hey guys i just wanted to introduce myself and ask some questions...

first off i have a 2000 white gs300, bone stock.
My family purchased the car brand new back in 1999 and it currently has 120k miles. My brother drove it a lot in NY and banged it up pretty bad, so the exterior isn't in perfect condition...now i have the car...i was going to sell it and maybe get a used beamer or something...but i figured, if i put some work and a little money into it i can make her look really nice. I have always loved the GS...it has such a classic look that never gets old..very clean, yet aggressive..
The mods i want to do are simple:
18'' rims
HID lights
tint
drop

important note: I am on a budget!!!
my goal is to spend less then 1000$ on everything

first questions..
here are the rims im looking to get this weekend
http://greenville.craigslist.org/pts/2713478538.html

the lug pattern is 15x114.3
this should fit right? Is there anything else i would need? I cant find any lexus gs300 with these rims online...i guess they are pretty rare, but i just love the red lip and think it would look really unique on the gs.
I would want to drop it after getting the rims, what would be the most economical way to do this?
I'm getting the rims for 400$, but know the tires themselves would cost almost 400 too...is there a cheaper route to getting tires? I don't drive hard at all so getting used tires if perfectly fine. This is more for looks really.

i look forward to updating the project on here with pictures
thanks

 

Bro your best bet is to just take your time.... Cause a 1000$ ain't gonna get you much sorry to tell you. As for tires don't buy used 😉 you can buy a cheaper brand tire brand new but used us never good and you will end up spending more in the end.i have only had my GS400 for 4 months and I'm 2000$ in..... That's just maintaining the car lol but Im not complaining.... Anyways like I said just take your time one step at a time and you will get there😜

 

As for the rims they should fit

 

Well, HIDs aren't gonna cost you, probably around $60, tint about $150, drop... well drop depends what you want... springs are cheaper if you keep the stock shocks and do the work yourself, count approx. $250, coilovers start at around $750.

If the tires are still in good shape, I would wait for the rims and get the rest (coilovers) first.

 

We sell JDM high quality HID kit for a reasonable price PM me

 

can't do much with 1000 bucks bro

i think the rims are already over 1000 lol
the hids maybe 200?
the tints maybe 200?
drop if you wanan go cheap just do springs, better pricing than coils

 

You should be able to spend around 1-1500
Used rims 500-800
HIDs 140
Tints 100
Springs 200 but only use Tanabe

If you can find some of the new GS RIMS then get them or the new IS

 

Welcome to the forums! You have one of the best cars ever built.... Just do the maintenance and fix the cosmetics for now, then slowly start buying quality parts for your car. Trust me, in the long run, it is a better decision.

 

djducati- If you are interested in a quality HID kit let me know. We have been selling HID kits since 2001 and have been a sponsor on the Club Lexus forum since 2004. We also offer a $25 discount on HID kits for all Club Lexus members

Mike

 

so....things are coming along quite nicely.
I got the 18'" rims for 400,
i got some nice used tires for 150 (which includes putting them on the car)
i got tint, 15%, for 140
I also smoked the rear orange turn lights for about 20$
total so far = 660

next week im getting some HID low beams, and HID fogs for 100 (including parts and labor)
i also did some cosmetic painting on the scratches...its not perfect, but looks good from far away and at night.
Granted, everything is used, but the i'm ballin on a budget here so i'm going for price over quality honestly. But nonetheless i loveeeee the way my car looks now.

My question now is this.....i want to lower the car, and improve handling. I have been having a problem (even before putting on the rims...basically, when i brake the steering wheel shakes...my tint guy says it's the struts that need to be replaced. Anyone ever heard of this problem before?
Also...so this is my goal next. Drop the car, with springs, and struts....but i don't want to do it only for looks...i would also love to improve the handling, making it more sporty. On a budget, what is the best way to go? I prefer getting only used parts.
thanks so much.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-y...800/11%2B-%2B1



https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-v...816/11%2B-%2B1

 

Before you do anything, Say it with me brothers, "Ball joints and Timing belt, ball joints and timing belt, ball joints and timing belt!"

 

Ball joints baby...get me done....oo and tow lowering if your shocks are good then go Tanabe springs

 

I hear you brother loud and clear I do everything but the timing I'm buying the kit next week! I have only had my car for almost 5 months & I'm already spent 2000$ don't get me wrong I'm not complaining. I did the starter manifold gasket, straight pipes Only cause mine was leaking upper & lower ball joints all 4 pads. & discs , And my timing belt install & water pump and all that is Only costing me 425$ and I almost got it done at the dealer for 975$!!.

 

so its the ball joints and not the rotors....how do you know this? how much does this cost to fix?

 

i thought it was the rotors?
a couple of months ago, the front right tire went completely horizontal. I wasn't driving the car then (my brother was), but it was fixed. I don't know what exactly was fixed tho...from my understanding that incident was caused by bad ball joints. But this new issues i'm having...where the steering wheel shakes when I brake at a stop light is so weird. I called a mechanic friend and over the phone he said this is exactly the symptom of bad rotors...
any advice?
thanks