Who's planning on buying the GS this first year out? Do you think it's safe to buy in it's first year?

i think i am...i'm 90% GS, 9% RL, and 1% M35. I too had reservations about first year vehicles, but it's a lexus, and built in japan.... also i'm thinking about trading in sept 06 to buy the hybrid.

i already put down my a deposit a 2 dealerships.

Dont worry its completely safe i bought my 01 ls ultra and that was the first year soo far no problems.

60% GS, 40% Infiniti M
All others ruled out,:A-6, RL, 5 Series and anything American.

I must say, I saw an RL in a lot recently and took good close look at it. There is nothing IMO that is attractive about this car's exterior. It is NOT ugly....just blah - simply nothing exciting at all about it. Acura makes a nice product, but the styling leaves LOTS to be desired....IMO.

Same opinion as marcpitch, 60% G300, 40% M35.

All the other cars in this class are overpriced and/or unreliable.

I just hope the GS300 Pricing is similar to their current model pricing, MSRP $39,000, or I might have to seriously look at the M35.

I'm pretty much 50/50 between the GS430 and the M45 Sport, right now. ActualIy to break it down a little more it's 60/40 in favor of the GS exterior and 60/40 M45 interior, so that's how it works out to 50/50. I've read all the articles there are on the M45 at the moment and it sounds GREAT. Unfortunately, I haven't seen anything on the GS430, I'm hoping that I'll find some articles in the March Magazines. It will definitely all come down to test driving them, it just sucks that I have to wait so long.

Oh yeah the reason I asked if anyone was going to get it, was because when I was looking as the 2nd Gen GS forum, it seems that EVERYONE has or is ready to buy used GS's.

Count me out. The new GS430 is still 300hp. Granted, there's a 6 speed auto and some other nice goodies but I love my 01 GS430. Its got 41K and I see it lasting me at least another 4 or 5 years.
In the meantime, I will probably dump my wife's 2000 es300 , give her the GS while I go and replace my daily driver with an 06 C6 vette. If GM upgrades the auto to a 6 speed, I'll get auto, otherwise I'm looking at the 6speed manual. A few year after that, it will be time to replace the GS430 with another GS. By then the HP and performance should be far better than the 06 GS430 :)

i too think that 300 hp for that price isn't worth it IMHO. Roughly 10k extra for 55hp, you might as well buy a turbo.

i too think that 300 hp for that price isn't worth it IMHO. Roughly 10k extra for 55hp, you might as well buy a turbo.
It depends on what you are looking for. You are talking about FI vs NA. Although the 10k may buy you a turbo, you've just killed parts of your warranty and will have smog issues when the time comes. Not everyone is comfortable with making the leap to FI.

As for buying, I will wait for the refresh. I don't have a problem with waiting since I still enjoy my 2nd gen. I bought this GS in 98, the first year it came out. Although it is still great, I do sometimes wish I had the "updated" version.

99.99% GS, but I will undoubtedly be waiting for the GS350. GSS300 is underpowered and the GS430 eats too much fuel. The 5 seems cheap, the E-class is for old people, S-type has bad styling and the A6 is just weird. We don't have the M down here and I'm not willing to pay big money for a Honda.

Havn't seen the car yet but I've already placed my order and delivery is expected in March in time for the global launch.

I have never bought a new car and this won't be the 1st. I am dying to drive it and will wait a year or 2 to get a nice, low mileage GS 430. :)

Havn't seen the car yet but I've already placed my order and delivery is expected in March in time for the global launch.

Care to share specifics? Exterior and Interior colors? 300 or 430? Options? Also, where are you and what dealer did you go through? What was amount and conditions of downpayment - fully refundable?

Yeah iv put my deposit at two dealerships in houston, texas. The first was at a dealership for 500.00 fully refundable..i am 15th on their list. So he told me pretty much Im guarantteed a car when it htis their dealer showroom.

The second place i put a deposit was only if the color i wanted with the options im lookign for was not avcaialble or sumthing on the first dealership - if that happened..( i put it down there too just to be on the safe side)

Im looking to go as cheap as possible....never owned a new car or lexus for that matter.

