Being a newbie to the Lexus world I'm looking for a little advice.
I'm looking at the GS, ES and LS models. Planning to spend 23k or less.

From what I've gathered so far:
GS is more sporty
ES is more like an upgraded Avalon
LS is the Luxury full size car.

What else differentiates these models?
I read on the toyotanation forum that the LS430 is rock solid a very dependable well built car. Some of these are available for 9 or 10k with just 100k miles. This seems like very good bang for the buck used car. Opinions please.

 

oh, god...

 

why? I have no intention of causing trouble. If the answers are already out there please point me to them.

 

Depends what you are looking for. You already laid out the differences between them.

I can only recommend you test drive them all to see the differences.

 

Correct......but the IS is still sportier.


Yes......a lot of similarities between the two.

Yes...and IMO one of the best full-size luxury cars in production.

To my tastes, as I mentioned in the other thread, I have long felt the LS430 was one of the best products Lexus ever did. It is almost totally comfort-oriented, lacking the firm ride and quick steering response of many newer and or/smaller cars with stiffer suspensions and lower-profile tires.

 

Had all of them before, and if I were to get one again, I would go for the LS. Just make sure to avoid the ultra luxury model, the air suspension is bond to fail before 100k, and its 1k in part per corner. But other goodies came with the UL package is good and unique to UL only, that's why I had two of them lol.
but Gs350 is also good, and compare to LS430, it has more modern design and tech.
ES is just a reliable daily, while comfortable, it has zero fun in it.
So you really need to drive them all and see what fits you the best.
As MMarshall always says: happy car shopping!

 

Thanks guys!!!!!

I've driven a GS 350 AWD and loved it. I sat in a ES and was going to drive it but noticed damage to the side view mirror, and other flaws that made it clear it had not been well cared for. I passed on that test drive.

We have a 2003 LS 430 close by I am supposed to drive today. Private seller. Car looks nice. Only 119k miles. But it is the V8, RWD. This means less than 20mpg and not so good in snow. Plus the 05 and 06 LS430 look so much more stylish.

 

Yes, get the 04+ LS, updated styling and 6 speed trans.

 

Depends on your driving as to if the V8 in the LS models is efficient. In town, no, on the highway, keep your speed down to 70 or so, 25mpg.

Personally I'd up your budget about $5,000 and see if you can buy a 2013 or 2014 Lexus GS. You might be able to score one for 23k, but its going to have more miles on it.

 

I can go up to 25, but the one 2014 GS I found is over 30.

I drove the 03 LS 430, nice ride but I prefer the GS sporty feel. The hunt continues.

 

Look for a 2013 GS. Same car as the 2014.

 

"Old Man's" feel? Excuse me, but me (and my closest auto-buddy) liked big, soft-riding luxury cars when we were in our late teens.......yes, high school and college. We didn't see any need to restrict them to geezers. And I enjoyed driving them more than I did the classic muscle cars of the era....though I had experience with both.

 

I'm 35 and I love my big old man sedan. Thats why there are different options. No big deal.

 

Of course, and you are certainly not alone......many others feel the way you do, especially in the auto mags and enthusiast-circles. But my point was that the old-man stereotype of bigger luxury cars tends to get overdone....as do other automotive stereotypes that say a straight man can't drive a VW Beetle/Cabrio, older women can't drive Mustangs or Corvettes, Escalades and Navigators are for rappers and pro athletes, Schoolteachers/Professors all drive Volvos, or that a guy with a family has to put up with a stigma if he buys a minivan.

 

I'm 36 but I got my first LS430 UL back when I was 23 or 24 lol.