New GS300 owner

[Stevie T]

Hi all,

I acquired the car in the last few days and it was a bit rushed; not the best way to do it perhaps, but things have been somewhat hectic. It's not yet a "she"; we need to become acquainted. My bike on the other hand definitely is. My apologies if applying gender to machines is frowned upon, but I'm not likely to change anytime soon. I get my hands dirty and the more you do, the closer you become.

The car is "an old man's colour", I've been told 🤨 Boreal green/Grampian, as recorded on the original bill of sale, and a £375 option at the time. It doesn't shout, which I prefer. The paintwork is also unmarked. The car has 17,300 on the odo, but only 4 Lexus stamps in the book, with the fifth and final one being done by a "specialist". Whilst five services might be commensurate given the mileage, I'm a firm believer that the lifespan of all vehicle fluids is time dependant and not just dictated by the mileage. Hopefully I've caught the car at the right time and will press forward with annual fluid services where appropriate. The MOT history is almost clear with only one failure recorded for a rear tyre, and consecutive advisories in 2018 and 19 for the fronts, which are now new. The car doesn't have a sunroof, which I won't miss from the outgoing Avensis. Nor does it have air suspension, which I specifically wanted to avoid. It does however have satnav, so, upgrade potential perhaps? The interior has a black dash and is light grey leather throughout, accented with black ash (?) trim. My perfect choice and the only one I sought. It's just as impressive in reality as it was in the ad's pictures. Very pleased.

Due to everything that's going on here, I haven't really had any time to drive it other than the 10-mile test, which went flawlessly. Early Tuesday morning will be a baptism of fire as I travel from Manchester to Heathrow to collect my wife as she returns from NZ on a repatriation flight. Should the 400-mile round trip be a worry, and are GS300s beyond the scope of the AA?

Only one alarm bell really. The steering wheel is slightly out; a degree perhaps, maybe two but certainly no more. This, and the advisories given for both front tyres being worn on their inner edges are worrisome. Could the car have underlying suspension issues? The dealer claimed it was "tyre pressures", at which point I shook my head and very nearly threw him the keys, but the car spoke volumes, and I was won over.

When I get time I'll study the forums in greater detail. I've been a lurker for quite some time prior to purchase, and had my eye on the older GS range for well over six months. The shared info and advice in here is astonishing; well done to all. If anyone would like to comment, offer advice, tips, tricks, anything; I'm all ears,

Steve.

[Vlady]

Steven you are welcome! By the sound of it you do like the car! 🙂 

It is a good car and should be easy to work on.

Regards tyres wear on inner edges - I would say it is most likely wheel alignment and having the steering wheel out by 1-2deg also suggests that alignment is a must!

Keep an eye on car behaviour during longer trip, it might want to steer left or right if you let the steering wheel go this is also will suggest a need for wheel alignment.

Good luck and enjoy the car! 

We want to see some photos of that car colour of yours! And Interior too! 🙂

 

[The-Acre]

I had a 2005 GS300 for a while, it's still a modern looking car in my opinion and it is fairly easy to work on.  As mentioned, photos please!

[royoftherovers]

Welcome Steve.

I have tyre wear on both inside edges of front tyres on my Merc and have been advised that Tracking needs adjusting.

Check oil, water etc before travelling to Heathrow and keep an eye on the water temp gauge (if you have one). The GS should gobble up the miles without any bother.

Remember that the Dealer is obliged to correct (at his cost) any significant problems which may arise within 6 months of purchase.Go back to him with any problems and do not involve any third party.

Good luck.

[Stevie T]

All good advice, thanks guys, and for the welcome.

Oil and water levels fine. Oil condition good, underside of oil filler and what little I can see into the alloy casting looks very good too. Temperature rock solid for the 10-mile test, as was my Avensis. Steering doesn't have a bias on flat road hands free test, so, promising and hopefully, minor issues only if any. Will top up washer bottle with premixed fluid before trip.

Agreed on the looks, Phil, it's what drew me to the old GS, especially at this mileage. I think they look timeless, and remind of the Jag XF in some ways, but I know which one I'd sooner rely on. I did pay a lot more than I should, and it will remain a secret (for the time being at least), but I still feel the car is worth it. Hopefully time will not sway that opinion.

Regarding pictures; I don't really have time to read the T&Cs at the moment, but do forum overheads allow pictures or should they be linked from an external source?

[steve2006]

Hello and welcome to the LOC.

No problems with pictures, just click on the “Click to choose files” at the bottom of the dialogue box and go from there.

It sounds like you got a nice one there with ultra low mileage, if you don’t mind disclosing the cost it would be interesting to see it.

[Stevie T]

Thanks Steve,

I'm a little too embarrassed about the price just yet. I've got too much going on here at the moment to take gently humoured abuse as well, lol. Everyone likes to think they got one over on the dealer, but I can assure you this wasn't the case. I really didn't want this one to slip by, not when it ticked so many boxes. Maybe after Tuesday when wife is home, settled, and we've put all the trauma of returning from NZ behind us. On to the pictures. These are a few lifted directly from the ad'. The alloy is typical of all four corners. Also bear in mind the dealer sold it without even touching it.

[Alan64]

Shes a fine machine

[Shahpor]

Welcome Steve.

Wow, that is one clean car!  I love the colour too and I like to think, at 42 years of age, I am not considered too much of an old man yet

And don't worry about paying over the odds.  I certainly paid too much for mine, but it ticked all the box, I liked it, I could afford it, so I bought it   Sometimes, despite our best efforts to be level headed, a car will just 'jump out' and you know it is the one for you, and it certainly sounds like you found what you were after.  I certainly don't regret buying mine and I hope the same is true for you.

