I've narrowed it down to 2 choices and would appreciate some input.

1. ​1998, 142k miles, $3k

• 90k service has been done but that was almost 10 years ago...
• brakes very recently serviced
• has been sitting at dealer for the past 2/3 years
• no documented maintenance outside of what was done at the dealer 10+ years ago
• nakamichi but display is broken
• heated seats
• aftermarket rims and exhaust but I couldn't tell what they were. Rims are in pretty bad shape but useable with plastidip lol
• seats are in better condition than #2
• windows/sunroof/AC all work as far as I can tell

2. 1998, 120k miles, $3.7k

• TB/WP were changed at 110k miles a couple years ago
• will need new brakes and tires relatively soon
• no other documented maintenance besides dealership stuff 11+ years ago
• seats aren't bad but not as good as #1
• windows/sunroof/AC work
• bone stock
• regular stereo and no heated seats
• exterior in slightly better condition

I was set on #2 because it seemed like the safer choice but that was before #1 went from $3.5k to $3k...

What would you guys pick?

 

#2, offer the guygal 3K and see what he/she says!

 

Yeah I just asked him if he'd go any lower... Already told him earlier that I would take it but #1 came out of nowhere with the $3k (originally had it listed it for $4.5 before I brought it down to $3.5). Hopefully he doesn't think I'm bull****ting him.

 

#2 but I would look for an 01+

 

Aaaaaand he just said "so do you still want it" LOL. English isn't his first language so I guess that's a no...

 

Couldn't find any in my budget unfortunately :/

 

If you haven't already done so, you need to take both for a drive and that will make your decision for you.

The engines, exhaust, gearboxes and suspension on this model are super-reliable - my '98 has done 186,000 and other forum members claim over 300,000. On a car of this age look and listen out for things which will cost you money - rough gear changes, smoky exhaust, poor idling, steering creaks, wheel bearings, unbalanced steering & braking and warning lights.

The big deal on these cars is the wiring loom. After 18 years the insulation can start to break down and my Lexus dealer tells me that they have had to scrap otherwise-good Lexus for this reason alone.

Don't be put off - I love my '98 GS.

 

Yeah I got to drive both of them. My hearts wants #1 only because it already had mufflers on them and I have a soft spot for throaty V8s. My brain knows that #2 is the safer choice.

Either way though, am I right in assuming that both of these are priced fairly?

 

You will have to be guided by someone else. Here in England the market is quite different and even something as highly-regarded as a GS that is 18 years old would fetch the equivalent of $1,500 max.

I assume from your last post that those you are considering are GS400 (V8). The model here is a V6 GS300 - we Brits are quite conservative and our fuel prices you would not believe!

 

keep looking for an 01+ as lexo98 said. otherwise i would go with number 1

 

If it's not too much trouble, could you elaborate as to why you'd go with #1? I ask because I've been playing mental gymnastics all day and settled on #2 but still like #1 lol

 

Is there a car fax on them? i partly think one becasue maybe its been kept safe at the dealership? just a thought there. can you take pictures of both of them and post them up?

 

Why #2: lower miles and the major services have been done more recently. Belts go bad because of years and mileage.

Why I would go 01+ updated lower control arms. Updated tail lights, speedometer cluster ,center A/C bezel, steering wheel and airbag, grille and stock wheels are different too. Might be forgetting somethings but most of us have probably spent the extra money buying theses things to update ours.

 

Neither if they are both Gs300s. Get a Gs400 or Gs430. Scrounge up a little more to get one.

 

On work computer so don't have any pics unfortunately. Carfax is clean on both of them and don't show anything interesting besides the usual stuff. #1 is on owner 6 and #2 is on owner 4 though lol

Thanks for the elaboration! That was my thought process for #2 as well. I do like the look of the 01+ but this is a possibly temporary beater DD so cheaper the better

Can't believe I left that out - they're both GS400s