Rodders

Hi Ben Is it grease or dust. I've heard a few people say that they've put degreaser on their engines and they sprayed it (quickly) with a presuure washer to rinse it - I'm not sure I'd do that to mine though. You might consider periodic steam cleaning?? I usually just use a damp cloth when the engine is cold and get in there and clean it. Let us know how you get on

Sport mode forces the car to change gear at higher revs - you should definitely notice a difference!

Hiya I think that the Nav systems fitted in UK spec and US spec GSs are pretty much the same - it's just the way that the map data is stored that is different. Mine uses a CD, newer models use DVD and I think that US spec cars use a hard drive - but they all work the same as far as I know. It'd be worth you at least seeing a Nav system before you decide. Many people have made the ride a little harder by fitting different springs. Like you though, I'm too old to be after a bumpy ride and kept mine stock - the car weighs in at around 2 tons and sits on the road pretty well though. I bought my car second user from a Lexus dealership with 30K on it - they were so confident about it that they gave me a free 3-year unlimited mileage warranty! Take care Rod

Hi Jess Decisions, decisions eh?? I wouldn't let mileage put you off, but the one with the lower mileage does sound like a better deal. You can always get a spoiler put on afterwards if you think it needs one - the one with the spoiler fitted may be a sport variant - has same engine but lower suspension, fatter wheels and some body kitting. I forgot to mention - you might want to look out for the SatNav option. You not only get voice satellite navigation, but a touch screen that operates the audio, climate and trip computer etc etc. Many people think it's a useless toy at first - but I have one a wouldn't be without it. If you can find one with DVD-SatNav - even better!! (most are CD, and I think the US ones use hard drive based systems). Good luck Rod

Petrol here is over 6 bucks a gallon now (sob), but it's still worth every penny to drive my Lexus around. Please post some pics of your new ride when you get it. All the best Rod

Glad to have helped, and I'm delighted that you're really considering a Lexus. I tell ya - the GS4xx is absolutely the only car I'd ever consider swapping my GS300 for - I'm sure you won't be disappointed. Have fun!! :D

There may be something wrong with the ECU - sport (power) mode should definitely have an effect - the car should change gear at higher revs. Also - the GS "learns" your driving style and can take a while to adapt if it changes. You might want to take it for a thrash somewhere and see if anything alters - probably need 20 miles or so to adjust. Probably worth have your ECU checked, or even reset, as you say. (ECU - Engine Control Unit). I hope this helps. Rod

Hi Linda - welcome to the Club! The GS is supposed to adapt it's gear changing profile depending on your driving style - maybe the electronics that deals with that has a fault? I've never noticed the problems you describe in mine. What's it like in Sport mode??

I wouldn;t worry to much about 60K miles - that's nothing on a straight-6 engine, let alone a V8! If it's all freeway miles too - that's much less of a problem, and if it's a corporate car, it will have been serviced properly. Mine as 110K on it and it's till perfect. I guess service schedule vary by region - here in the UK, 63K is a very expensive service because the timing belt AND the plugs get changed. Also, I know that the schedule has changed over the past couple of years - mines a 99 and needs servicing every 9K - new ones get done at 10K. If your dealer is offering a free service - why don't you negotiate for new plugs and a new timing belt for free?? You might want to call Lexus in your state direct - and get the view from the horses mouth. Good luck with your hunt!!

Hiya LS400 engine is 3969cc - 242.1 cubic inches Cheers

I've not had this problem on a Lexus, but on a previous car after a new windshield was fitted there was the TINIEST gap in the seal - water would pour in - eventually fixed it with some glass bonding sealant.

Hi gserep1 - and welcome to TL!! I have a GS300 actually, but can vouch for its conmort, performance and quality. Mine is 4 years old, and I've driven over 100,000 miles in it. The car has never failed me in any way, and I'd say the total cost of ownership is fairly low as it is so reliable. The only reasons I've kepy mine so long (I normally change every 3 years), is that I just love this car to bits and really can't think of anything that I'd swap it for. The GS400 was never produced here in the UK, and the GS430 has only been available for a while. The GS4 is pretty much marketed as a "supercar" here, and it certainly is extremely quick - with gas at over 6 bucks a gallon though, cost of ownership is a consideration. My GS has 16inch wheels, which I've kept on, although I have changed the wheels for MilleMiglia alloys. The ride is very smooth, and handling is everything that I want it to be. I'm a motorway (highway) driver mostly, doing most of my miealge at around 100mph, and I get about 30,000 out of a set of tyres (I've been using Eagle F1s, but have recently changed to Potenza S03s). Mine has the SatNav option. Many people feel this is just a toy when they're looking to buy a GS - I wouldn't be without mine now, and the touch-screen controls for audio, climate, trip etc that you get with the SatNav option are very useful too. If you're buying used, I would say that as long as you get a full Lexus service history, you're going to be fine. You might even want to consider to GS300 - although it is a smaller engine (and a straight-6), there are not many other differences in the car, and the performance differencials are not huge. If you are looking at 300s - make sure you look at the SE or sport variant - they have all the toys fitted. The sport is the same engine as the SE, but has lowered suspension, fatter wheels and some body enhancements. In any event - I'm sure that once you take the plunge and buy a Lexus, you'll never change!!! Good luck - let us know what you decide. Cheers Rod

Hi both - welcome to the site!!

I have a 98 GS300, which prolly has the same system as your car. I've had no problems with TDK blue and Kodak gold CDs.

I meant to say also, to unlock the trunk with the key remote you have to press and hold it for a few seconds. The default time is 2 seconds, but this can be modified to longer or shorter, as it's part of the Cbest system.

Hi Zarlov The seat memory works by pressing the set button first, and then the memory button - you have to be in park, with the ignition on. Hold both buttons and you'll get a beep after about a second - all done. It memorizes the positions of drivers seat, both wing mirrors and the steering column. As far as the judder goes, the GS300 appears to be notorious for this, and on my car at least, has always been due to wheel balancing. I get mine does at a performance car tyre specialist, and need it done about every 15K miles. Cheers Rod

I agree. I've alwasya gotten the "buy myself a new car bug" every couple of years or so in the past - had my GS3 for 3 years now and I still love it.

Hi - and welcome!!

Not far from Wochingbut in Sayinnuffinkm 8)

Lurkin....

Just wanted to say hello from England!! :P