2003 Lexus GS 300 Review
Price Estimate: $1,809 - $2,934





+2
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Silky engine, available Mark Levinson audio system, blend of luxury and sport.
Cons
- Average acceleration, doesn't communicate with the driver enough given the sporting mission of the car.
What’s new
The only changes of note for the GS 300 this year are a now standard moonroof, an in-dash CD changer and wider tires (going from a 215mm tread to a 225mm tread).
Edmunds says
A capable and comfortable car. The IS 300 is sportier, however, and the ES 300 is nearly as luxurious for considerably less money.
For sale near Sicklerville, NJ
9 listings
- $8,995fair price$89 below market
- 134,627 miles
- No accidents, 3 owners, personal use only
- 16 City / 23 Hwy MPG
- Car Outlet (216 mi away)
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Power Driver Seat
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
Close
Located in Portsmouth, VA
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
19 Combined MPG (16 City/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JT8BD69S230183666
Stock: 183666
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-11-2025 - $9,800fair price$572 above market
- 130,067 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 16 City / 23 Hwy MPG
- Private Collection Chicago (701 mi away)
- Sunroof/Moonroof
- Power Driver Seat
- Multi-Zone Climate C...
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
Close
Located in Naperville, IL
Step into luxury with this stunning 2003 Lexus GS 300, now available at Private Collection Chicago. With a sleek Crystal White exterior and a refined ...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
19 Combined MPG (16 City/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JT8BD69S730186918
Stock: 1OWNERGS300MINT
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 06-27-2025
Vehicle overview
Introduction: When the GS was first introduced in 1993, it was intended as a splash of scarlet in Lexus' inoffensive sedan lineup, as well as being Japan's answer to German sport sedans. It was an attractive car with an inviting interior. But as a sport sedan, the GS faltered, largely because of its size and underpowered 3.0-liter engine. Article after article in enthusiast magazines would call it a comfortable, competent handler that was seriously lacking a vibrant powertrain.
Not content to take much flak over the competitiveness of its products, Lexus redid the car in 1998 with more dramatic styling and an available V8 engine. This V8 made the GS 400 one of the most powerful four-door sedans available. Since then, the GS has received minor tweaks and upgrades.
With the GS, Lexus hopes to attract buyers wanting a blend of both sport and luxury. The GS 300, in particular, is meant to appeal to semi-cost-conscious buyers. While we have no problem recommending the GS 300, we will point out that the car's advantages have been largely negated by the arrival of the IS 300 and the new-for-2002 ES 300. The IS 300 is sportier, features the same engine and can be had with a manual transmission. The ES 300 offers nearly the same level of interior room and luxury for a cheaper price. It would be in your best interest to check out these two cars before settling on the GS 300. Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options: This midsize four-door luxury sedan features a distinctive quad-headlight design and short front and rear overhangs to give the car a sporty look. Some people might not care for the hindquarters with creative rear taillights, but at least they keep this car from blending in with the rest of today's high-line sport sedans.
Luxury touches include a standard dual-zone climate control, a power tilting and telescoping steering wheel, 10-way power front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a moonroof and an in-dash CD changer. Cloth seating is standard, however, so you'll have to pay extra for leather. It's available as a stand-alone option, but quite likely you'll find it packaged into cars with the optional navigation and Mark Levinson premium sound systems. The impressive-sounding 240-watt ML system includes 10 speakers and a six-disc in-dash CD changer.
Powertrains and Performance: The GS 300 uses a 3.0-liter inline six that develops 220 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 220 pound-feet of torque at 3,800 rpm. Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) helps to produce additional power and provide optimal fuel efficiency. A five-speed automatic is the only transmission available. To take advantage of the transmission's five forward gears, the GS 300 features manual upshift and downshift buttons on the steering wheel spokes, controlled by the thumb and forefinger of either hand. Safety: Front passengers are protected by front airbags, seat-mounted side airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners. All seating positions (except the driver's) have ALR/ELR three-point seatbelts. Other safety features include antilock brakes with brake assist, traction control and Vehicle Skid Control (VSC). The NHTSA has not tested the GS, though the IIHS has given the car a "good" rating for its performance in the frontal-offset crash test. Interior Design and Special Features: A roomy cabin provides the driver and front passenger with space to stretch out. An impressive 44 inches of legroom and 58 inches of shoulder room accommodate the long-limbed and broad-shouldered in the front seats. Rear-seat passengers don't fare as well, however, and get less room than what is offered in the ES 300. Driving Impressions: The GS 300 sparkles on the open road. Its silent cabin, expurgated of any noise, harshness or vibration, is a portrait of tranquility. During modest cornering, the chassis is quite solid and the multilink suspension keeps the tires pressed tight to the ground at all times. A noticeable amount of body roll limits high-speed antics, but this year's wider tires help to improve overall grip. The 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine is quite smooth. But with a curb weight of more than 3,600 pounds, the GS 300 offers only mediocre acceleration. If you're looking for speed, the GS 430 is the smarter choice.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in New Jersey
$251/mo for GS 300 Base
GS 300 Base
vs
$160/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Lexus GS 300 Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
GS300 SportDesign
4.88 out of 5 starsCraig, 01/12/2009
2003 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
Traded in a 95 LS400 which had 173000 miles and still going strong. The GS300 car handles as good as my 91 corvette without the harsh ride. It is firmer than the LS400 but not harsh. The inline 6 cylinder is smooth as silk. Took a long trip and got 26.5 MPG; in 5th gear at 70mph it is turning 2800 RPM,which seems high for overdrive (compared to 2200RPM on the LS400). This car is an … excellent blend of performance and luxury. The brakes are much more responsive than I am used to, but really prefer that. You must drive one of these, very impressive!
Sport Design
5 out of 5 starsauditors, 05/24/2003
2003 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
The Sport Edition GS 300 is a fun car
to drive. It has all of the amenities
and elegance of the GS 300 but it has a
Euro tuned suspension and sportier
accents. This car also has HID lights
not found on the standard GS 300 (only
in the GS 430 model.
This is a smooth and quiet car that is
a joy to drive.
I especially like the fact that 3 car
seats can fit in the … rear.
My first Lexus set the standard for me
4.88 out of 5 starshaultj, 01/25/2011
2003 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
I bought this car for my wife new in late 2002.
We loaded it with every option including the Mark Levison audio and the Navigation.
We also looked at the Audi A6 and the Lincoln LS-E.
The GS300 was hands down the winner.
There was no comparison.
The fit and finish of this car is amazing.
The styling of the exterior was what really made the decision for us.
The interior is so amazingly … comfortable and everything just fits well and works well.
The Lexus navigation was so much better than the Audi and Lincoln.
We both love this car and bought a second Lexus when I was ready to replace my SUV.
Lexus GS-300
5 out of 5 starsmidmac, 05/04/2003
2003 Lexus GS 300 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
Bought the Lexus after looking at
Infiniti G35 and Mercedes. It is a
great car. We travel from Texas to the
West and East coasts annualy. The car
cruises all day effortlessly at 70
plus. The build quality is superb and
the dealer service experience is
excellent.
2003 GS 300 Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $38,725 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $251/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the GS 300 include:
- Alarm
- Stability Control
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintMarginal
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