lazzo300

I got a lexus gs300 1995 with 132k miles. I got alot of friend telling me to put like a stack or so into it and it would be a great ride down the road.
I got a couple people tellin me that im better off just driving it for a year until it wears out. I got it for $1500 and its a nice car, with minimal body damage (provide pics later).
I really like it and want to put money into making it nicer but I need more opinions on it. I got an oil change yday and changed the spark plugs and oil filter.

Should I get more done to it? I plan on keeping it for as long as it goes, which is why Im doing basic maintence such as oil change, changing spark plug, oil filter etc..but the thing is it has a gasket oil leak, and need a little bit body work. Also the sunroof glass is cracked from the top. Other then that it runs very quietly, and drives smooth!

joewitafro

You tell us?

1) Do you like this car?

2) Do you have or want the mechanical ability to work on this car?

3) Do you want to modify this car?

4) Do you want to fix the problems currently associated with the car?

Check out some of our build threads maybe you can see our decisions LOL!

lazzo300

I do want to put money into it but it has a few problems. The Oil leak will probably run me at least 400+ but I really like the car and want to make it real nicr. What im asking is do you think itd be a waste? I got 130k miles on a 95 should last me for a while...

DJ8684

lol... I had the same debacle when I decided to really invest into the car. Obviously, you'll never get out of it what you put into it if you decide to modify and resell it. However, my car was overheating, had an oil leak somewhere, and I was finding little things that were just worn out from being 20 years old. So I could have done the cheaper route, fixed all the OEM stuff on the n/a motor, and been content. However, if we were on a forum like this, I don't feel like any of us are ever content with stock. lol.

So I went with the more expensive route and did a full 2jzgte motor swap and had all the basic maintenance done, new steering rack, a few suspension pieces all at the same time. Not only does the car drive 100x better, but it's also more unique, a joy to drive, and gives me the peace of mind knowing what has been fixed since I've owned it and not wondering how old said part is in the car. So as joewitafro said, is it worth it to you?

Frankly, I don't think if I were to go out and buy say a Scion FR-S or something equally similar that I would feel as much joy driving and modifying it. It's always more fun to be that 1 jzs147 w/ some cool mods in a sea of newer cars. just my 2 cents.

PIONEER

iTrader: (2)

Cars in the past 3-5 years have made major leaps in technology and innovation. If you can live without the safety features and the gadgetry found in today's cars, keep the car. 130K is nothing on a properly maintained car. Fix the oil leak, fix anything that would lead to a bigger problem down the road and just drive the car.

ClarkKent

If you're buying a $1500 car you're probably like the rest of us; a dollar short. My advice is to find that oil leak pronto.

Mine was a $20 oil pressure switch that is a bit of a pain to get out. You need to loosen the a/c compressor and slide it out of the way.

I would go as far as putting the dye in the oil to track the leak down.

You have all the tools you need to find the problem right here on this forum. It's the best forum I've ever been involved.

Good luck!