fusionrx

Hi All,

New to the forum, but not the Car forum world.

Prior Saab 9-5 owner (2 of them, what money pits!), but love the 'performance' with the Euro sportiness, hated the constant problems.

Now drive a family hauler (07 Honda Odyssey EX), and looking to add a second car to our fleet.

Most of the main family duties will still be completed by the Minivan, but need the second car for the times when we need to split off and do different things. We are in the Twin Cities Metro area, also known as road salt central during the winter and Pothole Town right now.

Oh yeah, and the other issue: Height. At 6'9" I don't easily fit in much, so what car do I actually stand a chance of driving in and not having to fold myself into a small ball?

I'm looking at getting into the Lexus world since I want a reliable second car. Higher mileage (100k+) is fine, but I want to be aware of what is a good price.

Searching online has lead me to a few GS430's and a LS430 or two, mostly around the 1999-2003 range. They all seem to sit around the $9000 mark. Is this a reasonable amount for these cars? I will travel to get one, but need to know what to look for.

There is one GS430 a few hours away that looks very clean. Only issue the guy reports is an issue with the door actuator, which I have already seen the DIY fix for (thats how I found you guys). Otherwise, 150k miles and loaded. Thoughts on a reasonable price? He's asking $8k.

Outside of the looks, what is the main difference? Performance? Quality? Looking to keep it stock, nothing crazy, like stancing or anything.. With the potholes here, stock wheels are gonna stay on as I'd bust nice rims in a second... (family friend hit a pothole last month, sheared a motor mount, busted axle, rim, tire... seriously, off of one pothole at 45mph!)

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

There some great deals on GS400's and LS430 in our very own Lexus vehicle classifieds.. Welcome to the forums BTW....

repugnante

If you can, opt for the 2005+ LS430

Lmcqueen

We had a member here posting not too long ago, that he couldn't fit into a GS and got an LS... or something like that. I remember he said he's 6'5", and all torso etc... I'm 5'9", and I have the seat on my GS all the way back, and set it to lowest position it'll go, and I don't have the *gansta driving position so being 6'9", you may have a bit of issues fitting in the GS.

The GS does have couple of minor issues as all cars do, but I had mine for couple of years, and I love my GS.

SaiyanGS3

iTrader: (8)

6'9? No way I would go with a GS. You will be cramped. I'm 6'3 and have issues once I'm in. No body can sit behind me

repugnante

The GS is actually pretty cramped. I'm over 6'4 and my seat is usually pretty far back. I can't have four of my friends sit in it comfortably (we are all former athletes and are above 6'3). Even some ladies can't sit behind me in the GS without me moving the seat up for them which puts me in an awkward driving position. At 6'9 I would go for the LS.

1QWKGS4

iTrader: (3)

GS actually has more legroom than the LS, but the LS has more headroom..

fusionrx

I appreciate the feedback. At 6'9" (pretty even, not all leg or all torso)

I don't fit in much comfortably (even the Saabs were limited with the rear seat space). But to give a frame of reference, I did drive my MIL's 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer ES (not evo) (manual) for a while. It was a tight fit and no one can sit behind me. I was tempted to do the Hightower (PoliceAcademy) thing and pull out the front seat and drive from the rear

If all the family rides in it (which is a possibility), I have a 5'10" wife, a 5ft tall 10year old, and a 4'9" 7 year old. Might be cramped... ?

So, if I hear right the LS line is better to consider. LS 400 or LS 430 a better fit? I love the front end styling of the GS, so I'm sad I can't get the double eye look.

fusionrx

Just as a find, there is a 2000 LS 400 here with only 36, 000 miles on it. they are asking 16400, which seems like a lot (plus out of my price range).

Maybe someone here would like a cherry LS400?

raytseng

You should not consider a 10+ year old used car if reliability is one of your top considerations.

fusionrx

Reliability varies between brand to brand...

10 years old with 150K on a honda, toyota (and their luxury equivalents) would trump a 10 year old Euro/American vehicle with the same mileage...

gsbs300

Yea I would think that at 6'9 you would not be very comfortable in the Gs.however my little sister has a lancer and it seems even smaller inside than the Gs.
And in my experience I have never had 4 people in my Gs comfortably regardless of height.(your family is tall!) lol
I would for sure go for the ls430 if I were you.

fusionrx

A bit easier to find GS430 in my price range vs. the LS430. (sub 10k).

Lukas99GS

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/cto/4388072432.html

I also live in the twin cities, I've been eyeing this, but don't have the money, best color combo in my opinion

fusionrx

Yep, that is the one I have been considering as well.

The door actuator issue is present on that one though so would need to be remedied. Clean otherwise.

This is the LS430 I've been considering as well....
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...423404186.html