1999 Lexus GS300 - reliable or nightmare?

NorthernSun

Hello all,

I have been seen a used Lexus GS300

1999

81000 miles

2 owners

NCT until end of 2011.

I know that it is old but the mileage is relatively low and being a LEXUS/TOYOTA it should be reliable.

It is listed at EUR5200 so I would expect to buy it for less than EUR5000.

I would appreciate peoples views.

Would it be reasonable to expect a couple of years troublefree motoring from this car or would I be buying myself a lot of problems.

Thank you.

Mr Benevolent

Should be fine, they're generally fair bulletproof. Make sure the gears change smoothly etc. You'd see 29mpg with a fairly light foot. Tax is steep enough. You'd really need a full service history to buy one though. €5200 is a bit overpriced imo, more €4500 region.

EPM

It should be pretty ok with a FSH. But €5200 is way too much. I'd nearly try and find a nice E39 530i/d like this.

Mr Benevolent

It should be pretty ok with a FSH. But €5200 is way too much. I'd nearly try and find a nice E39 530i/d

The fuel economy would be about 20% worse than the GS because of the 530's autobox though. I do agree that €5k would get you a much better luxobarge then a '99 GS300.

'02 530d

Btw if you're thinking of a 5 series make sure you get one later than '01 (or at least an '01 with clear indicators) as the car was comprehensively updated in mid '01. €5k will easily get you an '02 though.

PADRAIC.M

yeah they are fairly bulletproof alright, timing belt is due at 90,000 so that can be a bit pricey at a main dealer,

JHMEG

I'd imagine you could weld the bonnet shut and drive it for another 100k miles without any problems. An over-engineered Jap car is a recipe for reliability!