Which GS to buy, for a first lexus owner!
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Driver School Candidate
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From: CA
Which GS to buy, for a first lexus owner!
hey guys, im new to the whole lexus scene. And i will be in the market for a used lexus in the next few weeks. So i'd like to know which GS would be the best one for me to get. And i'd like to know the differences for all the models i know the power difference and all but how about the minor differences, and the way it handles, and drives? thanks a lot guys this would really help me figure out which model to get! BTW price does not matter! and i'd like to know if maintence would be expensive, and how the mpg is because i recently owned an bmw e46 m3 and it was terrible. thanks! 
450H all the way. Good gas mile's faster then the 350 and the 460. Handling well you can't really expect good handling out of a upscale luxury car. Its wasn't meant to be racing through traffic on. More of a comfortable ride and when u need the power u got it.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Vancouver, BC
The GS450h if price isn't an issue and you want everything in terms of options (as the 450h has most options standard apart from a few things).
MPG is way better than the M3, that is for sure. Since it is a hybrid, it will save you a bit in city driving.
Maintainable is just doing oil changes on a regular basis. If you are buying a new one, it will have a full warranty to cover everything else. Even if it is out of warranty, only minor things are known to break usually...
MPG is way better than the M3, that is for sure. Since it is a hybrid, it will save you a bit in city driving.
Maintainable is just doing oil changes on a regular basis. If you are buying a new one, it will have a full warranty to cover everything else. Even if it is out of warranty, only minor things are known to break usually...
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 423
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From: CA
I would definitely suggest the 450h. If you can find one, a 450h with APSSS, an electric anti-roll system, would be the best, especially after coming from an M3.
One way to check if it has APSSS is to look in the trunk where the spare is and you can sorta peek and see a bunch of electric stuff instead of a spare. Good luck finding one!
One way to check if it has APSSS is to look in the trunk where the spare is and you can sorta peek and see a bunch of electric stuff instead of a spare. Good luck finding one!
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 8
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From: CA
hey guys! thanks for all your replys, it seems like you guys are saying i should get the 450h. But to all of your guys opinion which one of the gs handling is the best when it is stock, or are they all similar? i'd probably be putting aftermarket suspension on it anyways. My other question is how often do you have to charge the battery for the hybrid and where do you do it at? sorry for all these noob questions 
thanks guys i really appreciate all of your help!
thanks guys i really appreciate all of your help!
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Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 423
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From: CA
Although the 450h is the heaviest, it does come standard with an adaptive variable suspension. It is also the only GS to have 50:50 weight distribution. It feels very balanced because of the battery in the back. The APSSS I was talking about earlier definitely makes it the BEST handling GS.
The hybrid battery charges itself off of regenerative braking. Essentially whenever you hit the brake in a normal car, your inertia is wasted away into heat. In the 450h, this energy is captured by the electric motors and it charges the battery. You NEVER plug it in. There isn't even a place for it.
The hybrid battery charges itself off of regenerative braking. Essentially whenever you hit the brake in a normal car, your inertia is wasted away into heat. In the 450h, this energy is captured by the electric motors and it charges the battery. You NEVER plug it in. There isn't even a place for it.
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From: BC
Although the 450h is the heaviest, it does come standard with an adaptive variable suspension. It is also the only GS to have 50:50 weight distribution. It feels very balanced because of the battery in the back. The APSSS I was talking about earlier definitely makes it the BEST handling GS.
The hybrid battery charges itself off of regenerative braking. Essentially whenever you hit the brake in a normal car, your inertia is wasted away into heat. In the 450h, this energy is captured by the electric motors and it charges the battery. You NEVER plug it in. There isn't even a place for it.
The hybrid battery charges itself off of regenerative braking. Essentially whenever you hit the brake in a normal car, your inertia is wasted away into heat. In the 450h, this energy is captured by the electric motors and it charges the battery. You NEVER plug it in. There isn't even a place for it.
most mods that are available for the regular GS will also fit the 450h.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: CA
thanks a lot guys, would i be pointless to put such mods such as intake, exhaust, and other performance modifications on the 450h? because its an hybrid. Sorry again for my questions 
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: USA
I just switched from an e46 330ci. I preferred the gs460 over the gs450h. If you are a lead foot I find the hybrid just doesn't have as robust and smooth a powertrain. The 4.6v8 is a gem. Better than the BMW 4.8. Incredibly steep torque curve. The 8speed is also a really performance oriented transmission. The car really flies. Plus I love doing a 100mph at 2500rpm!
The one disappointment you will experience is tires. Lexus chooses tires based on fuel efficiency instead of grip and road feel. I switched immediately to Michelin pilotsport ps2 tires. This will give you prodigious handling and road feel, and awesome wet traction.
Oh and it is worth getting the active power stabilizer of you want physics defying handling. But the active suspension on the 460 does a pretty goo job in sport mode by itself. Difference is little body role vs no body roll. Even without apss it handles better than a stock 550i (I drove both befre choosing)
The one disappointment you will experience is tires. Lexus chooses tires based on fuel efficiency instead of grip and road feel. I switched immediately to Michelin pilotsport ps2 tires. This will give you prodigious handling and road feel, and awesome wet traction.
Oh and it is worth getting the active power stabilizer of you want physics defying handling. But the active suspension on the 460 does a pretty goo job in sport mode by itself. Difference is little body role vs no body roll. Even without apss it handles better than a stock 550i (I drove both befre choosing)
Last edited by *Batman*; Oct 25, 2009 at 08:46 PM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Waiting for next track day
350 and 450h are solid. The 350 because it still provides solid performance while providing 10 -15 % percent better mpg 9 compared to 460), lower insurance, and lower price over all. The 450h because of the massive torque. The 350 is no slouch but the 450h is a torque monster
Last edited by I8ABMR; Oct 31, 2009 at 08:59 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: USA
450h has better 0-60, better mpg, and better value retention. But for somebody with gasoline in the veins, the gs460 drives much better in my opinion. You don't lose performance once battery is depleted, it has better weight distribution, and the best powertrain.
It does depend how you drive though. I would acknowledge to not being very good at driving hybrids. I once got as low as 12mpg out of an altima hybrid around dc.
It does depend how you drive though. I would acknowledge to not being very good at driving hybrids. I once got as low as 12mpg out of an altima hybrid around dc.