I've tested all but the GS so far, and the 545i (before the 550i came out) wtih sport package is truly an extraordinary car. No other sedan will be able to match that handling - no way. I own a 2005 Porsche Boxster S and have a short track license, so I really drive it hard, and that 545i with the dynamic drive feels almost the same weight as the Boxster - it really is tossable in the corners. That said, I don't want to make my decision based on that as I don't drive my sedan to whip around the corners at high speed - it is my comfortable freeway cruiser and family-SUV substitute when we need to switch cars.

I did drive the M45 and thought it impressive in two ways - 1) navigation, and 2) engine power. It is fairly refined, but I am not a big fan of the uber-button interior. The center section of the dash has about 258 buttons on it, and after driving the minimalist 545i soon before that, it seemed like a movie studio mixer board. The door handles are flimsy, other materials seem cheap, so it does have that overall 'almost there' feel to me.

My wife's GX470 is really a great vehicle, so I will consider the GS430 as well when the time comes (around February) but because I own my own company I lease my cars, and Lexus is not exactly fair or competitve in leases, particularly compared to BMW's very agressive money factors. While the 550i is far more pricey similarly equipped, the lease on it may turn out to be significantly lower than the GS430, even wtih the high residuals.

If I like the GS430, it will have serious consideration, but in the end it may come out to 'the deal'. I LOVE the look of the new GS - aside from the A8L I think it is the most attractive sedan out there, particularly in white for some reason, so that carries some weight with me as the the E60 BMW needs some 'getting used to'.

Overall, I have to say, it is a great time to be shopping for a luxury sports sedan - some fantastic choices.

 

why choose gs ? BECAUSE IT'S JUST PLAIN SEXY!!

 

I have a 2006 BMW 530xi too and knock on wood it's doing great! I am also a both a Lexus and BMW owner.

If I didn't need AWD, I would have seriously considered the new GS430 over the 530i Sport (since in the same price range), however I would easily choose the new BMW 550i over the GS430 is price were not an issue.

 

FYI, just confirmed this by installing lastnight on my SC300. The GS430 Wheels do clear the TT brakes with less than 1mm of clearance!! Will add 5mm spacers for added security...

 

good to know. so just barely, huh?

 

Not to resurrect what may be a soon-to-be-resurrected dead horse, but I hope people who've tried to turn their 06 gs300 into a 2JZ-GTE have noticed that they have not a 2JZ but a 3GR under their hood. Lexus/Toyota engines are confusing in this displacement, as they have about 4 different models between 3 and 4 litres, and that's just counting the 6-cylinder ones that are currently in production.

Now, I'll add to the post. To those of you who own other lexuses (specifically RXs and the new IS), where do you stand on the GS? Does the added weight put it that far behind the IS? Is the RX that much more practical?