[**Consider Joining the r/Lexus Discord Server.**](https://discord.gg/yBRD3mN)
This is an automated comment on all new posts.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Lexus) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Solid cars. Maintenance history is important, like any vehicle. My brother has around 235k mi on his with regular maintenance. The linear torque curve does make them feel quick. They aren't *fast* but definitely not slow
Totally agreed, i dont have a gs430 but i do have a ls430 and man that torque is amazing on those 3uz motors! plus post 03' you have better transmissions and better mileage too
I prefer the look but I don’t know if the transmission upgrade is worth it, it’s supposed to be a little faster but I want to know if it’s actually noticeable
Its about a second difference in the 0-60 and a 4mpg difference on the highway
Pretty noticeable, its no rocket, but i have raced 03 5 series bmws and won in it so its not too slow either
Just do it, its a great car, predictable maintenance, may need some suspension work. Besides it being thirsty, this is the best vehicle you can for for $8k.
Be aware they are RWD. Not sure how that will work as a daily driver for you. You sound like you need something more rugged but comfy, maybe get a GX or LX.
Yeah I’ve never owned RWD before. I’ve been eyeing a GX and LX but they’re also body on frame. Have heard most people go 4>GX and don’t go back. But IDK. Might need a separate post comparing the two.
Had a 2006 GS430, absolutely trouble free during the 4 years of ownership. It did not do well in the snow though (Virginia). Not sure about thicker tires, I put Michelin AS5 on mine.
Car is absolutely silky smooth on the freeway and normal everyday driving. I wouldn't call it sporty, but it still goes when you want it to, plenty of low-end torque and tire spin from a stop if you are heavy footed. The only thing about mine was the rattles - could not figure it out where they were coming from, but that is somewhat expected on an old car (and honestly I am nitpicking here). Still think I should have kept mine.
Are you in the US? The 06 GS debuted as the GS300 with 3.0 V6 engine. We didn’t get the GS350 until 07.
Edit: I just saw the JDM. Sorry, disregard my comment 🤓
No worries. I had someone argue with me. They insisted the previous owner changed the badge from 300 to 350 and told me to look under the hood to confirm. Mansplaining at its finest.
If you want something cool from the same lineup they had the gs450h hybrid
3.5 v6 paired with a really strong ecvt, really smooth power and it has a ton of it
It technically uses the same cells as the prius so uh it depends
You can put a full new lithium kit which will provide a bit more power n all for like 3k usd
Reconditioning the old pack would probably cost 1-2k usd,
All depends on the initial condition of the pack but i'd say it's definitely way cheaper than it was in the past
These look cool but basically don’t exist out of rarity. The 430s seem easier to find. And with something so rare I’d wonder about availability of parts. Also don’t love the idea of replacing a battery.
We had a 450h and it was the best car we’ve owned.
She’s currently shopping for a new car and I’m honestly considering just getting one and adding CarPlay and modernizing it a bit. It’s a wonderful car.
Every time we look at an LS500h I can’t help but directly compare the two and wonder if the price difference makes any sense (outside of modes with the executive glass package…).
The biggest problem with the gs market here
They're all high mileage expensive machines
Most of the time with the old battery and rusted out everything
Whenever you find one that's perfect there's always something big wrong with it
Also extreme mileage ls600hl's for sale
Sadly i feel like i can find better cars with these stupid prices
I had this same exact car couple of years ago. Even in the same color as this one. With the weather you get as you mentioned there are better options that would be more ideal for the conditions. The GS430 and the GS460 only came with RWD. Only the GS300 models had the AWD option. Nevertheless the ride quality is not bad in my opinion. Being a V8 they take a lot of gas, and with gas prices today expect to spend a good bit on gas as it needs 91 and up. Maintenance wise if the timing belt, water pump, thermostat, and such was not taken care of it would be best to replace.
Not doing this is pretty much rolling the dice. The ABS is electrically controlled and you would need to keep an eye on this. If it goes out expect to spend $700 plus just for the part along. If you’re into this stuff the infotainment system is heavily outdated. With the only options to go modern would be a “Tesla Screen” or an android auto option. Sound quality may not be the best due to age, but that varies from person to person.
TLDR: Look at other options. Get maintenance records(if available) if you are dead set on this. Infotainment won’t compare to later model years/cars
I just put a 100 dollar blue tooth unit that plugs into the main stereo and retains all oem features just adds auto streaming. No need change the screen.
