Why the heck did Lexus make the gs300?
08-28-12, 03:41 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Why the heck did Lexus make the gs300?
No offense to the 300 owners out there, but Why the heck did they make the gs300? And please don't say its cause of the gas mileage. I used to own a 99 gs300, and my gs400 gets better gas mileage and is faster and quicker.
Last edited by lextout; 08-28-12 at 03:47 AM.
08-28-12, 04:24 AM
#3
I had the choice of buying the V8, but I chose the I6 because I was tired of driving V8's. Gas mileage was a reason for me. Maybe you had issues with your 300, that's why the mileage was horrible. I have a pic on here somewhere, but I was at 270 miles at half tank when I was tracking the mileage. Does your 400 do that?I wasn't concerned with power because I'm not racing anyone at stop lights, plus my car has plenty of speed to keep up with anyone on the interstate. The V8 in my q45 had more HP than the 400/30, so I would've been "downgrading" in that dept anyway.
I say all of that to say, I love my 300 and wouldn't change at all. The ONLY thing that I envy in the 430 is the wood wheel.
I say all of that to say, I love my 300 and wouldn't change at all. The ONLY thing that I envy in the 430 is the wood wheel.
08-28-12, 06:43 AM
#4
Pole Position
To sell more cars. If you check the figures, the smaller displacement counterparts usually outsell the up option engines. SC300, IS250, etc, etc. It makes them a LOT more money.
All automakers do this.
All automakers do this.
08-28-12, 06:53 AM
#5
They needed an entry level for this car to compete with (at the time) the Infiniti I35, Acura TL, MB E and BMW 525. Gives buyers an option to go for entry or flagship, otherwise, buyers will simply walk over to the next lot
08-28-12, 06:56 AM
#7
I had the choice of buying the V8, but I chose the I6 because I was tired of driving V8's. Gas mileage was a reason for me. Maybe you had issues with your 300, that's why the mileage was horrible. I have a pic on here somewhere, but I was at 270 miles at half tank when I was tracking the mileage. Does your 400 do that?I wasn't concerned with power because I'm not racing anyone at stop lights, plus my car has plenty of speed to keep up with anyone on the interstate. The V8 in my q45 had more HP than the 400/30, so I would've been "downgrading" in that dept anyway.
I say all of that to say, I love my 300 and wouldn't change at all. The ONLY thing that I envy in the 430 is the wood wheel.
I say all of that to say, I love my 300 and wouldn't change at all. The ONLY thing that I envy in the 430 is the wood wheel.
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08-28-12, 09:27 AM
#10
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I had the choice of buying the V8, but I chose the I6 because I was tired of driving V8's. Gas mileage was a reason for me. Maybe you had issues with your 300, that's why the mileage was horrible. I have a pic on here somewhere, but I was at 270 miles at half tank when I was tracking the mileage. Does your 400 do that?I wasn't concerned with power because I'm not racing anyone at stop lights, plus my car has plenty of speed to keep up with anyone on the interstate. The V8 in my q45 had more HP than the 400/30, so I would've been "downgrading" in that dept anyway.
I say all of that to say, I love my 300 and wouldn't change at all. The ONLY thing that I envy in the 430 is the wood wheel.
I say all of that to say, I love my 300 and wouldn't change at all. The ONLY thing that I envy in the 430 is the wood wheel.
08-28-12, 10:00 AM
#13
Actually the real question is why did Lexus/Toyota make the GS400/430 and the answer is simple.
In Japan we all know the GS is labeled as the Aristo which is only available in a 6cyl, with your choice of NA (S300) or Twin Turbo (V300). Same goes for the SC/Soarer. The V8 models were only available in North America.
When Toyota first introduced these cars to the North American market they had to rebrand them because nobody would take Toyota as a luxury brand. So then came along Lexus. At this point they introduced their first line up of ES/SC/GS/LS. And eventually the IS/RX/LX/GX/HS/CT. They labeled the cars under these names strictly for the North American market. It seems the the qualification for a luxury name has to have only a few letters and numbers. Originally Toyota/Lexus only wanted their flagship LS and sport coupe to have V8. But with the failure in sales of the first gen GS they decided to completely redesign and give it a optional V8 option as its their second top model in the sedan line-up. With these changes the 2GS ended up being one of their top selling models and fastest sedan at its time. Had they only made this only in a V8 they would be too much in competition with the LS.
In Japan we all know the GS is labeled as the Aristo which is only available in a 6cyl, with your choice of NA (S300) or Twin Turbo (V300). Same goes for the SC/Soarer. The V8 models were only available in North America.
When Toyota first introduced these cars to the North American market they had to rebrand them because nobody would take Toyota as a luxury brand. So then came along Lexus. At this point they introduced their first line up of ES/SC/GS/LS. And eventually the IS/RX/LX/GX/HS/CT. They labeled the cars under these names strictly for the North American market. It seems the the qualification for a luxury name has to have only a few letters and numbers. Originally Toyota/Lexus only wanted their flagship LS and sport coupe to have V8. But with the failure in sales of the first gen GS they decided to completely redesign and give it a optional V8 option as its their second top model in the sedan line-up. With these changes the 2GS ended up being one of their top selling models and fastest sedan at its time. Had they only made this only in a V8 they would be too much in competition with the LS.
08-28-12, 10:03 AM
#14
I had the choice of buying the V8, but I chose the I6 because I was tired of driving V8's. Gas mileage was a reason for me. Maybe you had issues with your 300, that's why the mileage was horrible. I have a pic on here somewhere, but I was at 270 miles at half tank when I was tracking the mileage. Does your 400 do that?I wasn't concerned with power because I'm not racing anyone at stop lights, plus my car has plenty of speed to keep up with anyone on the interstate. The V8 in my q45 had more HP than the 400/30, so I would've been "downgrading" in that dept anyway.
I say all of that to say, I love my 300 and wouldn't change at all. The ONLY thing that I envy in the 430 is the wood wheel.
I say all of that to say, I love my 300 and wouldn't change at all. The ONLY thing that I envy in the 430 is the wood wheel.
