Might pull the trigger tomorrow on F-Sport
03-10-14, 03:07 AM
#1
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Might pull the trigger tomorrow on F-Sport
Been away for years so strange being back but cool to see this place has the same vibe. Used to have a 07 GS350 that was my absolute favorite car of all time. Rolled 40k miles on it and traded for a 08 LS460 which I hated. Thought I was getting an upgraded GS but it was really an upgraded ES.... sucked in every way. Completely soulless, and the perfect Swiss Army knife of cars. Did everything well but not a damn thing exceedingly well. 
Had the LS for 10 months and traded it for a 08 S63 which I traded for a 12' M37S which I love but now at 40k miles and has to go. 99% sure I'm getting a 14' GS F sport tomorrow but not 100%. The M is great, not a single issue, gobs of low end grunt up to 4500 RPMs where it tapers off, quiet, upgraded Bose system with the Sport Touring package has far better sound than the Mark Levinson in my GS and LS and the handling is insane. Corners like a 370Z and 4 wheel steering makes everything feel so precise. The M is an exceptional car that's highly underrated. Don't want a new one so gotta move on.
Drove the F sport for a 20 mile extended test drive and initially it feels sluggish compared to the M. 306hp vs 330hp so understandable but the Infiniti is all about low end torque which makes it launch hard. The GS felt like it had to be in S+ to feel snappy but the 8sp tranny seemed to be 1-2 gears too low most of the time for instant response. My 07 GS felt pretty good but that was the 6sp. The mouse thing is different but certainly not better than the old GS touchscreen, love the buttons and touch screen in the Inifiniti, worried about the mouse in the GS.
On the fence about color too. Really want the cabernet interior but white with cabernet is like a unicorn, impossible to get so considering ultra white/black, nebula gray/black or cabernet, and black/cabernet. Looked at all 3 colors side by side for over 20 mins and still undecided.
Biggest issue is I see you guys are posting about wind noise, rattles and the same basic crap that plagued the GS and LS. My GS had rattles that had to be sorted out. Fortunately I didn't have the LS wind noise issues others had but that was just luck on my part. Can't believe the same stuff is happening with the new GS. I saw a post about wind noise near the mirror triangle, exact same issue and fix for the 08 LS. Saw a review online about how the huge display has popup warnings that block the screen when you have the backup cam activated. Strange shortcomings that could have and should have been fixed from launch. Ugh!
Had the LS for 10 months and traded it for a 08 S63 which I traded for a 12' M37S which I love but now at 40k miles and has to go. 99% sure I'm getting a 14' GS F sport tomorrow but not 100%. The M is great, not a single issue, gobs of low end grunt up to 4500 RPMs where it tapers off, quiet, upgraded Bose system with the Sport Touring package has far better sound than the Mark Levinson in my GS and LS and the handling is insane. Corners like a 370Z and 4 wheel steering makes everything feel so precise. The M is an exceptional car that's highly underrated. Don't want a new one so gotta move on.
Drove the F sport for a 20 mile extended test drive and initially it feels sluggish compared to the M. 306hp vs 330hp so understandable but the Infiniti is all about low end torque which makes it launch hard. The GS felt like it had to be in S+ to feel snappy but the 8sp tranny seemed to be 1-2 gears too low most of the time for instant response. My 07 GS felt pretty good but that was the 6sp. The mouse thing is different but certainly not better than the old GS touchscreen, love the buttons and touch screen in the Inifiniti, worried about the mouse in the GS.
On the fence about color too. Really want the cabernet interior but white with cabernet is like a unicorn, impossible to get so considering ultra white/black, nebula gray/black or cabernet, and black/cabernet. Looked at all 3 colors side by side for over 20 mins and still undecided.
Biggest issue is I see you guys are posting about wind noise, rattles and the same basic crap that plagued the GS and LS. My GS had rattles that had to be sorted out. Fortunately I didn't have the LS wind noise issues others had but that was just luck on my part. Can't believe the same stuff is happening with the new GS. I saw a post about wind noise near the mirror triangle, exact same issue and fix for the 08 LS. Saw a review online about how the huge display has popup warnings that block the screen when you have the backup cam activated. Strange shortcomings that could have and should have been fixed from launch. Ugh!
