Faults:

Drivers door lock needs repair.

Radio display is not functioning correctly.

Sunroof cover rattle.

General Comments:

I recently purchased my GS 300 after debating a cheap new Accord, Legacy or used E-class, Volvo 70 series or BMW 5 series. The GS competes very well. My previous car, a Crown Victoria, was a cheap stop gap to my ever present car problem.

I am really enjoying this car.

It is quiet, comfortable, smooth and yes, fast. I was not very familiar with the GS before purchase, but found it to be almost exactly what I was looking for: in line 6 (cast iron block), rear wheel drive, sunroof, safety and reliability.

The dashboard has a very nice feel, the factory seven speaker Lexus sound system is awesome, the heated seats are toasty warm, and I love the way this car looks. Ital design did a wonderful job on the lines.

It can be thirsty though. In winter months with snow tires I am averaging about 18 MPG using premium fuel. In retrospect it has been a terrible winter in my neck of the woods and maybe 18 is not too bad!

Highly recommended!

Faults:

This car has been great... besides the normal maitnence nothing has gone wrong. The 90K service was the only semi-expensive service. Oil changes are always done at Lexus Mission Viejo, a great dealer, along with all other services.

General Comments:

I traded my 1996 Mercedes S500 for this beauty. The Mercedes had only 32,000 miles and was always in the shop. I was debating on whether I should buy the GS400, E430, or the 540i. I drove all three and bought the GS400 because of what you got for the money. I got every option including navigation, a rarity for that year. Everything has held up amazing. The car is washed every week and detailed every 3 months. Leather looks new due to always being conditioned. The car has close to 160,000 but you would never know. I took the car on a 5000 mile trip this summer and it didn't fault at all. I drive from Coto de Caza, CA to San Diego everyday which is over 100 miles round trip plus I do many business trips which equals the cars high mileage. Incidentally in 2001 I bought my wife a E430. I drove it on a trip up north and it didn't perform like the GS400 does. She now has a RX400h.

Faults:

The driver's side window, when pushed to go back up, will go up, but then roll back down on its own. They have replaced the motor once and made two adjustments since. It still does this off and on.

Replaced the weather striping along the front passanger window, but can still hear wind from that window.

At times when I am trying to start the car, the steering wheel locks itself and you have to shake it back and forth and turn the ignition key at the same time to get it to start.

General Comments:

I bought the car new from a Lexus dealer and have not had any serious repairs.

Replaced the battery at 40,000.

Replaced all brakes at 58,000.

Has great pick up on the highway and gives a very smooth ride.

The Lexus dealer that I use for maintenance is very slow and I have to wait forever it seems for them to bring my car around. The tech I am assigned to seems to argue with me when I complain about the wind noise or when the window goes up and down.