New 2015 IS350 or CPO 2014 GS350
05-20-15, 09:03 AM
#16
Lexus Champion
Now you should go ask the same question on the IS thread... 
Either car you choose, you'll win, as both are excellent. I struggled with the IS vs GS decision when I bought my IS. I chose the IS because I am in love with the looks, more so than the GS. I also liked the updated generation 8 navigation (which is now in the '15 GS), the folding rear seats, and the driving position. It felt much sportier to me.
And now, with 19 months of IS ownership, I would be happy if I never have to have real leather again. I definitely prefer the NuLuxe. Strange as it sounds, that's becoming a real hangup for me. I cannot say enough good things about the material.
The things I liked best on the GS were the huge nav screen, higher quality interior materials, and room.
With all that said, if the '16 GS refresh is what I expect it to be, I will be making the swap as I have two small children and could use a little more room. If only it would come with NuLuxe...
Either car you choose, you'll win, as both are excellent. I struggled with the IS vs GS decision when I bought my IS. I chose the IS because I am in love with the looks, more so than the GS. I also liked the updated generation 8 navigation (which is now in the '15 GS), the folding rear seats, and the driving position. It felt much sportier to me.
And now, with 19 months of IS ownership, I would be happy if I never have to have real leather again. I definitely prefer the NuLuxe. Strange as it sounds, that's becoming a real hangup for me. I cannot say enough good things about the material.
The things I liked best on the GS were the huge nav screen, higher quality interior materials, and room.
With all that said, if the '16 GS refresh is what I expect it to be, I will be making the swap as I have two small children and could use a little more room. If only it would come with NuLuxe...
Last edited by JDR76; 05-20-15 at 09:16 AM.
05-20-15, 10:20 AM
#17
The IS is soooo noisy compared to GS. I get into my wife's 2014 IS and I'm like "boy, they skimped out on the insulation"
05-20-15, 12:16 PM
#18
Lexus Test Driver
I think a fairly low mileage, clean CPO 2014 GS 350 with the options and color combo you want is the much preferred car.
Last edited by bclexus; 05-20-15 at 01:57 PM.
05-21-15, 03:16 AM
#20
Lexus Test Driver
Sometimes people don't save as much money on used as they think they do. I can think of two examples currently at a dealer I have been to recently. They are priced as much as the car was new. Sometimes just haggling or going through Internet sales saves you enough.
05-22-15, 05:30 PM
#21
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Hey guys! I've read all your responses and appreciate all of your comments and advice, but I'm going to be choosing neither car. I discussed both options with my folks and they thought that the IS350 was too small and not that visually appealing and spending $40k+ on used car was not worth it and so the only option left was buying a new 2015 GS350. As for financing goes, they are giving me $36k and I will finance the rest. I'm currently looking at multiple dealerships right now, and once I've purchased the car, I'll get back to you guys with that
05-22-15, 06:28 PM
#22
I have both the old 2006 IS250 & 2010 GS350, and both the current model 2014 IS250 F Sport [for missus] & 2015 GS350, and all four are great cars, but in different ways.
The current 3IS has sharper looks inside and out, it is easier to maneuvre, and is more dumpable around corners and roundabouts, with superior tail end power oversteer control.
Only the original 1999-2006 IS200/300 was more dumpable, with more natural hydraulic power steering feel, quicker turn-in, more terminal grip, and more control over the power oversteer.
However that original 1IS was tiny in size, weighed a good 500 lbs less, had a firm ride, and much greater loudness.
The 2IS was a bit bigger, and a bit better riding, though much quieter.
However the 2IS had the 1st/2nd generation electrically assisted power steering which had little feel, and the 2IS's rear end was more unpredictable in power oversteer.
The current model 3IS has good feel, quick turn-in, good terminal grip, though not as agile, nor as much terminal grip as the original 1IS, but the 3IS's rear power oversteer is almost as controllable as the original 1IS.
My 2015 GS350 doesn't have as sharp a look as the missus' IS250 F Sport both outside and inside, but the GS has a more mature, conservative, and elegant look on the outside, while the inside oozes in quality of materials and assembly, but IMO the GS interior looks really conservative, especially the steering wheel, dashboard, and central console.
For example, the 3IS dashboard audio & climate controls are angled to the driver's eyes.
Likewise, where the palm rest is "raised" on the GS, while the palm rest of the IS is smoother looking and flush mounted.
The GS is a much taller, larger, with a larger boot, better riding, and much more refined cruiser.
I think the biggest difference between my GS and the missus' IS is not the styling, nor size, nor equipment levels, nor cost.
I think the biggest difference is in the ride and refinement, especially the refinement of the GS in terms of engine noise, road noise, and wind noise, versus the dumpability [chassis] of the IS.
On dumping the GS around corners, the GS is a taller car, with longer suspension travel, more body roll, and more mass, and feels a much bigger and heavier car around corners than the IS.
For sharper styling and dynamics, go IS.
For size, ride, refinement and equipment, go GS...
-
The current 3IS has sharper looks inside and out, it is easier to maneuvre, and is more dumpable around corners and roundabouts, with superior tail end power oversteer control.
Only the original 1999-2006 IS200/300 was more dumpable, with more natural hydraulic power steering feel, quicker turn-in, more terminal grip, and more control over the power oversteer.
However that original 1IS was tiny in size, weighed a good 500 lbs less, had a firm ride, and much greater loudness.
The 2IS was a bit bigger, and a bit better riding, though much quieter.
However the 2IS had the 1st/2nd generation electrically assisted power steering which had little feel, and the 2IS's rear end was more unpredictable in power oversteer.
The current model 3IS has good feel, quick turn-in, good terminal grip, though not as agile, nor as much terminal grip as the original 1IS, but the 3IS's rear power oversteer is almost as controllable as the original 1IS.
