Matt05GS3

Fastest with someone else driving: 161 mph, black 2004 Porsche 996 RUF Turbo: 405N in West L.A., late morning on a weekday (no kidding) --a brief demonstration of this phenominal car's power-- there seemed to be endless torque... accelleration was effortless. A mind-numbing (frightenong) experience. Car belongs to a total @sshole I no longer speak to.

Fastest driving myself: 140-145 mph (est) in a 1993 Nissan 300XZTT: bone stock except for Stillen intake & full CB exhaust, electronic boost controller, turbo timer, JWT ECU, 18" BBS rims/Pirelli P-zeros (both turbos were original and were replaced about a year later). Speedo was OEM, and I am not sure how accurate it was. 101N fropm the base of the grade through Camarillo late at night.

Likely not the fastest post here, but definitely as fast as I ever care to go. That ride in the Porsche scared the crap out of me. *L*

--Matt

Holy Plumbing Batman! That's some nice looking metalwork, alright. What year is the car? That's about the longest straight-line intercooler pipe I've ever seen. *L* Can't wait to see what it runs the 1/2 in on street tires... Estimated hp @ the wheels?

My fuel milage went up after adding this.  I think for people who it hasn't, probally romp on it alot more, to hear the engine, therefore not driving it for fuel efficiency.  With stock wheels, SRT and Borla I was at 23.5 normally.  Before I was around 21.5-21.9.

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So you actually save 1-2miles per gallon on your car. My car is fully stock, except for Tom's signal side mirrors and grounding kit and 2 spoilers. I have seen a tiny little improvement on the pick-up from before grounding kit and after, but I was just wondering would I be making the right choice spending $500. on an intake just to save some gas. I was also told the ground kit would save gas, But I really don't see an difference from before and after. Thanks for your replies

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You were expecting it to take how long, exactly, to pay for itself? $500 is an awful lot of gas--even @ today's priices. You want to save a couple of bucks on gas? Try coasting more often... and don't drive unless you have to (no kidding--these gas prices are no joke). You will not believe the diference if you remember to coast more often; 1-3 mpg improvement easily.

Regards,

Matt

Definitely keep the stock/current ride height--those are big rims and with the LoPro's, you've already sacrificed some of the infamous Lexus ride quality--why give up more? It won't go any faster... :-)

The Gucci thing is neat-- if you like it, keep it. If not, well--it's your ride. In the words of Digital Underground, dowhatchalike.

However, I do have a stronger opinion about debadging the car (or any car, for that matter). Did you ever notice that the cars with their badges removed are *always* the smaller engine models? For example, people take the badging off of MBZ S430's and S500's all the time--but you bet your !Removed! that if someone can afford the S55 or S600, they will retain the badges for SURE, know what I mean? People who take the badging off are not fooling anyone--people know they are driving the "slower" model (get over it--if I wanted to drag race at stop lights I would have bought a 'Vette, not a Lexus).

I drive a GS300, and I'm frankly pretty happy at the moment with the fact that my $45 at the gas pump goes a lot further than it does for a GS430. You did the smart thing--the GS300 is still the same CAR as the GS430--you'll just get fewer speeding tickets, spend less on gas AND insurance than you would with the V8. I got nothin' to hide--if I really cared that much, I would not have bought the GS300 in the first place. My $0.02: Keep 'em on.

Regards,

Matt

2005 White/Tan GS300

Make that a 1994 (woops)

I am used to filling my 91 Civic with regular.  I did the same the other night with the Lexus.  Will it matter?  I saw on the dash: "PREMIUM FUEL ONLY" (or similar)

What should I use? What do you use?:whistles:

PS-I didn't mean to start WW4 by asking about octane. I honestly don't know.

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There is a reason the higher octane rating is called for: higher compression. If your fuel's octane level/rating is lower, you *will* experience what is called "detonation", which is definitely bad--and terrible if it's an older engine like yours.

Before you skimp on the octane to save a few bucks, first read the fourth paragraph of THIS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detonation

And if you want more detailed information, read all of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Engine_knocking

Bottom line: it's worth it to buy the good stuff. You upgraded from a Honda to a Lexus; you need to upgrade what you feed it as well (congrats, btw).

Regards,

Matt

Greetings,

Novice Lexus fan here looking for some thoughts.

I plan on purchasing either GS or LS model, and I read all about LS how good the engine/tranny is etc, but wanted to hear from GS owners what I should look for in terms of year, and why, also why you like this model.

I'm looking for 98 to 00 GS models  and 92 to 00 on LS models.

Thanks,

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They are two very different cars: the GS is a sport sedan similar to a BMW 5-series car in purpose, and the LS is much more plush--capable yes, but plush and far less exciting to drive. Simple: if you like to drive, get the GS; if you would rather be doing something else, the LS isolates you from the driving experience completely (hint: retirees tend to like the LS--it routinely steals customers from Cadillac's Deville...).

Whichever car you choose, make very sure it has been properly maintained, preferably by a Lexus dealer. A neglected Lexus is an expensive Lexus.

Regards,

Matt