OK, you guys know I don't own a 3GS yet plan to buy a used one in the future. So while I was keeping track of the used 3GS market, I noticed that there are a TREMENDOUS amount of 3GSes out there on the used car lots that have almost nil mileage. Alot are at Infiniti, BMW, Mercedes, and of course Lexus dealers. Its like they were bought, driven for a little while, disliked very quickly, then traded in for another Lex or luxury competitor.

I called an elder guy who listed a low mile GS300 in a neighboring state and he mentioned honestly that he bought it new but it turned out not to be what he expected. This got me thinking, are 3GSes bought by rich elders who probably don't do anything more than sit in the car let alone test drive it and sit in the back or check the trunk, and then they realize some shortcomings that disturb them enough to unload it in short order? I mean I know the car's back seat leg room and access and trunk are lacking but there are a ton of these units on the market and the low prices on them (when compared to new) leave you wondering why aren't these cars getting more lovin?

 

Don't know. I purchased mine and love it. Even when it came down to sell the 450h or sell my 550i, I sold the 550i.
I am happy with the Lexus and couldn't care what others think or why they sell theirs within months after purchasing....
The car is exactly what I thought it would be when I purchased, minus the rattles and a few minor issues, but all those have been fixed and I am loving the car. I will probably keep this for several years and I bet I won't have any real issues to concern myself over.

The car is great. Right in the middle of pure sport and pure luxury, exactly what it advertises to be and exactly what I thought it would be.

To each his own.

 

its designed for younger persons but marketed to old people.

 

i love my 3gs. drives like a dream, great interior and styling. my only complaint is the nav lockout while in motion.

 

there are ways around that nav lockout

it's a good car, but i sorta wish i bought a 5-series or another E-class instead of that gs...

my friends with 2GSs tell me that the 3gs is not up to Lexus' usual par and that the 2GS was the best GS of all 3 generations. Having driven their cars I believe that. The 2GS is an amazing 2nd step. There's none of that rattle crap and random weird stuff like in the 3GS.

Like the matrix, i'm not feeling the last part of this trilogy.

 

Well, its a known fact that 2006 3GS had sever rattle problems. But usually older drivers are less sensitive to rattles which some of them can't hear well even with a hearing aid No offense to older 3GS drivers, I'm just joking

Over at dealership where I got my 3GS, you can see only old ES300ES330 coming off the lease. Absolutely zero GS300. These cars are in a very high demand here on East Coast (AWD only).

 

Brownz's comment is interesting. I can see how the car is real sporty but almost has to be marketed to older people or at least wholly relies on elder drivers because younger drivers are not likely to be able to follow-through their awe-struck faces once they look at the bottom of the sticker at the 50K-ish price tag. It seems that the elder ones who rush into it may find it a little too sporty for their taste. I don't know anyone in my age range contemplating the 3GS. I have told numerous friends and people I know about it as a suggestion for their next car and all balk at the price immediately as way out of their league.

The IS seems to be matched in design and marketing to younger folks. The LS to the elders. I now see how the kid in the middle, the GS is having trouble finding its sweet spot.

 

I agree most people looking to purchase a 71K car like the 450h, probably are in their 40's. Every single owner of a 3G that I have seen (non 450h) has been in his late 30's to early 40's. I still haven't seen any 450h's around me, but I know they are out there b/c I have asked the dealership how many locals have purchased them, and I was told in CO about 7 total. I'll admit I am probably in the minority for purchasing a car that was over 1 grand in a monthly payment for my age while I compare to the masses that purcahse the 3GS that are older, but no harm.

I personally think it is a car for the later 20's early 30's than the early 40's. When I hit 40 I'll be looking in the Ferrari/Bently catagory hopefully. Not to knock the lexus, GREAT CAR GREAT BRAND. But if I could afford better/more I would. Just can't at the moment.

I wouldn't however trade my 450h in for the comprable 550i, just woudln't. I had it, and well, I opted for the "better" car in my mind.