[scudney]

Congratulations Steve, and welcome to the LOC,hoping you find the forum educational and informative,nice looking car 👍👍👍

[RgrWynne]

Hi Steve, welcome to the club. I too have owned two previous GS300’s and loved them. As already stated your trip to Heathrow should be a breeze. I think the colour is stylish, just enjoy, Cheers, Roger

[The-Acre]

Looks superb!  

[Vlady]

The car looks very nice! Congratulations!

[Stevie T]

Thanks for all the kind comments, much appreciated. There is an issue that I forgot to mention that I don't consider insignificant: the car only has one key. I was distracted during negotiation and wrongly assumed the spare would be in with all the other documentation. The dealer has also confirmed this is the case. Again, once we're settled here i'll investigate further, but if anyone would care to comment on the implications should the spare not materialise I'd be grateful.

[royoftherovers]

8 minutes ago, Stevie T said:

Thanks for all the kind comments, much appreciated. There is an issue that I forgot to mention that I don't consider insignificant: the car only has one key. I was distracted during negotiation and wrongly assumed the spare would be in with all the other documentation. The dealer has also confirmed this is the case. Again, once we're settled here i'll investigate further, but if anyone would care to comment on the implications should the spare not materialise I'd be grateful.

If you were told that the car only had one key, then you missed your opportunity to make the provision of a second key, a part of the deal.

If you were not told and you did not ask, then it is up to you to pay for a second key.In these circumstanced you might ask the dealer to pay 50% of the cost of the replacement key.If he agrees, then ok. If he does not agree, then give him a bad review on his website, but stick to the facts and do not leave yourself open to being accused of libel. 

 

[Stevie T]

Thanks, John.

The circumstances of the sale were that he brought the car to my home for viewing. COVID rules prevented me from visiting the dealership, but I verified his authenticity before proceeding. We shook, he left, leaving me the car. It took about three hours. Test drive, vehicle examination, paperwork scrutiny, and then slap to face when I realised my oversight and he was well up the road. Sent him a text asking after the key and received; "Yes, one key. Pleasure doing business". Yes, I'm sure it was.

I'll be touch with him again on Wednesday, and try to impress upon him how important it is any and all keys are found, although I don't hold out much hope. Before me, the car only had one owner. A retirement gift to himself it would appear. Unfortunately, he passed away, hence the sale. I'll ask the dealer if he can re-establish contact with either the previous owner's family or whoever dealt with the estate. If that proves to be fruitless then I may well have to do the legwork myself, although any attempt to contact the family/executors may well be received as being in very poor taste. I'll have to give that some careful thought and my conscience will probably prevent me from pursuing that line of enquiry.

[royoftherovers]

Thanks Steve.

Try to be nice to him,but do not be surprised if he does not want to communicate or play ball.

Don`t be too hard on yourself as I suspect that had you asked, he would have promised (orally) to send you the key and then not done so.

You may end up paying the full cost of the replacement key (possibly circa £300) and if you do warn his future customers via a review that they might be better advised to seek a car from someone other than him.

Other Members will come along I`m sure and advise how you can obtain a suitable replacement key.

Good luck and do enjoy your forthcoming drive.

Do let us all know how things go.

[Alan64]

Maybee just ask again is ther any chance he can help locate the spare key as u would like the set, if he cant help out dont i would leave it be and save urself the hassel

[steve2006]

Looks like it’s just rolled out of the Lexus showroom!

Regarding the key, there are several genuine Lexus second hand fobs on eBay varying in price from £40.00. The key blade is a separate item available for £6.99.

Provided you have the master a decent auto locksmith would be able to cut the blank blade, fit it into the fob and reprogram the purchased fob to the car.

I would estimate £100-120 all in.

If you fancy a brand new one first ensure you are sitting down.

Around £30.00 for an uncut key, £160.00 for a cut key, fob £400.00 plus programming!

[Stevie T]

Thanks for the input, guys, very grateful. I'll let you know how things turn out,

Steve.

EDIT:

Hi Steve,

Was writing the above as you posted yours. Wow. I wasn't sat down and the fall left a bruise. Not sure if I have the master, but your post is encouraging for damage limitation, cheers.

Edited May 11, 2020 by Stevie T

[J88TEO]

😀 I did consider this one but just too far from South West London!

A really nice example...really low mileage too...

Enjoy.

[Stevie T]

Thanks, Joe.

To all: Wife now home from NZ, previously unaware of Lexus purchase. At AKL check-in she was given passenger assist throughout journey, and also upgraded to business class FOC 😮 I jokingly remarked that passengers of this calibre have high expectations and felt I had to rise to the occasion, and hoped madam would find the vehicle assigned to complete the final leg of her journey acceptable. She's ok about the GS.

Coming from an Avensis of vintage '98, there was a lot to learn in only a short period before travelling to LHR. Journey uneventful, satnav clunky but functional, car didn't miss a beat. Early verdict:

WHAT.A.MACHINE!

[Illogan]

It's good to learn that your wife's return journey from LHR to LANCS was also upgraded, to First Class.

Neither of you will ever wish to travel Cattle Class again!

 

[Stevie T]

A quick follow up with more pictures:

Bought an "unlocked" used key, and a cable with software. Three days of trying to pull hair out (helps if you have some), and £110 later I have a working spare, right in the middle of Steve's estimate above 😉 Just ordered a new fob case with uncut blank to finish off.

The price of the car was (deep breath), £7200, down from £8k (holds arms before face as shield from incoming!) Yeah, I know, I know; way too much, but after 6 months of watching GSs I just couldn't let this one pass me by, and with only 17262 on the clock and good service history I thought I'd have a punt.

The exterior you've already seen, but I've given the interior a good scrub and despite sticky stuff still on top of the dash (why do people do that?), here are the results:

 

[royoftherovers]

Beautiful interior. A class act.