New member here. I need help deciding .

What car should I get

- 1998 Lexus GS400 - 62k miles, Nav. Price: $23,000 (is that a good deal?)
- 2004 Nissan Maxima SE - new, base model
- 2005 Toyota Camry SE V6 - new

I have been looking around this board since I was looking for a GS. I like the power of it, but my main priority is reliability. I want a car that I don't have to fix a lot, other the maintaince of course. I know I could get a good trouble free car in the Camry but it lacks the power and seems to be a car made for the older driver. I like the Nissan styling, but the interior of the Maxima looks cheaper than a bird's nest. The interior reminds me of my old Ford Tempo I drove back in high school. Plus I have heard of the quality concerns about Nissan's and I'm not sure it can keep up with a Toyota/Lexus in terms of reliability.

With reliability as the main factor, and power a distant 2nd, which car should I get? I want a car that can not only last long, but won't be in the shop for long. Now if the Lexus was a brand new car, there wouldn't be a question, but (if it sounds dumb), I'm basically comparing a used 6 year old luxury car to a brand new Toyota Camry in terms of reliability. If the 6 year old Lexus can even hang a bit with the new Camry's longevity over time, then I take it without hesitation. But will it?

And is a GS made to last like a Camry, because I know a lot of Camry's that have gone 300,000 miles and still drove better than newer domestic cars with 3/4 less mileage on it.

 

welcome

to Club Lexus

But will it?

short answer :::yes

long answer :::search LOL

i think you know you want the GS

i have a 98 with 36k miles and no major problems

there are some here with around 200k

here look at this https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...hreadid=129353

good luck with your choice

johnny

 

Hi there

If reliability is your main concern, then I would get a new 2005 Toyota Camry.

As for a 6-year-old Lexus, you need to do a history check-up for any accidents, paint jobs, how many owners there were, etc.

But the final decision is yours.

Good luck.

-Donald

 

First of all i wanna say Welcome to Club Lexus. Hope you're finding alot of helpful information in here. All the members here are helpful and nice, so you're in the right place!!

Second If reliability is your main concern, get the new 2005 camry se V6. You'll be cover under warranty for 5 whole years and the price is about 23k. How do i know? Because i bought one a month ago. Ended up paying 23,300.00 out the door. As comparing to a used 6 years old GS for the same price. Dont get me wrong, The GS300 is very reliable and strong. Basically you have a bullet proof engine 2jz-ge.

I currently have a 2002 GS300 with 32k miles on it and havent encountered any problems at all. Also as i mentioned above. I bought a 2005 camry se V6 a month ago, the camry drives very smooth. Also the camry has a nice body style to me. In the near future i will start modding my camry. Putting new wheels and the JDM TRD add on kit. One of our CL approved vendor can get you the kit at a very reasonable price, his name is Steve Ganz, he works at CArson Toyota. He can basically get you any JDM parts. After adding wheels and the TRD add on kit to the camry, i can bet you it will change your point of view "camry seems like it made for older drivers"

Tommy

 

basically you need to decide, what you value the most?

-got to have a new car?
-pre-owned with good history??
-fwd? or rwd car?? which you like more??

if you are seriously considering a pre-owned GS(400), blk/blk, with nav+xenon light, let me know, i am willing to part my 99, absolutely pampered car..with penske warranty(bettre than standard lexus extended one as mine covers many other things), serviced by the dealer since day 1...and just passed 60k service

btw, i am in LA

 

Thanks guys.

I mean, it's quite obvious that a 6 year old car probably won't last as long as a new one. But if the GS is every bit as reliable and trouble free as the Camry is, then I'll take a GS over a Camry.

GS3 - I drove a Camry SE V6 with 1 mile on the O, and the car was VERY slow. I don't know if it's because the car is still too new, but I thought I was driving a Corolla or something because there wasn't much power. I currently drive an 02 Tacoma 4dr,, and I could say if a Camry was as slow as the one I drove, the Tacoma would smoke it any day. But I think it was just because the car just came off the truck. In terms of power, how does your Camry compare to your GS3?

The car has 2 owners and isn't pampered or anything, just in average condition for a 6 year old car. I don't know why, but here in Northern Cali, it seems likle every GS400 that is for sale is at least $2,000 over blue book value. All 400's for sale here are usually high mileage or the asking price is too high for the car.

GSWill - sounds good, but it might be out of my price range, which is $20-22k.

 

we also have a camry and a 98 gs, i love my gs, 115k, going strong no problems, i like the gs cause the camry would make me look to old in it, i really love the gs, but truthfully the camry would be a better buy in the long run, cant go wrong with buying a brand new car, the only downside is that u might enjoy driving the gs more. also u will be in a car with a toyota badge instead of a lexus one

 

here's my $.02

1) If you want reliabilty and a shread of resale value, stay AWAY from the Maxima as I owned an 03 Maxima and now I own a 2000 GS400 that I had traded in my max for.

2) The GS is a strong car and holds value, and if you get an extended warranty you'll be fine.

3) If you get the GS, my recommendation is to get the 400 Of course, I'm biased cuz I own one


just stay AWAY from the maxima. Nissan quality has deteriorated considerably; my 92 maxima with 175k was just starting to develop a slipping tranny while my 03 maxima's SECOND tranny was on it's way out at 14k

 

$23K for a 62K miles 98 GS4 is a little high. Have you try to look for 2000 GS4? Price should be about $24-26K range, but a much better year for GS4 in term of little problems (rattles, low idle, ...).

 

It might just be a Cali thing. . A 2000 GS4 with same mileage is easily 28k, while 98 GS4's here run from 20k-25k for cars under 85k miles. It seems like every Lexus here is at least 1,000 over the bluebook

I am eliminating the Maxima from my choices now. I've heard enough Nissan bashing here to do so . Plus, Nissan interiors look cheap.