1998 Motor Trend Tv Archive: Lexus Gs "Import of The Year"

A 1998 Throwback episode of Motor Trend TV Featured the Lexus Gs300 and Gs400 which was labeled the "Import Car Of The year" in that time.
Wish they did a test drive of the gs430 when it came out! 😛

[@nismo2070]

Love my 99 gs300. Damn good car and still built better than most new cars today.

[@s_peazy5501]

Hell yeah man i agree!

[@joebabyboy2918]

I got one 98 Gs 400 mint with 83k original miles love this car

[@marioiacolucci]

​@@joebabyboy2918nice ride

[@serlaws]

The GS400 in spectra blue mica is timeless!!! Great in black also.

[@Maybe1Someday]

What an amazing car. Ive driven almost every car and I still feel the gs400 is the greatest car ever made if you look at history as a whole.

[@dawnpoint]

I bought a GS400 a year ago with 190k on the ticker. It really is a worlds-best type of car. Still runs perfect and everything works. This thing will go forever.

[@marioiacolucci]

Cool!

[@MrCarGuy]

Taylor Rhodes They are great aside from the integrated brake booster and abs unit. Sad to think how many people have sent their GS to get scrapped over a design flaw.

[@blaqlionking6978]

If you can find one of these in good condition, these are still great cars to drive... And there are so many aftermarket customization possiblities with the GS as well.✌😉

[@s_peazy5501]

BlaqLionKing yessir! I actually own the last year that they made the gs430 in this body style which was a 2005 model. I love the car to death. I have a few motor mods done and its a blast to drive

[@opalite_]

Shhh don't tell them our secrets

[@bluesky-ud9wg]

Im a Toyota tech, I have a 1993 SC300 and just purchased a 2001 GS300, especially love the GS

[@ahuman9864]

I have a 2000 Gs400. It has 340k miles and everything still works. The lcd screen on the radio is burned out, sometimes not all the doors lock when i hit the remote key, the gas gauge is not as accurate as it once was, i have a tiny bit of rust on the trunk but other than that she still hauls ass!!!

[@s_peazy5501]

AHuman that's awesome to hear man!! These cars were just built to last!!

[@georgesnyder5337]

Everything works...except this list of things that don't work.

[@arthurglenn1718]

I love my 98 Gs it has over 200k still rolling

[@motormusique]

I remember watching this as a kid! I was so amazed by the GS and the burnouts...thanks so much for uploading!

[@s_peazy5501]

motormusique No problem! yeah I miss the old motor trend episodes. I came across this and was shocked to find this. even more so because I own a modified gs430.... with they had the gs430 at the time when they made this video.

[@Kev27RS]

@@s_peazy5501 Didn't the 430 only come out in 2000...?

[@daved3948]

@@Kev27RS 2001 - 2005

[@Kev27RS]

@@daved3948 👍

[@4wdaddict41]

I love the gs400 I have one and it's by far one of my favorite vehicles

[@evanwallace1744]

My gs400 has 214 k and still running strong

[@daved3948]

Sweet! Beautiful sedans, I have 2001 gs 430 and it's blast to drive .

[@orangejuiceneggs]

I have been searching for this video for years here on youtube, someone deleted it, thanks for the upload again. This is when Lexus was king of the hill. Not much could takedown the GS400, only AMG Benz.

[@s_peazy5501]

orangejuiceneggs same here man! I came across the video from a shared post I seen on Facebook. I had to upload it because I'm sure there was others in search of this documentary. Hell yeah the gs400 was ahead of its time back then, it truly was the only lexus muscle sedan at the time.

[@JDMHaze]

BARELY,, GS 400 at a 5.7 0-60, The E class was only barely faster, I don't think it reached the 4.0-5.0 range back then

[@joshjakes802]

Was so hot back then, Lexus should’ve kept its foot on the Germans throats but made cream puff models instead

[@JDMHaze]

GS-F was nice But journalist were sucking Mercedes so hard that all they could complain about was the fact I didn't have 600HP like a amg

[@iheartgs400]

My GS430 is hitting 156K Miles and that V8 just purrs along for my long commutes.

[@s_peazy5501]

Rain Santiago my gs430 is almost at 177k and I drive mines hard daily. Lots of aftermarket stuff on mines but she drives well. I've met guys with over 300k on their gs430's with no problems. As long as you keep up with the maintenance.

[@runningmole]

337k mi on my 99 400. 85mi/day for work

[@blaknoizee]

I just bought a 01 GS430, I watched Motor Trend a lot as a kid but didnt see this episode and didnt see the hype. Love the car at 170k, a few little issues, but drivetrain wise, quality products last.

[@baldeepjanda2798]

0 to 60 5.7 seconds tats still respectable by today's standards they don't make like that no more.

[@s_peazy5501]

Yeah its not the fastest thing but its quick for being a big boat that it is lol. I re did the exhaust system since this video and also put higher gearing from a gs300 so its alot quicker off the line. The stock gs430 gearing is 3.23 and the new one i put from the gs300 is a 3.92

[@TheMuzikall]

The 4.3 drops it to 5.2secs....still quick by today standards..

