02blkgs430

iTrader: (1)

Hi guys, after owning 02 GS430 for many years with 220k miles it was a natural progression for me to jump into an LS430. I have thought about used LS460 even the new BMW's (I get crazy good employee discount) but I just pulled the trigger
on a car that I always wanted ever since it came out back in 01. LS was driven by an old lady that barely drove in Santa Monica and ALL the maintenance was done at dealership, here are the good and bad.

Good 1. 2005 model with 84K original miles
2. Clean carafx, not a single bodywork on it.
3. Got a "pretty good?" deal. paid 12k
4. Car drives like a dream, still turns heads

Bad 1.Had to replace a radiator about a month after because end tank was leaking coolant. Went with OEM Denso, thermostat, radiator cap and upper and lower hoses.
2. LCA needs to be replaced, heard its a pretty common thing on our cars so no biggie.

Thats pretty much it!!, only modification I did was to install Osram CBB bulbs, installed clear projector lense and removed amber lense.
Here are some pictures, thanks for looking! FYI last two pics are my old GS.

Peacebay

Every time I see a black 430 with those wheels it makes me wish I had gone with that color. Such a great looking car. Welcome to the club

ebxgsxr

very nice. congrats on your find. i wish my car looked that clean. lol.

Johnhav430

Congrats! 84k is a good mileage, I was told when I got mine at 81k, that it was totally safe to drain/fill tranny 3X. I DIY my wife's SUV, but the LS I let the indie do it....the LCA bushings seem to either be DIY, or pay an indie $150 to $300 (seems to depend on region of country) labor, and get the OE parts on eBay...

johnnylt

Wow those headlights are beautiful , I just checked them out ,there about $190.00 for the pair ?? wow expensive ,anything similar a little less money

Legender

Great find. Looks like you're sticking with black... if it works keep it. Welcome to the LS club as you've already been in the Lexus club.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Congrats on the nice 430!

Daspyda

iTrader: (1)

So, the "bad" is that you had to do a little work on a 23-year-old car?

I'd say the 'good" is that you had to do so little.

What about the timing belt?

02blkgs430

iTrader: (1)

Thx guys for all your kind words, I plan to keep it clean and stock.
Johnnylt- I had Osram CBI bulbs on my previous GS and looked great, I think you can get them for like $120
Daspyda- You know my GS spoiled me lol, so I was kinda surprised to when the radiator stopped working only @84k miles. I love this car, no complaints here.
Asked for a complete service record and looks like timing belt package job was performed @69k miles also even the park plugs and all the fluids were flushed 10k miles later.
Is that a Z32 I see on your avatar? great car but also gave me a back problem from leaning so low to work on it lol

Now I just gotta do something about the navi bezel, looks like the previous owner loved wearing lots of jewelry, any ideas guys?
thx in advance

Romanova

Can you be more detailed about how you removed the amber inserts from the headlights? Looks really clean. I've been contemplating JDM units because they don't have the DOT required amber reflector, but then the beam pattern will be different due to RHD...

cooltech78

Thats a great looking car, congrats! A little work isn't too suprising, but that car should do well otherwise. Besides the radiator (at 150k) and a control arm mine hasn't needed anything since I bought it 7 years ago. It continues to look and run like new. Its a 2001 that hit 200k miles last month.

02blkgs430

iTrader: (1)

Sure I replaced the amber piece with a clear lense called Styrene from Home Depot. The lense is actually too thin to cover the small lighting hole but its cost effective and looks way better than a naked chrome if you didn't install after you remove the amber lense.
Yah I didn't wanna mess with JDM ones, most of them I've seen are over priced (04-06) and too many of them all have broken mounting tabs which I really hate.

Thx and funny how our cars both have same radiator and LCA issues Congrats on 200k miles, I hope to achieve the same.

monkey92

iTrader: (3)

both the former GS and the current LS look amazing! congrats on the ride, i myself am looking for an LS down the road for a daily

homeynow

My friend drove a GS 300 back in the days. Love his car. Black on Black. Seeing your GS430 reminds me the good old times. How much did you sell the GS for? thanks

heidihidin

a 2005 is 23 years old?