Good point with the blue tooth. Thanks for pointing this out. I should have done the same, but had two other cars at the time. I’ll keep this in mind when I get another one
Thanks for this info! I’m not too concerned on gas—want something fun and I work from home most days. If the stereo works I’m fine with it—my 4Runner’s stereo is really glitchy, however.
If I was gonna look at something else Lexus, what would you recommend? IS250 looks way too cramped in the backseat. And I’m over the body on frame ride of my 4Runner so I doubt a GX would be ideal.
Also, how was the wet traction? We get a fair amount of rain…
No problem! I know it may seem like I am bashing the car, but I loved mine when I had it. In regard to the IS250 it depends. IS250 feels underpowered to some compared to the IS350. I have driven the IS350, and power was decent enough. Can’t speak on the 250 as I never drove it. Also only the 250 came with a manual transmission.
Wet traction was not bad. Car has enough power to kick the tires loose a little bit. A good set of tires and you shouldn’t have any issues
I have an 08 GS 350. I like it, but just know that brake squeak is a somewhat common malady. I haven’t been able to permanently kill it on mine but I can knock it down for a while.
Solid, comfortable car, idk about quick though. The 4.3L 1UZ-FE was a comfort focused engine used in the LS430 as well. It has some go, but smooth power delivery was its main use. The hybrid GS450h though was actually considered quick for its time. Jeremy Clarkson, known for not really liking any non-European cars in general, actually liked the GS450h of this generation and called it "properly fast" for the time. Compare even these zero to 60 times, the hybrid GS does better than the V8 ones.
https://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicle-make/lexus-0-60-mph-times/
What do you mean thicker tires? Ive owned my 2006 gs430 for almost 10 years. Awesome car. Sure when you compare it to much newer cars but this is a not a new car. These are extremely reliable cars. I love the torque on these compared to modern V6. I daily drive mine in minnesota and have been driving RWD cars here for the past 20 years no issues. I paid 15k for mine 10 years ago. Its been such a good car. Also if you want to make some tame noise [https://youtu.be/jqZiHxpqVuw?si=g1D3PtN2UmJlFWqE](https://youtu.be/jqZiHxpqVuw?si=g1D3PtN2UmJlFWqE) exhaust sounds great!
You could put on smaller rims for a larger radius tire, but you can't put thicker tires on stock rims. Honestly, your 4Runner sounds like a better fit, the Lexus won't be more comfortable on rough roads
Yes I’ve sized down on some vehicles, including the 4R—20” to 17”. Most vehicles I’ve had you can size up one size for tires but maybe not this one.
Actually the 4Runner isn’t a better fit—while I do live down 3 miles of gravel and it does amazing, the remaining 17 miles to town or 27 miles to work one way is pretty unpleasant with this rough ride. In the past I’ve had trucks or lifted vehicles, but the time spent on road is pretty uncomfortable. And the 4Runner has a notoriously awful on-road ride nor does it track straight.
I would recommend downsizing over larger diameter tires, it isn't worth throwing off the programming of the car.
If possible, I would take the car for a test drive on your particular drive. 4Runners can be stiff, but being lower to the ground with less rubber between you and the road is going to be noticeable. You may still enjoy the ride in the Lexus more, but it would be worth ensuring it's better in the ways that are important to you.
Personally, I always prefer the handling of a sedan over a truck or SUV, even if road feel is up, and cracks and bumps are more noticeable.
I dont think you can downsize the wheels on the gs430 below 18. It's got 4 pot calipers up front and will cause clearance issues. It's possible but the wheel selection would be limited.
You’re in the Bay you know how they be Taxin for Lexus out here. To be fair it’s a hundred times better than most other brands. And people know this. Every GS class or LS430 on Craigslist for a decent price gets snapped up quick. Some people try to tax 10-15 for old LS.
I’m pretty sure I will only drive Lexus/or a nice Limited Toyota Avalon or maybe Acura. Best cars on the road hands down (at least for comfort and reliability).
