Found a GS430, 2001 with 117k miles for a very good price. Going to check it out tomorrow.

What are the common problems that I should check for?

I thought 117k miles is nothing for a Toyota, but reading some posts here made me wonder. Is that an issue with the GS430?

( sorry haven't had time to do thorough research since this came up quickly )

 

mine has 112k and runs silky smooth. luv it.

had to fix the door actuators though.

 

What do you mean by reading "some posts"? Be a bit more specific please...

 

Thanks!

@Rich23: I searched the forum and found many posts about brakes going bad (master cylinder==expensive) and ball joints around 100k

Also a handful of posts about various check engine/sensor problems, also starting to happen even below 100k.

Idle being rough, or even stalling etc.

Alternator going bad


Reading all this made me wonder how common it really is..

 

Get a carfax, maintenance records, make sure the 90k service was done, and make sure ball joints & tie rods were changed.

 

My 01' has had the following issues after 105k miles:

Sunroof shade rattled - easy DIY fix
Glovebox rattled - easy DIY fix
Door lock actuator broke - $5 DIY fix, pain in the butt tho
AC mode servo is clicking - not yet fixed
Might have air in coolant (high pitch bubbling noise behind drivers vent)

As you can see... nothing major

 

Thaks everyone!!!!

They want 3.5k for it - which I think is too cheap. Makes me suspicious...

 

They are only asking $3,500 for an 01 GS430?? Wow, something has to be wrong. I wouldn't even waste my time on that car. A car like that without a salvage title and no major issues should get at least $11,000 I would think.

On a side note, these cars really are quite excellent. Do your fluid flushes like you should with any car and change out the front lower ball joints, outer tie-rods, upper control arms and timing belt around 100k. Other than that, these cars really don't have any "common" problems.

 

Run like hell away from that GS.

My 98 with 128k was 8k...

 

I'd be REALLY suspicious of an '01 430 for $3500.....unless it is really trashed.

Even higher-mileage 430's usually sell for at least $7500. One thing I would check on is the maintenance history. If they can't produce a maintenance history, then I'd keep looking. Money saved up front on a car like this will surely be spent on the back end.

 

It's over 1hr drive for me so I won't bother.

Thanks again all!

 

Sounds like the one that was posted on craigslist.

 

x2, 147k and almost to the tee, exact same issues, minus the coolant thing and I will add:
Wind noise - semi-easy DIY that semi-fixed any issues.
Wheel balance: It seems to plague the 2GS in general, but my car was fine when i bought it, I put on Bridgestone's, and it started to shake, and hasn't gone away since, so I've been driving on my winter Perelli's because they don't do it as much. I think it's some sick combination of aluminium steering and suspension components, as well as tires, and other factors that only seem to be present on the 2GS, more specifically my 01' GS430.

 

yeah, that's a scam!

'98+ GS models with the V8 engines MIGHT be one of the most reliable cars you can buy though. AMAZING BUILD QUALITY. I honesty never thought I would be "THIS" happy with my First Lexus vehicle.. My GS makes me smile more and more every day. I love it!

I didn't know the rattle in the sunroof shade was an easy DIY! That's great to know. I need to look that up on here. What all does it involve?

When mine is closed, but not "TIGHTLY" it makes a light rattling sound near the back of the car more, it seems like? Weird.. I pull it closed ALL THE WAY, and it stops, until it moves back a tiny bit again. ha

 

Uh...old thread, dude.