buying new car advice? 97+ Q45t or 98+ GS300 reliability,cost,Ins,parts...etc

[ffgarage]

hi guys, my name is Derek Wong, this is my 1st post here on NICO, really glad i joined this site. well i've been a honda guy since i started driving, never really got around and owned a nissan or toyotas before, but i've wanting to get a 240sx, but then realize that i like bigger luxury sedans, So i looking into getting a GS300 for a while now, but i also see that q45 are really nice looking and the price is a lot lower. basically I am interested in 98 and up Gs300 or a Q45t, so i am going crazy. price wise, here what i found in socal98+ GS300 w/ somewhat 80-120k miles for around 12k-17k97+ Q45 w/100k less than 10k or some even 6-7kWell other than that i have plans for both cars, most likely pick up some staggered wheels set up and a lip kit. But my main concern is that which car would be more reliable in a long run cost wise... or things like that..the research i've done on this and other site tells me that 2nd gen is lot more reliable than the 1st one, but of course also have alot to do with previous owner too. so dammnn if any body got suggestions and stuff.

help would greatly appreciated, BTW im a supplier of Falken Nitto Pirelli cooper tires. well wheels too... if u are in socal... please don't hesitate to message me here.

[BlueC]

I've driven both and can easily say you would most likely be happier with the Q45. In terms of power, the Q45 will probably be more fun. The 2JZ in the GS300 is a great engine, but it doesn't feel all that great in a big sedan like the GS. The GS400 would be a different story, that thing would be quicker than the Q45.

[ffgarage]

oh yea, i m also looking at the gas price too...v8 vs I-6 ..so damnnn

[elwesso]

Youll still get 22MPG on the highway, city driving will make more of a difference... I would say that cost of ownership will be very close over 100-200k.....

[ffgarage]

Youll still get 22MPG on the highway, city driving will make more of a difference... I would say that cost of ownership will be very close over 100-200k.....

??? the cost of ownership ?

[BlueC]

Maintenance. Both cars reliable.

[Q45tech]

Pay more up front and less repairs..........higher annual tag and insurancePay less up front and more repairs..........lower annual tag and insuranceMaintenance costs will be about the same except for weight factors thus [tires/brakes] cost.

Both cars recommend premium gasoline.

The Lexus has a timing belt which will need to be replaced.

[CrimsonQ]

Id get the Q. Its more unique IMO.

Plus any V8 is better to me than a 6. Purely for the smoothness of the Y33 and the sound only a V8 can make. Just look at Falk's Q45 and tell me that thing isnt sick

[Jesda]

The GS300 has an outstanding interior and is superbly quiet, but you dont get the sound of a V8.

Value for money: A friend of mine is looking at a '97 Q45 with 78k for $5000. I'll know tomorrow if he bought it.

Resale: The Lexus will hold its resale value better, so if youre a drive-and-dump kind of guy who changes cars every year, get the GS.

[Rex]

The GS300 has an outstanding interior and is superbly quiet, but you dont get the sound of a V8.

Value for money: A friend of mine is looking at a '97 Q45 with 78k for $5000. I'll know tomorrow if he bought it.

Resale: The Lexus will hold its resale value better, so if youre a drive-and-dump kind of guy who changes cars every year, get the GS.

I agree, agree and agree.

[Skibane]

Youll still get 22MPG on the highway, city driving will make more of a difference...

Consistent 24 on the highway (65+ MPH), 16.5-19 in the city (depending on the Flog-Factor!). For a full-sized 4,000 pound car, the mileage is NOT bad at all...

ffgarage, if you do much highway driving, you'd probably be happier in a Q - The ride quality will out-class a 300, the interior is roomier, and a tad quieter, too. Then, there's that performance thing: At any speed between 25 and gawd-awful-scarey MPH, the 4.1 is guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

I might suggest that you just give one a try - At this point, the depreciation damage is already done, so you're not going to lose your shirt if you decide that it's not the car for you.

