Thinking Of Buying 01 Gs 300 - Input/advice, Please!

[Qusjone]

Hi - bit new to the forum, have passively read for a while and been very impressed with everyone! This is my first time post.

I am considering buying a 2001 GS 300 with 69k mi for $16k in Raleigh, NC. It seems to be in pristine condition, drives perfect. Looks great and to me seems like a pretty solid deal. Carfax report shows it was serviced regularly at lexus dealers by all prior owners (I'm trying to see if I can get a local Lexus dealer svc dept to give me a copy of the past service history database for the VIN just to verify specifics, esp. whether the 60k service was completed or not).

My question is a general one for the forum members experienced with (current or past owners of) the 2001 GS 300: what kind of problems and/or maintence/service problems have you typically encountered, or know or have heard to be common (if any) with this vehicle? Any specific thoughts, opinions, advice on the car generally or this purchase specifically is most welcome!

My wife and I owned a 2001 RX 300 for 3+ years and overall loved it. Based on that experience, I have some frame of reference and idea of what to expect overall from an 01 GS (or just about any other Lexus for that matter) - little to no problems, certainly nothing serious likely in the offing.

Nonetheless, given it's a different, more sportscar-oriented platform, and since I've never - no, never - owned or kept a car up to this high of mileage, I am a little concerned over what sort of usual engineering or design gremlins might be most likely, or perhaps even assured, of rearing their likely rare but ugly head.

Any input, short or long, from forum members is gratefully appreciated in advance! Thanks to all...

Best, Josh N. - Durham NC

[Qusjone]

No takers, huh?

"Bueller...?...Bueller...?...Bueller?"

[dcfish]

Hi - bit new to the forum, have passively read for a while and been very impressed with everyone! This is my first time post.

I am considering buying a 2001 GS 300 with 69k mi for $16k in Raleigh, NC. It seems to be in pristine condition, drives perfect. Looks great and to me seems like a pretty solid deal. Carfax report shows it was serviced regularly at lexus dealers by all prior owners (I'm trying to see if I can get a local Lexus dealer svc dept to give me a copy of the past service history database for the VIN just to verify specifics, esp. whether the 60k service was completed or not).

My question is a general one for the forum members experienced with (current or past owners of) the 2001 GS 300: what kind of problems and/or maintence/service problems have you typically encountered, or know or have heard to be common (if any) with this vehicle? Any specific thoughts, opinions, advice on the car generally or this purchase specifically is most welcome!

My wife and I owned a 2001 RX 300 for 3+ years and overall loved it. Based on that experience, I have some frame of reference and idea of what to expect overall from an 01 GS (or just about any other Lexus for that matter) - little to no problems, certainly nothing serious likely in the offing.

Nonetheless, given it's a different, more sportscar-oriented platform, and since I've never - no, never - owned or kept a car up to this high of mileage, I am a little concerned over what sort of usual engineering or design gremlins might be most likely, or perhaps even assured, of rearing their likely rare but ugly head.

Any input, short or long, from forum members is gratefully appreciated in advance! Thanks to all...

Best, Josh N. - Durham NC

Get the price down and buy it. You'll love it.

[rickgus]

What he said B)

I paid $16k for my '99 a couple months ago, and it only had 34k miles on it.

So far, an awesome car!!

[Qusjone]

Thanks DC and Rick, I appreciate the feedback!

Anyone else with any input or experience, esp. mechanical or service matters-related?

Thanks again to all...

[raymsixsix]

Hey Qusjone, I had the same yr. and model you're looking at, and I must say it was relatively trouble free. I bought it with 42k miles and put 50k miles on it. In that time frame, I had an o2 sensor go bad as well as two power door lock actuators. I loved that car and I considered that to be pretty trouble free. If you decide to make a deal, I'm sure you'll enjoy. Let us know what takes place

[Qusjone]

Ray - thanks for sharing your experience. I suppose I too would consider that to be relatively trouble-free (albeit not cheapo repairs, I am sure)...!

Not sure what it is about Toyota and their o2 sensors. My wife had an older Paseo which needed an o2 sensor at about 75k miles, and I know 3 others who own toyota products (2 lexus, 1 toyota) and they all 3 also had o2 sensor issues one or more times. Seems like a bad supplier got "designed-in" (as we say...)

Thanks again to all, and I welcome any more responses...Will make final purchase decision w/in next 48 hrs or so...Definitely leaning towards buying it!

[Importfan2]

Ray - thanks for sharing your experience. I suppose I too would consider that to be relatively trouble-free (albeit not cheapo repairs, I am sure)...!

Not sure what it is about Toyota and their o2 sensors. My wife had an older Paseo which needed an o2 sensor at about 75k miles, and I know 3 others who own toyota products (2 lexus, 1 toyota) and they all 3 also had o2 sensor issues one or more times. Seems like a bad supplier got "designed-in" (as we say...)

Thanks again to all, and I welcome any more responses...Will make final purchase decision w/in next 48 hrs or so...Definitely leaning towards buying it!

GL with the purchase....

As I just joined the boards...finally decided to post after doing some reading...im picking up a 00 Gs300 for 14k..wit 100k on the clock...cant wait for 2morrow

[athenslex]

Own a 2001 GS 300 with 82,000 miles. I have the lexus certification. That would give you some piece of mind. No major problems yet on mine. I am getting some of the creaking and groaning from the front suspension that many have talked about. Probably the ball joints or control arms. Otherwise a solid smooth if not exciting to drive "whip".