GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

About to buy a 2003 Sport Design...thoughts?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-14-08, 02:50 PM
  #1  
MPLexus301
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
MPLexus301's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Friend Zone
Posts: 9,044
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default About to buy a 2003 Sport Design...thoughts? (UPDATE)

Hey all,

As some of you all know I have been on the quest for a new car and think that "the one" may have appeared. I have found a 2003 GS 300 Sport Design that's black with the saddle leather (my favorite combo) and it has ML/Nav as well. The car has 63,000 miles on it and has never been wrecked or anything, the owner just did the 60K service and has all service records. The owner is asking $18,000 and KBB says $17,250 so I am expecting to be around that price.

As I understand, the 2nd gen GS was actually the single most reliable car that Lexus has ever built. The main reasons for my purchase decision are the quality and the features and I am in love with the color combination.

Just wondering if anyone here had any thoughts on the car or this purchase? The 2nd gen GS is a car that many people have recommended but I just wanted to ask.

Also, my current Camry has the JBL system and I actually really like the audio in the car. It sounds good. How does the ML system in the old GS compare? I guess this might be a stupid question but the GS is an older car so I wanted to ask.

Thanks guys!

Last edited by MPLexus301; 05-18-08 at 09:05 AM. Reason: new title
Old 05-14-08, 03:16 PM
  #2  
DarKnight
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
 
DarKnight's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: FL
Posts: 3,804
Received 52 Likes on 38 Posts
Default

Go buy it.
Old 05-14-08, 03:29 PM
  #3  
CBRA928
Intermediate
iTrader: (3)
 
CBRA928's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SO Cal OC
Posts: 388
Received 12 Likes on 7 Posts
Default

the ML sound is awesome.... i got mine with 39k miles just a few months ago and i love it... except mine is blk/blk. i also traded my camry for it
BUY IT!!
Old 05-14-08, 03:39 PM
  #4  
chuckb
Lexus Fanatic
 
chuckb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,947
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

sport designs are nice, but I'd rather have a V8.
Old 05-14-08, 03:50 PM
  #5  
k.r.e.a.m.
Pole Position
 
k.r.e.a.m.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: ATL
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

grab it quick. it's a great car. and the sports design is a wonderful choice. also sounds like a good price. try to get them down below KBB at least. nothing wrong with a little hard negotiating.
Old 05-14-08, 04:38 PM
  #6  
MPLexus301
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
MPLexus301's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Friend Zone
Posts: 9,044
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by chuckb
sport designs are nice, but I'd rather have a V8.
Two things about that...

insurance on the 430 is significantly higher

i love the saddle leather
Old 05-14-08, 05:51 PM
  #7  
chuckb
Lexus Fanatic
 
chuckb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Florida
Posts: 6,947
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by MPLexus301
Two things about that...

insurance on the 430 is significantly higher

i love the saddle leather
yep-that's the only way you're getting saddle on a GS. I didn't know the ins diff was big. how big?

yeah though, it's a shame lexus didn't make a SD GS430.
Old 05-14-08, 05:58 PM
  #8  
SHiZNiLTi
Pole Position
 
SHiZNiLTi's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Arizona
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Does anyone have pics of this leather?
Old 05-14-08, 06:03 PM
  #9  
MPLexus301
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
MPLexus301's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Friend Zone
Posts: 9,044
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default



Old 05-14-08, 11:04 PM
  #10  
kit cat
Moderator
iTrader: (6)
 
kit cat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: US
Posts: 6,571
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

as much as I would LOVE to have the saddle interior, i can't pass up my V8.
Old 05-15-08, 07:28 AM
  #11  
macz
Driver School Candidate
 
macz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: TN
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Black with the saddle leather is one of my favorite color combos also. Imo if you can't get them down to KKb value, what's a few extra dollars when you find excatly what you want! You won't find that color combo every day for sale.
Old 05-15-08, 08:27 AM
  #12  
JiBBeL
Lead Lap
iTrader: (2)
 
JiBBeL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: nc
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

There isn't enough money in the world to get me outta my 430 and into a 300... I freakin love the V8's myself!
Old 05-15-08, 09:13 AM
  #13  
JiBBeL
Lead Lap
iTrader: (2)
 
JiBBeL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: nc
Posts: 632
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Speaking of which, there's an 03' GS430 with 63k for sale here in STL. Triple black with ML/NAV for $19,9 but I'm sure you could talk em down to closer to $18k... But I understand if some people are leaning more toward the v6 as gas creeps closer and closer to the magic $4 mark
Old 05-15-08, 10:13 AM
  #14  
SADDLE
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (9)
 
SADDLE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Kansas
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Get the car, you'll be happy! I love mine. I do wish for a v8, but with gas prices the way they are and being slammed on 20's, I can't afford to be mashing the gas all around town! Saddle is the bomb!
Old 05-15-08, 11:56 AM
  #15  
Dakarf
Driver School Candidate
 
Dakarf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: VA
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Good Choice, i have a black on black sports design. Love it. I paid 18 about a year ago for a 2002


Quick Reply: About to buy a 2003 Sport Design...thoughts?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:16 AM.