I have not seent he car in person at all, by the way.

I want a RWD base GS300...with wood steering and shifter as the options if they just offered those alone withouth any package. I dont want that lip spoiler either...i dont like the spoiler look. I hope it is not standard, for my sake. (cost wise and preference wise)

After seeing the colors, i think mercury metallic was absolutely GORGEOUS with light gray interior and birds eye maple wood

maybe flint mica - i havent seen what it looks like...but if it loosk as good as the mercury metallic - then maybe that flint mica with light gray interior and birds eye maple. =)


i cant wait for the car to come out.

Who's planning on buying the GS this first year out? Do you think it's safe to buy in it's first year?

I personally never purchase a vehicle in it's first year of production as they always iron out some bugs & eventually make some performance increases in the following years. I'm waiting for the GS 350 with the AWD! :bigok: :woohoo: :cool:

Flip, are you coming down to texas for the houston auto show beginnign next friday? Or are you just relying on me to get you guys the scoop and pictures fromt he show? lol


Is anyone else coming down or is in texas goign to it?



From my understanding, Its supposed to be flint mica with light gray interior with birds eye maple trim.. so im looking forward to it.

Flip, are you coming down to texas for the houston auto show beginnign next friday?

Unfortunately no. :D I have all the info I need. Especially since Lexus HQ is in our backyard. :bigthumbu

I was under the impression that AWD was going to be GS300.
when is the GS350 coming out ? any links to it's features and engine specs ?
thnx.

Well the GS350 is only going to Japan in August 2005. Performance figures have yet to be released.

I was under the impression that AWD was going to be GS300.
when is the GS350 coming out ? any links to it's features and engine specs ?
thnx.

As was mentioned previously, the GS300 will be available for North American markets in RWD and AWD versions. GS350 will NOT be available for North American Markets at this point.

As was mentioned previously, the GS300 will be available for North American markets in RWD and AWD versions. GS350 will NOT be available for North American Markets at this point.

I bet it will be coming eventually however.....a model year or two & have higher power output than the all new Avalon. :cool:

I bet it will be coming eventually however.....a model year or two & have higher power output than the all new Avalon. :cool:

There is a GS that already has more power output than the Avalon, it's called the GS430. ;)

In the spirit of the original question and to try my first post (after lurking for many months) I am strongly looking at the GS300AWD. I might wait for the GS350 (will it be August 2005 or 2 years away) but the 300 fuel economy might be good and "oomph" might still be OK.

Like others, I have over-researched a potential new car for a while. Per the other thread, I have it down to the GS300AWD or the M35 AWD. And just for a bit of spice, I hope the rumours are true and the Acura TL gets SH-AWD. Hopefully for MY2006! I actually have a Prelude with the SH option currently. Current TL has torque-steer problems big-time.

If the IS300/350 comes out with AWD (not just the IS250), and looks nice/hot, I will cast my eye in that direction also.

Another tidbit, my wife loves BMW but preferred the RL over the 5 series when we last both sat in them the other week-end. The interior blew her away. I have only seen 2 RLs here in Seattle ever.

I also rarely buy new cars for depreciation & for new models, reliability issues. Though I expect with Lexus that reliability will not be a factor for the new GS.

Next step, might go down to Portland Autoshow, confirmed with Lexus (1-800...) that GS will be there on a turn-table, along with RX hybrid. I am waiting for Infinit to confirm if the M will be present so I can directly compare them visually. I would prefer to actually sit in them of course.

This is a great forum (i have lurked on many others), love reading the comments by the long-time members. Hence I check CL daily.

There are some definitely great selections coming to consumers in the near future that's for sure!

