The 2GS, a future classic?
#76
Lexus Champion
Yeah I think any sort of classic car usually has a lengthy pedigree before it becomes stuck in peoples imaginations. Hard to say what would happen in twenty years. From a production standpoint, they certainly didn't sell as many of these as their competition sold theirs.
The first gen Guigiaro design's a possibility because of its Italian lines. It was just different from everything else at the time.
The first gen Guigiaro design's a possibility because of its Italian lines. It was just different from everything else at the time.
#77
Racer
iTrader: (8)
Exactly... Give it 20 Years and it will SURELY BE A CLASSIC. Isn't that what classic is??? Staying tough and running thru time? Or is classic just an "image" of a big engine car made 40 years ago? To me, classic means Greatly engineered and built to last thru time. That my friend is CLASSIC.
#78
I have a 2000 white 2gs and its now 14 years old..for me my gs is a classic for sure and in excellent..sorry dnt have a pic now..best car I ever bought and I love the design and power of it..I will never sell..my favorite car ever..im glad to b a 2gs pearl white JDM owner.
#79
5% Club. Killing it!!!
iTrader: (15)
I have a 2000 white 2gs and its now 14 years old..for me my gs is a classic for sure and in excellent..sorry dnt have a pic now..best car I ever bought and I love the design and power of it..I will never sell..my favorite car ever..im glad to b a 2gs pearl white JDM owner.
#80
I have a price I would part with my GS300 for, but its definitely a premium price. No reason to get rid of the car. Its too good.
#84
Lexus Test Driver
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Hmmm... as much as I love my GS430, I couldn't possibly look at it, then go look at a 240Z, 300ZX, Supra, GNX, 64 Impala, or any current vehicle I would consider a classic and compare them. A great car, most definitely. A classic, no; maybe I'll look back in 20-30 years and have changed my mind.
#85
Lexus Champion
The 2GS would have had to be outrageously different from its competition to stand out and become a classic. Classic at this point means a 30 year old car. Maybe it's still possible but I don't see that happening.
How many cars from 1984 or so, particularly Japanese sedans stand out enough to earn that status?
The 2GS never shows up on any of the classic or collector car lists and won't, even ten years from now. It was an expensive car playing in a very competitive field of cars in 1998. It's a desirable car in a niche market but that's about it.
How many cars from 1984 or so, particularly Japanese sedans stand out enough to earn that status?
The 2GS never shows up on any of the classic or collector car lists and won't, even ten years from now. It was an expensive car playing in a very competitive field of cars in 1998. It's a desirable car in a niche market but that's about it.
#86
Lead Lap
iTrader: (2)
I think some of it has to do with a bias against Japanese cars that some people had in the past and may still have. Japanese classic car shows have tons of nice cars that aren't on a lot of collector's lists.
Some of the American classic cars aren't cars that necessarily stood out but are simply cars people loved when they were young.
I think 30 years from now there will be some guys in their 50's that will look back at that 2GS, LS400's, or other Japanese cars, that they drove in their 20's and regret selling and want to buy another one.
Rich guys in their 40's/50's are generally what drives the classic/vintage car market. If it does ever happen it will be a LONG time from now.
Some of the American classic cars aren't cars that necessarily stood out but are simply cars people loved when they were young.
I think 30 years from now there will be some guys in their 50's that will look back at that 2GS, LS400's, or other Japanese cars, that they drove in their 20's and regret selling and want to buy another one.
Rich guys in their 40's/50's are generally what drives the classic/vintage car market. If it does ever happen it will be a LONG time from now.
#87
Pole Position
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I completely agree with your post and feel so supporting as I remember when the GS400 was a Concept car and how it was at that time had the most Technologically advance powertrain in the world. I had a '98 Corvette and a '98 Maxima at the time. Everyone thought i was crazy for selling my Vette and trading my Maxima for a 1999 GS400.. What I wanted was a Corvette's power in a comfortable and reliable Luxury Sedan, the best of both worlds..and I never looked back...!
Regardless, if the GS400/430/300 will make it into some Hall of Fame of Classic cars, I personally will stand by my GS for as long as I live (true commitment of how i much i love the 2GS)
As of today, my 1999 GS400 bought in January of 1999 is my all time favorite car, performance wise it has exceeded my expectations and i've had alot of fun modding it for the last 11 years - she's my baby.. Recently i picked up a rare '05 GS430, 1 of 422 GS430's made in the last year of the 2GS!!
Those that know me, know i go thru cars like under wear, i don't usually keep any one car more than 10 months, 2 years being maximum.. All my friends are amazed I've had my '99 GS400 for almost 12 years while going thru 6 other cars in the last 7 yrs while steadily keeping my 400 and i'm not tired of looking at her as she has the most beautiful body style in a 4 door sedan bar-none..
Now that i have 2 of them now, A 430 and my 400. I'm on cloud nine..!! I don't really have to worry about buying another car for a long time unless i want a toy.. but truly my pair of 2GS's are my heart and soul of cars..
