Picked up a 1999 GS400
11-03-13, 01:56 PM
#1
Picked up a 1999 GS400
I was casually looking for a GS400, but as you know, the ones that are for sale have high miles. I have an E39 that has about 150K on it right now. Love the car, but was wanting to get something with a v8 and less miles.
Well, last week I was cruising Autotrader and found a good prospect. It was 250 miles away from me, but I called anyway and found out the owner had bought the car almost new in 99. It had 3000 miles on it when he picked it up. Apparently the lady that originally bought the car felt it was too much car and traded it in for a different Lexus. The PO bought it and kept it since then. All maintenance was done at the Lexus dealer, so I called our Lexus dealer and talked with our service advisor (the wife has an 08 GS350) and was able to get the whole service history on the car! Additionally, it was owned by a non smoker (a big +) and it had 79K on the clock!!
I was making arrangements to drive over on Saturday, but the PO emailed me and said someone local wanted to buy it and was coming over to look at it Friday night. Ok, I figured this guy was going to buy it and I would have to keep looking. Well, the PO called me Friday morning and said the guy wasn't coming and if I wanted to drive over, he would hold it for me.
Its now at my house. It drove like a dream those 250 miles following my wife home. I guess I got lucky, detailed maintenance records, almost new Michelin Pilot tires and a non smoking car in a very nice color. The ONLY thing that doesn't work is the passenger front lock won't unlock with the remote, you have to do it manually. Oh, one last thing, it has the Nakamichi stereo.
Well, last week I was cruising Autotrader and found a good prospect. It was 250 miles away from me, but I called anyway and found out the owner had bought the car almost new in 99. It had 3000 miles on it when he picked it up. Apparently the lady that originally bought the car felt it was too much car and traded it in for a different Lexus. The PO bought it and kept it since then. All maintenance was done at the Lexus dealer, so I called our Lexus dealer and talked with our service advisor (the wife has an 08 GS350) and was able to get the whole service history on the car! Additionally, it was owned by a non smoker (a big +) and it had 79K on the clock!!
I was making arrangements to drive over on Saturday, but the PO emailed me and said someone local wanted to buy it and was coming over to look at it Friday night. Ok, I figured this guy was going to buy it and I would have to keep looking. Well, the PO called me Friday morning and said the guy wasn't coming and if I wanted to drive over, he would hold it for me.
Its now at my house. It drove like a dream those 250 miles following my wife home. I guess I got lucky, detailed maintenance records, almost new Michelin Pilot tires and a non smoking car in a very nice color. The ONLY thing that doesn't work is the passenger front lock won't unlock with the remote, you have to do it manually. Oh, one last thing, it has the Nakamichi stereo.
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11-04-13, 03:54 AM
#12
North Alabama. Huntsville specifically.
I appreciate everyone's input and suggestions! I've got to get it registered this week. There is not much I need to do immediately to the car other than maybe fix the door lock actuator. I'll look up the DIY on how to do this. I did a little cleanup on the interior yesterday, like conditioning the seats, but they were near perfect in the first place.
I noticed the floor mats are darker than the interior. I have the cream colored interior. I may get new mats or attempt to clean the ones I have, I just don't understand why they are darker than the rest of the interior.
Glad to be part of the Gen II community...
I appreciate everyone's input and suggestions! I've got to get it registered this week. There is not much I need to do immediately to the car other than maybe fix the door lock actuator. I'll look up the DIY on how to do this. I did a little cleanup on the interior yesterday, like conditioning the seats, but they were near perfect in the first place.
I noticed the floor mats are darker than the interior. I have the cream colored interior. I may get new mats or attempt to clean the ones I have, I just don't understand why they are darker than the rest of the interior.
Glad to be part of the Gen II community...
11-04-13, 10:42 PM
#13
Cool, I have family in your neck of the woods. I'm down south in Montgomery area when i'm in AL..You really found a Gem, these cars age very well if taken cared for. The cream interior came with the Olive color floor mats, I have them in my Ivory Interior GS430, and had the same in my Ecru Interior LS430. Though, I have seen the Cream floor mats also. I think depends on what pkg the car came with? (I think, car with certain Luxury pkg get the Olive Floor mats as an Interior upgrade) but other non-luxury pkg gets the standard Tan Floor mat, is my guess. I always had the same question..
11-05-13, 03:54 AM
#15
Cool, I have family in your neck of the woods. I'm down south in Montgomery area when i'm in AL..You really found a Gem, these cars age very well if taken cared for. The cream interior came with the Olive color floor mats, I have them in my Ivory Interior GS430, and had the same in my Ecru Interior LS430. Though, I have seen the Cream floor mats also. I think depends on what pkg the car came with? (I think, car with certain Luxury pkg get the Olive Floor mats as an Interior upgrade) but other non-luxury pkg gets the standard Tan Floor mat, is my guess. I always had the same question..