From 4x4 to luxury

Key Keeper · Post by **Key Keeper** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 1:40 pm

Well I finally sold my old 97 Z-71 that had 245,000 miles on it to my moms boyfriend. He had an old (70's model) 1 ton dually that got horrible gas mileage and was just a money pit. Got $2,500 for the Z. I could have prolly gotten more since it was in pristine condition though but was a family member. The engine had a rattle to it when it was cold but after putting rod bearings in it twice, and a new oil pump, it persisted to knock. Apparently during that year there was a machining flaw on the thrust sides of the connecting rods that emitted a "cold knock"(TSB). It never had less than 40psi of oil pressure and after running for about 5 minutes the knock was gone. He seems pretty happy with it so that's good.

I looked around for a "cheap" car like a camry, accord, maxima, ect but ended up settling on a 99 Lexus GS 300. Its got a small amount of wear on the gear shift knob, arm rest, steering wheel, and drivers seat but other than that pretty clean car. The undercarriage is spotless and same under the hood. I really wanted something with better gas mileage but after doing the math, the truck was getting around 13-14mpg at best (over sized tires...). The Lexus is rumored to get around 28 on the highway on mid grade fuel and roughly 19-20 in town. I do mostly highway driving so shouldn't be too bad. Its an older car but then again so was my truck and I got tired of putting money into the truck and having a crap ride. I guess I'm getting old because a smooth riding, quiet, rattle free car just appeals to me so much these days. The only thing I see that I might change is putting some different rims/tires on it and maybe a factory type spoiler. I dont want to ruin the ride though so kinda torn on the wheel/tire combo. Millage is 104,000 or so and I paid $4,500 for it. Other than the wear on the peripherals, the car is in mint condition.

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 2:25 pm

No pics? I'm in the process of evaluating of getting a decent car so my wife and I can travel in. My daughter will be going to college after she graduates this year from HS, and the trip is ~500+ miles one way. We currently take my Ford F150 Crew Cab, but it gets horrible gas mileage. On the freeways, I can get ~18-20, while in the city I get 15-16.
I've been looking at the Honda CR-V as a possibility. Planning on test driving one to see how comfy it is. I'd like to get a 2012 model if possible, since the cost will be a little less than a new model 2013.

Key Keeper · Post by **Key Keeper** » Mon Feb 18, 2013 2:26 pm

I'll upload some pics when I get to the house but prolly wont be till tomorrow.

Key Keeper · Post by **Key Keeper** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 3:36 pm

Had to clean it up and buff out the headlights. This guy wasnt the cleanest guy....I had to put an alternator on it. Was having all kinds of weird electrical problems and traced it down to 8.2v a the battery at idle! Now everything works like new.

Pics are here My ride

I had not cleaned it up in this last photo...

This thing will run! Top speed of 144mph and it will get there quick! From what Ive read, it has the same engine as the Toyota Supra but without the twin turbos. Either way 225hp isnt bad for a 4dr car.

Key Keeper · Post by **Key Keeper** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 3:39 pm

Not sure why I cant link to postimage.org on here.

Err · Post by **Err** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:47 pm

In Firefox, select view image. Then, copy/pasta the address:

Nice Ride by the way

renovation · Post by **renovation** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 10:49 pm

nice car ~

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:19 am

$4,500 @ 100K miles for a GS? nice. being a lexus, it's barely broken in at that mileage.

EvilHorace can probably tell you anything and everything to watch out for as far as maintenance on it too.

my g/f has an '09 GS350 and it's a fantastic car for the money. luxury but quite a bit of sport in it.

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 7:07 am

Nice car. Be sure its timing belt has been replaced, 90K interval. If done at a dealership, there should be a t-belt sticker under the hood.

Key Keeper · Post by **Key Keeper** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:55 am

Theres one under there saying something about the timing belt. Im guessing thats what its for lol. This thing runs really well. Im pretty impressed with the mileage so far and plenty of power on tap when needed. Going to head to Oklahoma this weekend so see how it does on highway mileage. I know I put 11bux in it 3 days ago and I drive 16 miles to work one way. Low fuel light came on this morning at home but havent put any gas in it yet. Deffo a change from my old tank.

One question, is this an interference motor? 2JZ 3.0L

I can most likely do the timing belt on this, I used to rebuild transmission and general automotive so timing belts are pretty easy.

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:23 pm

One question, is this an interference motor? 2JZ 3.0L

Yes

I can most likely do the timing belt on this,

The problem for most is that there's a special tool to hold the harmonic balancer while loosening the nut and that is very tight, torqued to 250 ft lbs and a very long pipe is needed on a breaker bar to do that.

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:24 pm

Yes, it is an interference engine.. On a good note, that 2JZ motor is a gooooooood motor, especially if you're into tuning.. .heheheh

Key Keeper · Post by **Key Keeper** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 4:04 pm

Thats what Im hearing. Wish someone offered a bolt on blower kit for this car. Turbo kits are such a pita.

Whats the tool look like? Im used to Manf tools to do special jobs.

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 4:15 pm

IIRC, it looks like a rod with two bolts on it, you take out a bolt on each of the heads behind the cam sprockets and thread the bolts on the rod in and they'll lock the cam in place.. Or, it may be even more specialized than that..

b-man1 · Post by **b-man1** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:15 pm

try registering its VIN on the lexus owner's site. you can view maintenance records online that way, if they were done at a dealer.