Regardless, if the GS400/430/300 will make it into some Hall of Fame of Classic cars, I personally will stand by my GS for as long as I live (true commitment of how i much i love the 2GS)
As of today, my 1999 GS400 bought in January of 1999 is my all time favorite car, performance wise it has exceeded my expectations and i've had alot of fun modding it for the last 11 years - she's my baby.. Recently i picked up a rare '05 GS430, 1 of 422 GS430's made in the last year of the 2GS!!
Those that know me, know i go thru cars like under wear, i don't usually keep any one car more than 10 months, 2 years being maximum.. All my friends are amazed I've had my '99 GS400 for almost 12 years while going thru 6 other cars in the last 7 yrs while steadily keeping my 400 and i'm not tired of looking at her as she has the most beautiful body style in a 4 door sedan bar-none..
Now that i have 2 of them now, A 430 and my 400. I'm on cloud nine..!! I don't really have to worry about buying another car for a long time unless i want a toy.. but truly my pair of 2GS's are my heart and soul of cars..
#88
Pole Position
iTrader: (3)
since you have both, just wondering what your thoughts are on which one is better the 400/430. What feels faster and what do you prefer to drive. I drove the 400 and it feels more powerful and responsive yet the 430 feels more refined like the LS. I was going to get the 400 but the steering wheel controls for the radio sold me on the 430
GS400 is faster and feels faster.. the GS430 has more torque but it has a different powerband, the 430 is easily to get up to speed without reving high so it has a more relax style while getting up to speed fast, I've own an LS430 and my GS430 feel like a LS in a GS body.. More refined but kinda Numb feeling compared to the GS400.
The 400 will rocket into redline as soon as your throttle goes past 45%, its a higher revving engine and its happy to take you there. Personally, i love the more responsive GS400. IMO, its the Best GS of all time.
The 430 is a fast, ultra refined luxury GS. Equally as quick as the GS400 but the feel is more luxury and refinement. Not to say the GS400 isn't luxurious, its just the GS430 is tuned to feel differently..
GS400 = people that like to drive hard, its a racer.. It very easy to go fast, you think, and its gone..
GS430 = equally as fast but has a more mellow toned down throttle & shifting program, to me its a cruiser that can get going if you need it to..
I do like the Steering wheel controls in my GS430 too but i'm so used to it not being there in my 400, i hardly use it.. lol
#89
Pole Position
iTrader: (3)
I'm not sure if i can answer "Which one is better fairly", since they are both really different in feel and drivability. It depends on what you want in your car or what your driving style is..
GS400 is faster and feels faster.. the GS430 has more torque but it has a different powerband, the 430 is easily to get up to speed without reving high so it has a more relax style while getting up to speed fast, I've own an LS430 and my GS430 feel like a LS in a GS body.. More refined but kinda Numb feeling compared to the GS400.
The 400 will rocket into redline as soon as your throttle goes past 45%, its a higher revving engine and its happy to take you there. Personally, i love the more responsive GS400. IMO, its the Best GS of all time.
The 430 is a fast, ultra refined luxury GS. Equally as quick as the GS400 but the feel is more luxury and refinement. Not to say the GS400 isn't luxurious, its just the GS430 is tuned to feel differently..
GS400 = people that like to drive hard, its a racer.. It very easy to go fast, you think, and its gone..
GS430 = equally as fast but has a more mellow toned down throttle & shifting program, to me its a cruiser that can get going if you need it to..
I do like the Steering wheel controls in my GS430 too but i'm so used to it not being there in my 400, i hardly use it.. lol
GS400 is faster and feels faster.. the GS430 has more torque but it has a different powerband, the 430 is easily to get up to speed without reving high so it has a more relax style while getting up to speed fast, I've own an LS430 and my GS430 feel like a LS in a GS body.. More refined but kinda Numb feeling compared to the GS400.
The 400 will rocket into redline as soon as your throttle goes past 45%, its a higher revving engine and its happy to take you there. Personally, i love the more responsive GS400. IMO, its the Best GS of all time.
The 430 is a fast, ultra refined luxury GS. Equally as quick as the GS400 but the feel is more luxury and refinement. Not to say the GS400 isn't luxurious, its just the GS430 is tuned to feel differently..
GS400 = people that like to drive hard, its a racer.. It very easy to go fast, you think, and its gone..
GS430 = equally as fast but has a more mellow toned down throttle & shifting program, to me its a cruiser that can get going if you need it to..
I do like the Steering wheel controls in my GS430 too but i'm so used to it not being there in my 400, i hardly use it.. lol
Never drove a GS430 so this makes me feel better about having the 400. Nice to hear you're sticking with them after all these years.
#90
Pole Position
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Damn makes me want a 400 now but I can't live without the wheel controls. The 400 really is a masterpiece. If only the 400 had the steering wheel controls and ac seats no one would ever need a new car. I wish I could find a clean 400 so I can have both haha