l want some who has one to tell if they really like it and why . if they dont why? l wanna know of known problems that can occur, looking at a 2001 lexus gs 430? and can anyone tell me the difference between that one and the gs 300 besides the engine.? any other information would be great l dont know to much about the car itself..thanks for the help

l would look for a different car.. l have one. mines a GS 350.. but l am not impressed with it..
l have not had any mechanical problems besides needing to get the power windows fixed, but l still do not like the car..

i can not wait to get rid of it.

Go buy it terrific car, make sure its priced right.

Besides the engine, the GS 430 is faster, gets worse gas mileage, and has a few more features.
The GS is a fast car and it is RWD so it is bad in snow and rain, being RWD.
Lexus makes the most quietest and smoothest rides, but that makes it a boring car in my opinion. It is reliable, but l think Acura is more reliable.

The GS430 is a fun car. It is fast & safe. l would go to edmunds.com & research the ''Used Car'' area & u can find reviews on that car from owners & look at their likes/dislikes of it. here r some basics on the car.

Body type 5-passenger high-performance sedan
Construction Unitized body with modular front & rear subframes, extensive use of high tensile strength & galvannealed steel panels
Wheelbase 110.2 in.
Tread width, front/rear 60.4 in./59.4 in.
Overall length 189.2 in.
Overall width 70.9 in.
Overall height (unloaded) 55.9 in.
Curb weight 3,715 lbs.
Weight distribution, front/rear 53.7%/46.3%
Fuel tank capacity 19.8 U.S. gal.
Interior Dimensions


Headroom without moonroof, front/rear 39.0 in./37.4 in.
Headroom with moonroof, front/rear 37.6 in./36.4 in.
Legroom, front/rear 44.5 in./34.3 in.
Shoulder room, front/rear 57.7 in./56.6 in.
EPA passenger volume 100.0 cu. ft.
EPA cargo volume 14.8 cu. ft.
Engine


Engine type Four-Cam (DOHC), 32-valve V8 with VVT-i
Cylinder block & heads Cast aluminum
Bore x stroke 91.0 x 82.5 mm. (3.58 x 3.25 in.)
Displacement 4.3 liter (261.9 cu. in.)
Horsepower 300 hp 5,600 rpm
Torque 325 lb-ft 3,400 rpm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Ignition Computer-controlled ignition system
Engine management Computer-controlled ignition system with separate knock sensors for each cylinder bank, & Electronic Spark Advance (ESA) to optimize ignition timing
Fuel requirement Premium unleaded (octane rating 91 or higher)
Emission controls 3-way catalytic converter with two oxygen sensors & internal exhaust gas recirculation
Drivetrain


Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Automatic transmission 5-speed Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i)
Ratios:
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
Reverse
Final drive ratio
3.357
2.180
1.424
1.000
0.753
3.431
3.266
Chassis


Front suspension Coil springs, gas-filled shock absorbers, high-mount upper arm, stabilizer bar
Rear suspension Coil springs, gas-filled shock absorbers, stabilizer bar, strut rod
Steering Vehicle-speed-sensing progressive power rack & pinion
Turning circle 37.1 ft.
Brake system 11.57-in. ventilated discs front; 12.01-in. solid discs rear; 4-wheel power-assisted disc brakes; 4-sensor, 4-channel Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) integrated with Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) & Brake Assist
Wheels Aluminum alloy, 16 x 7.5 in. (17 x 8.0 in. optional)
Tires Michelin Pilot HX MXM, 225/55R16 V-rated
Performance


0-60 mph acceleration 5.8 seconds
Top track speed 149 mph (electronically limited)
EPA estimated mileage ratings, city/highway 18 mpg/city, 23 mpg/highway
Aerodynamic drag coefficient (Cd) 0.29 (same with optional rear spoiler

Both GS models deliver a combination of advanced performance technology & luxury, making them two of the finest high-performance sedans available. With its larger, more powerful 4.3-liter V8 engine, & its available rear spoiler & 17-inch wheels, the GS 430 will appeal to the ultimate performance enthusiast. The GS 430 also has standard leather trim; the Lexus Memory System which remembers the positions of the driver is seat & mirrors; & High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps—all available on the GS 300. At the same time, the GS 300 incorporates much of the same advanced technology as the GS 430, sharing its electronically controlled transmission with intelligence (ECT-i), electronic throttle control System with intelligence (ETCS-i), & Vehicle Skid Control (VSC) system with Brake Assist. Its in-line 6-cylinder engine uses the same Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) technology as the GS 430 is V8—all at a lower base price. What is more, the Formula One-inspired E-shift steering wheel shifting system is standard only on the 2001 GS 300.

GS 430 compared with the GS 300:

GS 430 producES 300 hp in the DOHC V8 engine
GS 300 produces 220 hp in the DOHC in-line 6-cylinder engine
E-shift steering-wheel shifting system is unique to the GS 300
17-in. wheels & rear spoiler r available on the GS 430
Wood & leather steering wheel is available on the GS 430
Standard on both GS 430 & GS 300 are:
5-speed automatic transmission
VSC with Brake Assist
VVT-i
ETCS-i
Auto-dimming inside & outside mirrors
Standard on GS 430/Available on GS 300 are:
Leather trim
Lexus Memory System
High-intensity Discharge headlamps


Anyone comparing Lexus to Acura in terms of quality is mis educated, An acura is a great car & l am not knocking it l use to own an Integra & l loved it. Its just that acura is more of an entry level luxury car with sporting aspirations & a Lexus is a true LUXURY car. Check J.D. Powers & Associates rankings & u will find that LEXUS has outsold, BMW, ACURA, M-B & AUD l for the last 9 years. there is a reason for that. If u disagree that is ok & u r intitled to ur opinion. All l can say is Numbers do not lie.

there alright cars wouldnt be my first choice

l have a'98 gs400 but i'm modifying the hell out of it (putting on a garrett gt42r turbo). the gs4X0 cars are all great - v8, rwd, reliable.some basic mods out there that wo not kill the engine (intake, torque converter, lsd).take a look on the club lexus board clublexus.com - register and you can search threads on the topic.

There are way better cars out there for less.