rerose

Ok folks I could use some guidance here. I have a 1999 GS300 with approximately 185K miles that has been my wife's daily driver for years. She still loves the car but some nagging repairs are starting to pile up. The car has a leak at the front of the engine (not cam gear, not valve covers) that leaves a couple drips of oil each night in the garage. I have this strange snap, crackle, pop that comes from behind the dash that drives me nuts when I drive it (hvac motors), and I have this intermittent charcoal canister error that shows up when I fill up the tank. Other than that, still great ride and engine smooth as silk.

Do I spend the money for repairs on an almost 20 year old car? Or do I say goodbye to an old friend? What are your thoughts?

Thanks

kevin3344

This is a decision I've considered over the 18+ years I've owned my GS400, and I'll tell you how I've come up with my plans to keep it.

1.) Ask yourself are these wear and tear items or is the vehicle starting to break down? Generally with a 2GS as long as you maintain her she is going to treat you well. I've never been left on the side of the road and that's something I consider when picking up a friend whose car has broken down. Reliability is very important to me!

2.) Ask yourself what else could you buy for the price that would be comparable? I've put in $3-4k in repairs in my 2GS over the past several years but they were things like motor mounts, spark plugs, timing chain & water pump change...things you don't do every day and would last several years. However, I doubt I could pick up another car for $3-4k that would run as well as this one.

3.) Ask yourself do you still enjoy the vehicle? Ultimately I love my GS400 and it is not for sale. I have an SC430 for the weekends and I even may pick up a used LC500 several years from now at a discount (if you haven't seen one yet in person check it out it's awesome) but I will always keep my GS. I just like the style and even though I've test driven newer cars it has the perfect balance of performance and luxury.

MedicalDoc

I would say that it depends on how much you like the wife vs the GS. In my case, I would keep the car.

bravo261

iTrader: (1)

I'm in the same boat, and i worry about throwing good money after bad. CEL came on and the local CL-approved mechanic said i need a new catalytic converter, and at $1100, i balked but thought about it. Luckily (thanks CL) its hopefully just an O2 sensor. my tire literally exploded two week ago and the wheel slammed into the quarter panel, which is a $1200 repair on a custom paint job. Lip needs replacing, so that's another $300. But in the end, i couldn't imagine giving it up, if only because its fairly modded with full bodykit and all that jazz, even if it mostly sits in storage.

If it was a stock car, its a goner, but to put an Lsportline kit and all that into someone's garage that can't appreciate it? that indignity would kill me