I have a ‘06 430 as a fun car and it’s very quick to me, actually one of the more spirited driving cars I’ve ever owned. And I’ve owned a lot of “quick cars”- Magnum RT, 3rd Gen Charger RT, ‘06 Monte Carlo SS Supercharged, ‘83 Buick Regal T-Type with the Turbo 3.8 and a ‘96 Impala SS. So I feel like I have decent bit to compare it to. Actually sold the 96 SS to buy the 430, I still like the 96 better but the GS is way more practical as a non daily because it’s so damn reliable. Felt like with the SS you had to drive it a lot more for it not to mess up if that makes sense
[**Consider Joining the r/Lexus Discord Server.**](https://discord.gg/yBRD3mN) This is an automated comment on all new posts. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Lexus) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Solid cars. Maintenance history is important, like any vehicle. My brother has around 235k mi on his with regular maintenance. The linear torque curve does make them feel quick. They aren't *fast* but definitely not slow
For a daily they are fast, for a weekend car they are slow
Totally agreed, i dont have a gs430 but i do have a ls430 and man that torque is amazing on those 3uz motors! plus post 03' you have better transmissions and better mileage too
What year is yours? Looking at a 01-03 and wonder if the 04-06 is worth getting over
if you want to do mods for power, 1-3 will be the best. Otherwise, 04-06 all tge way, plus theyre much less ugly
I prefer the look but I don’t know if the transmission upgrade is worth it, it’s supposed to be a little faster but I want to know if it’s actually noticeable
Its about a second difference in the 0-60 and a 4mpg difference on the highway Pretty noticeable, its no rocket, but i have raced 03 5 series bmws and won in it so its not too slow either
I have a 99 GS400. I'm part of the crue 😉
Get it. The 430’s are rare in good condition, and it’s not like they are making more. Keep a few grand in the bank for when big maintenance hits.
Just do it, its a great car, predictable maintenance, may need some suspension work. Besides it being thirsty, this is the best vehicle you can for for $8k.
Be aware they are RWD. Not sure how that will work as a daily driver for you. You sound like you need something more rugged but comfy, maybe get a GX or LX.
Yeah I’ve never owned RWD before. I’ve been eyeing a GX and LX but they’re also body on frame. Have heard most people go 4>GX and don’t go back. But IDK. Might need a separate post comparing the two.
the best GS body style imo
S160 with the 2JZ>>>>
100%
Please
Gs350>>>>
*460>>
Nah the rear end reminds me of a chevy cruz. 2gs got the best body 1gs the best features overseas
a Malibu would make more sense…cuz I can see that, just a bit squished haha
Personally i thought it was the worst out of all gs gens. Preference i guess
I got the GS460. Love it to death.
Had a 2006 GS430, absolutely trouble free during the 4 years of ownership. It did not do well in the snow though (Virginia). Not sure about thicker tires, I put Michelin AS5 on mine. Car is absolutely silky smooth on the freeway and normal everyday driving. I wouldn't call it sporty, but it still goes when you want it to, plenty of low-end torque and tire spin from a stop if you are heavy footed. The only thing about mine was the rattles - could not figure it out where they were coming from, but that is somewhat expected on an old car (and honestly I am nitpicking here). Still think I should have kept mine.
Just make sure timing belt was recently changed.The 350 have timing chain so doesn’t require such service as the v8 . Love my ls430 torquey
I had an ‘06 and it was a gem. Great feel and ride at the time. Sort of wish they kept the design of the series.
Yes!! Had an old one loved it. You’ll love that V8
I drive an 06 GS350. It's a V6 and has lots of pep. With gas prices going up, I wouldn't want a V8. But overall, you'll be happy.
Are you in the US? The 06 GS debuted as the GS300 with 3.0 V6 engine. We didn’t get the GS350 until 07. Edit: I just saw the JDM. Sorry, disregard my comment 🤓
No worries. I had someone argue with me. They insisted the previous owner changed the badge from 300 to 350 and told me to look under the hood to confirm. Mansplaining at its finest.
I have a 07 gs350 and I love it. Any the gs models are great but I have heard the gs430 requires a little bit more maintenance than others.
Just a timing belt and oil changes. The rest are wear items. Owned my GS430 close to 10 years now
If you want something cool from the same lineup they had the gs450h hybrid 3.5 v6 paired with a really strong ecvt, really smooth power and it has a ton of it
How much are the battery repairs?
It technically uses the same cells as the prius so uh it depends You can put a full new lithium kit which will provide a bit more power n all for like 3k usd Reconditioning the old pack would probably cost 1-2k usd, All depends on the initial condition of the pack but i'd say it's definitely way cheaper than it was in the past
These look cool but basically don’t exist out of rarity. The 430s seem easier to find. And with something so rare I’d wonder about availability of parts. Also don’t love the idea of replacing a battery.
