itssr20

Whats up guys, I've been w/ the forum for a while but mostly in the SC side.

I am thinking of selling my 92 SC400 and getting a GS4. I know that the engines are nearly bulletproof (my SC has 157K), but what problems should I look out for and which years have the least problems? I'm assuming the 2000+ has less probs than the previous models but I know you guys out there know more than I do.

I'm looking to spend about 11-14k on one, so I'll be looking at GS's in the 80k-100k range.

Help me out fellas, thanks.

sleeper408

iTrader: (6)

I know what you mean by the first year or two of production for a new model having more problems than later years of the generation. I don't think this is the case with the 2GS. I have a 98' but have not had any "major" problems. I think the only recall was a yaw sensor which mine was taken care of.

Here are some basic things to look into before purchasing:

-90K service (timing belt, water pump)
-lower ball joints
-outer tie rods

I'm sure other members will chime in and add to the list, but I think those are the "major" things to check for. GL!

itssr20

Thanks for your input sleeper!

itssr20

Anything else I need to look out for?

How much should I pay for a GS4 w/ roughly 100k in southern CA?

VipDout

iTrader: (4)

Well I paid 13500 for a GS400 Febuary last yr ... with 124k on it

Stock ...

I still think it is ,and was a great deal ... I imagine If you Kbb.com one out you will find al the ins and outs ...

If you get one get a model the color you want in and out and NAV ! haha I should have nav or jus wait and upgrade later

When you get yours might have to change motor mounts on it ... esp with around that many miles on it ... mines at 136900 and now time to change it

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Damn your car was a better deal than mine. I bought my 1999 GS400 (blk/blk) for $13500 with 125k miles last february too

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Oh yea..If you get a 98-00, watch out for the starter. They've been known to die out prematurely around 100k miles. Mine died two weeks after I bought my car. The contact bushings inside were gone. The part is cheap, but I went ahead and bought myself a new starter for the peace of mind.

itssr20

How can you tell if your motor mounts are going? - vibration?

Was the starter difficult to change out?

I'm still wrestling w/ either getting the GS3 or Gs4, the GS4 mainly b/c its more reliable engine, and potentially better gas mileage.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Vibration at idle and/or you feel a solid thump when the AC compressor kicks in. You'll definitely know if you need the mounts or not.

It involves taking out the intake manifold. Its not "hard", but it is a 6 hour job. I rather change suspension than starters

Both the GS4 and GS3 engines are equally reliable. It all depends how much you want to mod your car afterwards. The GS3 has the potential for a cheaper turbo setup. The GS4 has the low end gunt, but aftermarket support for the engine is limited.

itssr20

Not lookin to mod the car so much, but rather plan on driving it daily, and tastefully modding the appearance.

I'm thinking the V8 would last longer than the inline 6 simply b/c the V8 is like two motors, so it revs less to make similar power. There are a lot more GS300 on the market, but the aforementioned is why I prefer the GS4.

Now I just need to find a clean, straight car!

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

The I6 does indeed rev higher than the V8 because of the final drive ratio, but the V8 does have more parts to wear out

In any case, both the GS3 and GS4 will last awhile.

I say go ahead with the GS4 if you're barely going to mod.

sleeper408

iTrader: (6)

Well, I am in Norcal but I don't know if the market is that much different. I bought my 98' GS400 with 85K miles, NAV, HIDs for $15,000 last June. I thought I got a pretty good deal considering the only other ones I could find at the time had higher mileage (120K+) and were only $1000-$2000 less. I am very glad that I went ahead and bought the V8 over the i-6. When initially researching the car, I found the EPA MPG figures were 1MPG or so better on the 300 vs. 400. I'll gladly take 80hp more vs. 1MPG better any day!!! Besides, I'm sure you've looked at BigBea's thread about the horrible gas mileage on his 300. If you read many of the other members' replies, you'll see that even stock GS300's are getting the same or worse fuel economy than the GS400.

If the car is going to be pretty much stock and not a hardcore FI car, definately get a GS400. The 300hp/300tq will come in handy when needed!

sbgs400

i paid 11k for my 99 with 100k miles last year, it was in excellent condition except for the highway vibration problem that is common amongst most 2gen GSs.

itssr20

What do you think about this car I'm looking at?

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/car/328511791.html

Highlights
1998 Silver
$11,900 asking price
123K miles
timing belt changed

Daynja

Looks great from the pics!!! And you can probably still talk them down...