Hi,

First post here at CL. Been lurking for the past couple months to consume as much '06 GS speculation as possible!
Test drove the '06 GS430 and 300 this week. Currently drive an black/tan '00 GS300, chrome rims/dark tint/self chromed grille/full wood grain instrument panel and center console.

My initial thoughts/differences.

Handling: '06 models have much tighter steering which adds to the whole sporty makeover. I'm no expert but it seems like a significant improvement over 2nd GEN.
Exterior: Nice new lines and shapes. I fell in love with the 2nd GEN body style so it is going to be hard to upgrade to the new model. Although I might be in the minority I wish they had kept the oval shaped rear window design(even though they aren't really glass). Overall I think the body design in a winner.

Interior: Is it just me or does the new interior feel completely different from 2nd GEN? The seats are definitely tight, It feels like it was custom fit to my body! The new instrument panel was nice with a cool look. Center console storage is good, but I don't care much for the sliding lid. Cup holders are just as good as 2nd GEN(love that!). I'm 6'2" and the leg room and comfort in GS 2nd and 3rd GENs are excellent. In original pictures I thought the drop down panel of seldom used buttons on the driver side was kind of strange, but it definitely cleans up the dash. I think it was a good idea and will start to grow on people. My only complaint with the interior is the lighting. I took one test drive at night and at stops I would turn on the overheads, they were not very bright, could barely see anything, perhaps I missed something. On a whole, the interior is awesome, sporty sporty sporty.

Trunk: Average, the opening is too small. My 2nd GEN fits four golf bags and shoes with no problem. The '06 might require some goofy angles to accomplish the same feat. I DO like the new back seat/trunk pass through, not available on my '00.

Power: After driving both 300 and 430 I definitely think I want to upgrade to the 430. I know I've read the 4.3L v8 engine is the same in 05 and 06, but I've driven both years and for some reason the '06 definitely gave healthier responses when caressing that accelerator.

Overall Impression: I think Lexus is definitely going for a change with this new model. Sport over Elegance. I LOVE my 2nd GEN(I went into depression once when I had to leave her at Lexus service for an entire weekend! YES, I am talking about a car. )

After reading some of these boards I definitely want to test drive the new M45 and MB E-Class before I make my final decision on a new ride.

Thanks to everyone for such great posts and information!

 

Size matters because you're 6'2" and the new GS has a longer wheelbase and more legroom. The sliding center armrest slides back to reveal the rocker switches and seat heater rollers. For Hobbits (5'9") like me the position with it back was not quite right but perfect when I slid it forward to cover the switches. I have another customer who has had a GS400 and a GS300 now. He has also had a 545i BMW which he liked a lot. We test drove the AWD and here in the East we get 100% run flats. He felt that the new GS3 was noisier than his Gen 2 inline 6 and I agree. This engine is set up very hot and gets its performance in the upper range. When it begins to Rev you may hear a tapping sound that could easily be mistaken for valve train tap but it is not. You are hearing the mechanical fuel pump ticking away on the other side of the firewall. For those who are hypersensitive to extraneous noise it may take some getting used to or it could be stressful. Nothing is wrong but it is the perception that something could be wrong that creates doubt and worry. We then took the GS430 and it didn't take long for a big smile to appear and a nod of his head. He said that was a lot like his BMW 545i. I told him that the 430 had 18" runflats and right away he wanted to know if he could change them out for Yokohamas that have a decibel reduction in the tread pattern which he liked on his 2nd Gen. The GS430 engine had to be made noisier in fact for this car as it is very civilized until you rev it and then starts to growl some.

Interior lighting is also one of my favorite things on the new GS. The white LED's are not as warm as the pilot lamps on the 2nd gen. yet there are many of them hiding in the most unlikely places. This car is the most extensively lit Lexus. Little overhead spots that are always on and more can be added to without glare in the driver's eyes. The puddle lamps say welcome back when you get near the car with your key fob. The little spotlight on the steering wheel is a nice entry helper. The back seat has their own maps and overhead spots.

