TerrySmith

EDIT: I'm sure you've all been waiting with baited breath to see how this turns out. Well, a decision has been made and if you give a rip, see post 32 to see what it is.

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Because of the pending 4th generation GS, a local dealer has good deals on 2011 GS 450hs.

My rough math says if I trade in my 2003 LS and lease a GS for 3 years, the cost of driving for the next 3 years would be about the same. But at the end of the 3 years I would turn in the GS and have nothing, whereas if I stick with my LS, at the end of the 3 years I'd have a then 12-year-old LS. I guess insurance and license fees would go up as well. City gas milage would improve a bit with the GS.

The theory is that at the end of the 3-year lease, I could get something new like a GS F or LS F Sport or something to keep me entertained. Also, since it's a lease, I could use the GS as the daily commuter and keep the IS F safe in the garage for weekends.

GS has latest electronics, is faster and handles better.

LS is plusher, quieter and smoother ride and has more room in the back seat and trunk and is pretty nice. Everything still works perfectly on the LS.

What say you all?

Terry in Sunnyvale
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2003 LS430 UL (aka Betty)
2011 IS F ML (aka Jail Bait)

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

It's a personal choice really. What matters more to you? The electronics and performance of the GS or the luxury plush and size of the LS? I'd base your decision off of which one matters more to you!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

if you plan to get something in 3 yrs anyway (gsf), might as well stick with the ls430 till then

spwolf

whats the actual deal like - or rather, what would be the difference vs buying 2013 GS450h, in your monthly payments?

Also, whats your monthly fuel bill?

TerrySmith

You are correct, but was hoping for some thoughts for others. Not sure if Car Chat is right forum, but since the question involves both an LS and a GS, I did not know where else to put the question.

Thanks for the response.

Terry in Sunnyvale
___________________________________________________
2003 LS430 UL (aka Betty)
2011 IS F ML (aka Jail Bait)

TerrySmith

The 2011 GS has an MSRP of about $64K and the dealer (Lexus of Stevens Creek) has several for around $52K to $54K. The advertised lease price for 3 years is $765/month.

I'm not sure what my 2003 LS UL is worth. It's in great shape, new timing belt, 72K miles, everything works, but has two star cracks on the windshield and several tiny paint chips (exposing primer) on the front from rocks.

My commute is short with lots of stops, very bad way to drive a car, so a lease (or old beater) would be ideal.

Not sure the gas bill would change much because of the short commute, but the hybrid might get 22 MPG for city commute verses 15 to 18 MPG city I get commuting with every car I've used on this commute.

Terry in Sunnyvale
___________________________________________________
2003 LS430 UL (aka Betty)
2011 IS F ML (aka Jail Bait)

TerrySmith

That's probably the wisest (though most boring) approach and I think that's what I will do. Turns out it's hard to give up an LS.

Terry in Sunnyvale
___________________________________________________
2003 LS430 UL (aka Betty)
2011 IS F ML (aka Jail Bait)

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

you would have to drive about 20,000 a month to have the mpg gain pay for your lease payment.

qft.

haha. the only reason to do the lease is if money isn't much of an issue and you're bored of the LS and want something fun and unique to drive for the next 3 years and don't need a lot of trunk space.

J.P.

Sell the LS and use the money to help you digest the depreciation of driving the IS-F everyday which is far more fun and entertaining.

Wait 3 years, sell IS-F, buy GS-F, repeat

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

I like this plan

1WILLY1

iTrader: (9)

are u really conzidering tradin a beautiful 430 vvith lovv mileage zo u can leaze a nevver car,,,,,,,,,that iz the vvorzt idea ive heard in a vvhile............... for many reazonz

zorry my keyboard iz broken zo pleaze forigve me zpelling.

spwolf

do you know what your monthly bill is for fuel? approx? Because you will probably get 20% better MPG in new 2013 GS... I would say new 2013 GS might be even 20% more efficient than 2011 GSh. So the monthly price difference shrinks by that amount, and you get brand new model, wonderful one, with big trunk, better interior and handling... for probably $50 per month :-)

rominl

iTrader: (4)

well you still have the isf in the mean time for "fun" so i think it's a balance.

TerrySmith

All these ideas have been going through my head and all lead in different directions which causes my indecision.

Another idea is sell the LS and get something cheaper to tear up on my short, cold-engine commutes. Maybe a leased CT200h or even a leased IS250?? I'm warming up to the idea of leasing a car for commuting since that part of my driving is very hard on the car. I don't like using either the IS F or LS for that. The somewhat irrational but not regretted decision to trade in my '99 ES300 for the IS F left me with no appropriate commuter car.

I think the GS450h option is not going to happen at this point.

And doing nothing is easiest.

Anyway, I appreciate all the thoughts. It's made the decision process more fun.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

A CT200h is a good choice, assuming they are no longer hard to find. I would keep the LS though. You could buy wheels and lower it to make it more exciting. A nice exhaust would be good too.