Hi everyone

In the UK Lexus offers GS300 & GS430 (No GS350 and the GS460 is way off)

The cars are identical in specs except the GS430 has on top:
Adaptive cruise control
VDIM,
Adaptive steering
Adaptive suspention
Electronic brakes.

Otherwise the cars are the exact same specs.

Now, if you are faced with a decision to buy a 2005 model GS300 OR GS430 for the SAME PRICE - Which will it be?

yes, here in the UK the GS430 depreciates VERY quickly in its 1st year and the GS300 has slow depreciation.

I am faced with this tough decision, and hope you could help pointing me out in the right direction.

One important factor that would put me off the GS430 is its fuel consumption which I think is much higher than the GS300 especially in traffic - London trafic that is

Many thanks

I would get the GS430 if you like spirited driving, the extra hp and torque is definitely a plus, but then again you are paying a lot more for fuel than we are. It boils down to how much more will you pay in for fuel to go the same distance, but since you said there is a lot of traffic, how much fuel do you think you will burn just creeping along with the GS430 over the GS300. If you are coming from a car with less hp than the GS300, get the GS300. Then you won't miss the extra hp from the GS430.

Thank you Nidan
I am coming from a MB C240 with 170bhp so yes a jump of circa 80HP up to the Gs300. On the other hand, I do like spirited driving especially in the weekends, plus the odd trips to the north of France (twice a year).

Can someone tell me what kind of mpg do they get from their GS430 in traffic? This would be a great help.

The C240 gave me 18MPG (UK) which is 15MPG (USA) (ie 15.7 Ltr / 100km).

What do I expect from the GS430?

Thanks

Hellllll nooooo, you couldnt give me a GS430 for use in the UK, Have you seen those gas prices??? First of all they are priced in POUNDS, second, they sell you a LITER. As gas is incredibly expensive I'd definitely go for the 300 if I were you.

Is this 16MPG based on US mpg? Is it in city traffic (stop - start)?

If the answer is ues to both, then it is great news but I have a feeling it is not possible. My C240 returned 18mpg (UK), I can live with losing 2mpg for a 4.3 ltr engine

Why is 18MPG in UK 15MPG in USA? Isn't a gallon a gallon and a mile a mile no matter where you live? Is there something different in metric conversion factors I'm not aware of?

1 mpg UK = 1.2 mpg USA

because
1UK gallon = 4.54609 Ltr
1US gallon = 3.78541 Ltr