jonathancl

SomethingAwful has a model review thread in their Automotive Insanity section. No one's said anything about Lexus yet, so I thought I'd represent.

But who am I to review this wonderful machine without the rest of you?

Please suggest changes and additions, especially for 'cons'. Please keep it factual, general and reasonable. Updates will be made to this post.

Review:

Year/Make/Model: 2001 Lexus GS430
Engine: 4.3l V8 300bhp 320ftlbs
Drive train: 5spd automatic RWD
Mileage: 30k when purchased in April 2004
Price: $30k
Current Mileage: 65k

Why: Wanted a sporty sedan that would last up to ten years if need be. Lexus has had the best three-year problem rating for eleven years and provides the best union of form, function, value and reliability. Audi A6 4.2 and BMW 540 were contenders but could not compete on value and reliability.



Pros:
-Fast! 0-60 in 5.8 sec
-Extremely reliable
-Pretty lines
-Excellent crash rating, has dual front, side and curtain air bags
-Handling is very good stock but not as good as BMW
-Vehicle Skid Control to keep rear-end behind you
-Braking Assist to provide more power on rapid pedal depression
-ABS
-'Snow' mode to reduce torque in slippery conditions
-Nice leather and wood interior, very comfortable seats, two driver memory
-Decent trunk, though not as big as Camry, full size spare
-Good gas mileage for a V8: 16/22, more or less depending on driver
-Mark Levinson stereo sounds lovely: dash mounted cd changer, steering wheel controls, optional DVD Nav
-Very quiet and comfortable
-DRLs, security system, chip-based engine immobilizer
-Requires only routine maintenance
-Huge array of aftermarket upgrade options for performance and aesthetics

Cons:
-Sketchy in snow without snow tires
-Not as much 'road feel' as BMW
-Stock suspension is a little soft in corners and 'floaty' above 85mph
-Heavy

Popular Mods:
Many drivers enhance (some say 'fix') the handling with suspension upgrades that can be made for $400 and up.
-Suspension: Coilovers: Tein CS or Flex, Bilstein PSS, JIC, Zeal, others; or Lexus L-Tuned Shocks and Springs.
-Sways: Daizen or TRD
-Bracing: Toms front and rear LCBs and 6 link, front and rear STBs.

pavster

I think you summed it up pretty well. Maybe one thing to add to the negatives is that the car tramlines like it's drunk with the stock 17s and stock suspension. Had I known that before I bought the car, I would have looked elsewhere. Now I have to decide the least painful way to lose a few grand: trade for a bimmer or try to do something Toyota couldn't -- sort out the suspension.

-pavel.

TeeLex

iTrader: (24)

Sorting the suspension is easy - you have all the answers here on CL. Plus you get to keep the excellent reliability, fit and finish of Lexus.

Suspension - Coilovers are best bet - something like the Tein CS, Flex, Bilstein PSS, JIC, Zeal, etc. If coilovers are over the budget, then L Tuned S/S.

Sways - Daizen or TRD sways

Bracing - Toms front and rear LCB's and 6 link, Front and rear STB's.

Do this and your Lexus will be significantly improved ( if you do all of the above - night and day! ). I would recommend the changes in order of importance just as listed above.

pavster

Yeah, I am going down the suspension upgrade route for now because the rest of the car is so amazing. I really hope it works. Sways are in, L-Tuned S/S going in this weekend, bracing and bushings will come shortly thereafter. Still it's weird to have to spend $2k on suspension just to make it drivable (...on the Massachusetts badly rutted roads...).

-pavel.

jonathancl

You're going to be very happy with the results.

aloha08isf

iTrader: (2)

yups I am planning my suspension mods in the same order! next up is daizen front/rear sways.