I finally did it

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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 07:49 AM
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I finally did it

It took a long time to find but I finally found it.

Last night, I picked up a 2004 Lexus GS430 - pearl white, Navi, Mark Levinson sound, Wood grain steering wheel, chrome 17" wheels, spoiler, etc. I wanted one in pearl white for years and I finally found the right one. The car is originally from Texas and has spent one year in the Chicago area. It was only taken out in snow 3 times and it shows, the underneath is very clean, especially when comparing to cars that are around here.

Anyway, got a great car at a great price and couldn't pass it up. This is replacing my wife's Scion XB and is now my car. She is driving my RL, but we may get something a little newer for her as well.

Hopefully I'll get some time to detail is soon but here are some quick cell phone shots:




I love the V8 and the transmission is silky smooth. Very difficult to feel how fast you're going
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 07:52 AM
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 07:58 AM
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Nice pick up! I've always loved that generation GS.
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 08:11 AM
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nice. pearl white lexus FTW.

now all you need to do is upgrade those pants youre wearing. hehe.
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 08:19 AM
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The stripes matched my shirt!
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 08:29 AM
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I love the color, congrats.
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 08:40 AM
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Always loved the 2G GS...how many miles? Looks pristine...
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 08:42 AM
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Originally Posted by hANDYcaptd
Nice pick up! I've always loved that generation GS.
Same here. Been toying with picking one up as my train station car...

Nice buy!! Mind if I ask what you got it for?
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 08:45 AM
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awesome find.. welcome to the 1G TL -> 2GS club see you on clublex? any plans for the 2GS...
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 09:30 AM
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Awesome! Love those GS's.
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 10:00 AM
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Thanks everyone for the comments. I'm loving it so far. I love the fact that it's so rare around here.

Originally Posted by jim165
Always loved the 2G GS...how many miles? Looks pristine...
It has 116K miles on it, it was one owner in Texas until April 2010 (104K) and was brought to Chicago. Timing belt/water pump were done at the Lexus dealer at 90K miles so maintenance is up to date. All the fluids look good and the car doesn't have any door dings.

Originally Posted by juniorbean
Same here. Been toying with picking one up as my train station car...

Nice buy!! Mind if I ask what you got it for?
Thanks! I got it for a hair under $11K, which I think is a very good price considering the current market of used cars. KBB puts it at $13,800 private party with all the options.

Originally Posted by KaMLuNg
awesome find.. welcome to the 1G TL -> 2GS club see you on clublex? any plans for the 2GS...
I've been waiting for you to chime in. I've been on clublex since 2005 when I had my 1999 GS400, I went back on and posted my new purchase today. Haven't been to the forum in years.

I really have no plans for it, plan on keeping it stock. I'm hoping to find a set of the stock 5 spoke 17's and put some Blizzaks on it for winter, otherwise that's it. I'm going to detail the inside and get it to my standards and need to do something about a small rattle by the ML sub in the back (noticed it this morning otw to work). Otherwise the car doesn't need a thing!
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 10:51 AM
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Nicely done sir! Didn't want to get back in a 3G TL for another month or two?
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 10:54 AM
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Nice car. Very classy.
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by CLtotheTL32
Nicely done sir! Didn't want to get back in a 3G TL for another month or two?
Nah, I like the 3G TL but this is a lot more of what I was looking for.
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 11:43 AM
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Congrats!!! All the best with it!
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 11:44 AM
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Love that gen of the GS
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 12:10 PM
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Congrats. My mom picked up an 03 GS430 with the same options you've got about a year ago. She's loved it - and you're right about the silky smooth drivetrain. Best of luck with the new ride.
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Moog-Type-S
Love that gen of the GS
Originally Posted by jim165
Always loved the 2G GS...
Originally Posted by hANDYcaptd
Nice pick up! I've always loved that generation GS.
+4
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 01:18 PM
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congrats
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Sly Raskal
+4
+5

