tmwfla

CitationCapt, did you replace w/OEM Lexus shocks? If not, what did you put on as replacements?

"$210 ish" for just the part or for the install too?

I tried finding a s/c for the gs400 and I couldn't find anything; unfortunately TONS of stuff for the GS300 and IS300, but nothing for the GS400. Why is this? I had read on here that SRT has/had a twin turbo setup for something around $20k! When I go to their site, the link doesn't work, so my guess is that animal doesn't exist any longer either. Why does nobody make anything substantial for the GS400?

Mine is due as well, and I called two Lexus dealers in the Phoenix area (including the suburbs). All I asked was a quote for the 90k service for my '98 GS400. To my surprise, I was quoted $950.00 by one dealership, and $1406.33 by the other!

Lower cost of production (same basic car, albeit shortened) + same or higher MSRP + higher demand for updated design = MUCH higher profit margin. Simple economics. GM is actually trying to design a basic frame/integrated fuel cell that will be shared among all GM models. This would dramatically reduce production costs...but can you imagine the cost of "replacement" if you puncture your "fuel cell"?!

Yeah, the "$1 install" is not what caught me; I always hear their commercials, so I thought just maybe they've worked on enough cars to come across one of these. Can you suggest any of the shops you're referring to please? I'm not familiar with any shops, let alone REPUTABLE shops that won't rip you off.

I thought I remember reading a post from someone saying they used an independent shop in Glendale or Peoria that specialized in Toyota/Lexus and they did most everything from performance upgrades, installations only, and audio installs, etc. The specific post I THINK I remember reading was referring to a GS400, which I also have ('98). Can anyone please help me with a recommendation? Specifically, I'm looking for someone who will do a QUALITY install on audio/nav equipment I purchase and bring in. There will need to be a custom bezel to look nice as there seems to be nothing out there for a double-din for the GS400. The reason I didn't put this post in the audio forum is because there are other things I'll eventually want the shop to do, performance-wise and that forum seems to have nothing about the GS. I've searched this and the other forums for "AZ", "Arizona", "Phoenix" and "GS400" with no luck. Please help. I went to "Audio Express" 10/31 and was not impressed with the guy I talked to. I asked if he'd ever worked on a GS and he said "...look outside. We have a Porshe outside and a Hummer in the back..." not listening to a word I said about the wiring harness and lack of availability of a double-din mounting kit. He obviously thought I was asking if he'd ever worked on a "prestigious" car (that makes me mad alone...I don't view my 97k mile USED Lexus as a prestigious car; if Toyota imported a self-branded sedan like the GS4, I would have bought that!). The Porsche, by the way, was a mid-80s 911 SC POS (Porsche is my favorite make, by the way).

I have used them on a 2000 Jeep Wrangler Sahara I owned. I only had to use them once in April of 2003, but they were great. I drove the Jeep from FL to AZ with no problems. Once I hit AZ, I asked my wife if she'd like to see the house we bought (I had to find a house in 2 days and she wasn't able to come out with me to find the house) and she, of course said yes. We parked the UHaul etc and hit the road. 5 miles later, the Jeep just quit. I called Warranty Direct (always keep the booklet in your glove box!) and had a tow truck out to me w/in 30 minutes. Turned out to be the oil pump. I'd recommend them and if I buy another extended warranty, will be getting one from them again (my Lex has 97k miles on it, so I'm out of luck for this car as far as getting an ext warr). I have no affiliation w/Warranty Direct other than using them on a past Jeep.

Very nice. Tasteful and sharp.

I usually only read these forums and not post much, BUT, you're in the EXACT same position as I was about 3 months ago. I was looking for a "sport" sedan. Nothing from the states got my blood pumping. I read too many horror stories about German offerings, but I narrowed it down to either a BMW 540i, 740i (didn't want the iL), or an Audi A6 V8. I couldn't find an A6 V8 in my price range (also 15K), so that was a quick decision. I found a really nice 98 BMW 540i for 18K w/only 52k miles and liked it when I drove it (test drove it twice), but some of the LEDs on the dash were already fading, and the dealer wasn't willing to deal on it (in all fairness, he was asking quite below "avg book"), so I didn't get that one. I test drove a 2000 GS400 w/105k miles and liked it too, but the dealer was asking way too much I thought (19k I think). Finally, I found a private owner (i.e. no tax to pay!) that had a 98 GS400 w/90k miles on it w/new tires and windshield. This thing was seriously one of the nicest used cars I'd ever seen. He was asking 15,500 and took 15k for it. This is my first, but definitely not my last Lexus. I love the 400 (could use a BIT more power though). I've even been trying to convince my wife to sell her '03 Subaru Outback for a used GS4; she's so far resisted my idea due to being scared of a higher mileage car. We'll see how it pans out in the long run, but for 15k, I couldn't go wrong w/this one I didn't think. Even if I end up wanting to sell it in a year or two, I won't lose a bunch of money...some but not a ton I don't think. Good luck. Go for the GS400, you won't regret it. P.S. A friend of mine has a nice 98 540i that he swears by, and it IS nice (I like the BMW body and suspension more than the GS), but in the end, I decided I don't want to pay for a BMW and drive a Pontiac rental every weekend while it's in the shop. I work w/an ex-BMW mechanic and even he told me to stay away from BMW. My friend w/the 540i claims he's never had any problems w/any of the 3 he's owned, but he's the only one I've ever heard say that. Hope this helps you a little. Good luck.

Spent too much of my earlier days working to make the payments on the stuff I liked to "buy" (on credit). No payments for anything other than house.

First post. I just bought my first Lexus this past weekend. It's a 98 GS400 w/90k mi. This thing is amazing. I sort of wish it had more "neck snap" but I love it. Ok, here's my list...I know you'll be jealous of the Celebrity!! First car-- '79 Chevy Impala (drum roll please) station wagon '82 Jeep CJ7 Limited w/hard top & factory leather...wish I still had this one '89 Chevy Cavalier RS 5spd...sold for... '89 Kawasaki Ninja 600 and CHEVY CELEBRITY 4d '86 Jeep Cherokee 2 door (man can you hide a lot of beer in that thing!) '84 Buick Skyhawk T-Type (normal asp); what a pile; blew 2 motors w/out beating on it (got married, then) '87 Chevy Celebrity Eurosport 2 door '91 Ford Explorer EB; nice truck '94 Subaru SVX L (cheap one); still have it; I'm orig owner; it's coming up 4 sale tho '93 VW Passat GLX; luckily bought ext warr for it; over $8k electrical repairs in 5 yrs! '00 Jeep Wrangler Sahara '03 Subaru Outback Wagon (had baby last year) '98 Lexus GS400 I've had a couple Kawasaki ZX-7's too, but I think this is the complete list. Nothing real special. I currently have the SVX, Outback, and GS400. Since I bought the GS this past weekend, I'll be selling the SVX. Do you have ANY idea how nice it is to get my daughter in her car seat in the Lexus compared to the SVX?