Hey guys!
i'm looking to join the Lexus family.
i've been looking through a ton of CL ads over the last few weeks and finally went and test drove a 98 gs400. Needless to say the thing was a pile and not worth my time.
It seems that finding a decent v8 GS in the tri-state area is easier said than done.
But.
I did find a seemingly really clean 01 gs430 with about 137k miles that i'm going to look at this sunday.

Basically what i'm wondering (because i'm new to this platform) are any trouble spots, specific things that I should be looking for; other than timing belt and other normal used car things?
I know that the front ends can be a little wonky, and this car does have navigation which i know can be a trouble spot. but other than that is there anything else that i'll need to know?
THANKS AGAIN IN ADVANCE

Other than what you've already stated. I'll add ABS module, and throttle body problems.

timing belt service is mandatory
window and door actuators - make sure they function w/o noise
telescoping steering wheel motor - same
i never had a front end issues w/ any of my lexus but i guess others have...
google clublexus 2gs and issues and you'll get more info

2gs430 is an awesome car. expect 14 mpg

Nailed it. I would also add to check/test all 4 of the blend door servos for the heating and cooling. On that you have the driver side temp, passenger side temp, vent position and recirculating button. Test them out in all positions/ temperatures and make sure you do not hear any clicking. Really you should take them all apart anyways to clean the chard contact ends and use some dielectric grease so you can have a nice long lasting trouble free HVAC system.

alright guys thanks a bunch. i'll let you all know how it goes sunday.

if this car is a dud i'm looking at an sc400 or a ls400 next

I had an SC400 and currently own a GS300. Differences in motors aside, I prefer the GS. Interior quality is pretty much the same but the layout of the GS is better in my opinion. I think the GS is the better driver too...not that the SC is bad but I think the GS has a better steering feel and rides nicer. However, there are a lot of Supra parts you can swap onto the SC. The mounting points on the unibodies are almost the same between them so you can put the Supra suspension on it and even the Supra seats are a direct bolt in.

Ball joints - dont forget those

So, i ended up picking up an '02 GS430 a few weeks ago. The car has about 137k on it and Thus far ive done a bunch of maintainence that was neglected on the car. (Valve cover gaskets, coils, plugs, new MAF, filters etc.) The car still needs tires (& nice wheels) and some brakes. But overall everything you guys told me watch out for, everything is relatively perfect. Which is crazy considering i bought the car from Queens. In a few weeks ill get around to getting the timing belt done because i never got a record of it getting done. Im just super happy to have this car on the road, definitely one of the better cars ive ever owned.

Nice. Congratulations on your purchase.

Congrats man and welcome! I'm from NJ as well!
It was certainly tough trying to find a clean GS around here that hasn't been abused or riced out for a decent price. I really wanted a 400 or 430 but my previous car was falling apart and I finally settled for a 300 with under 80k mi.
I've been very happy with this car so far and its been easy to work on.
Best of luck!

Thanks man! I really dont have a ton of plans for this thing. Mainly just the simple things like wheels, coilovers, and supra brakes. But all thats going to wait a little while because im way behind on getting my miata together for this drift season lol

Does anyone have any idea what kind of rear diff is in my car? Like what gearing it is and if its an lsd? Or what would be an upgrade to an lsd diff? Because im kind of getting tired of the one legged burnouts and such

Factory the GS400 and GS430 came with a 3.266 rear end that is open (no LSD). The upgrade would be to a supra automatic LSD (the manuals have a larger pumpkin and wont work). This will change the rear ratio as the supra came with a 3.76 rear end so you'll lose some top end speed. The LSDs are expensive though and will run $1000+. I just got one after a year of looking. Gerrb might have one. I would message him

do you search on here for anything or just ask every ? you wanna know?

From over the 10+ years ive spent trying to use various forums' search engines. Ive came to the conclusion its wayy easier to ask any simple questions in an active thread.