Listen

there is no need to have a Lexus when you come to these meets

the fact that you are considering one is reason enough to come meet up

with us

just bring some good lookin women and we'll overlook the fact that you dont have a Lexus just yet.....

johnny

 

all I can say is that I sometimes drive my girlfriends '01 IS and it feels like it's tired compared to my GS400. Matter of fact, she drove my car recently following me to the Harley Dealer on my bike, and after she got out of the car she gushed about wanting to trade her IS in on a GS.....for the difference in power and luxury as well.

Funny you should mention the Jeep Cherokee I6, I just picked one up and have spent the last month or so modding it to get ready for the winter. Can you say "Eric's GS = garage queen" this winter?? I love my jeep.

Good luck on your decision. I can honestly say the only thing that bothers me about my GS is the lack of handling, which can easily be remedied. Oh, and the acceleration delay that is sometimes present due to the "drive-by-wire" system used for the GS. Also easily remedied by e-shift as Guitarman pointed out.

 

Hmmm I didn't really even think of that. My dad has a 2.2L 135hp automatic Accord (2002) and I drove it last week with everybody in the car and it went fine. Of course I didn't step on the gas but even with a motor this small it was fine for getting around, while keep the revs low the whole time (4spd auto).

Anyway, does tiptronic improve gas mileage? Is it faster than if you were to drive the car in 'auto' mode? Is it faster than a GS430 when used this way?

My first car was a 1996 Dodge Neon with a 130hp 2.0L Mitsubishi engine (they are all like that) with a 5spd manual transmission. I didn't like the car but I did like driving the manual transmission. After about a year I got rid of the Neon and got a 1998 Jeep Cherokee auto 4.0L. I hated the fact it was automatic initially, but after driving it for just a little while I forgot all about the manual transmission. Automatics are just so smooth and yet still powerful when you need them to be. I want to check out the GS400's tiptronic, but imo the GS400 looks even more out of date than the GS430. AND, I may even end up getting the 2006 IS or 2001 LS instead of the GS. Of course I won't know until I go out on some test drives...

2005 / 2006 IS300
2000 GS400
2001 LS430
2002-2003 GS430

Don't forget I won't be buying for another year, so while a 2003 GS430 might be out of my $25-35k price range now, next year I will probably be able to get my hands on one (not certified of course).

Thanks for all the recommendations and help guys. For those of you without tiptronic transmissions, do you really mission driving a manual transmission? My days of driving super fast everywhere are over (until I can afford a German V8 or V12, or some Italian exotic lol) . After driving auto for a while you tend to forget all about manual... or is this just me?

 

Drive by wire I thought increased response time? It's all electronic instead of relying on physical wires pulling on the throttle bodies (do I have this right?). With a decent sized V8 I couldn't imagine there being any delays in power. I have a 2.3L 4cyl.... it's pathetic. Worst of all, I am ditching this car for a 1990 Accord in about a month (to cut all car costs and help me save up for the Lexus) which has an even smaller and weaker engine. It should also be light too so it shouldn't be too much different from the Accord I have now.

If I do get the GS I may throw in some anti-sway bars front and back and maybe do something with the suspension, but who knows. I haven't even driven one, but based on what most of you guys say it seems that is something I will probably end up considering in time. Performance-wise I couldn't imagine being upset at all with this car based on the cars I've been driving so far. A guy I work with has a 2002 or 2003 Dodge Intrepid with a 3.5L V6 and 244hp. It looks about the same size as the GS with a less power (and less refined) motor, but still I've driven it and it does move very well. So, I really can't imagine a GS400 or GS430 disappointing at all in any way....

If I can end up going to a few of those Lexus meets then hopefully I'll get to check out some of the cars I'm interested in and see first-hand what it is all of you love / dislike about each car.

 

You have it right. In theory, Drive by wire should increase response time, however a few owners who have owned/driven both the GS400 & GS430 commented that the GS430 has a slight hesitation.

 

IMO the GS is more refined than my G35 sedan was. The Infiniti was a great sports sedan, leaning more towards sport than luxury. Over the past four years I had an equal number of Nissan products 02 Altima(5-spd), 02 Maxima (6-spd), 03 G35 Sedan and Coupe. Of all I wish I kept the Maxima. Inexpensive and great engine. Infiniti does offer great service and a quality car. The Altima was a piece of crap and that's putting it lightly. Too many first run glitches.

The biggest improvement I got with Lexus was the interior. The Lexus interior is appointed with rich materials and intelligently positioned controls. I didn't have to read the manual for any function or nav features.

Don't worry about "how many are on the road". People will continue to buy Bimmers b/c they are great driver's cars! I even looked at the 03 540i but I felt better with the long term quality of Lexus vs. BMW.