[@BayAreaWrecker]

I got an 04 GS 300 we been to hell and back and she keeps kicking an with the stock chrome rims and lowered , headers, gutted cat , oh yeah it snaps necks you can keep the new cars a 400 GS is next not 430 , 400

[@noelr1010]

I've had 6 of these and will always keep one. The greatest sedan of all time.

[@sirakavi4063]

I'm 21 and just bought my first car. It's a white 2003 Lexus GS300. I love this car so much it's so fun to drive and it feels new even though it's used. 🚗

[@codym8897]

Do you have Motor Trend TV Quick Looks from 1996, featuring the Mercury Mountaineer, and the Buick LeSabre, it had Beth Stein wearing white pants?

[@retro2872]

I have the Japanese version, the V300 Aristo Vertex Edition with the 2JZ-GTE. Only has 91,000kms (56,000 miles) on the odometer, plastic still on the door cards and kick panels. They are defiantly the nicest cruiser and a sports car when you need it!

[@patrickmichaellangan576]

The V8 engine in the GS400 from the front sounds like a turbine engine. Cool.

[@JDMHaze]

wow gs400 was a MONSTER and apparently ate the 540 alive lol even on paper

[@onlysilv]

@1:29 when dinner is ready at home

[@dxraaaaa]

I got a top of the line 2001 Lexus GS430 V8... BEST car 🚙 ever!

[@watfordman]

Nice man, I just got a 1999 gs300 sport for a bargain. Upgraded double din android unit. Fully adjustable coil overs, timing chain done 6k ago and FSH. £800, i couldn't say no!!

[@UzsDc1UZ]

I'm so blessed to own a GS400

[@marioiacolucci]

300 hp

[@yeshayahu8358]

You will never top Lexus quality. I own a 2001 GS 300 in near mint condition and I love it!

[@hamburglerkosh2049]

I wish I could have this car

[@saeturn29]

Thanks got uploading this! Been looking for this video for a while since I bought my 98 gs400 a few months ago with only 88k miles on it lol

[@saeturn29]

I mean thanks for uploading this.

[@s_peazy5501]

John Saeturn no problem bro! I too was searching for this episode for a long time. So i had to upload it once i found it!

[@MPowerSubie12]

Still got it?

[@JDMHaze]

u lucky bastard

[@saeturn29]

@@MPowerSubie12 yes lol

[@Andrew14312018]

What time is it? Lexus time!

[@marioiacolucci]

I want the 400

[@marioiacolucci]

i want the 400

[@dipstiksubaru3246]

I had a beautiful green 1998 gs400, man I loved that car. Was even better with a 100shot of nos lol. Bought it with 318,000mi and didn't bat an eye, car felt as solid as the day it was born. Nothing rattled, creaked, only needed to do brakes and 1 upper control arm in the 60,000mi I put on it. Should never have sold it as they're skyrocketing in value

[@lowKut]

Tr2024 and this generation GS is still one of the best-looking Lexus to date. This is what you call a legendary automotive design.

[@alpha7ization]

I still drive a first generation GS 300, and really enjoy it reaching its 25th Birthday, but the second gen was very deserving of this award. Unfortunately Lexus has decided to cancel this great car - the GS

[@s_peazy5501]

Love the first gen's! Me and my wife are Toyota enthusiasts. She has a 93 gs300 thats shes owned going on 13 years now. I agree, i wish they would continue the model!! Better yet make them manual transmission and turbo from the factory! Nice to dream lol.

[@alpha7ization]

@@s_peazy5501 mines a 95....I think the mistake Lexus made was to give the 2nd gen GS only a 5 or so hp increase over the first gen. 225 gs 220. But Lexus has always been conservative on horsepower. The straight 6 2j is a fantastic unkillable engine though

[@s_peazy5501]

@@alpha7ization yes i agree, i love the 2jz inline 6. I've owned gs300's and a 5speed manual is300 in the past and they were great cars. I wish my gs430 was manual! Lol. These cars last forever tho!

[@noelr1010]

To be honest, the new GS's weren't special at all. The last GS which I think was acceptable was the 3rd gen. But after that the GS was just another plain looking car.

[@1995RangeRover]

Still a great deal of value and comfy driving with some good power!

[@MrCarGuy]

Have a 2000 GS400 Platinum in platinum silver, black interior, no nav, and with the spoiler. Platinum had unique wheels, birds eye maple wood, and black chrome accents. Just over 80k miles.

[@blakebooth1982]

MrCarGuy20 very rare car I have a 98 spectra mica blue car just like in the video 194k and still going strong

[@MrCarGuy]

Red Fury Only problem is that awful integrated booster/master cylinder.

[@MrCarGuy]

GS400 BRONZE MICA It is a problem eventually (they just last longer) and most of the time the pressure sensor you have to swap starts leaking around it.

[@marioiacolucci]

I do have this on tape

[@jazmenbell994]

The Lexus gs400 is my dream car

[@BossIncorporatedGaming]

Own an '03 GS300. Can haul some ass, makes for a good time sliding on wet asphalt, and runs like a charm with 180k on the odo.

[@marioiacolucci]

Thank you!

[@marioiacolucci]

I want the 400