Welcome to CL! :bigthumbu

There is a GS that already has more power output than the Avalon, it's called the GS430. ;)

I agree & know what your saying flip......but I think the GS 350 will be brought to the north american market sooner rather than later........even when the GS 300 has an all new V6 engine. Perhaps the GS 350 will be the sole engine that powers the AWD model. :cool: ;) :thumbup:
Kind of like the Camry has 3 engine choices. If the eventually make the AWD with the V8 (all things considered that it's a fairly frugal 8 cylinder) I would seriously consider that one too. :cool:

I agree & know what your saying flip......but I think the GS 350 will be brought to the north american market sooner rather than later........even when the GS 300 has an all new V6 engine. Perhaps the GS 350 will be the sole engine that powers the AWD model. :cool: ;) :thumbup:
Kind of like the Camry has 3 engine choices. If the eventually make the AWD with the V8 (all things considered that it's a fairly frugal 8 cylinder) I would seriously consider that one too. :cool:

I doubt it because of several factors. 1) Lexus has already spent alot of money marketing the new GS3 and offering the AWD version in GS300 form here in the North American market. 2) The AWD market is a new direction for Lexus. The offering is going to be on their most popular model in terms of sales. Their target market right now is to capture that audience of people looking for an AWD car but at a certain price. 3) Lexus is bringing out the GS450h in Sept 06 as an 07 model. Generally Toyota/Lexus switches powertrains on vehicles on 3rd year production which would mean 2008.

In terms of AWD and GS competitors, I read recently that infinity is considering putting AWD in their M45. Not sure if that might encourage Lexus to do the same with their GS V8 or perhaps Lexus already have that in their plans.

Personally I love the sound of a V8 "burble" at idle. Of course, it all depends on how you tune the engine and exhaust. With the great 6's around, not sure if I would pay the premium for the V8.

Lexus would probably have it fairly refined (like now?), perhaps their future GT/M/AMG type division would have the sound "enhanced" more than the regular models.

I just had to post this picture up again....thats a HOTTTTTTT view of the new GS....i just LOVE IT in this picture!!



What is that long black horizontal line under the doors? (I'm not very knowledgeable about minute things like that as u can tell)..lolll come on guys stop making fun of me already. lol

Whatever drivetrain the GS models have......it sure is a GEORGOUS car! :cool: :thumbup: That I'm sure we ALL can agree on. :)

I'm waiting for the GS 350 with the AWD! :bigok: :woohoo: :cool: :bigthumbu

IMO Lexus is screwing US by sending over the 3.0L. I didn't like it one bit and when I found out there will be a 3.5L as there should have been from the start, I knew that's one to get.

I'd get the V8 except I want the AWD, so when the 3.5L + AWD comes out I'm 50/50 going to get one.

:bigthumbu

IMO Lexus is screwing US by sending over the 3.0L. I didn't like it one bit and when I found out there will be a 3.5L as there should have been from the start, I knew that's one to get.

I'd get the V8 except I want the AWD, so when the 3.5L + AWD comes out I'm 50/50 going to get one.

I'm courious if Lexus customers 'demand' that engine with the AWD V6.....they just might do that. I mean hey........they already have the engine built......just 'offer' it & install it under the hood.....let the market & demand decide if it's a good idea! :cool: :thumbup:

Like if the general public made a statement by NOT buying the 3.0L. However most people don't care. It just seems to fit especially with the AWD b/c you already are paying a few thousand extra for the awd and the car will be heavier than the rwd v6 so it could use some extra hp and TQ. This might sell a few more AWDs b/c people may say they are paying extra but getting a bigger engine to boot.

However IMO it makes no sense to sell the 3.0L at all. Honda Accords have 3.0L. The IS will have 3.5L the Avalon will have 3.5L, all Nissan/Infiniti have 3.5L etc..

Like if the general public made a statement by NOT buying the 3.0L. However most people don't care. It just seems to fit especially with the AWD b/c you already are paying a few thousand extra for the awd and the car will be heavier than the rwd v6 so it could use some extra hp and TQ. This might sell a few more AWDs b/c people may say they are paying extra but getting a bigger engine to boot.

However IMO it makes no sense to sell the 3.0L at all. Honda Accords have 3.0L. The IS will have 3.5L the Avalon will have 3.5L, all Nissan/Infiniti have 3.5L etc..

I agree rai! Well said. :bigok: :cool: