Many have asked me. What do you think of the GS 400 vs GS 430?? My analysis.
02-19-07, 10:07 PM
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Many have asked me. What do you think of the GS 400 vs GS 430?? My analysis.
Alright everyone I've had my GS 430 for over 1/2 a year now and I can come up with a fair comparison of GS 400 vs GS 430. I am comparing;
Previous 1998 GS 400 Premium package vs 2001 GS 430 Premium package.
I just find myself at home with this car.
Here is what I have noticed.
Initial Acceleration
GS 400, with the non electrical gas pedal, throttle response is felt immediately in comparison to the GS 430. I noticed I have to brake launch more in the GS 430 when it is time to burn rubber. The GS 430 does have the electronic throttle. In reviews, the GS 430 NEVER matched the GS 400 time. I do want you all to understand we are talking about 1 tenth of a second from 0-60. In other words, YOU WILL NOT tell the difference.
Steering
On to steering feel. Lexus doesn't understand that better steering does not mean a tighter steering wheel. Compared to the GS 400, the GS 430 is heavier to turn, it is very obvious to me, from 0 to over 100mph+. It still is light to me. The steering feels on par with the "L-TUNED ECU" I did install in my old GS 400. I believe bitkahuna and RealMarty (RIP) did come to this same conclusion one Sunday over beer. I still feel disconnected compared to a harder edged car. I also like the newer steering wheel on the GS 430 compared to the GS 400.
Transmission
E-shift. I miss it. (GS 400) I mean I miss it. No its not DSG or SMG but I do miss being able to shift without having to move my hands off the steering wheel. The few times I have gate shifted in the GS 430 it has shifted as smooth as E-shift but it feels more obtrusive. I had my GS 400 trained so bad, it would shift after being in the redline. I cannot do that with my GS 430. Both trannies are silky smooth.
Highway Acceleration
Highway acceleration I notice the GS 430 is faster and I can tell the difference. Not only is it b/c of the additional 15lbs of torque (325 vs 310 in the GS 400) but PEAK POWER comes 1,000 RPM LOWER in the GS 430. So you hit your power band lower, which is great. I did take my GS 400 to the speed limiter, I have no intentions of doing it in the GS 430 and it wouldn't matter as I didn't time the GS 400.
Different Features
The GS 430 has more features compared to the GS 400 standard. Additional wood on the ashtray, the newer gauge cluster, the compass in the rearview mirror, standard HIDs and heated seats. Those latter (HID's and heated seats) were optional on the GS 400. The GS 430 also have steering wheel mounted controls for the radio (I actually use) and the radio shows what songs are playing, the GS 400 it did not do that.
Looks
As for looks, they are pretty much indentical. I do like the more prominant grill of the GS 430 to the GS 400. I also like the newer tails on the GS 430 compared to the GS 400. The 5 spoke wheels are identical. (Lexus changed to new 7 spoke 17" wheels on the GS 430 from 2003-2005). My GS 430 also has green tinted headlights, the GS 400 did not. Also the GS 430 exhaust tips are larger in diameter than the GS 400 tips.
GS 400 top vs GS 430 Grill, note stock grills are black not chrome like these
Mods
I have the TRD STB on both cars, with the GS 400 I could KEEP on the engine cover, for the GS 430, the engine cover had to come off. Otherwise, everything that fits on the GS 400 pretty much fits on the GS 430.
Previous 1998 GS 400 Premium package vs 2001 GS 430 Premium package.
I just find myself at home with this car.
Here is what I have noticed.Initial Acceleration
GS 400, with the non electrical gas pedal, throttle response is felt immediately in comparison to the GS 430. I noticed I have to brake launch more in the GS 430 when it is time to burn rubber. The GS 430 does have the electronic throttle. In reviews, the GS 430 NEVER matched the GS 400 time. I do want you all to understand we are talking about 1 tenth of a second from 0-60. In other words, YOU WILL NOT tell the difference.
Steering
On to steering feel. Lexus doesn't understand that better steering does not mean a tighter steering wheel. Compared to the GS 400, the GS 430 is heavier to turn, it is very obvious to me, from 0 to over 100mph+. It still is light to me. The steering feels on par with the "L-TUNED ECU" I did install in my old GS 400. I believe bitkahuna and RealMarty (RIP) did come to this same conclusion one Sunday over beer.
I still feel disconnected compared to a harder edged car. I also like the newer steering wheel on the GS 430 compared to the GS 400.Transmission
E-shift. I miss it. (GS 400) I mean I miss it. No its not DSG or SMG but I do miss being able to shift without having to move my hands off the steering wheel. The few times I have gate shifted in the GS 430 it has shifted as smooth as E-shift but it feels more obtrusive. I had my GS 400 trained so bad, it would shift after being in the redline. I cannot do that with my GS 430. Both trannies are silky smooth.
