R50 Pathfinder out, 2nd Gen GS400 in??

"awmaster10" (awmaster10) 08/09/2017 at 09:26 • Filed to: lexus, gs, gs300, gs400, g35, infiniti, jdm, pathfinder, 4runner

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So the Pathfinder is showing signs of more than just the body rust in the rear fenders that I had initially had my eye on. The front strut mount is developing a little hole and seems like the entire plate is somewhat rusty. This is a known issue that was recalled but if mine is beyond fixing I will have to get rid of it and pick up a new vehicle on the cheap.

I have had terrible luck with rust with my past 3 which were SUVs (02 4runner, 02 4runner, 03 pathfinder). I know that I really have to just bite the bullet and get a nice canoe rack or maybe utility trailer and go back to a sedan. Less rust problems, larger selection of reliable models, and more car for your money.

In comes the 2nd generation Lexus GS:

About as anonymous as they get, but you also get a 300hp v8 that sounds great, peak Lexus quality and reliability, brakes that stop shorter than a similar vintage Porsche, slalom average speed matching a Corvette, and a no nonsense interior that still feels well built and luxurious, or at least compared to a 90s 4runner.

Best of all, ive already owned one. My first car actually was a 1998 GS300 in black. So now the search is on for a v8 model (GS400 or GS430) to replace the Pathfinder. I have my eye on one with 80k miles selling for $5,500. To put that in perspective my GS300 was driven through 4 owners to 200k before I got rid of it and it was still running perfectly. For $5,500 I could potentially get 120k+ miles of use and still have a running Lexus.

I will settle for the right g35, is300, or Acura TL if it comes up, but I really hope I can find a 2nd gen GS and do it right this time with one of the v8s. God forbid I lose my mind and go for an e430 or e39 540i...

Dasupersprint - base trim is enough > awmaster10 08/09/2017 at 09:37

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I like these a lot

pip bip - choose Corrour > awmaster10 08/09/2017 at 09:38

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Pontiac G8?

awmaster10 > pip bip - choose Corrour 08/09/2017 at 09:40

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I wish, but they are running MINIMUM $10k and mostly $15k for GTs and through the roof for a GXP. I am still young and broke and a $5k car that will last me a couple years will let me save enough to pick up something like a g8 or GTO down the road without having to look at the most beat up examples.

awmaster10 > Dasupersprint - base trim is enough 08/09/2017 at 09:43

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I loved mine and it was the slow ass one. The muffler blew out from rust at 200k and I figured it was an old car and got rid of it. I was 17 and replaced it with many cars after that but none of them were as trouble free or as fun.

I was spoiled by my first car and every time I replaced it I could have just bought a cleaner v8 version but I got something new hoping it would be better. This time I need to do whats right and just pick up a clean one before theyre gone.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > awmaster10 08/09/2017 at 09:54

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These are good. I really want one.

awmaster10 > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 08/09/2017 at 09:59

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Nows the time, they are going for sub $6k all day and soon people will start neglecting them and they will be impossible to find. The last crop of dealer serviced, one or two owner GSes that were long term DDs for rich families is selling now for great prices and once they hit their third owners they will be clapped out and stanced.

CKeffer > awmaster10 08/09/2017 at 10:55

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These are great cars. My dad had one for 6 years or so, and put over 100k miles on the thing, only issue it ever had was something to do with the lock on the front passenger door not locking with the other when you used the key fob to lock the car. Other than that, it was just general maintenance and the thing ran like a top...even with occasional abuse from my 16 year old self :D

Textured Soy Protein > awmaster10 08/09/2017 at 11:01

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I sorta kinda respect these but I also have despised how they look ever since they first came out. The look hasn’t gotten any better with age. The misshapen lights, the upright side glass that tries to look curvier with the little black trim behind the door like an early-90s Corolla, that’s right next to the very flat edge of the rear glass, which meets the super flat trunk lid and overall-gigantic slab sided trunk at an awkward angle.

The general shape of the side windows and the way the rear rear windshield flows into the trunk are also sort of there in the original GS design, but the second gen amplified all the bad things about the original’s proportions, then added a bunch of horrendous detailing including the lights which I can only assume are an attempt to knock off the Mercedes W210.

It’s all a disjointed mess.

Scary__goongala! > awmaster10 08/09/2017 at 11:13

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Do it. On an unrelated note, I’d like to have a V8 from one of these transplanted into my NA. Who knows when that will be though.

awmaster10 > CKeffer 08/09/2017 at 11:18

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I abused mine badly and I dont think the previous owners were much more careful and the thing never had any real problems. All three engine options are bulletproof and theres not a lot of weird electronics to go wrong.

awmaster10 > Scary__goongala! 08/09/2017 at 11:18

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Its a pretty heavy powerplant but its bulletproof reliable. They came in toyota trucks and a bunch of lexus stuff for years so they are probably very plentiful and cheap to pick up.

awmaster10 > Textured Soy Protein 08/09/2017 at 11:21

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Yeah they are certainly not the most handsome sedans, especially since they were being made alongside the gorgeous e39, but I think they can look fine with the right wheels. The rest of the package is totally worth it for a car this cheap on the used market though. The number of sub 100k mile examples is shocking and they run like $5-6k. For that money Its a no brainer, and they are a very good comfy cruiser that can put down decent straight line speed. It will feel like a rocketship compared to my pathfinder at least.

Textured Soy Protein > awmaster10 08/09/2017 at 11:37

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Have you thought about a first gen M45? The build quality’s not quite up to the GS, and at this point they’re more likely to have been owned by careless and/or hoons than rich people keeping them forever, but it’s faster and newer and you can occasionally find a sub-100k mile example.

awmaster10 > Textured Soy Protein 08/09/2017 at 12:04

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Definitely have had my eye on m45s but there is only ever like one first gen listed around me at a time and usually pretty beat up. If a clean one comes up id prefer it over the GS, it handles a lot better and is a bit faster. 2nd gen m45 Im not a fan and would rather just get a 2nd gen g35 sedan at that point.

Tapas > Textured Soy Protein 08/09/2017 at 12:12

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It’s funny how everything you said applies to the new Camry and the Lexus line up lol

Textured Soy Protein > Tapas 08/09/2017 at 12:51

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The GS in particular has always had a weird overly chunky C-pillar and trunk, because of the combination of upright side windows and sloped rear windshield.