03-10-14, 03:36 AM
#2
I just bought my wife the new GS350, and I too have had a GS 350 (2010) in the past that was actually my car. I also had an 06 M45 sport. I agree with your comments about the eight speed feeling sluggish. I've experimented with the various modes (Luxury package, but has the various modes like an F-Sport). I'm starting to believe the car is as fast as my 2010, but the transmissions masks some of the visceral feel. That and the fact that my car is a BMW 550 that blows it away and I'm a bit spoiled.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Last edited by jjscsix; 03-10-14 at 05:39 AM.
03-10-14, 05:10 AM
#4
I forgot to reply regarding wind noise and rattles. Mine does not have either. It is extremely quiet. Btw, my 2010 had none either. Don't forget, just because a handful of people complain about something on the Internet does not by itself mean it is a common problem, especially cars like this that do not have a huge Internet following.
03-10-14, 06:46 AM
#6
I'm probably picking up a GS350 Luxury by the end of the month myself. I bought a 2014 LCI (refreshed) BMW 535i. That car was in the shop so much that I'm exiting the car.
All of the complaints with the GS350 appear to be minor nags/issues and an outdated infotainment system rather than drivetrain problems.
@2thfxr, you might want to look at the Q50 Hybrid. 0-60 in 4.9s. It feels like a G35 in terms of NVH and handling. Weaknesses are a laggy infotainment system and that it feels like a G35 in terms of NVH (whereas the BMW 5 series is better for cruising and the 2014 revised suspension is sportier than the 2011 5 series). The navigation in the BMW isn't great (doesn't tell you if the destination is on the left or right) but I love the fact that you can make adjustments while driving and the traffic is HD radio based and the USB input reads NTFS. The GS is definitely a generation behind in infotainment. I wouldn't be surprised if the 2015 GS updates the infotainment.
The reliability is unclear but the CTS VSport is probably going to be a good car. The 2015 Genesis is a Hyundai, but it may be a great driver's car too with a lot more technology in the system.
For the GS350, Sport+ is needed for both the firm dampers and throttle mapping. Sport touches the throttle but not the dampers. The F-Sport and Luxury line have identical springs and dampers but the software is tuned differently (the F-sport engages first.) F-Sport has optional rear wheel steering and variable ratio steering but I don't see that in CA.
Are you bay area or socal? I didn't think ultra white on cabernet was that hard to find... Luxury line seems to be much more difficult.
All of the complaints with the GS350 appear to be minor nags/issues and an outdated infotainment system rather than drivetrain problems.
@2thfxr, you might want to look at the Q50 Hybrid. 0-60 in 4.9s. It feels like a G35 in terms of NVH and handling. Weaknesses are a laggy infotainment system and that it feels like a G35 in terms of NVH (whereas the BMW 5 series is better for cruising and the 2014 revised suspension is sportier than the 2011 5 series). The navigation in the BMW isn't great (doesn't tell you if the destination is on the left or right) but I love the fact that you can make adjustments while driving and the traffic is HD radio based and the USB input reads NTFS. The GS is definitely a generation behind in infotainment. I wouldn't be surprised if the 2015 GS updates the infotainment.
The reliability is unclear but the CTS VSport is probably going to be a good car. The 2015 Genesis is a Hyundai, but it may be a great driver's car too with a lot more technology in the system.
For the GS350, Sport+ is needed for both the firm dampers and throttle mapping. Sport touches the throttle but not the dampers. The F-Sport and Luxury line have identical springs and dampers but the software is tuned differently (the F-sport engages first.) F-Sport has optional rear wheel steering and variable ratio steering but I don't see that in CA.
Are you bay area or socal? I didn't think ultra white on cabernet was that hard to find... Luxury line seems to be much more difficult.
03-10-14, 06:53 AM
#7
I def have no rattles and I know what they sounded like in the 3GS. This car I must say is way better than the 3GS, I brought my car in for what I thought was the first problem with speakers and it was my ipod. This model has been rock solid speakers and all. Overall great car, also loved your car choices S63 must have been a beast. The HP is low I do agree but it is very light and very agile in turns will make you love winding roads. good luck and post pics if you purchase.
