2003 GS430 Impressions from a new owner
09-14-09, 01:02 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: CA
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2003 GS430 Impressions from a new owner
I had previously written a "hello" post, but somehow it got deleted when I was trying to update it and add pictures.
So my wife and I did our homework. We researched all the used cars in our price range (basically up to $18k) and preferences. The GS won. We found a perfect example (1 owner, 70k miles, all sv recs) after a few weeks of hardcore searching. Here is my review as a new owner that may help other people thinking of buying a pre-owned GS.
Driving - The GS is a heavy and fairly large car, especially for someone like me who has spent most of my time driving a engine swapped 2gen crx, boosted 3rd gen prelude, and 2gen 4dr integra (the family car! lol now, but hey its a great car). The ride is definetely luxury, the rock solid feel and the way it feels when hitting bumps is something you just can't get in even the latest upper mid ranged sedans. Although the car feels large, when you push it into corners it squats down and takes on a whole new character. Something I have only felt when driving an NSX. Don't get me wrong, it's limits are lower (as far as handling) and is in a completely different class, but... the way it feels is very similar. This is probably due to the double wishbone suspension (screw mcphearson strut). Tossing it around doesnt feel like I need oars to move it. Even the turning radius is small for a car of this size. As for power... The 0-30 acceleration is decent, but lighter weight cars take the cake here, after 30mph the engine really comes alive and nicely plants you in your perforated leather seat. I took it up to 120 while going on a freeway on ramp and was actually shocked I was going that fast in such a short amount of space. Acceleration is VERY impressive and the engine sound is dreamy.
Interior I had my worries about the nav system because I wasn't sure how good a nav would be that was originally designed in 2000. But it's great, the UI is easy to learn and works as expected. The Mark Levingson system is top notch. Between the music system and the lack of outside noise you feel like you aren't even in a car, but rather at home listening to your high end rack system. The drivers seat has 2 different saved memories which is perfect since I only have to press 1 button after my wife drives the car to get it back into my ideal position. There is more front seat headroom in the 2nd gen GS compared to the 3rd gen GS. As far as looks this is a drawback because the rake of the windshield is less, but as far as interior comfort this is a huge plus because my wife feels closterphobic in the newer GS. The way the display lights up and the wheel tilts when inserting the key is a really neat trick. This car has plenty of room. The seating area is perfect for road trips and now that we have a car like this we will be going on a lot of them.
Exterior I'm not sure the name (HID???) but my car came with those headlights that are really white bright and form a nice line. They self adjust and I saw them move when first turning them on. Pretty cool looking and the best night vision I've ever had in a car. A couple of things I don't like, I don't like the rear wing, it looks out of place and somewhat blocks the rear view. I tried to remove the front license plate (screw the law, I don't like ruining the looks of a car and rather pay for fix-it tickets) but there are screw holes in the bumper that are quite ugly. I will need to figure out a solution for this. The rest of the body is perfect with nice sleek lines that flow smoothly. Will the look be timeless or will this car start to look dated in a few years? Hard to say, but I think it is conservative enough to pass the test. Especially with a set of plus 1 or 2 sized rims and a small drop to cut down on that wheelwell space, and a better looking front air dam.
I highly suggest the GS, it's an awesome car and I am so very happy about this purchase. Definetely the best purchase I've ever made and the best way to spend the money I've worked hard to save. There are a few mods that I have planned, but I'm going to take my time with them.
I will try to get some pics once I get it nicely detailed and waxed.
So my wife and I did our homework. We researched all the used cars in our price range (basically up to $18k) and preferences. The GS won. We found a perfect example (1 owner, 70k miles, all sv recs) after a few weeks of hardcore searching. Here is my review as a new owner that may help other people thinking of buying a pre-owned GS.
Driving - The GS is a heavy and fairly large car, especially for someone like me who has spent most of my time driving a engine swapped 2gen crx, boosted 3rd gen prelude, and 2gen 4dr integra (the family car! lol now, but hey its a great car). The ride is definetely luxury, the rock solid feel and the way it feels when hitting bumps is something you just can't get in even the latest upper mid ranged sedans. Although the car feels large, when you push it into corners it squats down and takes on a whole new character. Something I have only felt when driving an NSX. Don't get me wrong, it's limits are lower (as far as handling) and is in a completely different class, but... the way it feels is very similar. This is probably due to the double wishbone suspension (screw mcphearson strut). Tossing it around doesnt feel like I need oars to move it. Even the turning radius is small for a car of this size. As for power... The 0-30 acceleration is decent, but lighter weight cars take the cake here, after 30mph the engine really comes alive and nicely plants you in your perforated leather seat. I took it up to 120 while going on a freeway on ramp and was actually shocked I was going that fast in such a short amount of space. Acceleration is VERY impressive and the engine sound is dreamy.
Interior I had my worries about the nav system because I wasn't sure how good a nav would be that was originally designed in 2000. But it's great, the UI is easy to learn and works as expected. The Mark Levingson system is top notch. Between the music system and the lack of outside noise you feel like you aren't even in a car, but rather at home listening to your high end rack system. The drivers seat has 2 different saved memories which is perfect since I only have to press 1 button after my wife drives the car to get it back into my ideal position. There is more front seat headroom in the 2nd gen GS compared to the 3rd gen GS. As far as looks this is a drawback because the rake of the windshield is less, but as far as interior comfort this is a huge plus because my wife feels closterphobic in the newer GS. The way the display lights up and the wheel tilts when inserting the key is a really neat trick. This car has plenty of room. The seating area is perfect for road trips and now that we have a car like this we will be going on a lot of them.
Exterior I'm not sure the name (HID???) but my car came with those headlights that are really white bright and form a nice line. They self adjust and I saw them move when first turning them on. Pretty cool looking and the best night vision I've ever had in a car. A couple of things I don't like, I don't like the rear wing, it looks out of place and somewhat blocks the rear view. I tried to remove the front license plate (screw the law, I don't like ruining the looks of a car and rather pay for fix-it tickets) but there are screw holes in the bumper that are quite ugly. I will need to figure out a solution for this. The rest of the body is perfect with nice sleek lines that flow smoothly. Will the look be timeless or will this car start to look dated in a few years? Hard to say, but I think it is conservative enough to pass the test. Especially with a set of plus 1 or 2 sized rims and a small drop to cut down on that wheelwell space, and a better looking front air dam.
I highly suggest the GS, it's an awesome car and I am so very happy about this purchase. Definetely the best purchase I've ever made and the best way to spend the money I've worked hard to save. There are a few mods that I have planned, but I'm going to take my time with them.
I will try to get some pics once I get it nicely detailed and waxed.
Trending Topics
09-15-09, 01:00 AM
#8
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (15)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Papillion, NE/Columbia,SC
Posts: 2,715
Likes: 0
Received 9 Likes
on
7 Posts
Coming from a honda background myself, then moving onto a Boosted SC300, a 5speed SC300, 98 GS300, and now my beloved GS430 I must say i don't think i could go back to a FWD car they just drive different IMO..
I fully agree with you though i was pleasantly suprised the first time i took my GS430 around a off ramp, i think they handle great! It's alot tighter then my 98 GS300, and out of the box the GS430 definetly handles better then stock SC's..
btw welcome!!!!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
