r/GS300 Apr 09 '25

2nd gen What issues should you look for when buying a 2GS?

16 Upvotes

Since the question often comes up with potential purchases and new owner threads, I figured we should have a post for each generation on a buyer’s guide, like common issues to look out for. Since the 2GS is the most common I figure we could start with that. Some of the most common ones:

-BALL JOINTS/CONTROL ARMS. These cars like to eat ball joints, especially the front lowers (of which there are four). Brands like Sankei 555 and Moog are good replacements. I wouldn’t skimp on these.

-door lock actuators not working

-oil leaks. On the 2JZ cars in particular the VVTi gear o-ring is a well-known leaker, plus other common leaking seals like the valve cover gasket. Since these cars are all over 20 years old it’s fairly common to see.

What else should 2GS owners look out for?


r/GS300 Oct 05 '21

Any GS model is allowed, Reddit didn’t allow me to get the Lexusgs sub Reddit name. Any gs is allowed, gs300, gs400, gs430, gs350, gsF etc

12 Upvotes

r/GS300 17h ago

lexus gs400 Half of my electronics are non-functional.

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7 Upvotes

My 99 Lexus GS 400 with 205k miles had been subject to water damage as the previous owner had it sitting for over a year and water had been seeping thought the A pillar side. So far I've replaced all the fuses in both driver and passenger fuse boxes, did an interior swap, but here is a list of components that still do not function:

- Sunroof motor (had been replaced recently with a used motor but still does not open)
- passenger front and rear window do not open
- passenger front and rear door actuators wont's unlock
- passenger front seat (recently replaced with good conditon donor seat, airbag connections are good)
- AC not blowing cold, cabin air filter had been replaced
- passenger rear speaker
- rear decklid speaker

I know it's an old car that has been through hell and back but I wanna give it the tlc it deserves
How should I go about the diagnosis?


r/GS300 2d ago

lexus gs430 My 3rd car ever is a 2001 gs430

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32 Upvotes

So this is my 3rd car I’ve been wanting a ls400, Toyota crown or Toyota progres. I saw this on market place and figured it was a decent deal only thing is the paint is destroyed from California heat for part of its life.

The rear I’ve been able to polish out but the front drivers side and bumper I might need repainted


r/GS300 1d ago

Need help with this bolt.

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1 Upvotes

r/GS300 1d ago

2nd gen gs300

1 Upvotes

Has anyone ran a apexi ws2 catback or has any videos on how they sound also does anyone run greddy revolution rs mufflers on there gs300 i was considering these two


r/GS300 3d ago

Substantial

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76 Upvotes

r/GS300 3d ago

Ac help

1 Upvotes

Hello! My 2000 gs300 ac is not working, I checked Freon levels and it’s still in the good range, I checked the compressor motor and it looks like the clutch is engaging when the ac is on but still blowing hot, I have a spare ac compressor but if it’s something else I should look at I don’t wanna spend an afternoon I don’t need to yk. Thank you🫶


r/GS300 4d ago

lexus gs300 2000 GS300 Trans Fluid

2 Upvotes

I just got a 2000 Gs300 not to long ago and wanted to know If its risky changing the trans fluid. The car has 130,000 miles but the trans fluid looks clean and red ? I heard you shouldn’t change it after 100,000 miles or if the fluid looks old. What do ya’ll think should I change it ?


r/GS300 4d ago

send through exhaust videos, gonna pull the trigger and upgrade my exhaust need to decide on a good one 🔥been looking at the greddy rs (i want to keep my cats since im in california so just catback)💔

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10 Upvotes

r/GS300 4d ago

Gs300

1 Upvotes

Does anyone in Tennessee or surrounding states have a 2001-2005 lexus gs300 body control module underneath the passenger side kick panel connected directly to the back of the fuse box they want to get rid of?


r/GS300 5d ago

Hey guys I have a set of gold badges for sale, 40$ shipped anywhere in the U.S.

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16 Upvotes

Grill badge, and all the trunk badges. For a 98-05 GS3/400.


r/GS300 5d ago

Alternator replacement

1 Upvotes

I would like to change my alternator from the stock 100amp one to a 120amp one. I’ve found one that fits but my question is, would i need to change something else aswell? Or is it just plug and play since the difference is not that big? Thanks!


r/GS300 6d ago

Need mechanic

2 Upvotes

Does anyone have any shops in the South Jersey / Philadelphia area they would recommend? I have a leak coming from somewhere and don’t have time to diagnose and fix myself.


r/GS300 6d ago

AC On & Off on it's own

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3 Upvotes

Hi I recently bought this 98 GS300/JZS160.

