flewby

Hi all, i just joined the club to get more info from the more experienced ones here. I'm currently looking at a gs300 awd with around 100k on it. Looks clean from the outside, what should i look in the inside? Any particular weak point? Also i'ts gonna be my first lexus i heard they are kinda bulletproof...
Anyways thanks in advance

ez12a

I would get either the v8 or a 07+ 350. You dont want to deal with the GS300 oil burning/carbon build up issues they're going to have.

Lukas99GS

Don't want to turn you away from the brand as Lexus are bulletproof cars but honestly the 06 300s are probably one of the least reliable cars Lexus has made, that engine was only used in that car for one year, it has oil burning problems, but other than that I've seen them with 200k, so they aren't horrible cars overall, but I'd look at a 2nd gen gs300 if you want reliability or save and get a 350/430/460 (the v8 models are bulletproof reliable for the 3rd generation GS)

haromania

Motor/brakes/media system, are all vastly improved on the 350. So if you are serious about wanting to know what to look for, look for a 350.

gridlock13

iTrader: (1)

i agree with the other members. i had a 300 awd and it gulped 2 quarts of oil every 600 miles. this was at its worst when i traded it in with 156k miles. the rest of the car was pretty solid but the engine was doodoo.

Zodiac00

Can I say 06 gs300 is a car Lexus wish they never made. Only one year of production and please get yourself a 350 and save your pocket and brain some heartache

YaMomma

Dam there are some 06 haters on this bad boy. I wouldn't be surprised if most of the responses are from people who never owned a 06 and are going off of what they have read. People post problems on forums looking for help. Most people don't leave a post stating everything is working great.

I've had my 06 for close to 5 years and haven't had any major problems. Replaced the water pump at 90k and thats been the only issue. I have 115k on it now and it burns 1/2 a quart every 5k miles. Can the engine have carbon build up issues, yes it can but Lexus will also replace the engine. Everyone is praising the 350 but there are tons of post with people talking about the 350 burning oil as well. If i were looking for a gs now i would get an 08+ 350 due to the upgraded navigation system. The 350 also has about 40 more hp then the 06 but its still a reasonably quick car.

To answer your question, make sure the previous owners kept up on their maintenance. The 90k one is the most expensive so you may want to make sure it was taken care of. The water pump seems to go around 80-110, make sure its not leaking or has been replaced. Create an account on drivers.lexus.com and check the VIN to see what has been done. There is also a debate in regards to replacing the transmission fluid.

Personally i wouldn't buy any car with 100k miles especially a luxury car. Not because the car can't do 200k+ but because you don't know how the last person treated the car. Lexus makes a solid car however IF you have any issue its going to cost you. If your good with your hands and can do your own maintenance then you might be alright. But if you are buying expensive parts and paying someone to install them things may get expensive. If you can't afford a 08 with lower miles then you may not be able to afford the up keep on a 06 or any high mileage luxury car.

booey23

actually thinking of getting a 06 gs300 with 67k miles. Should I? Pro and con?

ez12a

If you dont plan on keeping the car for more than 30-40k miles go for it. Hopefully you get a deal on it. I would get rid of it after you pass 100k.

All 3G GS300s will eventually have to get their valves cleaned, and it will get worse as the engine ages.

I'm also not sure if I'd speak of an engine replacement like it's something trivial. Is lexus going to cover the entire out of pocket cost? They aren't inclined to because the CSP for carbon build up was for 9 years and owners are now SOL. Good luck on not paying anything out of pocket monetarily or in time wasted.

Or just avoid this altogether and get a 350 with a significantly lower chance of problems.

MX73

Only 1 problems on my 3G GS300. I have over 110K. No rough idles, no performance issues. The only thing I have is the oil consumption issue.

energie8

If you have extra money to spend, I'd say get the 07 or 08, I owned 2 06's with over 300K and no problems besides wear and tear, had the oil consumption but that didnt' really bother me. But make sure it's a clean car if you get 06, other than that, totally up to you.

HDavidB

I bought my 06 GS 300 AWD two years ago.. it only had 53,000 kms = 33,125 miles.

Typical issues inside the car with Dash Rattle, Blue Tooth won't work with my samsung but does with my wifes iphone ?

I have 100,800 kms now and it burns oil right to the low limit of dipstick before I reach the next oil change.
No oil leaks on the engine or smoke coming from the exhaust... surprised it consumes this much oil ?

It does ride well and performs well, gets good gas mileage for an AWD.
Only thing I've replaced are the tires & wheel sensors, alternator and belt.
Ohhhh... my headlights just started bouncing today so that will be an interesting fix ??

Car does have some odd electrical issues but many other makes have the problems, tire pressure sensors, features that work one day but not the next.

Overall.. I'm happy with the car, love the body lines and overall driveability but not happy with Lexus Quality on this particular year.

jerzyfam

Contrary to popular opinion, I have an 06 GS300 with about 160k miles. While it does need oil sometimes in between changes (not al lthe time), I don't experience any other issues with it.