When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hello everyone! I just purchased my 1999 Lexus GS300 a few days ago and it's decent. Structurally and mechanically, it seems great but the interior is lacking somewhat with tears here and there but nothing crazy. The paint is the early 2000s gold and the interior is light tan with wood accents. I need to take pictures to show you all because the only one I have was taken at night.
The only thing that may cause issues in the future for this car is the fact it has ~190,000 miles on it and it's a salvage title. It was repaired and passed inspection before being sold to me. There is no check engine light and no stored codes. The suspension seems to be rebuilt for the most part because there seems to be barely any steering wheel play and there is no rust at all from what I've seen.
This car is and will be my daily for the foreseeable future and I think I want to just make it nicer looking and feeling. If any mechanical things pop up, I'll also put those issues here and ask for guidance when needed. My previous vehicle experience is limited and outdated. My last car was a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit with fuel injection. So, I know a decent bit about basic car functions but the wiring on that car was different from anything else and was basically, well, German. I may miss spotting issues with things mechanically because I'm not used to modern sensors and such either.
My first thing I want to do with the car is lowering springs and wheels. I'm still in the process of looking but I have a set of 19"x9.5" with a +38mm offset picked out and need to find out what tire width of sidewall I can have without scrubbing.
Again, I'll post better pictures soon, but in the meantime, thank you and I hope you stick around! The only pic I have as of right now.
Welcome. Its a great car, enjoy it! Just remember, there is always a trade off with anything you make changes too. The level of comfort will be sacrificed for larger rims/less sidewall, and lowering will effect suspension etc. As we all know, its worth it to some degree, but try not to go overboard and you'll enjoy it a lot more. Not too slammed, not too wide, not left with negative camber that will wear out the tires fast etc. Same with performance mods. We like to read stuff that says intake and exhaust mods increase power and fuel efficiency. However fuel efficiency always goes down when you like to hear those mods too lol.
Yes, it's going to be very moderate and low-key. It is my daily so I still want comfort and I'm definitely not dealing with camber. LolI do want the fun noises but I'll have to research how to make good noises without as much of a loss in mpg.
I just got my old car back from the salvage lot, started it up, and now I feel like I went through a break up. I ache and I feel slightly stressed out. I guess it's because of all the work I put into it and now I have to get rid of it. I think one of the first things I'm going to do to the Lexus is get a throaty exhaust system. I need some rumbles again. I find myself speeding a lot more now too so maybe that will help me slow down some. My 1981 VW Rabbit right now.
I have a new source of motivation for this build because I feel mad in a way now.
So, it would require a new door, no biggie, but it has an unibody chassis and there are a ton of compound curves in the rear door jamb. I think the unibody got tweaked pretty badly because the exhaust, on the opposite side of the impact, is no longer centered. I've been busy with finals lately and haven't gotten to measuring the chassis out yet, but I suspect it was messed up. I was quoted for roughly $5800 to have the Rabbit repaired.
Lukas's "Build"
