Strad6708

Hey guys,

I monitor the LS board religiously, but never post here. I have an 08 GS350 AWD but I am contemplating moving to an LS460 short wheelbase in order to achieve a more luxurious ride and a more spacious interior. A few questions for you:

1. The GS350's ride is actually quite superb, even with the runflats, but how much smoother and quieter can I expect the LS460 to be? Are they worlds apart or quite comparable?

2. Do any of you experience cabin rattles or other inappropriate noise? I love my GS350, but I have been disappointed with the great many rattles and noises from around the cabin that the GS has been plagued with.

3. Will the 19" 5-spoke touring wheels available on the long wheelbase version fit on the short wheelbase LS? Can the dealer do some sort of swap or is this a special order? Lastly, will these touring wheels impact the ride? I love the look of these wheels, but want as cushy a ride as possible.

4. I see the main difference between the comfort and comfort plus package is the advanced parking guidance system. It also appears that you can only get rear side airbags with the plus package? Is that true? If so, that's ridiculous to have to spend several thousand extra for airbags that come standard on my GS.

5. My GS is leased, so would there be a penalty for trading it in significantly (as in 3 years) early? When I leased the GS, the salesperson told me I could trade it in early without consequence as long as I was getting another Lexus. Is this true?

Thanks so much for any help you guys can provide!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i owned ls460l (air suspension) and i have driven a lot of ls460 (sprnigs/shocks). i also own gs350 now. so here's what i think

1) the ls460 ride is far smoother and quieter than the gs350, it's no comparison. totally different, in the ls460 you don't really feel anything

2) some people have wind noise problems, other than that the car is solid. i didn't have any problem with my ls460l, my gs350 had some rattles

3) yes it will fit on swb no problem. whether dealerships would do or not, that's up to them. of course the 19" will make the ride a bit harsher, but i don't think it will be worse than the gs350 with 18s

4) i don't know about options on swb

5) you have to talk to your dealership and try to work out a deal. basically they will buy back your car, that's how it will work. negotiation

Johnny

If you decide to swap to the 5-spoke 19s, your dealer will probably charge you an arm and a leg. You can buy PPOs (Post Port Option wheels) that are virtually new from one of our vendors, Sewell Lexus. They sell a set of four wheels for $1200. You might also consider ordering an extra one for your spare, as it is full-sized.

Click here.

As for a difference in the ride, I found it barely noticeable going from my 460 to the 600, except when you push it. The lower profile tires do track better though.

maratus

Sorry for a bit of off-topic... but can you compare LS460's ride with air suspension and springs?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

the air suspension ride is noticeably better than springs/shocks, especially on highly uneven road. over speed bumps and such i say they are pretty close to each other

but don't expect super dramatic difference though. also keep in mind in most occasion i only had 2 people including me in the car. i don't know the effect of having more people, where supposedly the air suspension would perform better

tommyd3

I drove a LS460L at the Lexus event in Miami a week ago. It was extremely smooth riding and quiet. I was very impressed. This week I drove a LS460 on the highway back to back with my GS350. Even used my sound level meter. The difference on the meter was less than 1 dB (within measurement error). The GS had more mid/high frequency tire noise (course pavement), but the LS had more low frequency noise. There really was not enough difference to justify the price difference. Also the LS has looser steering and does not handle as well. Have not driven the L version on the same section of highway. Based on the SWB comparison I have dropped the pursuit of the LS and saved myself some BIG bucks (only to be lost in the stock market today) !!!!

sellshomes

I've had the 2008 LS460L for 300 miles so far.

I also have the 2001 LS430 Ultra since new.

The 2008 LS460L is by far, the quietest, and softest ride of any car I've ever driven. This is my 6th Lexus, the LS460L is the best ride ever.

I've driven the GS many times as a loaner, different car, different ride but still a Lexus.

Kunal

I will also be planning in the near future to buy GS450 or the LS460L but, styling alone has me pulling towards the LS!