trunk size, weak interior lighting (LEDs....makes my eyes hurt if i'm trying to read something), cassette player (wtf is this 1990?), small backseat, weak manumatic just to name a few

it looks great and the ride is nice and all, i just think they overlooked some things when they were designing it

 

If the '08 GS does not have an aux or mp3 input of some kind, then I'm convinced that Lexus is trying to tell us something - what exactly, I'm not entirely sure.

Ideas of what Lexus is trying to say:
- We can't make a better one than the VAIS Tech option for the same price right now
- We are in the process of acquiring VAIS Tech and their technology
- VAIS Tech has some incriminating pictures of the GS in some malicious/unflattering/illegal acts

 

I tell ya, I've got about eleventybillion MP3s on my computer. I burned all of the good albums to CD's in mp3 form. I fit about 6 or so albums on each CD. I put 6 CDs in the dash,,,and thats absolutely perfect. The iPod really isn't that great in the car imo... I used to think it was, but Im really happy with the mp3 playing capability.

 

Before I purchased my 2006 GS300 awd I looked at the MB 320, Cadillac STS, Inifiniti M35x. I'm driving the Lexus not because it is perfect, but because it was better then the other cars I looked at. If not the GS; then what?

 

I think they are thinking that the target demographic for the GS do not need AUX or MP3 player support, they believe that the IS is more in line with a demographic that need these features. Also the demographic of the GS owner on theses forums are definitely biased toward young, wealthy, internet savvy people that are very sensitive to this issue. I trust Lexus to run consumer focus group of each products, and if there is no AUX input, it's because it is not a problem globaly for the GS.

 

That was the same conclusion but didn't look at the caddy but the 5 series and the main conclusion was that the GS is way more reliable and the exterior design makes this car standout. The 5 and E problems galore and the MX I didn't think the exterior or interior matched the GS.
So I came to the same conclusion as you if not GS what else is there?

 

I've had my GS 300 ever since 1998. First year of the 2nd generation and even till now and 160K+ mileage I cannot find a better car to replace it. Not even the new GS. All the Germans are prone for problems. All other Japanese market are just not good enough. The IS and ES are too small, LS too big. GS just perfect but not the 3rd generation. Nice details but I hate the fact that the Germans are rubbing onto the Japanese, Lexus in this case. What's so great about their interior materials? My sister's Audi has the WORST peeling problems with her rubber coated radio and shift ****. I feel that the new GS's dash is of a harder material compared to the 2nd generation's. It might look better but like the BMWs it just doesn't feel luxurious enough. Feels too plastic. Why did Lexus cut down the trunk volume on the new GS anyways. Why the flip down handle bar on the top? It's so easy to break. German idea. The sliding vanity mirrors? Easy to get stuck or finger prints all over the mirror. German idea. Etc.... Summary, I just don't like German's influences on the Lexus.

 

I also had a "98 GS 300 w/ 165k miles and in great shape which I sold to a member of this website.

I bought a GS 430 2006 and have not regretted once, the car is awesome. I have had some problems but they were handled.

After putting 10k on this car, there is no way I would go back to my old one.

Too big of a difference and I love the new bodystyle. Sure it is missing some features people talk about but I KNEW this ahead of time.

I have had the car a year and am still finding out things it does that I did not know...

 

Hey....he never came back. Heck, I guess he was only stirring the pot. I stand corrected.

 

This is nothing more then someone being a "Hater" and thats it IMO . Although, the lack of an Aux jack is a valid point for a 50k car.

 

I know this may upset some people, but you can get awesome sound quality using a cassette (yes, cassette) adapter packaged with some aftermarket satellite radios. Just plug in your ipod and play away, no FM wireless transmitter required. True, it doesn't have the slick integration you get with VAIS technology, but you can't beat it for clean ipod sound. Is that why the GS still fits a cassette player in the dash? Hmmm...

Getting back to the original issue, bear in mind that sometimes people will find fault with the insignificant, superfluous things...in this case the aux jack, cup-holders, etc. to justify not buying a car for other fundamental reasons, rather than focusing on the big picture, e.g. how does the car perform? If during a test drive, this car fails to impress in overall performance, fit, finish, workmanship, and engineering, then it's time to look elsewhere.

 

Come on guys, there are $100k+ cars out there without aux input ports. What's the big deal, get a SLI and be done with it. You will get a fully integrated system with nav screen display and steering wheel controls. What more could you ask for? Even those lame ipod holders with built in chargers and RF transmitters are $100+. Better yet, do what I did and get the SLS so you can have seamless integration of Sirius AND an aux input for your ipod!

 

+1, a cassette adapter is surprisingly good. I have used them ever since Sat radios came out because RF mods sound terrible. IMO, what's the point of listening to SAT radio if you are going to ruin the signal with the limits imposed by FM reception. Most might assume that a cassette adapter sounds bad but having used one for years, I can say that it is just as good as my VAIS direct connect SAT adapter or the Pioneer and Alpine XM SAT headunits that I have had. I used one in my GS for 3 months until I bought the VAIS SLS and the only reason I bought that was because I wanted nav screen integration and display of SAT channels and info.

It can be argued that the stupid little wire coming out of the dash is lame but in the GS, it's very easy to plug in a cassette adapter and run it down and under the wood covering the gear selector into the center armrest. All you see is about 1/2 inch of wire and even that is barely visible.

 

I'm sorry, but I tend to agree with the OP. Even my local salespeople joked about refusing to show trunkspace for fear of lost sales, it's that bad compared to the prior generation. Again, on the aux jack why should you need a custom install and MORE $$ put out for something that is as simple and common as A/C or in-dash CD? It's not like this is a tiny market they would be supporting btw., let alone it has been offered for almost 5 years now. I can pretty much guarentee everyone here would be saying otherwise if this car had it, but say, an E-class or 5-series didn't. And, as stated before, they increased the price, yet cut back on quality in a few areas, namely the dash and roof/pillar liner. I don't get Lexus' line of thinking: they offer stuff on some models, yet not on others regardless of type. For example, illuminated scuff plates on the RX, IS and ES I think, nada on the GS. How about panoramic roof ala the ES (yet they appeared within a year of each other)? Nope. Ditto on aux jack too. Not even as an addl. option, you get no choice. My biggest concern over buying a new Lexus though is how well the leather holds up. I am meticulous with leathercare and the seats haven't held up as well as my wife's Beemer, and the leather on my steering wheel was peeling off less than 3 years into ownership, so they had to keep "touching it up". Seeing this new softer LS-like leather has me concerned long-term. Can anyone with an 06' offer insight into how it is aging? I really want an 08' but these little things do put me off getting another GS.

 

Thanks 2thfixr, I'm glad that you also find the cassette adapter a worthwhile solution, or even a workaround for that matter, until the aux jack finds its way into the GS (which I'm sure it will). And it's true, with the deck so low in the console you'd barely see the wire poking through. The ipod itself would be much more intrusive than the wire!

There is so much technology built into the third gen GS models that I barely miss not having an aux jack. Between the bluetooth link, XM satellite, and all the music & movies I could burn onto DVD's and load them into the changer, IMO you will never get 'bored' with the entertainment features in the GS. Which kind of reminds me, maybe we should concentrate more on driving, which for the GS is entertaining in itself!