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Congrats! Nice collection and user name. 
For some reason I remember the day you took a picture of your GS on the way home from work. Very nice capture.
03-10-14, 01:58 PM
#11
I'm probably picking up a GS350 Luxury by the end of the month myself. I bought a 2014 LCI (refreshed) BMW 535i. That car was in the shop so much that I'm exiting the car.
All of the complaints with the GS350 appear to be minor nags/issues and an outdated infotainment system rather than drivetrain problems.
@2thfxr, you might want to look at the Q50 Hybrid. 0-60 in 4.9s. It feels like a G35 in terms of NVH and handling. Weaknesses are a laggy infotainment system and that it feels like a G35 in terms of NVH (whereas the BMW 5 series is better for cruising and the 2014 revised suspension is sportier than the 2011 5 series). The navigation in the BMW isn't great (doesn't tell you if the destination is on the left or right) but I love the fact that you can make adjustments while driving and the traffic is HD radio based and the USB input reads NTFS. The GS is definitely a generation behind in infotainment. I wouldn't be surprised if the 2015 GS updates the infotainment.
The reliability is unclear but the CTS VSport is probably going to be a good car. The 2015 Genesis is a Hyundai, but it may be a great driver's car too with a lot more technology in the system.
For the GS350, Sport+ is needed for both the firm dampers and throttle mapping. Sport touches the throttle but not the dampers. The F-Sport and Luxury line have identical springs and dampers but the software is tuned differently (the F-sport engages first.) F-Sport has optional rear wheel steering and variable ratio steering but I don't see that in CA.
Are you bay area or socal? I didn't think ultra white on cabernet was that hard to find... Luxury line seems to be much more difficult.
All of the complaints with the GS350 appear to be minor nags/issues and an outdated infotainment system rather than drivetrain problems.
@2thfxr, you might want to look at the Q50 Hybrid. 0-60 in 4.9s. It feels like a G35 in terms of NVH and handling. Weaknesses are a laggy infotainment system and that it feels like a G35 in terms of NVH (whereas the BMW 5 series is better for cruising and the 2014 revised suspension is sportier than the 2011 5 series). The navigation in the BMW isn't great (doesn't tell you if the destination is on the left or right) but I love the fact that you can make adjustments while driving and the traffic is HD radio based and the USB input reads NTFS. The GS is definitely a generation behind in infotainment. I wouldn't be surprised if the 2015 GS updates the infotainment.
The reliability is unclear but the CTS VSport is probably going to be a good car. The 2015 Genesis is a Hyundai, but it may be a great driver's car too with a lot more technology in the system.
For the GS350, Sport+ is needed for both the firm dampers and throttle mapping. Sport touches the throttle but not the dampers. The F-Sport and Luxury line have identical springs and dampers but the software is tuned differently (the F-sport engages first.) F-Sport has optional rear wheel steering and variable ratio steering but I don't see that in CA.
Are you bay area or socal? I didn't think ultra white on cabernet was that hard to find... Luxury line seems to be much more difficult.
I am still learning our new GS a little at a time. I'd like to know in what respect you feel the 2014 is lagging in the infotainment area.
Thanks
03-10-14, 02:50 PM
#13
My BMW days are long over. I swear, I was helping my independent BMW mechanic pay for his kids' college tuitions.
Owning a Lexus will be a total change of pace, maintenance-wise. Have fun!
Owning a Lexus will be a total change of pace, maintenance-wise. Have fun!
03-10-14, 02:56 PM
#14
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Last edited by 2thfixr; 03-10-14 at 03:10 PM.
03-10-14, 03:29 PM
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Just saw a new post about someone that got a loaner '14 GS with wind noise around the side view mirror. Most likely culprit is the plastic cover at the triangle, seal it and all will be well. Same issue with my '08 LS. First time I saw the 4th gen GS, the salesman pointed out how the mirrors are attached to the door vs the triangle so no longer cheap looking... like it was a good thing. I said, "That's unfortunate." :lol: True story.