EN_VY

So March last year I totaled my 2GS, My insurance didn't cover it so i took a loss and I've been saving since to buy a car. During this time I considered many cars. M45, 2GS 430, 545/550i, 335i, 645/650i, C6 Vette, and a 3GS. The time has come and I will be getting a car soon. Well, right now I have brought it down to 3 options. A 2GS 430(I really miss my gs) a GS430/350(upgrade from my previous GS) and a Pontiac G8 GT.

I want my car to have power off the line and on the highway. I know the G8 would be the best option here, as you can throw on bolt ons, and be in the 12's. I know I would miss the luxury of a Lexus though Ughh I am confused lol.
I guess my question is, does the GS350/430 fill that desire for speed? I know it isn't built for speed, but I would like to know how it performs. For example, what's the fastest 1/4 anyone has gotten with it(Excluding the 460). And yes, I know this is a Lexus forum, so i know what to expect. Believe me, I loved my car, and I am a Lexus fan, but there is just something about a G8 that catches my eye.
It will come down on what I want, but to be honest, I am unsure now. Any opinion will be greatly appreciated

Here is a picture of a Clean G8 for those who haven't seen one.

06ausiecar

My 2006 gs430 did 14.2 in the 1/4. You can't really compare the quality in materials vs a Gs and g8. I also looked at g8's but a gxp and chose to go the Lexus route for factory xenons,navigation, ML and the typical Lexus quality. Plus I refused to buy a 08 or 09 g8 for the mid 20's when in 2009 you could buy a g8 gt for 24k out the door. Came really close to trading in my GTO for one in 2009. The g8 though is the better of the gm cars and I give Holden credit on it. You'll just miss the Lexus stuff. Still if you chose a g8 your still getting a nice car as long as you put the Holden bumper back in it lol if you do go the g8 route pedders make an awesome coilover. That's what's in my GTO plus their bushings. Oh and a lot go the ccw route on the gto's and g8's and I highly recommend them too.

L8Apex

if it were me, and it was last month, I would go down to Carmax, get a good salesman and have at each car. Im very very picky when choosing a car. i really want a complete package and I don't trade cars in for about 8 years. So what I buy I have to love and feel Im going to continue loving it for a long time. Surprisingly I got a salesman that knew cars as i did, he even knew a little more then me on particular models. So he made the experience very worth while. I eliminated everything on my list except the GS 350 and the 450h as MPG was a concern.

My process-
Take each car down the same back road and then include some high-speed hwy time. Ask about special features, play with the NAV, read up on safety, MPG, recalls, warranty etc.

Now that I've bored you with that. Here are my thoughts on your dilemma. The G8 will push you in your seat and smoke tires at launch. Fun stuff. The intr is a bland and dated to me but the overall exterior style is slick. The Lex is refined and the launch, even on the 450 is more linear. But Trac can be turned off and you can switch to pwr mode and set suspension to sport making the car a rocket. I was impressed when I took a S500 from 0 -80. The car is very fast. The Stereo and NAV are also very good. Now factor in Toyotas reliability, MPG, safety and the gobs of gadgets like parking sensors, backup cams vented seats etc.. the choice was clear for me. I don't feel a G8 is competition for the GS. Even with its 6 Liter V8 it's only producing 355HP Not impressive when you factor in the displacement.

Stormforge

if you can pony up a bit more money, see if you can get a CPO GS450h or GS460.

speaking from experience, as one gets older, the need for speed isn't as important as it used to be. i favor luxury and comfort over how many secs in the quarter mile. but with the 450h or the 460, you can at least still stomp on the gas and go when you feel the need to go faster.

2 cents

Whitena

iTrader: (2)

There was a thread a while back about his 3GS ran 13.6 in a 1/4.

Whitena

iTrader: (2)

Here's link
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...-1-4-mile.html

Infamous 1

iTrader: (20)

As stated before.... find a GS460!

You're welcome!

EN_VY

Thanks for the input guys, I know the GS460 and 450h have more punch then the GS430 and 350, but that means that I would have to save up another 2 months.
I was thinking of the GXP, but not only are those rare, I've seen them highly priced. I saw one for 39k
I will update this when I get my car. The car is going to be slammed on air, whichever route I go.

krschee

Never been in a G8, but I love my GS460, bone stock.

LexFather

Before I bought my GS 450h as I posted the Pontiac G8 GT and GXP were seriously in the running. I loved the looks, the performance and the space. I loved the looks The thought of paying for tons of gas wasn't a great motivator having many V-8 Lexus in the past. Sadly you can't get super aggressive with wheel fitment.

At the time I was buying was the time GM was about to file bankruptcy etc and there were rumors of Pontiac getting the boot. This scared me away. I also visited the G8 forum and the commentary wasn't attractive.

So I got the best of both worlds with a GS 450h I still love the G8 though and it always turns my head. I wish they would badge it the Caprice here like they do in the Middle East.

06ausiecar

Either car you choose the community on both are great. I like clublexus and ls1gto. Both great info and great people. Good luck. If you do go g8 jhp will help a little with oem Holden parts like factory Bluetooth, bumpers ect. Holden not Pontiac stuff from the aussie country. But that's kinda it. Mechanically it's like any other ls series engines.

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

One thing to say, there is a reason they dont make pontiacs no more.

bigblack06

iTrader: (20)

Honestly there isnt a comparison between a pontiac and a Lexus but I would take the Lexus GS 350 any day if thats what you can afford I'd go with that HP is good and pck-up isnt bad. The 430 has a little less HP and has older navi.

adamls2

**cough** http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2011-...ht_4313wt_1172 **cough**

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

Thats one fugly car, eewwww Outside is a broken up impala and the inside has purple seats to it? What do you guys find in this?