CLass of 1

Hey all I've been a member on the forum for a while now I pop in to check out what's up with Lexus as I have a few friends with IS-F's, IS300's and SC's. However, the car I'm really considering purchasing is of course a second gen GS.

I have made a deal with myself that this GS would simply be the every day car that I would leave quiet, sophisticated and comfortable. With that being said if I were to go GS300 or 430 I would most definitely do suspension, wheels, aero and audio. I've also convinced myself that I would do no engine modifications. But here's the thing...most of these 430's I'm seeing are right around the same price as the 300's so it would stand to reason to get more bang for your buck right?

The 300 appeals to me because I know there will be more aftermarket in the event my inner demons get the best of me and I do decide to screw more power out of the engine. But then agian the 430 has so much more power from the start maybe I'd be happy with it. My only fear is that the 430's V8 will be more difficult to work on, parts will be more expensive and the engine overall less reliable. Are my fears founded? Does the 430 have more problems than it's 6 cylinder counter-part?

Also please include your real MPGs from your car, either I6 or V8. The numbers from the internet are only 2 MPGs difference but we all know how those numbers can be played with.

Thank you to all who offer up their opinions or expertise and helping me make my final decision.

Nick

V8RdnLow

iTrader: (14)

I say go for the 430, I don't regret my decision. GL

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

Hi Nick, if you'll search my username and 'gs300 gs430' you'll find some posts by me linking dozens of threads with this exact same question you'll find helpful.

CLass of 1

I'll search for it now and post any questions unanswered here. Thanks.

Any additional input would also be appreciated.

LudeNsoL

iTrader: (14)

I say test drive both and see which one fits you right off the back.. When i first bought a gs i went with a 400 and i loved it alot!! but the gas was killing me. I don't remember exactly what MPGs where but i sold it and got a 300 and there was a big difference in gas.. I love my 300 but sometimes i wish it was faster. (may soon go na-t) then i will be truely happy. One thing i did like from my 400 was the eshift. it was really cool and convenient to have. The 430 wont have eshift and if you get a 01+300 will. so it pretty much depends on what you want. and yes parts engine wise for the 430 will be alot more then on a 300.. parts are a dime a dozen for the 300s

CLass of 1

Thanks for your response. It's nice to have the input from someone whos had both types of cars.

To clarify a bit my concern truely isn't the speed of both cars. It's reliability, cost of parts and fuel economy. I plan on purchasing a second car down the road (likely an RX-7) to satisfy my need for speed. So my primary interest is in the cost of ownership really.

My friend had a 92ish (can't remember) SC400 and it seemed like the car began to fall apart after about 150k miles. Taking into consideration that 9 out of 10 cars I've seen in my budget have close to 100k miles and that my current car ('98 Accord) has seen 80k miles in the last 3 years, I need to be sure I won't be regretting this decision a few years from now.

I also found those links and I'm still combing through them but they mostly speak to the performance differences and features which I'm already familiar with. I know what each model and each year come with I just need to know if the 430 will give me a lot more trouble later on than the 300.

Thanks to all for your continued support and input.

FrankT

If you are concerned with the UZ reliability vs the JZ, don't be. Both engines are very reliable and the V8 is no harder to work on than the I6, in my experience.

Considering your plans are to keep the drive train stock, you would be missing out by not going with the 430...


good luck

CPMD

iTrader: (2)

McKrevice

iTrader: (1)

I drove both. At first I wanted a 300 before driving the 400. And after that, I wanted nothing to do with the 300.

Check this out.

I get about 20 mpg combined driving.

I did mainly highway the last tank and some city and I got 29 mpg....out of a V8! That's pretty damn impressive if you ask me.

swat1727

iTrader: (2)

go with the 430... only if i did my research... now im regretting getting a 300. soooo slow!!

sivikvtec

If you drive a 400/430 you will forget about the 300.

I also get around 20mpg in the city.

V8_MPG

iTrader: (2)

Go with a 400 or 430, mpg is not much different from the 300.

4ntvings

iTrader: (6)

430 and you wont look back

Vadim540i

I had a 400, and my friend had 300. Gs4 is so much faster than Gs3, and gets pretty much same mpg. Go with Gs400/430 and you won't regret.

djcobra

I just recently bought a 01 GS 430 and I love it! I've never owned a V8 before always had a V6 or a Inline 4 Turbo. If your worried about gas consumption, let me tell you one thing my tuned S14 Silvia (SR20DET) gets almost the same MPG as the GS 430, then again i'm always in boost with that Beast; that lil drift car is a fun whip. Turbo charging a GS 300 won't help with your MPG's either. End of the day it's your call but as you can see a fair share of the guys are saying GS 430

Steve.