1994 Lexus GS300 review from UK and Ireland
"Smooth, quiet and refined motoring for a couple of grand"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing major at all.
When warming up temperature gauge goes slightly past the middle line. After 10 minutes it is on the middle line, presume thermostat replacing.
Vibration/steering wheel shimmy at 60-100mph. Believe this to be brake related, not wheel balance.
Boot is very heavy to lift - perhaps the gas struts are past their best.
Original wheels a bit corroded. Goes through brake discs quickly.
General comments?
For a couple of grand and a loyalty card at your local petrol station, you can't go wrong really.
Good looking (in my opinion, especially with the 18" sport wheels), refined and fun to drive.
0-60 in the high 8's, which although I believe, would imagine the petrol gauge to move as quickly as the tachometer needle if you tried it. The 3.0 engine (detuned version as found in the NA Toyota Supra) is a very smooth and quiet engine, but it still makes a nice growl above 4000rpm.
The automatic transmission shifts smoothly and seems to listen to the throttle pedal a lot more than certain other automatics I have driven do.. if that makes sense.
Insurance for a 24 year old was very reasonable, perhaps due to the old man image?
Not exactly a family car which is what I bought it to be - the boot is tiny when you consider the size of the rest of the car.
Interior wise, the heated seats are of high quality leather and are very comfortable. The climate control/radio are excellent, but they look a bit 'Toyota'... which figures, I suppose. They have a green display whereas the instruments are white/red. Doesn't really match!
Steering is very light, this is an extremely easy car to drive once you get used to parking it. Absolutely in its element cruising down the motorway with the cruise control on.
Returns around 30mpg on a run, if you keep the speed down. Late teens around town, ouch.
These cars really are bargains. If you can get a well looked after one, it'll serve you well. Nobody believes that mine is almost onto its third time around the clock!
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| Year of manufacture | 1994 |
| First year of ownership | 2004 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 3.0 inline six Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 1 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 4 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 194000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 197700 miles |
| Previous car | Mazda MX5 |
| Date of Entry | 10th December, 2004 |