Arcadian

Am currently driving a 2000 GS400, am thinking of moving to 3rd-gen GS. Has anyone here made the same move? What do you like better about your 3GS? What do you miss from your 2GS? Any year/model of 3GS considered more desirable than others? Is the AWD the way to go? Thanks for your opinions.

darinmg

Don't go AWD if you want to lower it. Lots of owners with vibe and wobble issues after even small lowering (1").

I have a 2007 GS430 RWD and love it. No experience with the older models.

ARISTOh

iTrader: (3)

I had a 96.GS300/98.GS400/02.GS300/02.GS430 and now a 07.GSh the only thing I miss about my 2GS' is the timeless styling, the 3GS is a beautiful car but it had to grow on me. Everything else to me seems to be an upgrade from materials to build quality to technology. The 3GS is overall a better car just not as sexy as the 2GS

ISFjimmy

iTrader: (5)

I had a 98 GS400 and I don't miss a single thing.

e-man

I had a 98 gs400 and a 99 gs400 and now an 06 gs430. I think the 3GS is much better in terms of quiet, comfort, technology. It's generally a much more refined car. That said, I do miss the 99. It had 175k miles on it when I traded it in and I loved every mile with it. Great car.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

98 gs400 to 08 gs350 (now no more)

tech is definitely better in gs350, a lot more modern and refined. way better gas mileage obviously. but space is a huge compromise (front, rear, and trunk). gs350 is better on handling but ride is smoother on the gs400. gs400 more solid and far better build quality than gs350

XxGoKoUxX

rominl hit it on the nail.... You don't see rattle problems, recalls, and the likes on a 2GS

ARISTOh

iTrader: (3)

I don't have any rattles, 2GS400 did have dash and sunroof rattle and wind noise from front doors. No recalls I would defend the 3GS Because 2GS had legendary powertrains 2JZ/1UZ/3UZ all of which we're found in many Toyota vehicles before the 2GS came around. That's like comparing Michael Jordan and Lebron James. I'm can't deny 2GS has it's advantages but the 3GS still wins the match... I don't miss any of my old cars.

Simmsled

Being from Alberta, I'd imagine that you'd be able to use the AWD. It is a good system, but as it has been said... not good for lowering.
The GS350 has more content, speed, gas mileage... but is not the proverbial 'vault' that the 2GS is known for being.

Just like the 2GS has, I believe the 3GS's styling is aging very well.

A couple things I did when I got my 3GS that I did not foresee doing were:
- Drivers side seat cushion (bottom) replacement (may have been due to previous owner being large)
- Bought the F-Sport sway bars (an absolute transformation in handling and driving pleasure with essentially NO penalty in noise/vibration/harshness... glad these were available) oh, and I have an AWD as well.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

to be fair my gs400 did have rattle as well and that car does have some common problems. just that overall build quality the 2gs is still far superior than the 3gs

mjlexus

It is amazing how we see things differently. I was never attracted to the 2GS because I think that they never got the front lights right as far as proportions go. The design also seemed to straddle between a masculine and feminine character so it would take some sort of brute force for me to think of it as sexy. On the other hand, the 3GS....smooth maschismo!!

SloGS400

iTrader: (1)

Don't wanna hijack this thread, but I'm essentially in the same boat and didn't wanna start a new thread.

I sold my GS400 two years ago before moving overseas. Been back in the US for a week and deciding on what car to buy. Looked at some Audi S5's, Mercedes CLS's, but for some reason I keep getting pulled back to CL and looking at GS's.

Loved my 2GS, but the 3GS's are growing on me after seeing a few lowered with rims.

ARISTOh

iTrader: (3)

I like my GSh......... That's all i have to say.

ISFjimmy

iTrader: (5)

My GS4 had rattles and my instrument cluster would make chirping sounds as if there was birds in there... It was strange.

vasgs4

Had a 99 GS400, 04 GS430 and now a 06 GS430. I love this car.