With sports sedans, there is a tradeoff between ride and performance but the GS is a half-assed attempt at both rather than a good compromise. It's amazingly smooth but only on good pavement. Around town and on any road other than a glassy smooth one, the ride is too rough. The GS simply does not do well with small and medium pitched undulations. It does not absorb these bumps well because it's too stiff but at the same time, it's too soft so it leans too much in the corners. IMO, the ride probably surprises most traditional Mercedes and BMW drivers. I would imagine that it would even surprise most traditional Lexus drivers. I'm sure the GS450h does better with it's adj suspension but that only helps with body roll and doesn't improve the small and medium pitched undulation issue while raising the price point of the car even further into the "too much for what it is" territory. I bought mine for a 2 hour commute out of town on glassy smooth highways, it was meant to rack up more miles than Smokey & The Bandit and sit outside like a neglected step child. For this it's perfect and I often use it around town because it's less cumbersome to run errands in a less effort required to drive it kind of way. However, if I had to choose one car to drive as a primary vehicle, this would not be it. IMO, it's a fantastic car but the price point and driving dynamics leaves it in a class that is searching for the right buyers.

 

So, what would be your choice?

I chose the GS350. To me it's the best car on the road currently, but I don't drive like a 'Nascar Dad' either. I like its good looks, and luxury appointments. It's not the perfect car for me, but it's closer than anything else.

With that said, I thought my 99n GS300's interior was far more Posh than the GS350. The seats in particular took a major step backward. The seats in my 99 GS300 were very, very nice! - It also did not ride as rough as the GS350 either.

 

Yeah, what alternatives would you recommend, I am contemplating making a GS350 my primary vehicle in a year or two.

 

I agree with Robert on the ride issue, it is too harsh on bumps and leans too much on turns. I went up to the local mountains one day, highway 18 to lake arrowhead, the winding road made me feel too uncomfortable, car seems to stick but leans way too much and felt like it was going to loose traction anytime....I was not pushing it too much either, heck on the way down I barely kept up with a BMW X5 Maybe I need driving lessons

 

Expectations have always been high for any Lexus. The GS has always been up there with the exception of the 3rd series. JD powers reflects the interior issues as well as the overall quality. It hasn't been up to par with previous models period. I for one love the lines of this car, but am concerned as well for the poorer than expected reviews, lower resale value, and problematic areas for a Lexus. I was actually planning on taking the plunge into Lexus ownership, but have decided to sit on the fence at this point. I was especially surprised to see JD Powers ratings for demand on the GS300 as low. I have not counted it out yet.

 

Boca: Looks like you and I are on the same boat. Are you contemplating a new or pre-owned GS if you do happen to make the plunge? Also, in response to your post, I wonder how many of the JD power concerns have been touched on or fixed by the 350 i.e. non-1st year model year vehicle revisions.

 

I really like my GS but for me the price is a little high for what it is. Like I said though, it's the perfect weapon for a long distance drive on a good smooth highway. If I had to choose one car and one car only, it would have to be the 750iL, CLS63 or the CL63. When I bought my GS, I had a 2003 745Li as well. My intention was to keep the BMW and use the GS strictly for my out of town drive. The GS was a LOT better than expected for my out of town needs and worked just fine for my in-town use so I couldn't justify keeping the BMW. Plus the parking situation became a huge ordeal. I have a 4 car garage and one sits outside. When I had the BMW, 2 sat outside so it meant that in order to get one car out of the garage, I had to move one onto the street and back into the auto court. Talk about PITA.

In hindsight, I should have kept the BMW and used it for out of town use but I have a problem with patients making smart alec comments when they see me drive a nice car. Comments like, "So that's what you bought with my money." I don't get that with my GS. The BMW had the best ride and driving dynamics of any car I have ever owned. The active roll bars meant that you could take a 55mph turn @ 90+ without any body roll. The on-highway ride was better than riding on a cushion of air and it took all bumps including small-med oscillations like they weren't there. That car was simply phenomenol! The reason why I let it go is that it was nearing the end of it's warranty and was beyond the point where depreciation became exponential. A 3 year old BMW is worth a little more than half it's original value. A 5 year old BMW is worth half of that!

