Please help me pick a car
#1
Driver School Candidate
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: MA
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Please help me pick a car
Hey guys i am currently looking for a used GS 350 I found a 2013 with 56k miles. It has luxury package and priced at 21k. Another one i found is 2015 with 21k miles priced at 25k with no package at all, literally bare bone GS 350. One part of me want a low mileage car and the other want some luxury. Any advice on what car i should get?
#2
Racer
Get the Luxury: so many great features. Turning headlights, variable suspension, WAY better seats, back seat controls and heat, pretty wheels.
The 2015 does have several updated items that are useful, but not enough to outweigh the value of the Luxury package.
The 2015 does have several updated items that are useful, but not enough to outweigh the value of the Luxury package.
Last edited by jonathancl; 04-19-19 at 11:51 AM.
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Im2bz2p345 (04-20-19)
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jonathancl (04-19-19)
#4
Easy pick for me. I went with the 2013 Lux package over the 15 base. Mileage delta was about the same as posted between the two. Haven’t regretted it one bit. The extra features are nice. The aiming headlights come in real handy on dark twisty mountain roads, but what’s 100% useful 100% of the time are the seats. I have back issues, so any and all help with seats pretty much trumps everything.
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#5
Lexus Champion
As with the others, I'd get the 2013 lux.
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Im2bz2p345 (04-20-19)
#7
Instructor
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If cared properly, (basic oil change for that mile) at 56k the engine is very young. At 60k you will need to do a bunch maintenance, (spark plugs, fluid change, etc) which means you get to make sure they are done on time. You will be good for another 60k miles before another major maintenance.
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#8
Racer
I considered an F Sport w 105k, would have bought it too if they'd given me a little more on my trade.
These machines are good to 200k no sweat.
Last edited by jonathancl; 04-19-19 at 10:41 AM.
#10
Lexus Champion
#11
Having come over to Lexus recently (just picked up a 2014 F Sport w/ ML with 58k on clock) from Audi it really makes me chuckle when I hear about what a major service looks like here. With my A4 as you get closer to 80k you got to plan a lot more with the biggest expense being timing belt, thermostat and water pump. I had a manual transmission which I really really liked but labor for a clutch was $2k alone. combine those two and you're easily looking at around $5k for parts and labor. I think German cars are great but preventative maintenance is the name of the game. Carbon build up is a whole other story. One thing you won't have to worry on the GS. You can thank the extra 6 port injectors for that.
I know everyone is different in their mechanical abilities but the 60k service to me on the Lexus is a joke and super easy. I've heard people being quoted $600 to replace spark plugs! sheeesh
I know everyone is different in their mechanical abilities but the 60k service to me on the Lexus is a joke and super easy. I've heard people being quoted $600 to replace spark plugs! sheeesh
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Im2bz2p345 (04-20-19)
#12
Instructor
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Having come over to Lexus recently (just picked up a 2014 F Sport w/ ML with 58k on clock) from Audi it really makes me chuckle when I hear about what a major service looks like here. With my A4 as you get closer to 80k you got to plan a lot more with the biggest expense being timing belt, thermostat and water pump. I had a manual transmission which I really really liked but labor for a clutch was $2k alone. combine those two and you're easily looking at around $5k for parts and labor. I think German cars are great but preventative maintenance is the name of the game. Carbon build up is a whole other story. One thing you won't have to worry on the GS. You can thank the extra 6 port injectors for that.
I know everyone is different in their mechanical abilities but the 60k service to me on the Lexus is a joke and super easy. I've heard people being quoted $600 to replace spark plugs! sheeesh
I know everyone is different in their mechanical abilities but the 60k service to me on the Lexus is a joke and super easy. I've heard people being quoted $600 to replace spark plugs! sheeesh
#13
Intermediate
The major 60k service items are:
I bought my GS350 at 64k and while the Car Fax and Lexus Owner service records showed a lot of services being done at 58k, plugs were not one of them. So I think I'll monitor for bad engine performance and watch historical gas mileage and as long as things seem good, not sure there is a reason to change the plugs.
On the brake fluid, I've seen vehement arguments against changing the brake fluid but for me, it's cheap and easy to do so why not?
On the coolant, not sure there is any need as first change is at 100k. As long as you keep it full and it's clear, pink and free of any debris, I'd call it good.
Transmission fluid change is another contentious topic and there are those on both sides. I'm of the opinion that it should be changed at around 60k miles. I'm just approaching 70k miles and haven't done it yet but I'm getting ready to. This would not be a big deal if not for the fact that these have no dipstick and they are pretty annoying to change the fluid on. There are a lot of threads on it for the details.
BTW, for those interested, here is what the Lexus Service Guide says for a 2013 GS350. I've seen people arguing about how people call these "sealed" transmissions etc so this might clear that up; or not. It also shows that Toyota/Lexus don't intend for the ATF to ever be replaced which seems crazy to me.:
- oil change
- spark plug change
- brake check
- brake fluid change
- cabin air filter change
- engine air filter change
I bought my GS350 at 64k and while the Car Fax and Lexus Owner service records showed a lot of services being done at 58k, plugs were not one of them. So I think I'll monitor for bad engine performance and watch historical gas mileage and as long as things seem good, not sure there is a reason to change the plugs.
On the brake fluid, I've seen vehement arguments against changing the brake fluid but for me, it's cheap and easy to do so why not?
On the coolant, not sure there is any need as first change is at 100k. As long as you keep it full and it's clear, pink and free of any debris, I'd call it good.
Transmission fluid change is another contentious topic and there are those on both sides. I'm of the opinion that it should be changed at around 60k miles. I'm just approaching 70k miles and haven't done it yet but I'm getting ready to. This would not be a big deal if not for the fact that these have no dipstick and they are pretty annoying to change the fluid on. There are a lot of threads on it for the details.
BTW, for those interested, here is what the Lexus Service Guide says for a 2013 GS350. I've seen people arguing about how people call these "sealed" transmissions etc so this might clear that up; or not. It also shows that Toyota/Lexus don't intend for the ATF to ever be replaced which seems crazy to me.:
Transmission/Transfer Case Inspect transmission/transfer case for signs of leakage. If you discover any leakage, have it repaired immediately by a qualified technician. Note: The transmission/transfer case and transmission fluid are a completely sealed unit. Therefore, periodic checks and replacement of the transmission fluid are not required, and there is no dipstick on the transmission. Any repairs that require adding or replacing fluid should be performed by a qualified technician following procedures in Lexus service and repair publications.
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swat1727 (04-19-19)
#14
Having come over to Lexus recently (just picked up a 2014 F Sport w/ ML with 58k on clock) from Audi it really makes me chuckle when I hear about what a major service looks like here. With my A4 as you get closer to 80k you got to plan a lot more with the biggest expense being timing belt, thermostat and water pump. I had a manual transmission which I really really liked but labor for a clutch was $2k alone. combine those two and you're easily looking at around $5k for parts and labor. I think German cars are great but preventative maintenance is the name of the game. Carbon build up is a whole other story. One thing you won't have to worry on the GS. You can thank the extra 6 port injectors for that.
I know everyone is different in their mechanical abilities but the 60k service to me on the Lexus is a joke and super easy. I've heard people being quoted $600 to replace spark plugs! sheeesh
I know everyone is different in their mechanical abilities but the 60k service to me on the Lexus is a joke and super easy. I've heard people being quoted $600 to replace spark plugs! sheeesh
#15
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Im2bz2p345 (04-20-19)