I'm surprised people are trading in their GSs for a 300C because I consider it to be a downgrade, although it would be a little understandable if it's the SRT. I think that "baby Bently" line of thinking is drawing buyers over to it, but they will realize that there's not much else that's spectacular about that car.

I also believe the folks who are trading their GSs for BMWs and Benzs generally do it for the nameplate and possibly driving ability (in the case of BMW) because, in general, these cars have a lower rate of reliability and just about the same luxury compared to Lexus.

I'm also surprised that the dealership ChuckB pointed out couldn't sell that low mileage platinum edition GS4 for a decent price until they went on Ebay after two months. The GS is such a great car, especially for the price.

 

Im definetely tired of my gs 300 which is a lil slow for my taste. My next car will most likely be an m3. I relize that Lexus has better quality but driving an m3 is too fun. The GS300 has no juice.

 

Thats how I started to feel about my GS400, but trust me a little boost goes a long way in terms of making an old car feel brand new.

Its cheaper to add boost and no monthly car payment, think about it.

 

Believe me, I drove by that car about 4-5 times a week taking my son to pre-school. I really wanted to ditch my ES for it but I had just bought my 430 about 3 months ago. That car was even under factory bumper to bumper for like 3 more months.

 

Anybody besides me old enough to remember The Green Hornet TV show? I think the car was a 60's Lincoln with a cheesy custom job... chopped top, not sectioned to balance it out. Kind of a batmobile wannabe. Well, thats the Chrysler 300. Or was it the Green Lantern?

 

I'm in the process of selling my '01 GS430, but I've already bought the replacement, an '04 Audi S4 6MT. Really loving the new car! Not quite as spacious as the GS, but just as nice inside (in an Audi vs. Lexus way, of course), very quick, and incredibly stable.

 

That's why lots of the CL members recommend GS4 when someone posts whether to buy a GS3 or GS4.

 

Chuck -- why were you considering getting rid of your 430 for that car? I think you said you bought your car with what, 24,000 miles? What was the rationale? Color? I thought you liked your color.

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If your serious about the srt model, better get your name on the waiting list now. According to my Car & Driver, Chrysler plans to limit production to 10,000 units per year.

 

Maybe I am crazy. But I traded in the Gs4 in August for a new Tahoe Z71. It is so nice in the snow and winter month vs. the GS. But I miss the GS on a daily basis. Here are some pictures.
http://z71tahoe-suburban.com/iboard/...CODE=12&CID=45

No complaints thus far except that I have 10k on it in 4 months. thats more than I used to put onthe GS4 in a year!!

 

I wasn't. I also have an ES 300. I was gonna keep my 430 and get the 400
This is wife's car I would have traded or sold.

 

Oh, I get it. So, what made you decide against doing it?

 

Well, the ES is paid for and with a 3 year old boy and prego wife at the time(I now have a 4week old boy) it just wasn't logical. The ES just hit 80k and is actually a better family/wife car than a GS because of fwd ,bigger rear interior and trunk. The ES really is a decent car too.

If I'm not carefull I'm afraid a minivan will be looming in the future

 

Congrats on the newborn Chuck. Welcome to the 2 boy club (and the lack of sleep club). Our first boy just turned 4 and our second (also a boy) is about 2 1/2. Shortly before we had our second child, the wife got a brand new MDX and I got her 99 ES. Nice car, but just not for me. I drove it for 2 years, and then bought the 98 GS4 and sold the ES. In case you couldn't tell, I'm kicking myself now because I should have held out for either (1) a 98 or 99 GS4 with HID and Nak; or (2) an 01 430. I'm doing the math, and now that I have the 98, I don't see how I can make the numbers work to get a 98-00 with the options I want or an 01. Don't get me wrong -- my 98 seemed like a great find at the time (absolutely flawless condition, adult driven, all maintence, low miles -- 54k), it's just that after a year, I'm realizing that I could have done better. Someone on this site once said, if you going to do it, do it right the first time. I wish I had found this site prior to buying the car -- I found it a week or two after.

 

Even Chrysler admits they are shocked by the number of import trade-ins for the 300C. What is going to happen is simple. The car is very hot right now. In a year, besides every one and their mother having one (remember, the base model starts at 24k, where most are sold), between the image it projects (think Escalade) those 300Cs are going to turn up quickly on used car lots. Where young guys will buy them fro 12k and slap 30" wheels on them etc.
I like the 300C but as ya'll stated, clearly a step down.

After being in tons of cars for my search for a GS replacement, it seems, Lexus really outdid themselves with the car. It still looks good and the interior is still very solid and hasn't really aged much. A used GS 300/400 is simply a superb buy.