I also say the CLS63 and CL63 because they are simply beautiful IMO, have a great balance of comfortable ride/great handling, and extremely powerful. If I had to limit myself to the $52k MSRP of my GS I would probably have to say that the GS would definitely be a contender but I would be hesitant to spend that kind of money on it. It would be a much more practical decision to get a Camry SE V6. If you want to know why, go test drive one and you will see. Just make sure it's a SE. My other possible choices would be the Audi A6 and the Merc E350. That said, it goes back to my statement that it's a fantastic car but the price point and driving dynamics leaves it in a class that is searching for the right buyers.

 

It is an oxymoron isn't it? The ride is too hard but it's too soft at the same time. My wife says that she hates the way my GS rides because it's too bumpy.

 

Robert, I understand what you are saying here. For me personally the BMW would be too big and too expensive. Also I have heard far too many horror stories with German Car reliability and repair costs. I am not that much of a car enthusiast to ever own a German Car. I would go back to my Honda Accord if Lexus was not around.

If my GS350 continues to be reliable, it would still be the car I'd choose. So far so good. I've had it for 4 months now, and so far I made the right choice for myself. No problems and I love the gadgetry! I also happen to think it's the best looking car on the road today! So, a happy customer here!

 

In the past, I have had some horrific experiences with German cars but my last few have been trouble free. The only truly problematic one was my wife's 2003 S430 which had all kinds of electrical issues. Surprisingly, her S500 has been trouble free except for one very expensive (covered under warranty) Command system change. I have to agree about the Honda Accord. I almost bought one 3x in my life and sometimes I wonder what I am missing. EVERYBODY says that that is the true benchmark for a good car that does it all very well. Sometimes I think that is exactly what I should be driving as my commute car. I also agree that the GS looks amazing. This IS the reason why I have one. When they told me that my ES was locked on a holding lot and they could get to it, I almost walked but when I was sitting at the desk, I kept looking over at the GS. I guess you could say that it was love at first sight.

You can't go wrong with a GS, it's just that it costs a little more than it should, the ride could be a little more refined or balanced, and whoever buys one should definitely know what they are getting themselves into. This is not your typical Lexus.

 

Oh, I remember now. I was thinking about why I never bought a Honda Accord. I could never find a 4 door Accord EX with leather, nav and the 6 speed manual tranny.

 

I've finally come to terms with any future ownership of a car must be Japanese. No more phantom electrical demons for me from European cars. This ultamately leaves me with Infiniti or lexus. Too bad Acura cannot design anything decent. As I get closer to my "twilight years" I can honestly say that I can see myself behind the wheel of a Camry. After all, who wants problems at that stage in one's life? Until then, it will be between Infiniti and Lexus.

 

The stock Gen3 GS definitely handles better than a stock Gen2 GS, but it also rides harsher. It doesn't soak up the bumps as well.

My hunch is that this harsher ride would turn the older crowd off (age 50+). I am sure they want to be coddled in luxury, and not feel the road so much.

But the younger generation would probably prefer this stiffer, better handling ride characteristic.

Problem is, brand new, it's a $50,000 to $70,000 car. That's a lot of money for the younger crowd. So, Lexus made an interesting decision with this suspension choice.

They should have had a stock suspension that was real soft, like the Gen2 GS for the ones who just want to float along like a Buick. And then offered a Sport Suspension option with 18" rims, for those who want the sportier feeling.

But Lexus isn't about offering these kinds of choices yet. I think they will pay for it in the long run...

The used Gen3 GSes you find sitting around lots now are probably lots of older folks with money who decided that the car rode a little too rough, the interior is a little too small and that deplorable trunk openning is a little too small for them to want to spend 3 or 4 more years with the car....so they traded them in, with low miles. For an old fogey who wants a quiet, comfortable, roomy luxury car, there's better choices.

That's good for those that DO want a sporty Gen3 though, because that 'used' GS is going to be THOUSANDS less than buying one brand new.

 

Save yourself the trouble and stay away from Honda/Acura, they are the dictionary definition of "poor customer service".

 

where are these dealerships?

My lil bro has had nothing but excellent when he takes his RL in