Test Drives
02-03-12, 09:39 PM
#16
Lexus Fanatic
I test drove a base model today. It didn't have wood steering wheel or leg extension or any of the controls in the backseat armrest. The car is VERY smooth. The steering is much tighter. I was really impressed with how it drove. It didn't seem to accelerate as quickly as I thought it would and we had it in Sport mode.
They had just gotten 3 F-Sport models off of the truck and hadn't taken any of the plastic off yet so I couldn't drive one of those. The "loaded" up model was on the showroom floor (non F-Sport). The wood steering wheel is a step up for this generation....much nicer. The leg extension is a nice feature. The back door sun shades are integrated well....just wish they were electronically controlled. The trunk opening is huge...much better! The sticker on their showroom model was $61K..had everything except F-Sport options.
They had a red F-Sport model that hadn't been cleaned up yet, but that red color is SWEET. That will be the color I choose if I can get a reasonable deal on one.
They had just gotten 3 F-Sport models off of the truck and hadn't taken any of the plastic off yet so I couldn't drive one of those. The "loaded" up model was on the showroom floor (non F-Sport). The wood steering wheel is a step up for this generation....much nicer. The leg extension is a nice feature. The back door sun shades are integrated well....just wish they were electronically controlled. The trunk opening is huge...much better! The sticker on their showroom model was $61K..had everything except F-Sport options.
They had a red F-Sport model that hadn't been cleaned up yet, but that red color is SWEET. That will be the color I choose if I can get a reasonable deal on one.
The big question is: does the new GS make you totally forget "old" Lexus of the past.
02-03-12, 10:24 PM
#17
This is coming from a guy who owned a 2006 Lexus GS300 and had a 2011 lemon BMW 535i xdrive. I drove the new GS and wow I was thrown away at how un-lexus like this GS was. It was sharper, more nimbler than my BMW 535i and felt smooth and sporty at the same time without any compromise. The acceleration was so accurate and smooth up to 100 mph on the highway which is superior than the lag of the turbo on the 535i xdrive that i got rid of. The 5 felt numb, floaty, wallowy and very un-BMW like. Imagine how the F-sport will feel as I drove only the premium package with the 18 inch wheel option GS. I am amazed at this GS that I am so happy to say that I am getting one next month to add to my fleet that includes 3 german cars. Lexus, you have done your homework, keep up the good work! Its going to be fun battling with the BMW, Mercedes and Audi now!
02-04-12, 06:44 AM
#20
I believe there have been some pictures posted on this forum of the 450h in both F-Sport and AWD trims. Alas those cars were not for North American market.
02-04-12, 07:03 AM
#22
Lead Lap
Yeah, the pics posted of a 450h F-Sport were from Japan.
I didn't get enough time in the 4GS to "forget" about the Lexus of old, but my initial reaction was "wow, they tightened the steering". Also, I don't think they're doing run-flats anymore, which probably adds to the "smooth" feeling that I had. Quieter, smoother, better road feel, and the interior is top notch. If you can get past the fugly "premium" wheels and the horizontal grille lines, it's really a nice car. You give up a lot of the luxury niceties if you go F-Sport though, but the price is almost the same compared to the "luxury" version.
I didn't get enough time in the 4GS to "forget" about the Lexus of old, but my initial reaction was "wow, they tightened the steering". Also, I don't think they're doing run-flats anymore, which probably adds to the "smooth" feeling that I had. Quieter, smoother, better road feel, and the interior is top notch. If you can get past the fugly "premium" wheels and the horizontal grille lines, it's really a nice car. You give up a lot of the luxury niceties if you go F-Sport though, but the price is almost the same compared to the "luxury" version.
02-04-12, 07:44 AM
#23
Yeah, the pics posted of a 450h F-Sport were from Japan.
I didn't get enough time in the 4GS to "forget" about the Lexus of old, but my initial reaction was "wow, they tightened the steering". Also, I don't think they're doing run-flats anymore, which probably adds to the "smooth" feeling that I had. Quieter, smoother, better road feel, and the interior is top notch. If you can get past the fugly "premium" wheels and the horizontal grille lines, it's really a nice car. You give up a lot of the luxury niceties if you go F-Sport though, but the price is almost the same compared to the "luxury" version.
I didn't get enough time in the 4GS to "forget" about the Lexus of old, but my initial reaction was "wow, they tightened the steering". Also, I don't think they're doing run-flats anymore, which probably adds to the "smooth" feeling that I had. Quieter, smoother, better road feel, and the interior is top notch. If you can get past the fugly "premium" wheels and the horizontal grille lines, it's really a nice car. You give up a lot of the luxury niceties if you go F-Sport though, but the price is almost the same compared to the "luxury" version.
02-04-12, 10:15 AM
#24
Lead Lap
Oh and that "Flaxen" interior is AWFUL! My dealer had one that just got off the truck with that interior and it's not good. To each their own.
02-04-12, 11:18 AM
#26
I agree! I found the flaxen to be a bit too brownish for my taste. I saw the grey interior and wow its perfect with the black piping stitches on the seats and dashboard. It was my favorite one and I will be getting that interior. It felt cool, sporty, and modern.
02-04-12, 01:25 PM
#27
Lead Lap
The black F-Sport interior has white stitching. Thought it looked good.
02-05-12, 09:23 AM
#29
One thing i really hated on the test drive was how loud the turn signal sound was. It was so annoying and sounded like my older American tik-tik-tik signal sounds. What happened to the nice quiet Lexus refined signal sound???? Not even my BMW, Mercedes, or Audi sounds like this loud!
02-05-12, 09:47 AM
#30
Pole Position
I though things like loudness of turn signal is a dealer modifiable software option? Flipside might know better....