Been lurking here for awhile reading all I can. Decided I want a gs400 for my next car. Currently a honda guy (prelude).

Car in question is a 98gs400 :

Issue #1.
abs lights on and t/c lights on

The seller said he left front sensor before but when I scanned the car the same sensor was at fault. These were the codes :

c0205 for the sensor and c1223 for the abs computer. When a sensor is bad does it always throw both codes? The seller is willing to resolve the abs issues so I likely wont have to worry about it. The wiring looks good so i'm wondering why the same sensor is at fault, again. Perhaps there is another issue?


Issue #2.

The drivers side sits lower then the passenger side on the front by about 3/4 of an inch.

I had the car on a lift and the passenger side sway bar end link is broken (right in the middle). Would this make the car sit lower on one side? ie is the sway bar loaded when the car is not cornering on these cars?

The spings (black with no name - maybe oem) and the shocks (blisten) look to be in good order and installed correctly so I'm hoping it's just the endlink.

Issue #3

Worn tie rod end - no big deal. Famous gs ball joints are good.

Lastly

No "check engine light" lights up when the key is turned on (everything else does). Does the gs have a typical check engine light? I doubt the seller would pull the bulb but you never know. I scanned the car and no cel codes are tripped or stored.

Things that have been recently done to the car will bills to prove are -

timing belt/water pump
ps pump
solenoid 3 on tranny
all rotors/pads - oem parts
spark plugs
air filter

car has 190km

Would you touch it?

Thanks in advance.

 

Woah. We've been getting bunch of Honda guys lately.

Thats what she said.

Sorry. Depends. How much does he want?

 

i was currently a honda/acura guy myself, if i could go back i would pick a gs4X0 over the 300... my last car was a 95 acura legend type II coupe, and it just does not feel the same going into a gs300. comfort wise and luxury is superior over the acura. but speed wise the 400-430 would have been a better choice had i did a little more research instead of rushing into buying a vehicle. but with all those issues you are listing, i would see how much hes selling it for then fix it if it is a low price. because lexus parts are not cheap compared to our old honda/acura parts almost double the price on almost everything. an average 98 gs4xx goes for about 10-13k with around 80-100k depending on mileage/condition, 00-05 gs's go for around 13-18k depending on mileage & condition. my estimates are based on fairly well maintained vehicles w/ no aftermarket accessories.

 

[QUOTE=arpham;4060627]Woah. We've been getting bunch of Honda guys lately.



Thats what she said.

She told me the same thing too::
shop around to see if the price are decent..I would run carfax first before making decision..

 

Thanks for the replies. The price is decent because I am trading my prelude for it and he is fixing the abs issue so I think it's fair.

My main concern is the driver's side front being lower then the passengers. Is this because of the broken passenger's side front sway bar endlink?

Pics of the honda for completeness:

Mainly all suspension mods, car handles really well for a fwd

 

3/4 of inch isn't a big deal. Keep in mind the driver side springs may sag a little because there's always a load on the driver side (driver)

And no a broken sway bar link wouldn't affect ride height.

 

I would stay away for sure. This is some dealer scheming bs:"No "check engine light" lights up when the key is turned on (everything else does). Does the gs have a typical check engine light? I doubt the seller would pull the bulb but you never know. I scanned the car and no cel codes are tripped or stored.."
I would never buy a car where the bulb was pulled out on the check engine light, just doesnt seem right.. what was someone trying to hide..
3 big things to look for on the GS4:Timing Belt/water pump job, Starter replaced(big$$), and from what ive read ball joints..
I had my GS4 for 1.5yrs and 40k miles(100k-140k) and it was a great car, extremely reliable, fast, comfortable and pretty good on gas.. The only job i had to do was the starter.. It always helps to know the cars maintenance history..
Good luck with your search.. There are alot of GS4's out there.. Wait for the right one and you wont be dissapointed..

 

this doesnt seem bad but i wouldn't buy it until all issues are fixed, and definitely probe that no check engine light to figure out what's going on there.

our cars sit lower on the driver's side naturally, as do most lexuses. They engineered it that way, something to do with the way the road is crowned. It's more noticable when you lower the car without coilovers or air. Also could have something to do with suspension settling harder on the drivers side since thats the most commonly used seat.

i think it's worth a second look, but if anything's fishy, get out quick. These cars are great and reliable but when you get one that does break, it aint cheap.

good luck

 

Do I even have to say it? haha

 

hahaha wow.


though i would have to edit to say if anythings fishy, don't go in in the first place; run FAR FAR AWAY.

 

I say just save up a lil more and get the 430 . I think the small extra features count, woodgrain steering wheel, newer tail lights, grille, and I think the 01 and up doesnt have the ball joint issues as bad as the 98-00

 

ehh the BJ's are just as bad on 01+ i believe, maybe 10k more miles out of them.


AH. i did it again hahahahaha what the hell is wrong with us.

 

lol