What is the name of the headlights for the GS300 that have like a blue color to them? Is there a place where one can get those for a reasonable price? Does anyone recommend or not recommend them? Any information would be appreciated. By the way, I have a 1998 GS300. Thanks!

 

My 98 GS4 didn't come w/the xenon lamps. I used APC Xenon plasma bulbs for low, high, and fog lamps. They look great at night! They cost between $30 and $45 per pair depending on what kind of deal you can find. I believe it uses 9005 bulbs for high beam and 9006 bulbs for low and fog - 85 watts. Install is easy, DIY. Just DO NOT touch the bulb w/your fingers or it won't take long to blow! You can also buy the little blue chip lights to replace your park lights. It is legal in my area and it looks so good. The blue chips usually last about 3 months before fading. Only about $5 though. Good luck!

 

There is a difference between HID (High-Intensity Discharge) and Xenon. THe xenon bulbs can be purchased seperately and used in almost all applications these days (they are quite expensive compared to regular halogen bulbs). HID lights are a complete system that would require voltage transformers and other hardware to be replaced within the front end of your vehicle probably costing in excess of $1500. Do you still get the same bluish hue from the lights, yes and no. The blue hue on aftermarket bulbs is more often than not jsut for show. On a true HID system the bluish hue you are seeing is the attempt to recreate "pure" white light (sunlight as we are used to seeing it). THe aftermarket bulbs are not doing this they are producing a brighter burning bulb and then tinting the lens to give you the same or a little more light than a halogen, but it'll be tinted blue to look like HID.

 

400DGRZ, where did you buy your APC Xenon plasma bulbs? I've been looking (not hard enough) for them and so far no luck, thanks

 

I just wanted to clarify what Johnny is saying about Xenon and HID. Please realize that both systems are expensive systems that use xenon gas to light the bulb as opposed to halogen. Why is there HID? Well, HID, or high intensity discharge, is the same concept as xenon lights, only without the "brand name" so to speak. Think of medicine, you either get Tylenol, or the store brand.

Both systems use a ballast system to power up the bulbs. Why is this so? Because HID lights require a surge of power in order to charge up the bulbs. Ballasts supply this power, which is otherwise impossible to do with the regular voltage that halogen lamps need to power up.

In addition to the ballast and bulb differences, HID systems also are required by US law to have some sort of self-leveling system in order to minimize glare to oncoming drivers. This is the reason why aftermarket HID installation kits are mostly illegal in many states.

One last difference to consider: the reflective housing is different for halogen lamps and HID lamps, in order to maximize lumination for each.