micnn

My gs300 was totaled (rear ended, driver was high on something... basically not my fault ). I then upgraded to gs430 that I've been driving for years. Both are 2nd gen and stock. In my experience the gs430's 0-60 is definitely faster but it lacks the sporty feeling of gs300. On highway gs430's millage is better but difference is subtle (23 vs 25, give or take). I would say GS300 was more fun to drive and more responsive to my occasional heavy foot. On gs430 I had to turn on power drive and turn off vsc and it still feels as if car was in a constant state of hesitation. Basically Gs300 purrrrrr while gs430 hummmmmm....

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Gearing makes a big difference in mpg as well. GS 300 has a more aggressive gear which will cause it to constantly drive at a higher rpm vs the v8 models. From memory (often faulty) I think gs300 has a 3.91 gear vs the 3.23 in the gs430

That's also a factor in the sporty feel noted above

gsbs300

I don't know much about gearing.but that's a pretty significant difference right?

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Yes it's significant.

Think of the gear ratio as torque multiplication. A 3.91 gear ratio multiplies the torque of the engine by 3.91 times and provides more force at the tire contact patch. 3.91 provides better acceleration, while the 3.23 provides a higher top end and better mpg.

If you put the gs300 gearing in a gs400/430 you'd easily smoke the drive wheel up at launch

GeorgeGS4

Which is also why the 400/430's turn into TOTALLY different cars with a higher stall torque converter too

On a side note, I used to get 15-16 mpg's on my 430. I used to turn PWR on and off depending on how I felt like driving at the time. I recently pulled the ecu fuse and drove it hard leaving it in PWR mode. Mileage since has been a constant 18-19 mpgs and shifts much better/more consistant. I am NEVER on highway either, all back roads.

To anyone getting low gas mileage, you may want to try that

TigerBrand

Can you explain what this does?

repugnante

Remove the ecu fuse and no CEL??

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

He means pulling it to reset the ECU to factory settings, not leaving it out

MattyG

Yeah they definitely put a lot of Novacaine into the GS430. They're heavy cars and Lexus engineers thought that people who drove them didn't really want the sensations of performance. Strange, it was their only real performance car at the time.

Those 0-60 times are optimistic... not that they're far off. These cars don't give you the feeling of speed, they don't give you anything really. It's the main criticism against them.

Depending on the day and road conditions, I put mine in power mode, tcs off and keep it in 4th gear or lower in stop and go driving. Still not engaging, no real road feel. A much better highway cruiser at speed.

ChukStakes

Yeah I agree with the power to weight ratio. I've driven both a 2004 gs300 and gs430 (my DD) and there are totally different. The gs300 is peppy but when you need to pass someone or get on the highway you know it, where as the more mellow gs430 gets there with ease but leaves much to be desired in the sporty feel. I am not by no means an expert but in my experience the gs430 dogs it in first gear but get to second or drop down in to second hard it feels like you're in a rocket compared to the gs300. I had my gs430 in at the dealership and they gave me a loaner car. I think it was. 2010 or 2011 IS250 and while I had it I missed my gs430 V8. But when I got my GS back I found myself longing for the IS V6 peppiness. I guess it's preference. But I love my gs430

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

GS430 = Low end torque = fun city driving.

Very much waiting for a TT V8 or high performance TT V6 from Lexus to shock the GS back in the sports car lineup like it did in 1998.