My 2015 GS350 doesn't have as sharp a look as the missus' IS250 F Sport both outside and inside, but the GS has a more mature, conservative, and elegant look on the outside, while the inside oozes in quality of materials and assembly, but IMO the GS interior looks really conservative, especially the steering wheel, dashboard, and central console.
For example, the 3IS dashboard audio & climate controls are angled to the driver's eyes.
Likewise, where the palm rest is "raised" on the GS, while the palm rest of the IS is smoother looking and flush mounted.
The GS is a much taller, larger, with a larger boot, better riding, and much more refined cruiser.
I think the biggest difference between my GS and the missus' IS is not the styling, nor size, nor equipment levels, nor cost.
I think the biggest difference is in the ride and refinement, especially the refinement of the GS in terms of engine noise, road noise, and wind noise, versus the dumpability [chassis] of the IS.
On dumping the GS around corners, the GS is a taller car, with longer suspension travel, more body roll, and more mass, and feels a much bigger and heavier car around corners than the IS.
For sharper styling and dynamics, go IS.
For size, ride, refinement and equipment, go GS...
-
Last edited by peteharvey; 05-22-15 at 06:39 PM.
05-22-15, 08:30 PM
#23
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I have both the old 2006 IS250 & 2010 GS350, and both the current model 2014 IS250 F Sport [for missus] & 2015 GS350, and all four are great cars, but in different ways.
The current 3IS has sharper looks inside and out, it is easier to maneuvre, and is more dumpable around corners and roundabouts, with superior tail end power oversteer control.
Only the original 1999-2006 IS200/300 was more dumpable, with more natural hydraulic power steering feel, quicker turn-in, more terminal grip, and more control over the power oversteer.
However that original 1IS was tiny in size, weighed a good 500 lbs less, had a firm ride, and much greater loudness.
The 2IS was a bit bigger, and a bit better riding, though much quieter.
However the 2IS had the 1st/2nd generation electrically assisted power steering which had little feel, and the 2IS's rear end was more unpredictable in power oversteer.
The current model 3IS has good feel, quick turn-in, good terminal grip, though not as agile, nor as much terminal grip as the original 1IS, but the 3IS's rear power oversteer is almost as controllable as the original 1IS.
My 2015 GS350 doesn't have as sharp a look as the missus' IS250 F Sport both outside and inside, but the GS has a more mature, conservative, and elegant look on the outside, while the inside oozes in quality of materials and assembly, but IMO the GS interior looks really conservative, especially the steering wheel, dashboard, and central console.
For example, the 3IS dashboard audio & climate controls are angled to the driver's eyes.
Likewise, where the palm rest is "raised" on the GS, while the palm rest of the IS is smoother looking and flush mounted.
The GS is a much taller, larger, with a larger boot, better riding, and much more refined cruiser.
I think the biggest difference between my GS and the missus' IS is not the styling, nor size, nor equipment levels, nor cost.
I think the biggest difference is in the ride and refinement, especially the refinement of the GS in terms of engine noise, road noise, and wind noise, versus the dumpability [chassis] of the IS.
On dumping the GS around corners, the GS is a taller car, with longer suspension travel, more body roll, and more mass, and feels a much bigger and heavier car around corners than the IS.
For sharper styling and dynamics, go IS.
For size, ride, refinement and equipment, go GS...
-
The current 3IS has sharper looks inside and out, it is easier to maneuvre, and is more dumpable around corners and roundabouts, with superior tail end power oversteer control.
Only the original 1999-2006 IS200/300 was more dumpable, with more natural hydraulic power steering feel, quicker turn-in, more terminal grip, and more control over the power oversteer.
However that original 1IS was tiny in size, weighed a good 500 lbs less, had a firm ride, and much greater loudness.
The 2IS was a bit bigger, and a bit better riding, though much quieter.
However the 2IS had the 1st/2nd generation electrically assisted power steering which had little feel, and the 2IS's rear end was more unpredictable in power oversteer.
The current model 3IS has good feel, quick turn-in, good terminal grip, though not as agile, nor as much terminal grip as the original 1IS, but the 3IS's rear power oversteer is almost as controllable as the original 1IS.
My 2015 GS350 doesn't have as sharp a look as the missus' IS250 F Sport both outside and inside, but the GS has a more mature, conservative, and elegant look on the outside, while the inside oozes in quality of materials and assembly, but IMO the GS interior looks really conservative, especially the steering wheel, dashboard, and central console.
For example, the 3IS dashboard audio & climate controls are angled to the driver's eyes.
Likewise, where the palm rest is "raised" on the GS, while the palm rest of the IS is smoother looking and flush mounted.
The GS is a much taller, larger, with a larger boot, better riding, and much more refined cruiser.
I think the biggest difference between my GS and the missus' IS is not the styling, nor size, nor equipment levels, nor cost.
I think the biggest difference is in the ride and refinement, especially the refinement of the GS in terms of engine noise, road noise, and wind noise, versus the dumpability [chassis] of the IS.
On dumping the GS around corners, the GS is a taller car, with longer suspension travel, more body roll, and more mass, and feels a much bigger and heavier car around corners than the IS.
For sharper styling and dynamics, go IS.
For size, ride, refinement and equipment, go GS...
-
05-22-15, 11:48 PM
#24
59k MSRP, down to 53k final.
05-29-15, 04:34 PM
#25
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Hey guys I'm back! I picked up my GS350 yesterday and she's currently in the shop getting tinted. The MSRP was around $57,6XX and the OTD price was $53,1XX
Last edited by christy873; 05-29-15 at 04:43 PM.
05-29-15, 06:56 PM
#28
Lexus Test Driver
Welcome aboard! Good decision on getting the GS 350.
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