Stoodo

iTrader: (4)

Both of the following are around $8k

1998 LS400 100k miles, excellent condition, excellent service records.

2003 GS430 170k miles, nearly excellent condition, haven't checked into the service records just yet.

Both models are fairly loaded with everything short of nav (thankfully)

tftimm

That's a good question. I'd have to say the LS400 unless your looking to mod. I wouldn't worry about the year, especially since you have the service records, although having an extra 70K with the LS is nice, once you get above 200K, you need more maintinance.

I'd say the LS400, I don't think you'd regret it although the 430 is a quick machine with some luxury.

Good luck and let us know what you get!

sdls

Get the GS430. It's newer.

lev00221

iTrader: (28)

LS400..........Better looking car (headlights on the 2001 to 2003 LS430 are awful) and lower miles. Also, the third generation of the LS400 is the landmark first generation LS with nearly ten years of refinement and polishing. Lastly, it was Consumer Reports' most reliable car until the LS460 came along.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

IMO, the body shape of the 1-2 LS is the nicest. That refinement of the 1-GS into the 2-GS is also nice but the roundness doesn't quiet work to me but eye of the beholder there. Interior space 2-LS and trunkwise, it is similar.

If you want to mod, the GS has a bit more variety in mod goodies. That said, a nicely done 2-LS to me is

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

Funny enough I own both a 98 LS400 and a 03 GS430 .
It all depends on what you want to do wit teh car for your own needs.
The LS is more solid and built they way a Lexus used to be . The GS on the other hand is made with cheaper materials that do not produce the same effect as even the earlier 98-00 GS400 did .

The LS will outlast the GS by far in all areas including gas mileage.

3UZFTE

I've got a 92' LS400 and a 01' GS430, and although I don't drive the LS yet, I would say their very similar in manner. Like it was mentioned, the GS has more aftermarket for it, and if you like Supras, a GS300 is basically a detuned, bigger bodied, luxury Supra, much like the IS300. It's funny though, because I was in the same boat except for a 97' LS4 and a 01' GS430, and I choose the GS. A year later I picked up a 92' LS400 as a project car, and it ended up turning into a turbo project after I realized I couldn't afford a Supra, nor get rid of the 3UZFE, in favor of the 2JZGTE, so I built my own 1UZFTE. It's really up to you as a driver, do you want a flagship luxury car or do you want a luxury car with a bit of tuning in mind? Either way, I think you can't go wrong, their both nice cars. For what it's worth, I've got 150k on my GS430, which now it sits all winter, but I do enjoy driving it, that's for sure.