I drove the E350 4Matic yesterday and was impressed with the acceleration, the interior, the solid feel. It had a different character than the Lexus as it felt very heavy. The controls were as inscrutable as ever but that was no surprise. While driving I wanted to change the Radio station from the presets of the lot attendant and found it a little tedious. Then I checked the bass which required hitting a tiny switch just on the edge of the Nav screen and then drop my hand down to the joystick control and watch the screen bar graph. I am spoiled by the LCD touch screens of the Lexus but that is to be expected. As most of you know I used to sell Mercedes but I would need some time to figure out the controls. The plus minus shifter gave me no indication what was going on when I moved it left and right. This is not a natural shifting motion but I could adapt. The steering wheel had a spongy feel that was comfortable and easy to grasp. The sound system was Harmon Kardon and very good. This car was priced in the $56,500 range and exuded quality and tradition. The Nav system wasn't active or the phone so I couldn't compare. It did have a nice set of door sunshades on the back doors. It was riding on 16" all seasons and felt plush. I would rate this car highly on its drive and so so on ergonomics.

 

I'm a rather new member, but have read almost every single post during the past 3 weeks.

We went to one Lexus dealer after lunch on Saturday and drove a GS 300AWD, but a Salesman came along for the ride and told us exactly what route to drive. Although a very brief ride, we were both impressed (with the ride, not the salesman).

We then went to the other Lexus dealer in town and he gave us the keys (Key fob) and said "see you when you return". We took it on the freeway, then on some winding city streets. This second test drive was much longer and a much better dealer experience.

Again, we were both impressed. The attention to detail is excellent. Lexus went to great lengths to eliminate all the overly cluttered center console controls found on other cars in this category. We liked how the armrest hid the controls not used real often and the drop box next to the steering wheel.

I have read other posts regarding Horse Power being rather inadequate compared to other cars in this category, we didn't notice this during our test drive. I think you could never have enough HP, but we feel when putting everything together (quality, reliability, looks, handling, etc.) this car is a great choice.

I'm waiting until March 1st to see what the new IS 350 looks like, but my wife has already made up her mind so we are waiting for her GS 300 AWD (Mercury Metallic, Black Interior) to arrive at the dealership.

 

I have tried to explain to the CL forum that this is a common situation. I hope you guys that are considering a new sports sedan are being extra considerate to your better halves. They ask all of the cogent questions and are very practical. How does it park? ( what is the turning circle?) Can you see out the back? ( They really like the backup camera) Does it offer a hands free phone? (What do you want for Dinner, Honey?) and they have that inate sense of style. ( I really like the wood steering wheel) They like not getting stuck in the snow and they like rubber mats in the winter too. They will instinctively check out the vanity mirrors......They are a decisive sex and God bless them!

 

Thanks for the input Rock.
My better half and I have been on about a 3 month hiatus , hence the need to find a new recipient for my affection Everytime I wash, wax and shine the rims on my '00 GS I fall in love all over again!!
Anyways, I took the M45 Sport for a test drive today. I have to say, it went beyond my expectations and is seriously making my decision harder. Since I drove the '06 GS430 on Friday night and M45 Saturday morning I was able to really notice the extra power the M45 exerts. We drove it through a windy road in a corporate park and the salesman was like "STEP ON THE GAS!". It hugged the road nicely and the feel of accelerating through the curves was unlike no other. The turning radius was incredible, it took U-turns as if the wheels were chained to the center median. I was quite impressed with the M performance. The interior dash is a little bit awkward, but I could learn to live with it. The build quality of the M seems much better than older Infiniti models. The interior felt very solid. The standard 19" sport rims are very sweet. Overall I was really pleased with the car but are people(including me) going to pay $50k+ for just a sport sedan? Lexus GS still has quality and elegance plus the GS430 adds a little bit of sport performance to the mix. I've gotta sleep on it.

 

I'm glad to hear someone else say something positive about the M45. But my question is.....Did it feel like a $50k car. Would you buy one not knowing the hood ornament?

 

That was an entertaining test drive post and I live for that. You've got the fever bad. If your not getting enough juice out of the GS430 then save a little more dough and in May' 06 the revolutionary GS450h will have torque on demand. What is the URL of the Infiniti Club so I can see what kind of mods are available for the old M45 next year? How about a 6 speed or a 7 speed tranny for starters? Where's an old 427 Cobra when you need one? Now that's a fast car. A super charged Hemi. I love em all even those other Rice burners. Hope it works out with the Mrs. Cars are no substitute for Love.....