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not really sure of the point of this thread any longer. Bones66 - you've had input on what kind of car you should be looking for. you're handy around cars and can no doubt check it out one way or another, and sellers are free to tell you to take a hike if your demands seem unreasonable to them.
There is absolutely no way you'd see that the front corners of the valve covers are leaking and the alternator is soaked in oil, or the rack is leaking PS fluid, with the covers in place.
So is the average mechanic down the block gonna see this either? I've read about these problems on this car and would be more attuned to looking for them than the service station guy. If I had my telescoping mirror or flex shaft borescope and sent them right to trouble spot would I see the leaks? Also is your parking spot covered in oil?
My point was the covers need to come off to expose everything, which is why taking them off is reasonable. the bottom is a PITA, I forgot how many fasteners there are, made me run out and get one of those electric ratchet wrenches.
Then, there's a front panel, and a tranny panel, and if there's a rear output shaft leak, there's still going to be nothing on the ground, fluid will be clinging to the trans mount, above it, and some may be inside the plastic.
to illustrate the top (ha this must be a RH drive car note the battery is on the left side)
There is absolutely no way you'd see that the front corners of the valve covers are leaking and the alternator is soaked in oil, or the rack is leaking PS fluid, with the covers in place.
So is the average mechanic down the block gonna see this either? I've read about these problems on this car and would be more attuned to looking for them than the service station guy. If I had my telescoping mirror or flex shaft borescope and sent them right to trouble spot would I see the leaks? Also is your parking spot covered in oil?
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
not really sure of the point of this thread any longer. Bones66 - you've had input on what kind of car you should be looking for. you're handy around cars and can no doubt check it out one way or another, and sellers are free to tell you to take a hike if your demands seem unreasonable to them.
Yes, thanks all. My lease expires in 3 months, for the next 2 months I'm gonna look for a 3rd or 4th Gen GS350. All the info has been great. Thanks
Why? I was even thinking if a found a low mileage G3 with good maintenance records and good owner history I would take that over a higher mileage G4.
The 4GS is a much stiffer structure, its a much better driving car. The build quality is also much better, they are less prone to creaks and rattles than the 3GS which they were notorious for. Interior on the 4GS is much better and more modern.
The 3GS and 4GS are very different, 4GS is a huge improvement.
The 4GS is a much stiffer structure, its a much better driving car. The build quality is also much better, they are less prone to creaks and rattles than the 3GS which they were notorious for. Interior on the 4GS is much better and more modern.
The 3GS and 4GS are very different, 4GS is a huge improvement.
This is an interesting pic. I am amazed at how far back the power steering reservoir is and how close it is to the engine.
PS resevoir is in the center to the left of the engine, all the way back against the firewall is the brake master cylinder.
Thats actually a right hand drive LS, on LHD LS430s like I had everything was reversed, the battery was on the opposite side and the brake reservoir was on the opposite side. Interesting they did that.
PS resevoir is in the center to the left of the engine, all the way back against the firewall is the brake master cylinder.
Thats actually a right hand drive LS, on LHD LS430s like I had everything was reversed, the battery was on the opposite side and the brake reservoir was on the opposite side. Interesting they did that.
This is under the hood of a US spec LHD 430:
Yes interesting why they did it like that. Brake and power steering on the same side. But LHD is split.
The 4GS is a much stiffer structure, its a much better driving car. The build quality is also much better, they are less prone to creaks and rattles than the 3GS which they were notorious for. Interior on the 4GS is much better and more modern.The 3GS and 4GS are very different, 4GS is a huge improvement.
I'll keep that in mind, 4GS still in my price range.
Thanks
I have a 2008 GS350 that I bought used with 74K on the clock, all for 12000. I like it. I'm nearing the 100k mark and I haven't had any issues. Spark plugs are $25 a piece so that's kind of a con when you need to do tune ups. The only issue I'm aware of for my model years is that that between 06-08, some models had cam gear issues, as in the gears used were too small and upon cold start, you would hear a whine which meant the engine was starving for oil. I wanted an 08-11 LS430 but after some searching, found that the brake actuators go out about 80k and it's about 2500 dealer price to fix the problem. That and all the interior problems they were having made me look elsewhere. All in all I'm happy with my GS. If you have your mind set on a V8 power plant, they do have the GS430. I love mine and me and my wife love the ride, and comfort. Has a great factory sound system. No bluetooth for music, calls only but it's a great car Heres my car
Last edited by AspireXVIP; Apr 15, 2020 at 09:23 AM.
I have owned over 50 cars/trucks in my time and I never had a Lexus. In October 2019 I decided to take a chance and purchase a used 2004 RX330. I’m glad I took a chance because I absolutely love this SUV. It’s 16 years old with 143,000 and not a speck of rust. I loved it so much that I went and purchased a 2015 RX350 from Carmax.
David
My 2004 RX330
Last edited by Stocktip; Apr 15, 2020 at 09:31 AM.
Reason: Add picture
I bought a 2010 ES350 with low miles and a great maintenance history (which is available on the lexus website). Paid $10k out the door. I live in Wisconsin in the country so it had to be FWD/AWD. I briefly considered the GS350, but the spark plug fouling issues, RWD, and poor MPG dissuaded me. My ES does not get the best MPG compared to the 3,0l Solara that it replaced. Almost always less than 25mpg even on the highway. I'm sure it need spark plugs, so that should help. I have 5 Toyota products in the family and always do my own work so the ES is quite familiar to the Avalon and my old Solara (which I retired at 355,000 miles). I love that I don't have to do the timing belt! It's no LS, but it is a huge upgrade for me. I love it
Yes interesting why they did it like that. Brake and power steering on the same side. But LHD is split.
What's interesting too is the only way to see the coolant level, is to look from the back to the front. The reservoir is under the air intake. When I picked up my car in October 2016, there was zero coolant in the reservoir, and zero coolant in the radiator to be seen. I thought blown head gaskets for sure. Then, I found out here that it's normal. Nobody ever checks because it's not accessible, and it's like a 10 yr./120k mile first interval with the pink coolant. My car was a 2006 in 2016, so no dealer would have ever touched it, not 10 yr. not 120k. Kinda stupid lol