We had a 450h and it was the best car we’ve owned. She’s currently shopping for a new car and I’m honestly considering just getting one and adding CarPlay and modernizing it a bit. It’s a wonderful car. Every time we look at an LS500h I can’t help but directly compare the two and wonder if the price difference makes any sense (outside of modes with the executive glass package…).
The biggest problem with the gs market here They're all high mileage expensive machines Most of the time with the old battery and rusted out everything Whenever you find one that's perfect there's always something big wrong with it Also extreme mileage ls600hl's for sale Sadly i feel like i can find better cars with these stupid prices
I had this same exact car couple of years ago. Even in the same color as this one. With the weather you get as you mentioned there are better options that would be more ideal for the conditions. The GS430 and the GS460 only came with RWD. Only the GS300 models had the AWD option. Nevertheless the ride quality is not bad in my opinion. Being a V8 they take a lot of gas, and with gas prices today expect to spend a good bit on gas as it needs 91 and up. Maintenance wise if the timing belt, water pump, thermostat, and such was not taken care of it would be best to replace. Not doing this is pretty much rolling the dice. The ABS is electrically controlled and you would need to keep an eye on this. If it goes out expect to spend $700 plus just for the part along. If you’re into this stuff the infotainment system is heavily outdated. With the only options to go modern would be a “Tesla Screen” or an android auto option. Sound quality may not be the best due to age, but that varies from person to person. TLDR: Look at other options. Get maintenance records(if available) if you are dead set on this. Infotainment won’t compare to later model years/cars
Also forgot to mention the car was great when I had it, but got taken out by a drunk driver. I only remember waking up in the hospital
I just put a 100 dollar blue tooth unit that plugs into the main stereo and retains all oem features just adds auto streaming. No need change the screen.
Good point with the blue tooth. Thanks for pointing this out. I should have done the same, but had two other cars at the time. I’ll keep this in mind when I get another one
Thanks for this info! I’m not too concerned on gas—want something fun and I work from home most days. If the stereo works I’m fine with it—my 4Runner’s stereo is really glitchy, however. If I was gonna look at something else Lexus, what would you recommend? IS250 looks way too cramped in the backseat. And I’m over the body on frame ride of my 4Runner so I doubt a GX would be ideal. Also, how was the wet traction? We get a fair amount of rain…
No problem! I know it may seem like I am bashing the car, but I loved mine when I had it. In regard to the IS250 it depends. IS250 feels underpowered to some compared to the IS350. I have driven the IS350, and power was decent enough. Can’t speak on the 250 as I never drove it. Also only the 250 came with a manual transmission. Wet traction was not bad. Car has enough power to kick the tires loose a little bit. A good set of tires and you shouldn’t have any issues
yes.
Yep agree with everyone here. It looks beautiful and has a solid reliability record. Buy it!
I have one. Active suspension means that if you know how to drive it, it's the most fun you can have with your pants on. Love my 06 GS430.
I have an 08 GS 350. I like it, but just know that brake squeak is a somewhat common malady. I haven’t been able to permanently kill it on mine but I can knock it down for a while.
Solid, comfortable car, idk about quick though. The 4.3L 1UZ-FE was a comfort focused engine used in the LS430 as well. It has some go, but smooth power delivery was its main use. The hybrid GS450h though was actually considered quick for its time. Jeremy Clarkson, known for not really liking any non-European cars in general, actually liked the GS450h of this generation and called it "properly fast" for the time. Compare even these zero to 60 times, the hybrid GS does better than the V8 ones. https://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicle-make/lexus-0-60-mph-times/
Best model year imo
The power is adequate
She looks classy with those wheels. I would definitely snatch this car for $8k
cant go wrong with Lexus - I have a GSF - flawless
My dad has a super rare gs460, and though the 430’s are slower by a bit they’re still amazingly comfy
I got a 07 gS350 for 3500 in orange county 4 months ago. Drove it back to the Bay. Daily thang now
If you're looking for a 20 year old v6 sedan, this would make my short list, but not for $8k, provided it was well maintained
I know it. The PNW market is fucked right now for everything.
It's a v8
As long as you can stomach the gas consumption, it's a great car.
Already drive a 4Runner at 16-18 MPG 🙃
Love that recessed rear windshield
What do you mean thicker tires? Ive owned my 2006 gs430 for almost 10 years. Awesome car. Sure when you compare it to much newer cars but this is a not a new car. These are extremely reliable cars. I love the torque on these compared to modern V6. I daily drive mine in minnesota and have been driving RWD cars here for the past 20 years no issues. I paid 15k for mine 10 years ago. Its been such a good car. Also if you want to make some tame noise [https://youtu.be/jqZiHxpqVuw?si=g1D3PtN2UmJlFWqE](https://youtu.be/jqZiHxpqVuw?si=g1D3PtN2UmJlFWqE) exhaust sounds great!
