OK I was about to buy a Silver 2006 GS300 (non navi etc)for about 43900++ from my local dealer. However, I came up on this great website and hear talk about GS350. Sales manager at dealership said he had no idea if it would come out and hadn't heard anything in a meeting he attended. Also said GS300 has enough power..which is true.

I called another dealership who said that the 3.5 GS might come out as a 2007. My lease is up at end of June however my car is out of warranty since it was a 4yr lease and I'm at 52k within limit though.

Should I just wait until the 350 comes out or try to get a good deal on a 300. I was told not to expect any deals on the 350 when they come out in 2007. I think they were just trying to get me to buy in Dec. Any comments or suggestions? Is anyone going to wait?

Thanks,

Jay

 

If I were you, I would cease the moment and get the 300 NOW.

 

As of now, there is no concrete ETA for the GS350. Some sources say 2006 while others point to 2007. If you need it now, get the GS300. If you can hold out for another year, I'd definitely get the GS350 since it will most likely have the 5th Gen navigation system and more.

 

I personally think the GS300 is underpowered (I did drive it) but if you don't than I see nothing wrong with you getting one. I'm personally waiting for the GS350.

Wile there has been no offical release date, I'm guessing it probably will come out in late 06 as an 07 model. Here is my reason as to why I think this. Supposedly in March 06 the RX350 comes out. The new 07 Camry has already been stated to have a 3.5L V6 option with 268 HP. The RX350 should use this same engine as the RXs always have. The new Rav 4 also uses the same 3.5L 268HP V6 option engine. The IS350 already has the DI version of that engine making 306 HP. Just how long can the GS hold out? I'm guessing with the Camry, RX350, and Rav 4, also the 06 Avelon all having 3.5L V6 engines making 268HP the GS350 will have to come out sometime in 06 as an 07 mode with either that engine or the DI version that is already in the IS350l. That is just my guess though.

 

Sounds like the salesperson was giving you the hard sell. Highly doubt a "premium" will be charged on the 350, and I bet discounts will be readily available a short while after release.

If I were in your position, I'd wait for the 350. I would expect that within a few months we'll hear more concrete information about the 350/460. But as SGT posted, the advantage of the 350 is that it should incoporate some improvements seen in the new IS (hopefully bi-xenon headlights, Gen 5 Nav, etc.).

 

Didn't 1Sick already post a thread about the Gen 5 nav in the next model year GS450H? Here is the link below.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=193594

Given all the peices of information, I woulld say the upgrades on the GS will be worth the wait. I'm not sure about the BiXenon though as that would require a front end redesign and loosing of the inner high lights. That would be a major recontruction.

 

the new gs in 06 as an 07 will be the hybrid GS. The gs 350 will probably deput in 07 as an 08 model.