Highway Acceleration
Highway acceleration I notice the GS 430 is faster and I can tell the difference. Not only is it b/c of the additional 15lbs of torque (325 vs 310 in the GS 400) but PEAK POWER comes 1,000 RPM LOWER in the GS 430. So you hit your power band lower, which is great. I did take my GS 400 to the speed limiter, I have no intentions of doing it in the GS 430 and it wouldn't matter as I didn't time the GS 400.
Different Features
The GS 430 has more features compared to the GS 400 standard. Additional wood on the ashtray, the newer gauge cluster, the compass in the rearview mirror, standard HIDs and heated seats. Those latter (HID's and heated seats) were optional on the GS 400. The GS 430 also have steering wheel mounted controls for the radio (I actually use) and the radio shows what songs are playing, the GS 400 it did not do that.
Looks
As for looks, they are pretty much indentical. I do like the more prominant grill of the GS 430 to the GS 400. I also like the newer tails on the GS 430 compared to the GS 400. The 5 spoke wheels are identical. (Lexus changed to new 7 spoke 17" wheels on the GS 430 from 2003-2005). My GS 430 also has green tinted headlights, the GS 400 did not. Also the GS 430 exhaust tips are larger in diameter than the GS 400 tips.
GS 400 top vs GS 430 Grill, note stock grills are black not chrome like these
Mods
I have the TRD STB on both cars, with the GS 400 I could KEEP on the engine cover, for the GS 430, the engine cover had to come off. Otherwise, everything that fits on the GS 400 pretty much fits on the GS 430.
Last edited by LexFather; 02-19-07 at 10:23 PM.
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RikiHernan (12-24-20)
02-19-07, 10:09 PM
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GS 400
GS 430
Notice the grill change and you can see the greenish tint on the GS 430. Those are the stock 16" wheels on the GS 430, the 17" 5 spokes are identical to the ones on the GS 400 above.
The 17" option was a no joke $215 upgrade at the time of purchase. If you got chrome, it added another $1000 to the price.
GS 430
Notice the grill change and you can see the greenish tint on the GS 430. Those are the stock 16" wheels on the GS 430, the 17" 5 spokes are identical to the ones on the GS 400 above.
The 17" option was a no joke $215 upgrade at the time of purchase. If you got chrome, it added another $1000 to the price.
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RikiHernan (12-24-20)
02-19-07, 10:37 PM
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GS 400 interior
GS 430 interior
**Note** the MAJORITY of GS 430s have the optional wood steering wheels seen below. There was NEVER a wood wheel option on the GS 400.
If you look around the center console, you can see the CHROME SURROUND on the 01+ GS that the 98-00 models lacked. 4 years ago, we could buy that part separate for $15 but now you cannot.
GS 430 interior
**Note** the MAJORITY of GS 430s have the optional wood steering wheels seen below. There was NEVER a wood wheel option on the GS 400.
If you look around the center console, you can see the CHROME SURROUND on the 01+ GS that the 98-00 models lacked. 4 years ago, we could buy that part separate for $15 but now you cannot.
Last edited by LexFather; 02-19-07 at 10:50 PM.
02-19-07, 10:47 PM
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very nice writeup!
Seeing the minimal differences in the model makes me really glad that I have a 98 GS3 - most people can't tell if it's a 98 or a 2005 besides the wheels (which are now MRR 18's) and the tails (going with 01+ anyways!)
Personally though, I'm a sucker for the 5-spoke wheels over the 7-spoke.
Seeing the minimal differences in the model makes me really glad that I have a 98 GS3 - most people can't tell if it's a 98 or a 2005 besides the wheels (which are now MRR 18's) and the tails (going with 01+ anyways!)
Personally though, I'm a sucker for the 5-spoke wheels over the 7-spoke.
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02-19-07, 10:49 PM
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very nice writeup!
Seeing the minimal differences in the model makes me really glad that I have a 98 GS3 - most people can't tell if it's a 98 or a 2005 besides the wheels (which are now MRR 18's) and the tails (going with 01+ anyways!)
Personally though, I'm a sucker for the 5-spoke wheels over the 7-spoke.
Seeing the minimal differences in the model makes me really glad that I have a 98 GS3 - most people can't tell if it's a 98 or a 2005 besides the wheels (which are now MRR 18's) and the tails (going with 01+ anyways!)
Personally though, I'm a sucker for the 5-spoke wheels over the 7-spoke.
02-19-07, 10:51 PM
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02-20-07, 07:19 AM
#15
wow, Mike we should sticky this thread and than just add the same info you just did for a gs300 than anytime some asks that age old question we just link them this thread with all this info to make it easy for them to choose..