I still want one of those.
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 02:52 PM
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I have always loved the body style of the 2gen GS's. Thought about putting more $ towards a 3rd gen but I'd rather have a 2nd gen for much much cheaper
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 03:52 PM
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That's really nice. I've toyed with the idea of picking up that generation GS430 but the idea of having two vehicles that get <20 mpg (avg) makes me squeamish!!
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 05:53 PM
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I'm hoping for more than 20. I averaged 21-22 with my GS400. A couple miles per gallon is worth it for the smile I receive when I get on the onramp.
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 08:24 PM
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Nice ride for the wife! I hope she enjoys it.
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 09:34 PM
  #25  
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It's not for the wife, it's for me
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 10:14 PM
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congrats nice find
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Old Jun 16, 2011 | 08:11 AM
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Originally Posted by F23A4
That's really nice. I've toyed with the idea of picking up that generation GS430 but the idea of having two vehicles that get <20 mpg (avg) makes me squeamish!!
the mpg's are not that bad... i get low 20s averaging around the city and highway and easily upper 20s on the hwy... the 20 gallon tank helps between having to fill up so often... but it is def a cruising car...
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Old Jun 16, 2011 | 08:21 AM
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nice..V8!!
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Old Jun 16, 2011 | 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by KaMLuNg
the mpg's are not that bad... i get low 20s averaging around the city and highway and easily upper 20s on the hwy... the 20 gallon tank helps between having to fill up so often... but it is def a cruising car...
I love driving on the freeway. Amazing how much go she has when you need it.
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Old Jun 16, 2011 | 01:12 PM
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damn. a pristine 430 for <11k. +Nav, + ML system. thats a LOT of car for 11 smackaroos.

how many miles?
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Old Jun 16, 2011 | 02:33 PM
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Looks like its in great shape. Congrats!
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Old Jun 16, 2011 | 03:45 PM
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Nice car, my favorite Lexus!


Last edited by Shoofin; Jun 16, 2011 at 03:50 PM.
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Old Jun 16, 2011 | 03:56 PM
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Congrats!
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Old Jun 16, 2011 | 03:57 PM
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Congrats! Enjoy it in good health.

Surprised that you're getting rid of the box so soon, though. Wifey didn't like it?
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Old Jun 17, 2011 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by ThermonMermon
damn. a pristine 430 for <11k. +Nav, + ML system. thats a LOT of car for 11 smackaroos.

how many miles?
It's got 116K on it. I'm very happy with the price.

Originally Posted by Aman
Congrats! Enjoy it in good health.

Surprised that you're getting rid of the box so soon, though. Wifey didn't like it?
Thanks! The box was involved in a small accident and after seeing it crumple like a tin can, I decided I don't want my wife driving it so I sold it.
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Old Jun 17, 2011 | 06:18 PM
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Originally Posted by KaMLuNg
the mpg's are not that bad... i get low 20s averaging around the city and highway and easily upper 20s on the hwy... the 20 gallon tank helps between having to fill up so often... but it is def a cruising car...

Not bad for a V8. Unfortunately, any prospective 2nd car in our household will need to be at 30mpg+.....to offset the 16mpg we're getting in the MDX. ....may have to score another 06-07 AV6 sedan.

Back on topic, I love the 2G GS A LOT!!!
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Old Jun 17, 2011 | 09:16 PM
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The wife drove the GS last night for the first time. We pulled up to a stop sign, I flipped the power button and told her to step on it. She just screamed out "I want a car like this!" We'll probably be replacing the RL soon with a ES330 or something along those lines.

Here are some better pictures. Came home from work and went over it with an orbital. BTW, southern cars rock! Not a single spot on the chrome rims, not even a hairline scratch. I couldn't believe it.










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Old Jun 17, 2011 | 09:21 PM
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Looks like you're pretty skilled behind a buffer. Looks better than brand-new.


<-- Needs a Power button. It must make for some impressed guests, huh?

What exactly does it do? I'm guessing throttle response, timing?
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Old Jun 17, 2011 | 09:23 PM
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Very clean!
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Old Jun 17, 2011 | 09:41 PM
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congrats on the lex. ive always had a soft spot for these
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