RXGS

iTrader: (2)

So as some of you may know/ not know/ don't care, I was really close to trading my 2002 GS300 SD with 111K miles in. After a little discussion on here, I decided against it and to just do the work.
I already replaced the front struts, UCA, LCA, ball joints, swaybar bushings and links, steering rack bushings, and pads/ rotor, all with KYB, MOOG, OR Toyota parts to the tune of close to $1,000 for everything (I really need to emphasize the point to not cheap out on parts, its not worth it). While I didn't have any vibrations, it began to have a small clunk and ride pretty terrible. So I decided to do the inner/outer tie rods, rear struts, just get it all done. So this is how it broke down;

$120 for inner/outer MOOG tie rods
$20 for prothane rear swaybar bushings
$80 for KYB rear struts
$330 to put it all in
$100 for an alignment at the Lexus dealer.

I now remember why I bought the GS in the first place, it really does drive like a brand new car. I got the car at 50k miles, relatively low miles, and it drives a lot better than compared to even then. Basically to sum this rant up, just replace it all, everything, and do it all at once if you can. Even if there isn't a clunk or a vibration/shimmy (my car didn't) just replace it. You'll enjoy your GS again, at least I did.

JLAWS

Yeah and you were going to get an early 2000+ SL500? You are good for another 80 to 100K miles now! No choice but to keep it now.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I'll be honest, SL500 isn't out of the question. Undergrad is paid off, and I've saved enough to pay off the first two years of law school, so a nice Mercedes convertible in the next few years isn't that unreasonable ha.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

seems that everything worked out and your happy again... you pretty close on trading it....

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I had another car lined up and everything, I was starting to really hate this car.

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

I know your feeling on dropping some cash on suspension and such. People are quick to throw away a car that can be brand new if a little TLC is thrown and some $$ (which would be a FRACTION of what one would spend on a new car) and your car is brand new all over again. Of course as long as the rest of the car is in decent or great condition would decide the worth of dropping cash on it. I dont think I'd drop $1000+ on my car if it was thrashed I replaced everything you did, but the most impressive difference I found was when I replaced my inner and outer tie rods. The steering was unheard of! I cant attest too much on the suspension though cause I'm on bags and I only replaced the other parts for safety purposes, but I dont doubt the change from old to new.

lextout

I had a 93 300sl before,i loved it.
its one of those body styles that are timeless,same as the gs i must say, i added the 18inch amg's to it, hardtop/softtop/droptop roll bar, u name it.

jeepandlex

Absol-Tivley!! Wifey's 98gs is still spins like a top, sporting spark plugs and bushings from 98 lol. I'm itchin for another car because somehow my jeep became her daily grinder. But guess what I am considering....06-08 gs with 80-90k lol. I think I'd be basically buying the same car but with better interior. For the 6.25% sales tax I'd have to pay to put the newer car on the road, I figure why not dump the $700 back into Ole Bessy....

......these door locks are brand freakin new and they still dont work!!