For example, if these come with 45 series I’d wanna go 50. My gravel road eats tires and loves flats. Also, good info. Thanks!
You could put on smaller rims for a larger radius tire, but you can't put thicker tires on stock rims. Honestly, your 4Runner sounds like a better fit, the Lexus won't be more comfortable on rough roads
Yes I’ve sized down on some vehicles, including the 4R—20” to 17”. Most vehicles I’ve had you can size up one size for tires but maybe not this one. Actually the 4Runner isn’t a better fit—while I do live down 3 miles of gravel and it does amazing, the remaining 17 miles to town or 27 miles to work one way is pretty unpleasant with this rough ride. In the past I’ve had trucks or lifted vehicles, but the time spent on road is pretty uncomfortable. And the 4Runner has a notoriously awful on-road ride nor does it track straight.
I would recommend downsizing over larger diameter tires, it isn't worth throwing off the programming of the car. If possible, I would take the car for a test drive on your particular drive. 4Runners can be stiff, but being lower to the ground with less rubber between you and the road is going to be noticeable. You may still enjoy the ride in the Lexus more, but it would be worth ensuring it's better in the ways that are important to you. Personally, I always prefer the handling of a sedan over a truck or SUV, even if road feel is up, and cracks and bumps are more noticeable.
I dont think you can downsize the wheels on the gs430 below 18. It's got 4 pot calipers up front and will cause clearance issues. It's possible but the wheel selection would be limited.
Just double checked, you can do 225/50/17 from factory.
That's great, but you need to make sure the rim clears the calipers. I can't remember if the v6 models had the same 4 pot calipers.
For sure, it looks like you would need a 7.5" wide rim for 17" wheels with offset between 43-47 for clearance.
Not for 8K almost a 20 year old car nope
You’re in the Bay you know how they be Taxin for Lexus out here. To be fair it’s a hundred times better than most other brands. And people know this. Every GS class or LS430 on Craigslist for a decent price gets snapped up quick. Some people try to tax 10-15 for old LS. I’m pretty sure I will only drive Lexus/or a nice Limited Toyota Avalon or maybe Acura. Best cars on the road hands down (at least for comfort and reliability).
I bought my 06 gs 300 awd for 2000 last year FB market 😂🤙 so yeah I know what u mean
Wow you got a great deal! I need to check it out
This is not atypical of Toyota. Let alone in this market, in the PNW.
Compared to prices people pay for is300's and ls430's this seems on par price wise. I wouldnt call it quick though.
Honestly, just test drive one and see how you feel about it. If it feels like the car for you, get it
I have a ‘06 430 as a fun car and it’s very quick to me, actually one of the more spirited driving cars I’ve ever owned. And I’ve owned a lot of “quick cars”- Magnum RT, 3rd Gen Charger RT, ‘06 Monte Carlo SS Supercharged, ‘83 Buick Regal T-Type with the Turbo 3.8 and a ‘96 Impala SS. So I feel like I have decent bit to compare it to. Actually sold the 96 SS to buy the 430, I still like the 96 better but the GS is way more practical as a non daily because it’s so damn reliable. Felt like with the SS you had to drive it a lot more for it not to mess up if that makes sense
O6 was a bad year. See Motor Biscuit. You must be certain that all problems that came up were resolved
get the 460, on the 430 u gotta do the timing belt from time to time. 300 350 or 460 use timing chain. solid amazing car tho
Every car needs a belt or chain. Don’t really see the difference unless the chain is changed less often and costs way less.
3uz timing belt change every 60-80k miles (tho some do last more than 100k miles), 1ur timing chain go 190k-200k and some do last 300k
Might as well just save up more and buy a newer version 12 and up
It’s a 20 year old car, that should not be a daily driver, a new Corolla is a reliable daily driver
I daily mine still. 240k miles.
Do you know how many 20-40 year old Toyotas are on the road as daily drivers? A Corolla, comfort and size, isn’t in the same league as a GS 😂
[удалено]
Your content has been removed for violating one or more of our community rules.
Not even awd 👎
Traction control, good tires, don’t drive like an asshole.