[BlueC]

The Q45 can get decent mileage on the hwy. I averaged 22-23mpg with an average speed of 85mph a few months ago on a small road trip. That was an exact calculation between 2 fill ups with 99% highway miles.

That's not bad at all.

[Q45denver]

the research i've done on this and other site tells me that 2nd gen is lot more reliable than the 1st one, but of course also have alot to do with previous owner too. so dammnn if any body got suggestions and stuff.

help would greatly appreciated, BTW im a supplier of Falken Nitto Pirelli cooper tires. well wheels too... if u are in socal... please don't hesitate to message me here.

Newer cars usually rank as more reliable because they have been driven less and therefore have needed less repairs. Seems pretty obvious but not everyone gets it. The 94-96 Q has one of the best repair records for luxury cars. Usually the last years of a series are the more reliable as the bugs have been worked out.

[BadQ45t]

I seriously looked at a GS400 before I bought the Q45, I have a 97. I can tell you that there is no comparo with a 300 as that V6 doesn't have more than 225 and is adaquate in the power department but not more. My 4.1 is a VERY smooth engine and brings V8 power to the table that the 6 in the Lexus cannot bring.

I would say if you really want to compare a Lexus look at a LS400 or GS400 so you compare V8 to V8, but you will find that the guy who bought the Q lost more than the Lexus even though they started off around the same price. I have 6 years into my 97' and have had virtually nothing go wrong at 85k. To customize the Q you have to work at it as the parts are not readily available but with help from people here you can find the springs, shocks and other stuff you might want.

I would suggest that at the age of car you're comparing, the biggest issue is condition of the car. Have either car checked out completely by a mechanic, I saw you're in SoCal, anywhere near Venice. Z-Expert is my mechanic in Venice and I would suggest taking the Q by his place and having give it the once over to know what you're going to have to spend immediately. The Lexus will have about a 1k timing belt replacement coming up if it is not done yet (it is close to that in SoCal) so figure that in the price.

Both good cars, but the GS is ugly in my opinion, at least not very sytlish but that is purely just my take.

[HashiriyaS14]

The Y33 is twice the car the GS300 is.

The GS430 would be a more apt comparison, but good luck finding a GS430 for under $18-20k or so in good condition.

I'd go for the Y33, as Jesda mentioned with his friend's $5,000 score, they are spectacular bargains.

[ffgarage]

Thnkx for all the reply and opinions, i've thought over it and decide the Q would be a better buy, and parts wise i have connections with importer and under my own business i can get quite a few things. Now is just a matter of finding one that's in excellent condition and bargain so i have left over cash to spend on suspension and wheels.!!

Any suggestion of what color and parts i should go with ?

what's recommended suspension of these Q's ?

[Rex]

Check out this thread zerothread/146826 and see what you like.

I will be picking up a newer Q45 (Y33 97-01) next Spring/early Summer, and selling one of my older Q45's (G50). Here's the thread I made discussing colors, years and options. Hope it helps, though some of the pics are dead links now .

[Falkdesigns]

Definitely get the Q over the GS. I have no idea where these guys find Y33's for 5k, they aren't that cheap out here, but still, very reasonable. I paid 16.5k for mine w/ 76k in March 2004, but I bet I could still get decent money back out of it. Hands down, my favorite car I've had, always gets looks and questions, and anyone that rides in it always mentions what a nice ride it is.

Love what you drive. I love my Q.

[BlueC]

Definitely get the Q over the GS. I have no idea where these guys find Y33's for 5k, they aren't that cheap out here, but still, very reasonable. I paid 16.5k for mine w/ 76k in March 2004, but I bet I could still get decent money back out of it. Hands down, my favorite car I've had, always gets looks and questions, and anyone that rides in it always mentions what a nice ride it is.

Love what you drive. I love my Q.

Could NOT have said it better myself.

The Y33 is very different from most cars on the road. I've driven a lot of cars, including a few brand new Infinitis, and the Y33 was just such a perfect fit. I've never felt so comfortable and happy driving a car until I came across this one.