Hi everyone--

I've been lurking for a while, trying to collect info on the GS400... I'm in the market for a car and want performance / reliability / luxury and have a ~$32,000 budget. I'm thinking about a gently used GS400 (after considering a similarly aged 540 (maintenance!) or a new 3.2 TL-S (luxury...?)), and had a couple questions I'd appreciate it if anyone could answer.

-- What are maintenance costs like on this car, especially at around this age? Anyone have an idea of when problems tend to crop up (50K miles? 100K?) ?

-- Anything I should look out for in looking for one?

-- Are off-lease vehicles a bad idea?

-- Anyone familiar with a trustworthy dealer / broker in northern California?

Any other advice / opinions also welcomed.

Thanks,

FP

 

90000 miles you need to replace timing belt.

My first was a 92 SC400, 167000 miles and now the car has 210000 miles on it, no major problems.

www.traderonline.com
is good good starting point.

 

For maintence , other than putting gas, and changing oil thats pretty much it for the GS. The gs is a very reliable car and shouldn't give you any problems. If you can try to get it dealer-certified so you have a warranty just in case something does happen. The GS can last well-beyond 100k. The acura IMO is not in the same level as the GS. If you find a GS and an acura in the same price range, I would DEFINATELY get the GS.

Welcome btw.

 

Thanks for your responses and the welcome!

I called a local dealer and got an estimate of $400 for the timing belt change at 90,000 miles-- strikes me as very reasonable for being that far out.

I received an email from someone who can obtain off-lease GS400's at wholesale, and is offering that with my choice of options to me at $750 above wholesale price.

Does this strike people in this forum as reasonable? I would of course run the VIN through Carfax and the dealer... and have someone more knowledgable than I look to see if it's had any paint or body work done.

Thanks again for any advice...

--FP

 

maintainance cost of Japanese cars are LOW. About TL-S and GS400, new TL-S costs about the same as used GS400. TL-S might have lower cost and labor costs compared to GS400 (Honda parts are real cheap.) But you don't have to worry about that if you get GS400. Parts might cost alittle more but the thing is you probably won't need to get them replaced in a Lexus.

As for the cars themselves........ go drive, sit, look around. I don't wanna start another debate about TL vs GS but if it's me then I would get a slightly used GS400. If you don't have anything against used cars, get the GS. In the long run it'll be worth it.

 

BIGGEST PROBLEM YOULL EXPERIENCE IS TIRE COSTS FROM ALL THE RUBBER BURNNING YOUR GOING TO BE DOING