I test drove the GS300 yesterday and I was happy with everything except the power. It just needed a little more punch. Will exhaust and intake give me this? ( (im guessing only about 15 -20hp)Or just save up a little longer and get the 350. hmmmm

 

the 350 pulls like a supercharged 300.

 

not really. in japan they came out with gs350 right the way

 

Since I have both 300 and 350 let me say I can definitely feel a difference....but the 350 isn't that much faster, it's quicker to top speed. The gap is closed a little more with the power button on.
On the highway at high speed is where the curve widens. Going from 50 mph to 100, the 350 blows the 300 out of the water. The 350 is much quicker. It's got to be the torque.
I wouldn't not choose the 300 because to the power number. It has enough to get the job done.

 

actually europe and middle east have an is300 instead of is250 and 350...

 

If gas ever gets back up to 4 bucks for premium, you'll pray for that 300. My 350 gets 17mpg. My 300 gets 22.5.

 

damn big dave you must be launching that thing from light to light. I will cruise my car at 120 sometimes on the way to work on the back desert highways and I still get 20-22

 

15-20 HP by adding exhaust and intake? not a chance. exhaust and intake only provide a few HP, not worth doing. if you want more power, save up and get the 350 (or what i did - get the 450h )

 

tsavo, I had the same impressions as you did when I got an '09 ES350 loaner and had the opportunity to compare it with my '06 GS300. It felt stronger because it is stronger, but one thing that most didn't agree with me here is that I found the ES350 suspension firmer and the steering feel a bit better compared to my GS (having driven both of them one after the other, back and forth). Maybe it's the tires in my car that the PO put on? Possible as I did get better steering feel right after switching from 225-17s to 245-18s. But I still stand to my impression that the ES' suspension feels firmer which most here do not agree.

As far as the GS350 being available in other markets in 2005 while the US gets only the GS300. I don't know why but one thing that came to my mind is maybe the 3.5 engine needed some time to get US emissions certification? Like I said, I don't know and this is open for discussion.

And finally, as far as being underpowered, maybe. It really depends on how one looks at it. If you've lived in an era where V-8s were producing only 125hp and high-performance cars like a 911 Turbo going to 60mph in 6 seconds and the average car's run to 60 mph is 9-10 seconds, we'll all probably be satisfied with what the GS300 provides. But, during a time when a modern minivan can outrun an old 911 & a big possibility a minivan can win a drag race with a GS300 too, then we can say the GS300 is underpowered in the modern era. But you'll have to consider that in many parts of Europe and Asia, even a car as big as a 7-series BMW or an MB S-Class can have a 2.5 liter engine and even a 2.0 liter engine.

I guess we can all say we are all spoiled by HP.

If it weren't for high-powered versions of Camries, minivans, ES, I don't think we'll call the GS300 underpowered. When we purchased a couple of 540i in 1997 with 288hp, we thought they were overpowered and they're V-8s. The GS300 is equipped with a 3.0 V-6 producing 245 hp, just 43hp shy of the Bimmer's 4.0 V-8. I think it's pretty decent and capable.

 

I agree, I was disappointed when the 06 GS300 only had 240hp and the v8 GS430 pretty much had the same 300hp as the previous model which did not seem like much progress or an improvement to me. I could not believe they did not at least put the 280hp Avalon motor in the first v6 GS or at least the Camry motor with 260 some hp. Having the GS with a good deal less hp then those cars was really bad. It just seems odd to debut an engine for only a year or two before seriously upgrading it, kind of the same with the 430-460.

I am also surprised they did not just put the 240hp GS300 motor in the new IS. That engine and hp rating would be perfect for the base model IS and would address it being pretty low on power and complaints about it being underpowered. Having 100hp difference between 6 cylinder engine choices(IS250/IS350) is too high and pretty odd and there should be a middle ground. I know the 250 gets very good gas mileage for a small v6 but I doubt the 3.0 would get much worse. They could have sold the 250 also as maybe a higher mpg model for people who don't need 240hp or 306hp but I think the base model v6 should have around 240-250hp.

 

I had the ES350 as a loner alone, the suspension is softer on bumpy road but it handles the corner about the same as the GS, which is not too good

 

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind having an extra 50-60 hp, but I got my 300 because it was classy and good on gas. I'm not going to be racing it anywhere or taking it to the track.

For speed I got a crotch rocket that can go nearly 180mph...it makes almost every car on the road seem slow.

 

just fueled up my car and i got 24.9 in the v8 =)

 

if people are that concerned about gas prices and maximizing mpg, the GS is not the car for you. you should be looking at the new 2010 HS 250h hybrid (or other hybrid brands/models that maximize fuel efficiency). right now, you can't have your cake and eat it too (or in this case, have lexus luxury with great fuel economy). maybe future lexus models will have this, but not right now.

 

and i got 26mpg. i do hear that some people in 300 getting 30mpg

but with all due respect, say between 26 to 30mpg, if someone has to worry about the extra money for gas on the 350, then should really re-think on buying a luxury car like these