My official (belated) CL Intro
12-31-09, 04:32 PM
#1
My official (belated) CL Intro
Hey all,
Just wanted to introduce myself as a new member of Club Lexus and new Lexus GS300 owner. I discovered this site a few weeks ago and have already started a few threads, but in hind-sight felt like I was barging in by not posting an intro, so here it is belated style.
As a new CL member, I've already reaped the benefits of this cool site! First I was able to score a nearly impossible to find center cap for my 18 inch OZ Salinas wheels (thanks ZippyCar!), and then I was able to quickly sell my L-Tuned style grille! Needless to say, this is my new favorite website.
A little bit about me & my car - I'm 32 yrs old and live up in snowy MA about 30 min south of Boston. I had been driving around in a 98 Ford Taurus for the past 4 years that I bought for $700 with around 70k miles. A friend of mine works at a car auction where new car dealers sell their trade-ins to used car dealers. Through that connection, I am able to buy cars from time to time for personal use at wholesale pricing. I've owned about 10-12 cars in my lifetime(all pre-owned), and all of which I purchased from new car dealers who are willing to sell to me at a low price (above their cost) but possibly below what it would sell for if it was run through the block. I've never paid more than $3500 for any of the cars, with the exception of my wife's 06 Quest.
Near the end of this past summer I went scouring the auction for cars that were coming up in the weekly sale. I couldn't take another day in the 98 Taurus! I have to pay $$ cash or find an outside loan for any car I purchase through here, so I was looking in the $4000-$6000 range.
I stumbled across a sweet looking GS300 which I was certain was way out of my price range. But, I asked around and found out the dealer only owned it for about $5k. After asking about the car for a couple weeks and praying they'd agree to sell to me, just prior to the car running through the auction they let it go to me for $6k!!
The car is Millenium Silver, L-Tuned version (18 inch OZ Salinas rims(which need work), staggered wheels, tint, spoiler) and only 62k miles/one owner (from FL!!). I immediately had to put new brakes/rotors on all 4 which I was able to pickup on Ebay for $200 from R1 Concepts. I went with drilled/slotted rotors and metallic pads which I've been very pleased with and the price was fantastic.
Recently I picked up a Chrome Grille on Ebay for $230 which matches nicely with the chrome trim on the car. I really like the look and best of all was able to sell my old L-Tuned grille to recoup some of the $$. I also recently purchased a 4100k HID kit from Xenon Depot that just arrived a few days ago. I'm hoping to install this weekend into stock headlight housings hoping the glare will be mimimal and give me better lighting, atleast for now.
As for future mods I definitely want to replace most of main interior bulbs with LED's and would like some LED tail lights. I'll also need to upgrade my high beams and city lights, but waiting to get my HIDs in before I do those. My radio is acting up, changing channels for no apparent reason so that will need to be a future updgrade as well.
Also thought I'd mention, about 5 weeks ago I was rear-ended in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the hwy. The damage was minimal (small crack in light, cracks on side of bumper) but the insurance co. gave me $1250. I've yet to fix the bumper because a full replace is going to cost a good $750-$900. I'm hoping I can get someone to fix the existing bumper with some work for a few hundo's. It appears the bumper had previous work done to it b/c I can see some plastic in the crack. For now, I am using some of that $1250 for other mods I mentioned above.
Anyway - thought I'd write this up & wish all a Happy New Years. Look forward to chattin with you.
Just wanted to introduce myself as a new member of Club Lexus and new Lexus GS300 owner. I discovered this site a few weeks ago and have already started a few threads, but in hind-sight felt like I was barging in by not posting an intro, so here it is belated style.
As a new CL member, I've already reaped the benefits of this cool site! First I was able to score a nearly impossible to find center cap for my 18 inch OZ Salinas wheels (thanks ZippyCar!), and then I was able to quickly sell my L-Tuned style grille! Needless to say, this is my new favorite website.
A little bit about me & my car - I'm 32 yrs old and live up in snowy MA about 30 min south of Boston. I had been driving around in a 98 Ford Taurus for the past 4 years that I bought for $700 with around 70k miles. A friend of mine works at a car auction where new car dealers sell their trade-ins to used car dealers. Through that connection, I am able to buy cars from time to time for personal use at wholesale pricing. I've owned about 10-12 cars in my lifetime(all pre-owned), and all of which I purchased from new car dealers who are willing to sell to me at a low price (above their cost) but possibly below what it would sell for if it was run through the block. I've never paid more than $3500 for any of the cars, with the exception of my wife's 06 Quest.
Near the end of this past summer I went scouring the auction for cars that were coming up in the weekly sale. I couldn't take another day in the 98 Taurus! I have to pay $$ cash or find an outside loan for any car I purchase through here, so I was looking in the $4000-$6000 range.
I stumbled across a sweet looking GS300 which I was certain was way out of my price range. But, I asked around and found out the dealer only owned it for about $5k. After asking about the car for a couple weeks and praying they'd agree to sell to me, just prior to the car running through the auction they let it go to me for $6k!!
The car is Millenium Silver, L-Tuned version (18 inch OZ Salinas rims(which need work), staggered wheels, tint, spoiler) and only 62k miles/one owner (from FL!!). I immediately had to put new brakes/rotors on all 4 which I was able to pickup on Ebay for $200 from R1 Concepts. I went with drilled/slotted rotors and metallic pads which I've been very pleased with and the price was fantastic.
Recently I picked up a Chrome Grille on Ebay for $230 which matches nicely with the chrome trim on the car. I really like the look and best of all was able to sell my old L-Tuned grille to recoup some of the $$. I also recently purchased a 4100k HID kit from Xenon Depot that just arrived a few days ago. I'm hoping to install this weekend into stock headlight housings hoping the glare will be mimimal and give me better lighting, atleast for now.
As for future mods I definitely want to replace most of main interior bulbs with LED's and would like some LED tail lights. I'll also need to upgrade my high beams and city lights, but waiting to get my HIDs in before I do those. My radio is acting up, changing channels for no apparent reason so that will need to be a future updgrade as well.
Also thought I'd mention, about 5 weeks ago I was rear-ended in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the hwy. The damage was minimal (small crack in light, cracks on side of bumper) but the insurance co. gave me $1250. I've yet to fix the bumper because a full replace is going to cost a good $750-$900. I'm hoping I can get someone to fix the existing bumper with some work for a few hundo's. It appears the bumper had previous work done to it b/c I can see some plastic in the crack. For now, I am using some of that $1250 for other mods I mentioned above.
Anyway - thought I'd write this up & wish all a Happy New Years. Look forward to chattin with you.
but yes. 
and L-tuned mods at that.. 