If somebody offered me a free GS430 or a free E55, I'd take the E55, sell it and buy the GS430.

I cannot live with MB's navigation system/audio system (lack of touch screen, hard to use, etc), and appreciate the bluetooth too much. The engine is not enough for me to sway towards the MB, and the rest of the car is too similar or there are pluses and minuses that cancel each other out.

I'd pocket the rest of the money. If I couldn't sell the E55, I'd still go for the GS430.

OK, now, who's offereing free cars?

 

To further qualify my remarks: I'm a day to day user of the car, not a weekend track racer.

 

I had a conversation with someone over the weekend about heavy jumbo construction loaders. He said the real big ones have a diesel engine generator with 4-500HP electric motors in the wheels.

Now that's torque!

 

heh, E55 vs GS430??? who cares about command, who the **** is playing with command while beating up on vettes and keeping up with Vipers in a 4 door luxury sedan@!#$@

the E55 is incredible..... I made a few offers on some 2004's before I got my M45..... I figured if I could get REALLY good deal on one, I would do it..... but it didn't happen....

 

in connecticut when I am on the roads, either the conditions are crappy or there is so much traffic,350 hp or 500 hp really isnt gonna get me home any quicker.

 

Coming from someone who has both. Get the E55. Trust me...the amount of power in the 55 motor cannot be put into words. Endless torque is what I can put it as. If you go with a Kleemann magic, it'll be disgustingly quick. The GS is nice to just drive everyday in a nice quiet mannor. But the 55 is in a whole league of it's own. Trust me.

 

Didn't know you had yourself a GS also...good to see a fellow mbworlder

 

Obviously their not in the same engine class, but who the *** can beat up on vettes and keep up with vipers during the majority of their driving. We're not talking about weekend driving, or bringing the kids to the race track, we're talking about a practical every day car. The GS is much better as a practical car.

E500 vs GS430 -> GS430 hands down. The E55's engine is great, and very tempting, but it's not practical for every day use. Chalk one against the environment.

It's actually amazing how long this thread has been spun. The GS430 is around 60k and the E55 loaded is 95k. They aren't in the same class, yet there seems to be a conversation about them. This isn't to credit or discredit either vehicles....you can't while comparing the two together. They simply aren't in the same class because of the engine.

 

who cares when you do it, the point is, that you CAN.... 0-60 in just over 4 seconds, anytime you want, you're telling me you can't do that sprint often? if you're going to tell me that isn't a big deal, you haven't been in quick cars... the E55 is a perfectly pratical eveyday driver......

they are the same class of car..... it's just too bad Lexus doesn't build anything to compete....

 

they are same size of the car, however you can buy GS430 and IS350 for the price of E55, that makes them not of the same class of car.

 

Let me ask this, would you like a car that you can drive all the time instead of waiting for it to come out of the shop? If your answer is yes, then go with the GS. No offense or anything, but its known that Lexus is the most reliable car on the market, so far. If you have to drive long distances and can afford time, then by all means get the E55 cuz thats a really fun car to drive, but quite expensive on gas and a bit too much for shorter rides. As for the GS its a better car for an everyday person who is practical and who is more the laid back. I feel that the GS doesn't have that kind of ride that is meant for long distances. The seats have too much room to move around in, making a long journey very tiring. Lexus seats doesn't have that glove fit feeling; holding the body in place giving you that "you drive the vehicle rather than the vehicle drives you" The GS is more relaxing and the steering is lighter, but the steering on the Lexus feels like it has too much play in it and seems like the vehicle drives you. Where as the E55 has a stiffer suspension that allows you to grip turns tighter with a lot more controlled feeling to it and "lock to lock" steering is a lot shorter. But you just have to decide for yourself what you want.

 

heh, if you're worried about gas milage when spending $60 - 85k on a car, you shouldn't be buying EITHER....


my C32 AMG was just as reliable as my GS400.....

 

There's nothing wrong with what your saying, because your a Drag Racing Enthusiast it makes perfect sense, that's your position on things. That's what makes the CL forums so great. Everyone has a various opinion on things based on their backgrounds, hobbies, and lifestyle.

I've driven many fast cars at the elite end of the spectrum. Some I enjoyed, others not so much, but for me, the entire cockpit is important, not just the peddle. The E55 has a nice interior, but the GS has a nicer one. There's more ammenties at the finger tips. These amenities I use on a day to day basis. Perhaps I had more open roads, I'd appreciate the extra HP more so daily. Here in Southeastern CT you don't find yourself stretching the legs of the engine as much.

 

I paid $42 for my GS300 and I'm VERY concerned about gas mileage. A lexus isn't just a "rich person's car". It's a car for people who are willing to spend more than the average person in order to get a certain level of style and comfort.

I've also owned 2 MB's in the last few years, so I know how spotty MB's reliability is. The FACT is that either your C32 is better than average in reliability or your GS is worse than average.

I wouldn't own the current E class for 1 reason ... NO armrest!!!!!

 

Ha ha...sometimes the smallest detail makes the biggest difference.