lexi90

Hi CL community,

I will be in the market for a new IS350 F-Sport AWD or a GS350 F-Sport AWD in the upcoming months. As I continued to see more 4GS one here and at local dealers, the car kept growing on me. Now, having test-driven the IS350 F-Sport I know that performance is what I am looking for. Thus, the IS250 was immediately crossed out of the list (I own one). Regarding the GS 350 F-Sport, I haven't had the pleasure to test-drive it yet. I know that both cars have the same engine and horses (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this one) and both are fast. IMO, I like the 3IS because it's small and the front end is sexy. I like the 4GS because it's a bit bigger and the again, the looks are sexy also. I know it's a tough choice, but I need to narrow it down to what I want in my next ride.

I want to hear all your opinions about which one you would buy and why. Please share all your opinions on either of these vehicles. All feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks

JDR76

IS vs GS was a big decision for me when I bought my IS. The sales manager at my dealer summed it up well when I asked for her opinion: "The new IS is absolutely awesome. With that said, the GS is a lot of car for not much more money."

In the end, I chose the IS because 1) I've wanted one for years, and 2) I preferred the styling. While I think the GS is a great looker, I think the IS turns heads more. It's a unique car. It felt younger. Perhaps I am just denying my age, but the GS felt a little too grown up.

I've been happy with my IS, but when we bought it, we weren't planning on having a second child. We are now expecting baby #2 in a few months, and I fear it might get a little tight with the infant seat, but we'll see. My next car probably will be a GS, though I'm hoping to see a good 2016 GS refresh with full spindle.

lexi90

Thanks for sharing. LoL @ "I think the IS turns heads more. It's a unique car. It felt younger. Perhaps I am just denying my age, but the GS felt a little too grown up. " I agree with you - people (lovers + haters) seem to give more looks to the 3IS than the 4GS.

dojoman

iTrader: (5)

If you want sporty car get IS. GS is more towards luxury, but GS does come with most things you cannot get with IS F-sport like memory seats, rain sensor wipers, and parking distance sensors.

drbazing

IS is faster. GS is more luxurious. Boils down to performance when I was making a decision.

lexi90

Really? What are you based on when you say the IS is faster? Perhaps, it is the weight difference between the 2...

lexi90

Those options on the GS sound like a most! We shall see ...

JDR76

Lexus lists the 0-60mph of the RWD IS350 at 5.6 seconds and the RWD GS350 at 5.7 seconds, so the difference is minimal. The RWD GS350 is 202 pounds heavier than the RWD IS350.

Larry96815

Is the rear gear the same? Tranny gear ratios the same?

JDR76

Good question. I have not looked.

I also have not looked up the real world acceleration times of the GS. Motor Trend recently noted the RWD IS350 at 5.6 and the AWD IS350 at 5.3.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

GS interior is exquisite and one of Wards top 10 best interiors. A few more tech goodies like HUD can be had too, but IS should handle better and is more usable with it's 60/40 seats vs GS's pass-thru

SlangBlade

I was in the same boat as you, and at first was convinced I wanted the IS, but after sitting in and driving the GS, I was sold. The IS is probably a touch more fun and agile, but speed-wise they are basically indistinguishable, and if you're buying it to go fast, you're buying the wrong car.

I really could have gone either way and been happy - but there was enough in the GS to sway me. The F-Sport GS basically combines all the features of the F-Sport IS and the Luxury IS into a single package. The ML is awesome, the Cabernet interior is awesome, the Nav screen is awesome - in short, I'm in love with my GS and I have 0 regrets.

The only things the IS has that I'll miss out on are LED headlights (which aren't a deal-breaker, they're cool in theory, but there's no functional advantage), and the size of the car (I like smaller cars). The GS is still 4-5 inches shorter than all the other cars in it's class (E350, 535, A6, etc.) and it feels like it, so I'm happy anyway.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

GS450h has the LED headlights. And if you wait till the refresh the GS will probably gain a full spindle

tea

Gs350 f sport. Hands down

lexi90

I see - difference isn't that huge. Anyways, at the end of the day both cars are fast