Ratman2356

iTrader: (1)

Did some searching but not found a direct comparison for stock suspension ride quality. I have a 93 SC400 and I am trying to decide whether to keep it or go with a 98~ LS or GS. I have test driven a 96, and two 98 LS400's but Have not been able to log any wheel time on a GS yet.

Looking for opinions of those who have owned or had a lot of miles on any two of them to give some comparisons. Roads are horribly rough around here and while my SC handles it fairly well, but not near as well as the LS. Kind of hoping the GS will bridge the gap between the 2. Love all three of them but "there can be only one".

BLK13X

Can't comment on the SC400, I've got a V8 Soarer with air ride. The LS I'd say would be a lot more cushioning (if it's anything like a Merc S500, been riding in one as a passenger for the past month).

The GS still has very nice ride characteristics though. Test drive one?

Measured

iTrader: (1)

The LS will generally always have the plushiest ride quality, then the GS onto the SC.

I like to think the models are broken down as such.

LS - Luxury Sedan
GS - Gran Sport
SC - Sports Car

Since they are marketed in those categories

2gsfowner

iTrader: (2)

LS is Top of Lexus in luxury i think
GS is gran sport as someone said up there. = i'm on this level ehehe..
SC sprotieeee

Ratman2356

iTrader: (1)

Sounds like the GS might be what I am looking for then if it has a smoother ride than the sc. Haven't been able to drive one yet as only one for sale at a lot around here. Been to see it twice but manager was gone in it doing errands both times. Couple of individuals selling but I am not ready to buy yet so don't want to waste their time.

I like the sportiness of my SC but like a better ride. Love the LS ride but the overall driving experience is just too vanilla. Will keep looking into the GS.

ThomasGS4

iTrader: (19)

The GS is a nice medium between the two, but the SC is definitely not that sporty on stock suspension. LOL

Ratman2356

iTrader: (1)

True, meant more the looks in comparison to other lexus models. Wife drives an RX-8 GT and I Came out of a 350z and have had enough true sportiness. 350z=great motor, brakes, looks and handling but bumpy as hell with horrible tire roar, road noise, squeaks and rattles, and seats. Should be called Nissan 350 Noisy.

Wish there were more big 2 door four seaters out there.

aka paco

iTrader: (15)

What 1UZ just said is right..



I didn't find the stock SC suspension very sporty, once lowered it's a little more fun but definetly loses ride quality a bit..


I think the GS is definetly a nice in between, the suspension on my GS430 i thought was great..


the LS is like driving a sofa, not that it's a bad thing it just depends on what you want..

DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

I've had both a 98 GS and 98 LS. The GS stock is more of a compromise between (somewhat) sporty and cushy. The LS handles fine but is clearly focused on a luxury ride.

There is something 'special' in the LS ride quality that people notice. If you're primarily focused on that as your criteria, I'd go for one of those and recommend a 98 - 00 model.

lilsharky

iTrader: (6)

ive been in a LS430 and they're really smooth over everything and now im riding stock in my gs and its no comparison.

Ratman2356

iTrader: (1)

Well, I finally got to drive a couple of GS400's. Just not gonna work for me as much as I wanted it to. Great car but I am just too big for it to ride comfortably. I have very broad shoulders and long legs which puts my elbow smacking into the B pillar and shy about an inch of having enough leg room.

May wind up just freshening the suspension on my SC and keep it until I can afford a 430.

Thanks for advice an opinions everyone.

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

The GS is too small for you but you feel more comfortable in the SC? You're kidding right? A 2GS is a much bigger car inside than an SC. It's wider, the seats are higher off the floor, and it has more headroom. And judging by my GS430 the ride quality is night and day difference than a stock SC or modified SC....

Ratman2356

iTrader: (1)

I know the 2GS has more overall interior room than the SC, but the SC has more driver side leg room (seat goes back farther) than the GS and with it being a 2 door, there is no B pillar that gets in the way of your left arm like it does on the GS when the seat is all the way back. So yeah the SC fits me better. Do I wish it had more headroom and sat a bit higher? Sure, but although it is a little harder getting in and out of because it is lower, it's more comfortable for me once I am in. YMMV

Ride quality was a little bit better than my SC on a scale of 1-10, the SC being a 7 and the 2GS an 8, LS a 10.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I have had all 3. I owned a 93 SC400, a 99 LS400, and currently a 03 GS430. Strictly from a ride comfort perspective the LS400 is by far the cushiest and softest riding car. Think of it like a cruise ship compared to the other two. The GS handles and feels the most sporty, but that is in Lexus world. The SC400 IMHO for me was the worst of them all. In all stock for it just didn't handle as well as the GS, nor did it have the power and acceleration of the LS and GS since it only had 250HP back in 93 compared with the 290 and 300 from the LS/GS. Both my LS and GS has the 5 speed auto trans which was worlds better than 4 speed auto in the 93 SC.