I might however trade it in for the E550, just maybe. Their maint/reliability issues concern me though.

 

Nautica, what's up? Are your friends not rich? First you said you feel that elder, rich people are buying the GS, but for whatever reason, they are trading them in for Mercedes and BMW's or another Lexus model. Then you say, when you recommend the GS to your friends (who I assume are older), they balk at the price. If rich elders are trading in their GS's for a Merc or BMW, they're certainly spending a lot more for those cars.

I have no idea if or why the GS300's are being traded, but I have to whole-heartedly agree with Jace. I absolutely love this car; of course, I'm not an elder. I drove a leftover '06 300 and then the '07 350. Not even close for me. The '06 felt like my stupid ES.

 

Mels, you assumed wrong, I was recommending the vehicle to people my age, or mid 20s to be more precise.

Jace, you're definitely an extreme minority to have the vehicle at a young age. The 450s are costly indeed. Looks like you've got a winning profession or business, which is??

 

I love our 3GS. Wish it were the 350 or 430 but the 245 horses of the 300 are enough to pass slow pokes on the freeway. The wheels and drop added that sportiness I crave but it still retains that luxurious Lexus persona. I might agree the interior is not as top quality as the 2GS but it's close. Exterior-wise, the 2 GS can't compete imo. How can I say this? You can drive a 3GS stock and still look balling, the 2GS is not attractive stock...again imo.
As for problems. It's almost a year for ours. Only problem was the CD player. The disc's got stuch and the unit was replaced. We don't seem to have the rattles everyone else talks about. The car has been solid and it looks killer. We got some looks stock. Got a few more with the chrome 17's. Now people gawk with the 19 black/chrome lip wheels and drop. I highly recommend this car, anywhere...anytime.

 

FWIW, here are the average ages of GS buyers according to J.D. Power:

44% 36-55
33% 56+
23% 16-35

 

I guess I need to drive a GS350 to experience the difference as compared to my 06 GS300. Some say it's huge, others say negligible. My GS300 is rock solid...not a rattle to be found. It's smooth, quiet and very comfortable. Acceleration is more than adequate for me and I appreciate 31mpg on the road. No plans to trade for a 350 unless the difference is profound.

 

No offense was meant to any 300 owners. I think I was extremely sensitive to the difference because of the issues I had with my ES. Personally, after my previous experiences, I'm thrilled to have a great car now (she says, typing with her fingers crossed).

 

Ive had 2 prior 2GS, one 99 400 and a 03 300. Having had my 06 430 for about 2 weeks now, dropped on Tein springs and wheels. I notice more people slowing down to check out the car, maybe not many modded 3GSs around, but overall I think its more the whole exterior redesign. Honestly, a lot of cars out there look alike now. I see similar curves on Maximas and Hyundais. Overall stock ride, I think the 2GS was a bit smoother and felt a bit more solid, and definitely way less rattles. Since all 3 of my GSs were modded, overall the 3GS has more power and torque, braking is much better, and handling also. If I dont have my 3GS suspension set on sport, even lowered, the ride is pretty good and solid, although the dashboard rattles and creaks every now and then. I was very happy with my 03 300 which had coilovers and 19s, it felt very solid, no rattles, and drove like a dream.

I probably wouldnt see myself at the dealership putting down $57k for a new navi, ml, loaded GS430 but paying $39k for one was well worth it. It still feels like a Lexus, luxury and sporty mix, new body style plus the looks. I have only seen one fixed up 3GS since I got mine, which was a black one in SF rolling on 22 bling bling wheels, of course I havent been to a meet for awhile, so hopefully at the next one, I'll see a few.

I've seen 3 2nd Gen ISs slow down and check me out, plus a SC430 on the freeway, as well as many Evos, STis, Benzs, and M3s. So far only one lowered Civic on 280 has tried to race me, pretty good considering when I had the GS3, everything slightly modified from Mustangs to Supras rev on me.