scarru

I test drove a 2015 GS 350 F-Sport over the weekend and it felt much slower than my 2006 IS350. Was I imagining things since they have a similar sized engine or is the larger size of the GS350 enough to make it feel slower?

Also, the Mark Levinson sound system didn't sound nearly as good. I thought it was just me but my wife immediately noticed it and said something before I could. Is there anything majorly different here in the two sound system? Perhaps it was because I used bluetooth in the GS and I use an aux cord in the IS?

bclexus

Your seat-of-the-pants 'feeler' is working well.

Lexus IS 350 0-60 mph 5.0 | Quarter mile 13.5
Lexus GS 350 0-60 mph 5.4 | Quarter mile 13.8

Reference

rominl

iTrader: (4)

the gs350 has always been slower (since 2007). the IS is always a faster and sportier car to drive

sound system wise, i do like the ml system in the 2is, very solid. the 4gs i have only listened to ml once and while not bad, i didn't feel too special. imho it's not a very big step up from the premium system. but at the same time i have to be honest, with aux i can't imagine the quality to be very good

pjchrispy

I have a 2015 GS F-Sport with ML. I notice a big difference playing audio via Bluetooth vs. Aux port / USB, the latter producing sharper and cleaner audio.

yardie876

Maybe the equalizer was off? IMO the ML stereo is phenomenal, even via Bluetooth. I haven't heard the ML system in the 2IS though.

dseag2

I agree that the ML system in the 4GS is outstanding. I will take your word for it, but I can't imagine the system in the 2IS being any better. I traded my 4GS for an Audi S5 with Bang & Olufsen and it can't hold a candle to the ML system. Everything else about the car is great, tho.

SlangBlade

Agreed, but still better with aux/usb, and best with CD/DVD.

And yes, the car is slower, but I think the slower "feel" has more to do with the transmission and response than actual numbers. Same engine though, and the GS is bigger/heavier. I do wish it had the response and speed of the 2IS.

Dukeaudio

I went from a '06 IS350 to a '14 GS350 FSport. I agree with both points. The IS had better imaging (i assume due to front spkr placement), and had sharper handling. Being bigger and heavier, i did not expect the GS to have superior handling. However i preferred the IS' tuning/calibration (I did have a VAIS unit installed). The GS' larger interior volume didn't help the sound but to have all that space to enjoy the music is more than worth it to me (think Coach vs First Class).

MEAHT

iTrader: (1)

I think ML system sounds great, my only issue with it that I miss from my 09 IS250 is that the front tweeters were aimed at your ears. Please correct me If Im wrong but the tweeters on the GS350 seem to be in the front on the dash ?

Dukeaudio

Unfortunately yes. Front corners firing upward.

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

Was the GS RWD or AWD? I've heard some not so great things about the 8 speed.

MEAHT

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for confirming Duke. Upward firing tweeters definitely dont sound nearly as good as direct firing tweeters. Miss the crispness in the sound, gotta feel them vocals yo

rominl

iTrader: (4)

the 8 speed definitely translates into more gear hunting compared to the 6 speed imho. but still, with 6 speed the car is not as fast as is350

Dukeaudio

Agree, and Ironically the soundstage seems lower and narrower.

scarru

It's stupid but it has me slightly torn on buying a GS. One of the things I love in the IS was that the sound was so much better than any other car I've heard. Too bad it didn't translate into the new GS. Would any kind of speaker upgrade offset this or is it going to always be hindered by placement?