what were the revisions to the GS400, if any, during its 3 years of production? i did a search on it and couldn't find anything. basically, i'm looking at GS400's right now and i'm trying to find out if there are any benefits in getting a 2000 as far as available options/standard features as opposed to getting a 98...thanks in advance

 

I believe the 1998 and early 1999 GS don't have daytime running lights. In 2000 Crystal white and Millenium silver colors replaced Diamond white pearl and Alpine Silver. I think in 2000 they added brake assist. Besides these everything is the same.

 

I have running lights in the front of my 99

 

some of the early 99 didn't have drl still like melvz said

and acutally i think it's the other way on the color. in 2000 they replaced the diamond white pearl and alpine silver with crystal white and millenium silver

and yes, 2000 had brake assist.

 

THey swapped the option packages around. Most 98 400s came with the standard CD/Moonroof package. As the years move on, NAV and Nakimichi are more abundant. HID became standard in 1999.

Also the 2000 GS had an available platinum edition, diff wheels, lighter wood, black pearl badges, and an AMEX credit card.

 

I thought HID wasn't standard until 01GS430 on...

 

Here's what I found on Lexus.com:
Changes Made To The 2000 GS 400
Standard Features:
- Brake Assist[1]
- Child Restraint Seat (CRS) tether anchor brackets

Optional Features:
- New exterior colors: Crystal White and Millennium Silver Metallic replace Diamond White Pearl and Alpine Silver Metallic


If you can, consider getting a '01 GS430. As you can see, there were numerous improvements.
Standard Features:
- 4.3-liter V8 engine with VVT-i
- Revised headlamps, grille and rear combination lamps for sportier look
- Meets Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (U-LEV) certification
- High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps
- New wheel design
- Front and rear side-curtain airbags (SRS)[3]
- Additional wood paneling
- Compass
- Water-repellent door glass
- Lower rigid bar Child Restraint Seat (CRS) anchor
- Larger exposed dual exhaust
- Glass markings changed to "Lexus"
- Fuel cap tether
- Two front-assist grips
- Occupant-detecting front passenger airbag cutoff mechanism
- Impact-detecting door-lock release system

Optional Features:
- New exterior colors: Black Cherry Pearl, Mystic Sea Opalescent, Midnight Pine Pearl and Blue Onyx Pearl replace Antique Bronze Mica, Imperial Jade Mica and Spectra Blue Mica
- Mark Levinson® Premium Sound System
- Wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio switches

 

that is correct, it was not standard until gs430 in 01. but since 99, almost all gs400 came with hid. it's just some "options" that they always get

 

Off topic, but I hate the fact that some manufacturers (like MB) don't offer HIDs as standard equipment. My girlfriend's new E350 doesn't have HIDs.

 

yeah, mb and bimmer are amazing... what yrs are we at now man, on a luxury car and hid is still options?!

 

Some more info:

Changes Made To The 1999 GS 400
- Adoption of daytime running lights
- 50-state emission certification
- Transitional Low-Emission Vehicle (T-LEV) certification
- Floor mats standardized

Changes Made To The 2000 GS 400
Standard Features:
- Brake Assist[1]
- Child Restraint Seat (CRS) tether anchor brackets
Optional Features:
- New exterior colors: Crystal White and Millennium Silver Metallic replace Diamond White Pearl and Alpine Silver Metallic

 

Not to sound stupid guys but what the heck is Brake Assist[1]? Is that just an updated ABS feature? Or brake related VSC suff?

 

it's a new system, more like a computer assisted brakes. it helps a lot actually, my sc430 (and the gs430 i drove) has brake assist and it stops the car so much faster and better. it's something i definitely want to have on my car