Hey All,

Im thinking about getting a GS430 once my 330 lease is up next month. That car is a '06 330 sedan with a sport package and it's got a manual tranny.

I'm sure you guys can imagine how much of a fun ride it is.

I went for a test drive in a GS430 and although it's a nice, reliable and powerful car, I find the ride just doesnt compare to the BMW. It lacks that punch, the *****... if you will.

I guess in the end, common sense will prevail and I'll get the GS, but what are everyone's thoughts on this?

Just so you know, I have many reasons for going for the GS, the main being that I plan on purchasing an 06 and it's definitely a more reliable car than a BMW if I'm going to own it. As well, my buddy is a salesman for Lexus so he can always take care of me with regards to getting a deal and helping me out with maintenance and repairs if I need it.

Thanks
jigga78

 

I have driven both...now i have a 06 GS430...as far as GS430 lacking a PUNCH...i disagree on that...if i only could show you personally what kind of a PUNCH i did on the highway with my GS430.

 

When choosing my GS350 AWD I also cross-shopped with a 335xi coupe 6MT. Let me tell you, when it came down to sheer driving enjoyment, it was hard to top the 335xi. However, having said that, the rational part of me said that the GS was the way to go. I don't regret my decision.

I know it will probably never happen, but a GS with a 6MT would probably be my ultimate car.

 

Before I bought my GS, the other car I was looking at was an '06 325xi Touring. Definitely a lot more fun to drive, more nimble, better steering, overall, a more dynamic vehicle in the way it drives. Reason why I went with the GS is because, in addition to still having a couple of BMWs and being with BMWs for the past 20 years, I needed a change and I wanted something that would relax my senses after a long day rather than keeping my adrenaline up, something bigger and more spacious, something more comfortable for my family.

It's definitely a case of argument between the left brain and the right brain.

And just like the member above ^^, I went with the "rational" choice and have been very happy with the choice.

 

I think you will like the GS430 it is a very nice car, but I have driven a 335xi before and it is a very very fast car, that is all I can say.....

 

Gee, a Lexus not as fun to drive as BMW 3 series, I am shock. The 3 series is the best handling car in its class.

There are many reason to buy a Lexus, but reliablity is becoming less and less of a factor in my opinion. Maybe you need a change, now thats a better reason than relaiblity.

 

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the replies - definitely helping!

Thomastan - the drive i went for wasnt a long one and i didnt take it on the highway. I used to drive a 98 gs400 sometimes and it was a rocket. I guess i shouldnt discount the gs430 so quickly. thanks.

RudeDoggy and jr1966 - you guys are bang on. The rational side of me is pulling me towards the GS430 as well.

kyang91 - even my 6mt 330 w/ sport pkg is a bullet. I love it! It's so nimble and fast. I love the connection I feel to the road when I'm driving it. I couldnt imagine the 300hp 335i! <sigh...>

The G Man - interesting thought. Do you think that overall, the BMW's are as reliable and long lasting (in terms of, how long they will last before repairs start sucking money out of my wallet) as Lexus's? I was of the thought that nothing beats a Lexus when it comes to reliability and durability.



Overall, I know the car is a bit more subdued than a BMW... maybe I can breathe some excitement into it buy getting myself a set of aftermarket rims or something. The Lexus definitely has things that the BMW doesn't as well, so I shouldn't look at it so one-sided.

 

Jigga,
Have you read the many posts about the troubles owners are having - from interior squeaks and rattles (especially in colder climes), to brake noise, to the latest recall issues? I owned 2 BMW's prior to my GS, and never had such problems. I would have a new 3 coupe tomorrow if they got rid of run-flats and had a spare tire.

 

i went from an e46 coupe to an is250awd.. i will tell you that i still miss my bm.. i left bmw for reliability issues.. my coupe was giving me a headache after the warrantee ended.. the lexus has been rock solid as far as reliability goes.. the car feels solid and has never had any of the annoying issues that plagued my bm through out it's life..
that being said, i do feel bored driving the car and im looking foward to the end of my lease to jump back to either bmw or possibly infiniti.. you may have a better experience if your buying as you can mod the car to your liking..
lexus makes great cars.. they just seem abit boring.. i still don't understand why lexus has 2 entry cars and can't make one more dedicated to preformance..
is it too much to ask for lexus reliability and bmw preformance?

 

Hey Bavaria,

I did read about the interior noise issues but nothing about the brake noise. As for the recalls, i think those are related to the GS300 and GS350.

As for the 3coupe, I'm not sure about in AZ but up here, the only way you get the run-flats is if you upgrade to the sport package.

Thanks,
jigga

 

AMEN buddy!! AMEN!

The way I see it, BMW is more poised to give you that combo right now than Lexus is. Reliability can be improved. How do you change the way a car feels and drives?

Why do their cars have to make me feel so disconnected from the road? It feels like I'm in an airplane or like I'm floating on air.

I think I'm gonna have to take my 330 for a spin tonight. The torque this car has in 2nd gear is a beautiful thing.

 

Jigga,
The only way BMW is available here is with run-flats. I have a standing invitation to my BMW salesman to call me if (hopefully when) that situation changes. He is free to order my coupe when I get the call.

 

Jigga78, according to JD power's 3 year long term relaibilty study that came out last year. lexus average 120 problem per every 100 cars from 2005 to 2008 and BMW had about 160. Thats pretty close in my opinion. European cars have made the biggest improvement in reliability in the last 5 years, more so than any other country. Half of those problems on the BMWs are i-drive related, so if you buy a 2nd or 3rd year design, all the software bug will be work out. On the other hand, I had my GS for 8 months and its been in the shop for 3 weeks already.

 

Sorry to hear that. Why was it in the shop?

 

Rattles 3 times, squeaky brakes 2 times, wrong personlized settings and a starting issue.