DMM

In discussions with a dealership to trade my 2009 Lexus GS 350 with 47,000 miles on it for a brand new 2014 IS 250.

The GS 250 is fully loaded including Nav, cooling seats, Mark Levinson stereo (FWIW), etc...
The IS 250 is base model - AWD.

I love the drive on the GS but my main consideration is relating to the technology. I have to say the no blue tooth streaming audio is extremely frustrating on the GS 350. Most new cars today have it.

Also, the cassette player in the dash board looks ridiculous and really makes the car look older than it is.

I'm wondering if anyone here would consider this deal or am I foolish for even thinking about it?

I am currently leasing the GS for another year, while the IS would be for 27 months. Same monthly payments and no additional down payment.

On a side note, what do you guys think of the 2013/14 GS? I think the mouse system is a real step backwards and really doesn't appeal to me as much as the current GS I'm in (except that it at least has streaming blue tooth and pandora.)

SLOW4DR

iTrader: (2)

Personally, I couldn't step down in size to the IS. I love the styling and interior of the 4GS though.

Mike1970

iTrader: (1)

Buy a VIAS and call it a day I love my gs

XxGoKoUxX

+1 on that!

If I were to get an IS, i'd do the F-sport, I think the gauge cluster is so dope

DMM

Wow - I didn't even know what VAIS was!

How much does it cost to get installed? Who do I go to? (I can't do it myself.)
Can I do it on a leased vehicle?
Does it have blue tooth streaming to an android device?

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

Keep the GS. VAIS can be installed by a local car audio shop. Cost would vary but it shouldn't be too expensive.

It should be fine on a leased vehicle. You could get it taken out just before the lease is up.

XxGoKoUxX

You can def do this yourself though, I highly recommend it as it's probably the easiest thing to DIY ever!

Like Kira X said, if you don't want to, have a very reputable audio shop do it for you. PM me for a contact on Vaistech products if you need anything tho

DMM

This video is what got my really excited :
Has anyone actually ever gotten this to work this way?

I'm being told it'll cost me around $750 to be done at a shop including the gear.

You really think I could do the install myself? Keeping in mind I know little to nothing about both cars and tools. What are the chances I do serious damage?

Man, if I could keep the current car and upgrade the techs that would be fantastic.

GoKou- can i get a special deal through you?

Simmsled

I'm glad the forum saved you OP.
The new IS is sweet, but not a 250... and not if you already have a loaded 09 GS350.

And on your 'mouse' remark... The new GS moves forward with tech, but not interior quality details. Look at the seat memory plastic panel for example... Ours are all in wood on the door.

DMM

So I went in today to see the options they had for me. In the end of the day they were only going to value the GS 350 at $24,000 which I thought was too low.

I did test drive the IS 250 F-sport though which was definitely a nice ride and a nice sporty interior. I did not like the mouse on the tech system though.

I tried out an IS 250 with no nav also and they have a different mouse system which I prefer both to the touch screen and the other mouse (like a circular mouse).

I guess I will stick with me GS 350 for the next 5-10 years and figure out either to get the VAIS or just get a blue tooth audio streaming device.

anthrax144

There are lots of options to add the bluetooth streaming to our cars using the AUX port. I have this:


You can find it for cheaper but you get the idea. I have it in mine and it works flawlessly. Recognizes my iphone every time, I just switch it to AUX when I want to stream music. Doesn't interfere with the phone functions either - gets muted when there's a call incoming automatically. There are other, similar options out there if you search.

** EDIT: I also added the dual USB charger adapter into the center console storage to power the bluetooth music gateway and still have a USB input to charge my phone if need be.

BinaryJay

Bluetooth knick knacks and other crap like that are the last thing I care about, a car is for driving no?! That would be a huge downgrade in so many ways that matter so much more... nobody else cares about the cassette deck... I don't even notice it. It's actually kind of funny to have one... get some tapes for the car, it can actually be cool.

MCCR

tape decks and cassettes are making a comeback. Stick with the GS unless its the is-f