I've been asked so many times about the status of my never ending GS story that I thought I would just post my year long experience with everyone.

As some of you may recall, I had purchased an 06 GS in October of 05. After bringing it back to the dealer countless times for the infamous dash rattle, squeak and pop issue, the dealer finally walked me out of the car and into another 06 GS.

Well, after 500 miles the transmission goes out. They end up replacing if after being at the dealer for 3 weeks. Apparently this is so rare that they flew in some Lexus engineer to oversee the replacement. After another 1500 miles the second transmission fails. By this time, I had pretty much had it with the GS. I love the car, but it seemed like it just wasn't going to work out for me. By the way, the dash rattle problems were still present in this newer car as well.

At this point I made it pretty clear that I wanted out of the car, but I knew that getting another 06 GS would probably result in the same frustration. I looked at the new ES350, and even though it's a great car, I found it to be a little too boring. The GS just has the right things, rear wheel drive, the aggressive look... it's just a great car to drive. The ES wasn't sporty enough.

This was in May, and I knew the GS350 would be coming out in October, so I worked an arrangement with the dealer to get me out of the car and into the GS350 when they would be available in October. They agreed and I went on my way, enduring the dash rattles for another 5 months.

September comes and the dealer can order the car of my choice, color and options. I order the Silver on Ash and wait another 4 weeks.

Finally the day comes when I can take delivery of my new GS350. 45 minutes before I leave for the dealer, I get a call explaining how they just had the parking lot re-paved that morning at the dealership and somehow the paving company sprayed tar all over the one side of the new car. MY NEW CAR! Apparently the tar ate into the paint and now the car wasn't sellable as new. The only option was to find another car at another dealship to trade or order another one and wait all over again.

After several hours of looking, the dealer was unable to locate a car to trade with another dealer, but located one that was just being loaded on the boat from Japan. The right color and options, but with the 18" wheels at no extra cost to me. Now just wait another 30 days or so.

Fast forward another month to this Monday. I took delivery of a Mercury Metallic and Ash interior RWD 350, with the Nav/ML and 18" wheel option.

So after a year with the 06, is the 350 any better? All I can say is, "there is no comparison".
From the extra horsepower, to the Gen 5 Nav, to the absence of the dash rattles... the car is a winner.

I'll do a write-up on the changes between the two cars where there has definitely been improvements made. There are quite a few things to talk about worth mentioning.

This is such as great forum, and I was able to get such great info during this last year that it has become the place I hit everyday.

I'll post pics this weekend.

 

sounds like it was worth the wait for you.

 

wow, its great to hear you're happy with the 350... i had remember reading your posts about your previous 300 and the amount of trouble you had with it. hopefully it all works out for you. keep us posted in a few months to see how you like it then..

 

Well this is by far one of those rare occasions that something like this happens.. I can't beleive the story.. Glad your happy and that the 350 lives up to its standards...

 

Glad to hear you have your GS350 now I hope you have a better experience
with this car. I am still waiting to replace my GS300awd with a 350 rwd
because they can't find one with ML and red. Since they have fixed most
of the noises in my 300 I might just keep it instead

 

I'm pretty impressed you had all the patience to stay with Lexus. The GS350 is a little rockett compared to the 06GS300. I recently test drove the GS300 and I felt there were flat spots in the powerband unlike the GS350 continues charge.
Enjoy the 350!!!

 

Glad to hear that you can fully enjoy your car now.

 

Wow, looks like it all worked out. Good job and congratulations on the new 350!

 

Congrats on finally resolving the fiascle! But, I though ALL GS350 came with factory 18" wheels. Am I mistaken?

 

Apparently not. If you go on the Lexus website to build one, that's a $2000 option. Unless you get one of the more expesive options where the 18's are included. Maybe most dealers just bring in the cars with the 18"s on them now. Standard features still shows it comes with the 17-in alloy wheels.

Not sure.

 

Thanks everyone. Being patient doesn't really describe it.

The only reason I held out was because Lexus stood behind me and replaced the car at their expense and I honesty couldn't belive that all Lexus' were that bad.

I hope I was right. We will see.

 

Congratulations Scott. Here's hoping it's smooth sailing with your GS350

 

Kudos to Scott for his patience and Lexus for taking care of its customers! I know how frustrating it is to have car problems. My theft recovered Audi S4 was plagued with problems until I finally gave up and sold it.

 

Congrats !! I hope you will really enjoy this new GS350

 

Congrats on the new car! Or should I say 3rd new car. I got mine about 6 weeks ago and have logged 3800 magnificent trouble free miles on it. I hope you have a similar experience.