GSPARKINGONLY

I have a 99 GS300 and it is due for the 60k mile maintenance which includes new plugs. Is this possible for a shadetree mechanic like me? It looks to me like I'll have to yank the intake. Any advice? I know some of you have to hve done this! Thanks. :D

I totally agree with using what the owner manual says. HOWEVER -here's the mystery -have any of y'all actually changed the plugs yourself in a '98 and up GS300? I looked at tit and it looks to me like I'm going to have to yank of the intake to get to some of the plugs! ALSO -the manual doesn't call for wire changes but doesn't it make good sense to change them at the same times, since old wires can cause ignition problems in humid/rainy weather? Peace on! :D

Great q- what kind of plugs to use for the GS3? The manual calls for dual tip platinum. I have a 99 w/ 62k and would like to do the plugs myself. BTW I paid 19k for mine. Does anyone have any suggestions for replacing the plugs -it looks very difficult!

The check engine light was coming off and on and I took it in to the Lexus dealer and they tell me it needs a "charcoal canister". They said to never top off the fuel tank, just let it go to the first pump click, or you will burn out the charcoal canister. Apparantly its an emissions device and doesn't affect performance. Has anyone heard of this caution before? I could find nothing in the manual abut filling the tank. I hate to change out the charcoal canister -they want $750 to do it. Has anyone had the same problem and is there a cheaper workaround?

I just purchased a new K&N high performance filter KN 33-2170 for my GS3 at AJUSA.com for $55, no shipping/handling charges. You might check them out before spending the $80. Happy shopping.

I'd like to take my dash apart, in order change some of the bulbs that are part of the Optitron display. I've also got a check-engine-light that needs to have a ball-pin hammer taken to it! My question is this. Does anyone out there have any advice for taking the dash apart, or maybe even any experience? Has anyone switched-out their dash lights for other colors, or am I insane for even thinking about this?

How in the world were you able to replace those dash lights? I have a 99 GS300 and was just looking at it and it looks tighter than Fort Knox... I'd love to get in there and pop that Check Engine Light as well, since I need a $700 charcoal canister to stop that light from glowing.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE INFO ON THE REPLACEMENT FOR THE PIONEER LCD. I recently bought a 99 GS300 and have been pretty disappointed about the radio display.

This thread may be a little worn out, but just a note on Ebay buying. I purchased a car off of ebay, but it was only 70 miles away so I was able to drive to the dealer and test-drive the Lexus before purchasing. I was actually able to trade off my 2001 Escape for the car, which I got at wholesale. I would never consider buying an eBay car even with a $100 inspection. An aquaintance of mine had an ebay vehicle inspected and it came back clean but when the vehicle was received it was very dissapointing. Apparantly the the inspector did not have, shall we say, "discriminating" taste -an attribute that most Lexus buyers naturally posess. That being said, there are some fantastic deals on ebay, but according to my ebay dealer, most of the sales are done over the phone and aren't reflected in the ebay ad, so don't let the ebay sales prices be your first guide to realistic prices.

I keep seeing newer Maximas around town and think, "That's a nice looking car", realizing now that it looks quite a bit like the GS, which is why I like it. I think Nissan is trying to emulate the GS, but if you've driven the GS, you know there is little comparison. I purchased a 99 GS300 w/60k about a month ago and it is amazing. I have driven quite a few japanese sports cars and nothing hold the road, has the ride or handles like this vehicle. The variable valve timing spreads the torque out across the powerband and the electronic transmission is AMAZINGLY responsive. I've had this car in snow and ice here in Topeka already, and a lot of it. The car has excellent traction for rear wheel drive. Remember however, that traction is extremely dependent on the tires you run. My rear-wheel-drive GS3 with good Michelin tires does better than the front-wheel-drive Civic I had that had poor tires. As for service costs, at 60k, the manual calls for new plugs and to replace engine coolant and brake fluid. The timing belt is not called for until 90k. At 60k, my GS3 has clear brake fluid and engine coolant so I'm not going to touch that. I may try to replace the spark plugs myself. The manual calls for special dual-tip plugs for this vehicle so make sure to use the right plugs. When a GS3 hits 90k you can have the timing belt replaced by a reputable garage and it'll cost half what the Lexus service would charge. My gas mileage is an honest 20mpg around town. I have yet to make a road trip however so I don't have the highway mpg. I've known a few people with Lexus cars and they have over 150k on them and they still look and drive like they are a year old. AND they still have an impressive resale value. One more thing, if your thinking of buying the Lexus GS, drive it and you'll never want to sit in a Maxima again. The Maxima is a great car but the Lexus GS is on a whole higher level. Unfortunately I'm going to have to sell mine this spring to free up some cash (I'm going to get married) but I'll be spoiled by Lexus until I can pick up another one in a few years. Peace on, Lexus drivers! B)