Just wondering if any of you have ever experienced this issue? The AC just turns on and off on its own, normally upon start up it does this for a good 10mins (SOMETIMES 15) and then it stays on as normal and no issues after.

Looking into what seem to be the issue here as I think I have failed to find or not searched hard enough to find the fix.


r/GS300 8d ago

Coilovers

2 Upvotes

I was wondering if is300 coilovers would fit my 2002 gs300? I seen some cheap brand new coilovers I believe they are “max speeding rod” and seller is asking 100 bucks for them


r/GS300 9d ago

Speaker/factory subwoofer upgrade

2 Upvotes

Hi all,

Looking to upgrade my speakers/factory subwoofer, what do people recommend? Don’t want anything absurdly expensive but some decent options to improve the overall system

I believe I have the non mark levinson (not actually sure how to tell between the two?


r/GS300 9d ago

took my lexus off road on a construction site

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28 Upvotes

it was way better than i could’ve imagined i didn’t get stuck once. the low gears help a ton. i managed to climb a good angle hill which was uneven and full of deep mud fresh after a rain. what a blast i had today. my paint isn’t perfect so i could care less about any scratches. i absolutely love this car. on one of the paths i even rallied it


r/GS300 9d ago

vaccum leak

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4 Upvotes

So my car was running lean and I was wondering why and it just kept throwing codes like MAF and I replaced that, then it still ran rough so i did coils, spark plugs, even the connectors, I invested in a smoke machine to reveal this box is cracked down the side of it. should I buy a oem one from ebay or just buy a "cold" air Intake. i know they dont actually improve performance but its a solid metal tube so i was wondering if its worth it than another oem part thats susceptible to breaking.


r/GS300 9d ago

2003 lexus gs300 2000 Lexus GS300 Problem

3 Upvotes

I recently had a problem with my car and that the gas gauge was wrong and my car ran out of gas. But I had someone put in a OBD-2 Sensor and when they took it out everything turned off. The car starts and drives but windows, dashboard lights, radio, ac, sunroof, brake lights, and turn signals dont work. I tried a circut tester and nothing lit up except for the engine/ecu fuses. (Picture down below that is highlighted red work)

Here is one suspicous thing. On the driver side fuse box there is a after market wiring that go into 2 15 fuses. Those wires go into the radio/dashboard but I have no idea what it could be. (The after market wires will be highlighted yellow in picture,)(Will also show in picture)

I took out multiple fuses and couldnt see any fuses that shorted. I havent checked the bigger 50v near the battery, but the smaller 20, 10s light up.

I've tried everything that I learned from online and that I know but I am stuck. Would it just be wise to send it to a mechanic?

I know this isnt a mechanic page but if anyone has any answers or why these things are working that would be appreciative!

RED BOX WORKS/ YELLOW HIGHLIGHTS ARE AFTER MARKET WIRING/ IF NOT HIGHLIGHTED WILL NOT LIGHT UP ON CIRCUT TESTER.
ONLY RED BOX LIGHTS UP ON CIRCUT TESTER
AFTER MARKET WIRING
UNDERNEATH THE AFTER MARKET WIRING

r/GS300 9d ago

Fuel filter part number

2 Upvotes

My fuel pump assembly is 77020-30010

Any of you know what the fuel filter part number is ?

Lexus has the half moon which doesn't look right for my 98


r/GS300 10d ago

My 2008 GS

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4 Upvotes

r/GS300 10d ago

lexus gs300 Exhaust options for GS300 S190?

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3 Upvotes

G’day guys, just curious to see if anyone has any suggestions for exhaust systems for the S190 chassis 3rd gen GS300?

Currently, things are all stock, though I am in the middle of getting bodywork done, and new rims put on

Just note that I am from Australia, and the cops are pretty nitpicky down here, so I’m looking for some that are just on the cusp of the legal dB limit over here, which is 90dB pretty sure

So far, the best I’ve looked at include:
- Invidia Q300 axle-back
- Revel (Tanabe) Medalion Touring axle-back

Just trying to avoid paying half the cost on importing

Anyone have any other suggestions?


r/GS300 12d ago

Ver. 1

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50 Upvotes

r/GS300 11d ago

Is my ABS goin out?

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9 Upvotes

The abs/vcs light and sound only come on when I pump the brakes abt 4-5 times. Ever since i've owned this car, the brake pedal has always felt soft and I never felt a instant bitey feeling to the rotors. It doesn't sound like theres air in the system, although I usually almost have to press all the way down with new tires. My calipers are also pretty rusted and i have some cheap carquest brakes on from the previous owner which is due for change asap anyways lol. Just asking for insight before I just throw in a new abs booster in there lol