VR38DETT

Hey guys, I'm planning to get a 2nd gen GS soon, but I'm not really sure of which one I should get. I hear that the 400 has smoother motor and transmission and the 300 doesn't. I know that the 400 has a V8 and the 300 has an inline6. How much is the difference in terms of MPG for both cars? If you were me, what would you get? There isn't much 300s around my area, but a lot of 400s for sale on craigslist.

1sWt2GS

iTrader: (6)

MPG are the same (sucks for us 300's right?)

I got my GS300 cause of the sport design, price and mileage.

Don't know who you "heard" from about the smoother motor/transmission on the 400 but the 300 has the 2JZ

400/430 definitely has A LOT more power but I didn't get into a GS cause I wanted speed.

GSdarksol

iTrader: (4)

As 1swt2gs stated mpg's are about the same and that does suck for us 300 owners...Lol

I was in the same situation a couple years back, but I got a 300 since it was in very good
condition.

What part of CA sp you live in?.... I'm in socal and still see plenty of both available. But just depends on their condition.

iToaster

If you care about speed, get a 400. The 300 is rated marginally better for fuel economy, but it's not terribly fast, although it's hard to beat the natural smoothness of an inline 6. If you care about swapability, it's easier to put a 2JZ-GTE in a 300 and run circles around V8 models. Personally, I got a GS 300 to replace a Corolla as a DD, but I wasn't terribly concerned about speed or economy (I have another car for that). If I was replacing my garage queen I would have gone for a 430, but that's a different story.

Arcadian

If you found two equal quality cars for equally fair prices, get the 400, you'll never regret having more power. It's not a car you buy for speed alone, it's one you have to appreciate for its quality, its presence and its class.
I drove 300s and 400s before buying and got the 400 because I knew I could drive it a long time with zero regrets.
If you are all about the speed though, a 2JZ turbo-ed to the max might be the right choice.

Sevenevez

iTrader: (2)

i have never drove a 300 but i respect them the same aesthetically. i love the way my 400 moves and sounds though

HOLGER21

why does everyone talk about swapping out a 300 to a 2jz and it being faster than the 400. if you really wanted to couldn't you swap out the v8 with a bigger engine making it way faster the a 2jz or even going turbo on the 400 making it much more powerful than a j2z_gte or what am I missing here.? I personally got a 400 so I don't have to be wasting money or time to swap out a 300. why not at first just buy a v8 more power to begin with and that way you don't have to worry about anything. everything else is the same


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iToaster

It's a relatively easy swap because the Aristo V300 came with a 2JZ-GTE, plus there's huge aftermarket support for the 2JZ because of its popularity. Sure you could swap for another V8, but why bother when its much easier and cheaper to use the 2JZ's tremendous aftermarket and make more power per dollar?

VR38DETT

No one was talking about swapping out a 300 to a 2jz.

VR38DETT

I live in Rosemead. I've been searching for 300s for a while now, but all of them are in bad condition... frame bent and all that. I guess I'll go with the 400, unless there a really nice stock 300 out there that comes in my way.

GSdarksol

iTrader: (4)

Ok so your in socal... When I was searching I came upon a lot of 300's and 400's, it took me a good 4 months to finally find the 300 I own now. And I saw my share of bad 300's

I was searching everyday on autotrader, craigslist, and other sites... If you really want a 300 I'd say just be patient.

HOLGER21

actually yes previous comments people where talkin and recommending him to buy a 300 cause its easy to swap out engines.


Posted from ClubLexus.com App for Android

SprtDesign

iTrader: (21)

If I had to do it all over again I would get a GS400 or a 430. If you were never planning on swapping the motor for a 2j you would enjoy it a lot more.

Or leave your 300 in 4th gear make the driving experience more "spirited".

GeorgeGS4

I can't comment on how the 300 performs, but like everyone says the GS is not a car you buy specifically to race around. Buy if for build quality, longevity lack of repairs etc. the Lexus v8 engines are known to last ( look at early 90s ls400s with 250,000 miles and still selling strong ) so I would lean to the 400 for resale .... That is if you ever want to sell it

Briand_OH

Just my $0.02:

Check your insurance premium. IMO, and I'm new to a 98 GS-400, the liability in Ohio is not bad but the comprehensive and collision are high.