I am looking for a car that is good on gas, reliable, safe and have decent room in the back. I had 4 choices in the beginning (other two were 2nd gen Acura TL and the 5th gen Nissan Maxima).

What I want to know is which one is preferable, the 1997-2005 Lexus GS300 or the 1997-2001 Lexus ES300? I know that the GS300 is a bit more but I'm if the pros outweigh the cons I wouldn't mind paying a bit more.

I've test driven a 1998 ES300 (friends) and I have owned a 1998 GS400 at one point (guessing the GS300 would be different in speed and a few gadgets). The GS sizing is a bit bigger but nothing I can't handle.

TIA

 

The RWD GS300 of that vintage, like the IS300, had en excellent in-line six.....one of the best motors that Toyota/Lexus ever produced (it was also used in the 1990's vintage Supra). It was durable, turbine-smooth, and would run practically forever if you took care of it. Its only downside was rather low gas mileage for a N/A 6.

However, if wet/snow traction is an issue, go with the FWD ES300. I had a RWD IS300 with the in-line 6, and it su*ked on winter roads, even with all-season tires, traction control, and the snow-mode transmission electronics.

 

if gas mileage is your concern, don't consider the gs300. it's 6 cylinders but it eats a lot of gas

 

If you're thinking about a GS3, you might as well hop back into a GS400 or even GS430. Fuel economy between the two is practically negligible.

 

I was searching online and got these EPA figures:
GS300 - 21/27
GS400 - 15/21
ES300 - 19/26
Are these figures correct? The engine that went into the GS300 has more power and is put into a heavier chassis and yet gets better gas mileage. That is some efficient engine. Any comment on the 1MZFE engine? I know that they can be found on the V6 Camries, off to more research.

Thanks for the input guys, keep them coming. Still indecisive, spend hours browsing the ES and GS forums already. Got a bit sidetracked from checking out the potential and mods =)

 

Not really accurate in the real world. The GS400/430 can get as high as 24-25 MPG on the freeway/highway, and as low as 12-13 in the city. The combined is right around 17-20 depending on the particular driving conditions. I myself get about 17 combined on my GS430. Others are getting close to 20. The GS300 believe it or not gets about the same combined MPG as the GS400/430 in real life despite what the EPA numbers say.

For me personally, I owned a 94 ES300 myself and didn't really care for it. I have it to my dad. My mom had a 92 ES300 and has a 99 ES300 currently. The 99 is a much better car than the previous ES300s, but I still wouldn't but it. Just not worth it too me. I'd look for a GS400/430, or even take the Acura TL over an ES300.

 

that's not correct. from 98-05, gs300 was rated 18/24 i believe, with gs400/430 rated as 18/23. they are both having pretty much the same gas mileage

 

While i love the es300 to death, i would rather take a gs. The rwd and larger size make it a better deal to me although it is hard to find one for a good price with low miles and service records. The es is almost the perfect daily driver, quiet, comfortable, and has enough get up and go to get around, also easier to find with low miles and for sheaper. If you get an es your best bet is a 2000 platinum edition or 2001, mostly because of the options such as the wood wheel and vvti over the 97 and 98. It also shines real well when black or metallic gray over black interior haha

 

I have 2 friends with older GS300's, both are very happy with the cars at over 100K miles.

 

If you want something that gets good gas mileage I would cross the GS300 off your list as it gets v8 like gas mileage without the v8 power. 5th Gen Maximas are also known to be gas guzzlers and not very reliable. If gas mileage is a concern then I would either go with the ES or the Acura TL. My parents had a 99 TL and it got excellent gas mileage usually around 29-30mpg and was completely trouble free to 100K miles when they sold it. If you are leaning toward a GS because you like it the most you might want to just step up to a v8 because it gets roughly the same gas mileage as the inline 6 but has much more power but you will end up paying more for the v8 so that has to be taken into account.

 

like everyone else is saying, gs300 is not good on gas, and if there is snow, then it only makes picking the es300 easier.

 

I agree. I remember seeing a thread in the 2GS forum comparing GS300 MPG vs. GS400/430 MPG. In many instances, the v8 powered GS were doing much better in terms of fuel economy. I believe it is because of the GS300's gearing (higher) which keeps the revs up much higher than a v8 powered GS at the same speed. This in turn uses more fuel.

I took a long trip 2 weeks ago and was averaging 27.5 MPG/highway in my GS400 at 70mph with cruise control set almost the whole way. In a routine week, I will average 23-24 MPG/mixed.

I am using Eneos full synthetic oil (0w-20), recently cleaned my MAF and air filter, and constantly check (twice a month) and maintain optimal tire pressure. These things help maintain better fuel economy.

My car seems to do better than most of my friends' car, many of which have cars that are powered by 6-cylinder or 4-cylinder engines.

Go back to the GS400!

 

Currently driving a 1997 Camry XLE V6 (friend's car.. we're carpooling) so I've had some time with the 1MZ-FE. We're getting about 24mpg combined (50km/h-80km/h speed limits) despite the frigid prairie weather and the rather short (13-15km) commute. Not sure why but I'll take it as it's pretty good for a V6. The engine is smooth and powerful. I believe there were some sludge issues (you guys remember that right?) but a well cared for 1MZ should have no problems at all.

 

get the Gs300..

 

I owned a 2004 GS300. Great car, but it was most definitely a gas guzzler. Not fuel efficient at all, even when I drove it like an old lady. I previously owned an LS400, which somehow managed to achieve much better gas mileage than my GS. I drove it cross country once and got a whopping 29 miles/gallon. No joke.