VTsuckah

iTrader: (1)

Like most suggested, GS350 without question out of the list provided. As an IS350 owner, you would regret purchasing an IS250.

grayson73

Thanks for everyone's input! For the GS350, would you rather get a 2007/2008 with 50k miles or a 2010/2011 with 75k miles?

situman

2013 with 20k miles

SW17LS

You can't get a 2013 with 20k miles for 20k lol

Going from 20k to 30k is a huge jump, a 50% jump in price to be exact.

Personally I would get the 2010 or 2011 with 75k miles.

grayson73

Why is that? Were there a lot of improvements from 2007/2008 to 2010/2011?

SW17LS

There were a number of nice improvements, a big leap forward in infotainment, bluetooth audio streaming, etc. That and 25,000 miles on one of these cars isn't that significant.

UDel

With reliable Japanese brands like Honda/Acura, Toyota/Lexus, and mostly Nissan/Infiniti, Subaru, and Mazda I would not have any issues buying them used even if they were not CPO. My experience over the years with Japanese cars from those brands listed especially Honda, Acura, and Lexus with the correct basic maintenance(oil/fluid changes, etc) they simply last a long time and rarely have any major issues. Just do your homework. With a German car I would do CPO and get rid of it before the warranty was up unless it proved very reliable.

It comes a lot down to preference, some people when they spend 20-30K for a car want a brand new econo car or mainstream vehicle while others would rather have a much nicer luxury or performance car that is a couple years old. Seeing how much the 4th Gen GS has depreciated in just a few years and some other vehicles I am interested in I could not stomach spending over 50K on a new one when after just 2-4 years you can get them for half to almost half that(even less) depending on miles.

nubsoft

definitely IS 350 but personal preference kicks in : RWD and stiffer suspension setup.
if not that, then GS because again, RWD

when i went to the LA auto show, i had a long conversation between the lexus rep and he confirmed that the HS uses the same chassis, engine, and drivetrain as the prius...but dont hold me to it

SW17LS

The HS and the Prius are within the same platform family, but to say they "share a chassis, engine and drivetrain as the Prius" isn't really accurate. The HS is more closely related to the Toyota Avensis, which also shares a platform in the US with the Scion tC. The powertrain is more similar to the Toyota Camry Hybrid than the Prius.

The Lexus CT is a lot more similar to the Prius.

grayson73

How would one choose between GS350 3rd gen and IS350 2nd gen, looking at AWD models only?

I have a family of four, but my kids are only 7 and 10. My wife and I are also not tall (5'7 and 5'2), so the rear seat should have plenty of space, correct?

Is the interior of the GS350 3rd gen a lot nicer than IS350 2nd gen?

SW17LS

The inside of the GS is nicer sure, its the model one step up the chain. The GS will be tight enough, with a family of 4 IMHO the IS would be way too small.

JDR76

I don't have any experience with the 3rd gen GS so it would be hard for me to answer. As for the second gen IS, it's very tight inside so you'd need to try one out to know for sure. I think it would probably be too small.

If the 3rd gen GS is similar in size to a 4th gen GS, then I believe the GS will offer plenty of room for a family of 4, as we are very comfortable in ours.

SW17LS

The 3rd get is notably tighter in the rear than the 4th gen

JDR76

I thought that might be the case.

grayson73

Thanks, guys. I think I'll be looking for a used 3rd gen GS 350