As I have mentioned in the past, I think the largest "problem" the for the 3GS has been the ES 350. To all of us, the GS would probably be a clear choice over the ES because it's RWD and somewhat more performance oriented but to the car buying public, the ES is slightly larger and more comfortable, offers nearly all of the same features, costs noticeably less, and isn't really a significantly different driving car unless you start to get aggressive.

As mentioned above, I have given my opinions on the ES vs. GS several times, and did so after I drove both for a few weeks in the summer of 2007. The GS 300/350's artificial steering and "numb" driving experience really don't feel drastically different from the ES 350 in every day driving. If you start to get aggressive then yes, the ES feels front heavy and has more body roll but it is not the "boat" that the old ES 330 was, while the 2GS was sharper steering and feeling than the 3GS.

Six years ago, the difference between an ES330 and GS 300/430 was night and day. Today, drive an ES 350 and GS 350 back-to-back and it's more like the difference between night and dusk, so to speak. They're a lot alike, believe it or not. Both cars have moved more towards the middle from their respective "extremes" and the end result has been "Why pay 10K more for a GS?".

This generation of ES is stiffer, sharper, and more grown up. It's far from a 5 series, but for the buyer looking for a midsize sedan that is comfortable, well appointed with competitive luxury features, has potent engine, and a premium badge there is little reason to look anywhere else. Cars like the 5 series and E class offer more tech, more performance, and more passion, but cost twice as much. Problem is...the GS is one of those cars but does not offer as much sport as the 5 or E, and does not offer any significant technology aside from the hybrid powertrain from the GS 450h.

As the ES 350 bulked up and brushed up, this generation of GS was debuted with lackluster powertrain options, completely unsporty driving dynamics, ultra-artificial steering, and mediocre handling. While I would usually say that there is nothing wrong with "unsporty", between the similarly sized and optioned, lower priced ES, and the higher line, higher profle LS, the GS has simply been forgotten- because it is not significantly different from the other two. The only way to go is sportier- harder, better steering, handling, and more power so that it doesn't feel anything remotely like an ES 350 or LS 460. There needs to be a compelling reason to buy a GS over an ES or LS because right now- there isn't.

Many of you have mentioned exterior and interior styling to be a weak point for the GS, and while I can understand those qualms, I think they are hardly the reason for it's demise. Parked next to an A6, STS, M, E, and 5 series, the GS holds it's own. It's now four-and-a-half years old so yes, this design is supposed to look somewhat dated. Even then, it is still sleek, sexy, and athletic in overall exterior appearance. The front lower fascia could have been more interesting, and the rear could use a little pizzaz as well, and the 17" wheels on the 06-07 were perhaps the worst wheel option possible, but this is not a bad looking car. With the right wheels and the right color, I actually think it is downright sexy and I always have.

The interior, much like the exterior, is 8/10ths of the way there. Like Mike, I think that the detail and design in the doors is truly beautiful. It's very unique and tastefully done with wood and leather in the right places. The center stack however, is quite plain though user friendly and simple. The eight circular buttons on either side of the nav screen just don't look as tastefully integrated and well executed as they could. The LS and IS have a better design here, IMO. Other than that, there is little to complain about in my eyes. Unlike other Lexus models, it maintained most of the wood from the previous generation, has attractive and comfortable seats, and a seating position that is more reminiscent of a cockpit than any other Lexus. I have harped on and on about interior color choices, and this is certainly a sore spot for the 3GS. When you pay $50-65K for a car, you want more interior choices than a Toyota Corolla. They really dropped the ball, but the grey and black interiors are nice...cashmere is less attractive IMO.

We often talk about the difference between enthusiasts and average car buyers, and as I have now made obvious, the 3GS has not resonated with either. In terms of value, it is spanked by the ES and in terms of Lexus-like prestige and features, the LS 460 obliterates it. It's sales are being cannibalized from both top and bottom by cars that wear the same badge. For enthusiasts, it is not even as brash as the 2GS, let alone the 5 series and others. It's easy to say, "To the average consumer, horsepower and handling don't matter," but this generation GS has proven that the opposite is true. When dropping $50+K on a midsize, RWD luxury sport sedan, it does seem to matter. Someone is bound to raise the BMW 528i comparison, but I am sure that the 535i and 550i both handily outsell the GS 350 and GS 460, and neither have the in-house competition from an ES-type vehicle.

I really hope that the 3GS has been a learning experience for Lexus. The disappointment for many of us on this forum is because the 2GS was a ground breaking car in nearly every regard. Lexus did not follow up on that formula the third time around, and instead gave us a car that is less sporty and less compelling, while it's LS and ES brothers made their own compelling cases for purchase. With the 4GS, Lexus needs to set out to create a sporty, luxurious, high tech midsize sedan with a "no-holds" attitude. It's clear that Lexus was afraid to step on the LS' heels in terms of power and technology, meanwhile the German competition carries twice the content of the GS. Between it's own brothers (LS and ES) and the competition (5, E, A6, etc) the GS has simply been forgotten- and rightfully so. It's just not the car it once was. I am crossing my fingers that they get it right next time...

One product that always perplexed me was the GS. You would have middle age successful business men and women come in, drive it, and then come back for a drink while their salesman got the numbers together. I'd ask what they thought and the response was ALWAYS the same: "It just doesn't drive quite like the Bimmer. Have you driven that 5xxi? The GS just isn't right..I dunno." or "The E Class is smoother and the interior just seems a lot nicer." You also hear that the back is small or the headroom is cramped, but I never failed to hear comparisons to the 5 and E in which the GS never fared well. Most GS buyers were people looking to upgrade from ESs or downsize from LSs. A lot of IS owners I talked to aspire to 5 series or E classes, not GSs. There is a big disconnect here for Lexus.

Overall, I would have a hard time buying the GS over the ES (though the GS 350 might sweeten the deal for me). The GS looks great inside and out, but does not have the demeanor to match it's sporty looks and cockpit. Awkard steering throws off the entire driving experience, while the rest of the car really seems flawless. The ES, while less attractive inside and out, offers many of the same features for less money, is slightly more comfortable for rear passengers, and to be honest, is more pleasant to pilot. It also has a better sized trunk, and somehow the SmartKey works way better and much faster on the ES than the GS. Walk up and just reach for the handle, and the lights pop on, the car unlocks. With the GS you have to walk up and grab the handle for a second, and then it unlocks. Minor detail, but noteworthy none the less. The GS is also not significantly sportier than the ES until you really get into it, and even then the steering soils the experience for me. I feel like Lexus needs to put greater emphasis on making the GS a drivers car when the ES is similarly sized, featured, powered, and costs less money. The ES is really no longer a boat, and does not create the same drama in mildly spirited driving that the ES 330 did. The GS needs to be established as a sportier car that drives significantly different from the ES, because as I really see it now, there isn't much reason to spend an extra $10K on the GS when the ES is really a good car for the money

Why would Lexus totally go at a different Market with the ES when the current model sells so well? It just sold 4k in a downmarket and sells better than newer cars! The ES market is older and Lexus won't abandon them.

The GS has a MUCH MUCH MUCH more competitive segment today than with the 2GS. The 2GS had the E/5 and a bunch of also rans. Today the 3GS has some serious competition from EVERYONE from the A6 to even the new Genesis as bitkahuna has stated.