bamachem

I currently have an 07 Land Cruiser.

I'm having second thoughts on driving 25K+ miles a year in a truck that ideally needs about 1-2" of more front legroom to be ideal for my 6'-4" frame. According to the specs I can find online, the GS has ~1.5" additional front legroom and more than an inch of rear legroom as compared to the LC. I would lose a little headroom, but I'm fine when I lower the GS seat down w/ a little to spare.

A friend has an 07 GS 350 and it feels incredible on the road to me. I'm looking at getting rid of the LC for a Black or Gray 2007/08 Lexus GS 350 or 450h. I'm just wondering if I'll regret it later. We are a family of four and regularly take 3+ hour road trips for 3-4 day periods. In the LC, space is simply not an issue as there's plenty of room - except in the front seat legroom dept as that's my only issue w/ it.

I would prefer the 450h, but the trunk appears to be abysmally small. Is it as bad as others have made it out to be?

What are the other drawbacks to a GS for travel?

I know that the fuel savings would be in most minds, but I'm not really worried about that. I'm looking at the comfort level and the safety aspects only at this point.

Here's what I have:



And here's what I'm leaning towards...



I'm looking at Black/Black or Gray/Black for now. There's an 07 450h local to me, but it has 81k miles and they're asking $28k. It has some paint flaws that would need to be addressed and a good detailing. From what I can tell, that's about $3-4K high for what they have. The mileage doesn't scare me as the car will see a lot of additional miles and I will be changing it out after 2-years anyway. I'm lucky in that the vehicle I drive and the fuel I use is paid for by my employer...

So, am I crazy wanting to go from a $48K SUV to a $30K sedan?

blacksedan

iTrader: (4)

Yes, you are crazy. With comfort and safety as a priority, the LC is the keeper... With the constant road trips you are taking, I'd much rather be higher off the ground and have the extra cargo space.

bamachem

But for me, the GS is MUCH more comfortable. Both received "Good" crash safety ratings...

I like the feel of being up higher in the LC and the cargo room is crazy, but it's not anywhere near as comfortable on the road or in the seat as my friend's GS.

LB23

Given these circumstances:

" We are a family of four and regularly take 3+ hour road trips for 3-4 day periods. In the LC, space is simply not an issue as there's plenty of room - except in the front seat legroom dept as that's my only issue w/ it. "

Keep the LandCruiser.

msgs350

iTrader: (2)

With a family of 4 that takes road trips....i'd try to stay away from a GS, unless you REALLY like it due to space (interior and trunk).

I think you will find the trunk too small to accomadate your family's things for those trips. Take your friends car (if you can) and load it up with what you guys usually bring and see how it goes. Good luck!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

have you checked the shoulder room and head room? i would think the LC is much better on that. and especially if you care about read cabin room, i would be really careful about the gs

bamachem

I test drove a 450h on Friday and I fit fine. With the seat all the way back, not only did I have the room I needed, but the rear set had the same room as provided in the LC. Only down side I see is cargo space and everything else is better than the LC (cabin room, comfort, efficiency).

I think I'm going to go back and test the 450h overnight and see how it does.

blacksedan

iTrader: (4)

Sounds like you've already made up your mind. I don't care what a crash test report says, physics says, suv > car in a collision. If I had a family of four I definitely wouldn't be driving my 3GS

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

K look u are confused, let me reel you out of it, 2007+ LS460L all the way. More space, more comfortable,trunk space,etc etc etc........... Forget the GS, Its like going from a toilet bowl into a baby towel bowl.

spine911

iTrader: (4)

I have the 3GS as a daily driver. Im very pleased with it except for the extremely small trunk cargo space compared with other autos with it's size.

I wish Lexus had spent more time in adequately designing a more useful, spacious rear trunk.

Riceater

Does the LC have nav and a DVD player? lol. I've never been very big on SUVs. I prefer to be lower and spend less on gas. I love my dad's denali but no way in hell would I ever buy one. Too expensive on gas and no offense to GM owners but the interior just seems kinda relatively cheap. Air conditioned seats are the **** as well during a hot day. I bet your employer will like the fuel savings with the 450h too.

aLexGS350

iTrader: (5)

I would say keep the LC. If you don't mind the gas and drive very far. The LC has a lot of room for stretching, sleeping, eating, or whatever lol. And as someone else said about safety....you are higher off the ground.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Truthfully I would keep the LC or go with a RX or even an LS as someone stated. That is a more modest approach. The GS450h has a lot of miles so I would pass the GS350 isn't that bad a choice so it really still comes down to what you like.

Lex Luga

iTrader: (11)

Just a correction, ur going from a 48k (brand new price) suv to a 47k sedan before any options (brand new price)

caveman

I'd keep that LC.

Like the others have mentioned, the GS trunk is not that big...it even looks small compared to the latest Accord/Camry.
So if your family of 4 takes frequent road trips, you'll be feeling that lack of trunk space for luggage.