 months for my Sd ,and bought it for 14k with 59k on the odo ,and that was 3 years ago. I think 10k is an ok deal, Not great but Ok. I will never sell my Sd, the interior alone makes me smile everyday I sit in it. I am just at 111k ,and she will be paid off next month. The 03 Gs Sd with saddle is super rare ,and you wont look back once you own it.


Interior is totally different than the 98 model. its damn near impossible to find any 98 through 00 Gs with good leather seats, and 80% are all tan. Tan gs seats from 98 to 01 are awfu and show terrible age, not to mention the speaker covers that are filthy no matter what you do them . The suspension is different in the 03 than the 98 model. I had a spectra mica blue Gs300 ,and the interior fell apart like cheap Kia folds in a wreck.

aneidiaz

If your car has been solid to you, then remain loyal to it. Sometimes taking the better route doesn't always have the best possible outcome as oppose to sticking with the same routine that saves you every day. Good luck my friend. I'd gut the interior out if I were you. But Lexus are great all around.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

that's a wicked deal IMO... I see standard 01-02's with the same mileage [albeit in canada] going for 11k -ish.

xtremex626

iTrader: (3)

i owned an '03 black/black GS300 Sport Design awhile back in the summer. aesthetically compared to the '98, it's sure an upgrade. the best feature on the Sport Design to me was the wood steering wheel, even though they had that in the 01+ 430's. I also liked the Sport Design trunk spoiler and perforated leather seats. It also had the seat warmer option and the black chrome trunk emblems.

you're basically looking at all these options:

- SportDesign Charcoal Housing Headlights with Autoleveling
- SportDesign Trunk Spoiler
- SportDesign Black Chrome "LEXUS GS300" Trunk Emblems
- SportDesign Fender Emblem
- SportDesign Wood Wheel with E-Shift
- SportDesign Engraved Ashtray
- SportDesign Climate/Radio Dash
- SportDesign Perforated Leather Seats
- SportDesign Floor Mats
- SportDesign Suspension
- SportDesign Wood Trim
- SportDesign Shift ****
- SportDesign Rims

i bought my '03 gs300 sportdesign for 8400 and it had about 145k miles. traveled from california to arizona just to pick it up. so for the price you're getting it for, it sounds like a pretty good deal.

aneidiaz

The SD is really a nice car. Then again it's just rare color interior that changes. I don't think there's really that much of a performance difference. I wish my GS430 had the SD interior.

VIPDreamin

That's what I paid for mine with 105k on it, mine is white with black interior. Mine has some dings and the front bumper peeling though... I was willing to buy because the interior was clean and the rare color combo, I'll repaint it when i'm done modding.

YviE

iTrader: (3)

Not worth it imo. Update the interior of your 98 if you feel the need to. If the 98 is treating you well just keep it. Also the maintenance history of yours seems to be solid as opposed to the 03...

SureShot

iTrader: (1)

Go for it. Saddle interior is ****. 10k is a good price if it's clean and maintained.

saulgonza

I recently purchase my 2003 GS Sport Design black on black for $8,300 and the options they have are awesome. Can't compare to my previous 99 GS I owned before.. Go for it's a great choice and fun to drive

puff

iTrader: (4)

That was over a year ago bro.