Greg1976

I dont know what car is better to buy. 2000 gs400 or 2005 es330

Stereorob

well... that's kind of a stupid question. are you serious?

Greg1976

Can you explain to me?

Bullitt180

It's apples and oranges. Get the ES, because the GS400 is for a person that knows the difference.

FrankT

Well said...

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

It depends, a gs400 is better if you get one that isn't beat to hell. Unfortunately most are unless you pay a premium. The fixes needed are usually minor, and for the most part easy, but these costs add up quickly, especially compared to what you would spend on an ES

clintdaddy

Define "better"

firelizard

iTrader: (1)

The GS is quieter, faster, and easier to upgrade for performance or style.

The ES is newer, milder, better on gas, and has a nicer interior.

Bullitt180

The ES is a front wheel drive economy family sedan.

The GS400 is a rear wheel drive performance sedan that was the quickest 4 door sedan on the market when it came out.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

^you have to remember, that was a long time ago haha. In all seriousness, I don't know why but the GS out of all the Lexus models, is the hardest model to find in good shape. This generation has just been getting destroyed by people who sell them when they realize that just because it's a Lexus, doesn't mean it won't be free to maintain. I'm not discouraging you from one, but don't jump on one unless it's really clean, don't buy a cheap one.

Mr Jokster

iTrader: (8)

Very rude way to greet a new member.

Bullitt180

It doesn't matter how long ago it was because the two vehicles being compared are from that timeframe, so it only has to do with "a long time ago"

Straight foreword maybe, but not really rude. You can candy coat it if you want, but it's a dumb question. It's the same as when people ask their waiter at a restaurant to recommend something good on the menu. They haven't tried everything on the menu and their taste is going to differ from your own. You don't form your own opinion based on what other peoples opinions are. You do research and that is what determines your opinion. Also, again, they are two totally different classes of vehicle. If you're basing your car buying decision on "well, some people on this forum said it's better", then it doesn't matter, get the ES.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Someone must really like the 2nd gen GS. Good car, yes, but far from infallible and owning both, albiet a 300, not a 400, the ES is the smarter used car buy.

firelizard

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, and Val Kilmer used to be in good shape.

The ES330 is part of the 3rd generation of Lexus models, the GS400 is from 1998 and barely updated. It was also outpaced by BMW as fastest automatic sedan as soon as they launched the M5 and Lexus never recovered.

Aside from that yeah, you basically repeated the same pros and cons. The ES is mild and economical. The GS is faster and consumes fuel like a cruise ship. Handles like one too, stock.

Bullitt180

There are clean examples and busted examples of each one of these models, it all depends on how well they have been maintained. Best case scenario for either decision is a 16 year old GS or an 11 year old ES. At those ages, either they have already had issues or are going to soon.

All of the other rhetoric here is irrelevant, especially the BMW comment simply because he didn't add the M5 into his comparison so it doesn't matter if it surpassed anything.

There are 3 main points here.

1 - the 2 vehicles asked about are too different to compare, it's all going to be based on what you consider "better"

2 - take the time to do some research, there are countless reviews from tv shows, magazines, Internet articles all over the web. It's not hard to obtain the knowledge and form your own opinion on the two vehicles.

3 - in regards to buying used cars this old, you either want to be mechanically inclined or have the money to pay a mechanically inclined person to fix the inevitable problems......and mechanically inclined people don't ask this question, so have plenty of money to maintain your used car.