cesargucla

My 1999 GS 300 is a "total loss" and the insurance settlement offer is laughable at barely "private party" base price.

I need a recommendation for a licensed appraisal service that will fairly consider the mods I've made to my car.

Any recommendations out there?

Thanks!

Cesar

Well, I have 2000 GS300 with GPS.

It happened to be a GEN 1 system. That is where you have to update hard drive. you go to the dealer, pay him $400. They send it to the main office and call you back when update comes. then you pay another $93 for installation. All that plus tax comes to over $500. What is the worst is that the latest update for that system is July 2004.

Their explanation is that the hard drive is 1.6GB and the latest information is 2GB. It would not fit into existing hard drive, therefore the company stopped any update of the system. Hence the folks that bought GEN 1 system are now in the cold.

I wonder if any one can come up with idea how to implement an update, let's say 4GB flash memory stick with the hard drive operating system, or any drive on that matter. Hmm... it could be made copy protected too. But I really don’t care. I feel cheated by Lexus. Not only they stopped updating/servicing their product, they also charge over twice the price for the old system compare to new CD's.

Any suggestions?

I'm in the same boat! Don't want to pony up the $$ but would still like an update. Worse for me, my current hard drive failed... I was doing just fine with old 1999/1998 data now I have no nav at all. Do you have your old hard drive or did they take it as a core? I'd pay you money for yours!

I was checking at the dealer for the update for the Navigation information on my GS400 and they told me it was $500+ to get the November update. I have done some research and it is a harddrive that simply is removed and replaced. I've looked high and low but can't find it anywhere other then the dealer. Anyone have any suggestions?

What year is your gs? Has it ever been updated?

I have a 1998 GS. The dealer here in Salt Lake tells me there was an update that they received in November. I have to believe that there is a more economical way to get a new harddrive update.

www.sewelllexus.com has the latest update for $329. Unless you get lucky and find an older update 2003 on ebay for less $$ you'll have to pay the $329.

Clear the calipers is correct on the front wheels brake swap..

Have reman TT front calipers for upgrade and Volk GT-C's so brakes will fit. Any info on the adapter needed for rears? Also, what about the emergency brake shoes, is that the same design as the GS?

Looking for some help on the TT rear brake upgrade.

TT rears will not fit without a custom bracket. One of the downsides of the TTs are that they are heavy, heavier than OEM even. This will impact handling. Another issue with the TTs is that the calipers are huge and will require wheels that can fit over them. The OEMs will definitely not.

Neo,

Any more info on the custom bracket needed for the TT rears?

Thanks,

Cesar

Hey, I upgraded my brakes to the Supra TT rotors and calipers and the 4 piston brakes are amazing, the improved braking is very impressive. Here is some pic's... I paid $500 for the entire setup (rebuilt calipers)

JIBBBY - Can you tell me how I can do the same for my GS300? I like that idea!!!

My 2000 Gs400 did not come with a Nav system, I found a donor gs400 with the system, does anyone know if the car is already prewired with the wiring harness for the nav system? can an oem system be added?

There is a way to do it that is not easy, it requires a totally seperate harness that is "jumpered" into the existing wiring. The nav system touches the audo amp system for voice commands, the data link system for speed info used for the GPS display, power from the audio feed and the harness runs from the dash to the trunk!!! What a b%*&h to install!!! But if you are really stubborn, you can do it... I'm sure you can install a good aftermarket unit for a lot less misery. I recommend the new Pioneer systems.

If you decide to not pursue the upgrade, please let me know, I'd be interested in the components.

Thanks, Cesar

I need some help with my OEM upgrade to a Lexus hard-drive based Nav system on my 1999 GS300. I have all components i.e. Multi purpose display with climate control and audio, Nav ECU (trunk mounted), and an aftermarket wiring harness.

I have installed the harness and right now have no power to the system so I don't have power up on the system.

Does anyone out there have any expertise in this area? I'd like to test my units in a Nav equipped car if anyone would be willing to do that.

If anyone has a source for aftermarket harnesses, that would be helpful too.

Thanks for any advice you can provide!

Contact Cesar at 562-230-3034 or reply to this post or e-mail to cesar.gonzalez@netzero.com

7 years or 90thou miles whichever comes first. <_<  Replace water pump at the same time.

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I would also recommend that you change the cam gears as well. Opportunity costs - get it ALL done at once. I just had my timing belt, water pump and cam gears replaced. That repair job at retail prices is in excess of $1,500 - it's a big job, but a timing belt failure on this engine could be disasterous. Major damage could result to the valves and cylinders. Don't hesiate to replace any hoses as well.