GS430 Worth?

[GS430_95]

Hi everyone,

I’ll jump straight to the chase. A couple of months ago I bought a Mk3 GS430 (2005 with 95k on the clock) and it has a small issue with the transmission. What I fear has happened is that the coolant has ended up in the transmission, as the car has had a replacement radiator and fluids. There is a shuddering coming from the gearbox every now and then, but the car drives fine 95% of the time and you’d never know.

Keeping my options open, if a fluid change doesn’t resolve this, then I’ll probably end up selling the car and buying a MK1 MX-5...

What would it be worth in its current state? It’s in pretty good condition, a few marks on the rear bumper, and one slightly kerbed alloy (which I can get fixed), and will have 12 months MOT on it. Interior is nice and everything works as it should. It has full Lexus history up to October last year, and has had an oil change since.  
Really, the only thing wrong with the car is the annoying gearbox shudder.
Tyres are okay, still plenty legal but not amazing.

I’m just trying to plan the future of this car a little better, currently it’s at the workshop awaiting MOT. 

Thanks.

Ian 
 

 

[Mr Vlad]

Hi m8. I don't see how coolant has ingressed into the gearbox. Look on YouTube as there are a few videos how to change gearbox oil in your car. I have a question. Is your 430 a CVT or a proper auto box?

[The-Acre]

2 minutes ago, Mr Vlad said:

Hi m8. I don't see how coolant has ingressed into the gearbox. Look on YouTube as there are a few videos how to change gearbox oil in your car. I have a question. Is your 430 a CVT or a proper auto box?

As the GS430 has the same engine as the LS430 I'm guessing coolant has got in the transmission due to failed transmission cooler connections.

[twolexii]

Hello Ian, what is your sale price as-is, for collection post 2Dec20 and payment by bank transfer? Thank you, Manuel 

[GS430_95]

9 hours ago, twolexii said:

Hello Ian, what is your sale price as-is, for collection post 2Dec20 and payment by bank transfer? Thank you, Manuel 

Hi, I'm not sure to be honest! What do you think? Was trying to gauge an idea from this thread. Thanks. 

[twolexii]

I’ll talk to the Master-craftsman who looks after our cars, for his instinctive & experienced diagnosis. Can you PM me & we can discuss offline...Thanks.

[twolexii]

.

[twolexii]

Hi Ian,

An ‘05 LS430 with up to 100k miles is c. £5k from a dealer. The SC430 is rarer and less gargantuan. So that implies a private sale value for your GS430 of c. £4.5K, dependent on its MoT and service histories, exterior and interior condition, and life left in the tyres.

The transmission issue: my instinct, as you’ve checked that there’s no coolant in the transmission, is premature wear to a ‘box that’s probably designed for more than 1/4 million miles. Could an earlier owner have been too eager with the sequential shifter? A local transmission specialist is worth talking to next, ask Honest John to suggest a credible firm. Try also the Lexus independent mechanics near Southampton.

Best wishes for the car’s sale. Manuel

 

 

 

[GS430_95]

Thank you very much for your help @twolexii . I can’t help but feel that I’ve bought a dog and wasted my money, even though I was trying to be cautious. I will try and do some more investigating and hopefully I can get it sorted.

Thanks again!

[twolexii]

Hi Ian, it would be valuable to members to know the solution to your GS430 transmission issue. Thanks, Manuel

[GS430_95]

So I’ve done 1 fluid change (not flush as couldn’t find anywhere close by that could do it..), the fluid that came out was like Yazoo milkshake lol. The gearbox still shudders, but it’s definitely not as bad as it was. It also changes a lot smoother. The plan is to do a few hundred miles then do it again - next time I will ask them to remove the sump and clean it out. 
 

Anyone interested in buying it yet? I was going to sell it before summer anyway so don’t want to keep throwing money at it 😂

[steve2006]

If the engine coolant/transmission intercooler has failed, as previously mentioned then doing a partial transmission fluid drain and refill will not prevent the 2 fluids continuing to mix until the radiator has been replaced.

Also make sure the correct transmission fluid is being used,  normally Toyota Type IV.

[GS430_95]

Yeah, the cars already had a new radiator fitted previously, so I assume that they’re not mixing now, but there’s still traces of coolant in the transmission that need flushing through. 
Is there any way to tell if they’re still mixing or not? I’d like to assume not because of the replacement radiator, but want to be sure. 

[Mr Vlad]

Instead of waiting till a few hundred miles till next fluid change do it as soon as you can. Look at what comes out to see any water ingress. Do again a week or few days later and compare the oil that comes out. Do it a few times. Yes I know its a cumbersome job but you'll see what changes have occurred and if indeed water still ingresses the box.