Help me decide GS350 AWD or Audi A5?
Guest
Posts: n/a
S5 is one of those good looking cars that do it for me. Its also much much rarer than a 3 series coupe seemingly everyone has. I gripe to me about the S5 is the sunroof while huge does not open. The V-8 pulls strong but it isn't much quicker than a 350.
The S5 has a pretty large trunk too. If you need to extra room and quality is a major concern the GS is the no brainer. For me, the heart says S5.
Good luck
The S5 has a pretty large trunk too. If you need to extra room and quality is a major concern the GS is the no brainer. For me, the heart says S5.
Good luck
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
Hi,
I am a long time visitor of this site but haven't been on much in the past few years. Well I am amping up now as I am researching a new car. I am currently an owner of a GS 400 but am thinking of getting either a GS350AWD or an Audi A5. I know the cars are vastly different but as GS owners what do you think of your cars, has it been reliable (heard that the 3rd Gen had some issues, my 2nd gen has been great for the most part).
Thanks in advance.
I am a long time visitor of this site but haven't been on much in the past few years. Well I am amping up now as I am researching a new car. I am currently an owner of a GS 400 but am thinking of getting either a GS350AWD or an Audi A5. I know the cars are vastly different but as GS owners what do you think of your cars, has it been reliable (heard that the 3rd Gen had some issues, my 2nd gen has been great for the most part).
Thanks in advance.
Thread Starter
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Washington D.C. Area
Thanks as always for the great insight.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 71
From: Texas
I just bought (leased actually) a 2010 GS 350. The A5 was high on my list - maybe the best looking car on the road today short of an Aston Martin. I did drive a couple and like them.
But in the end, a couple of things conspired against the A5. One is that they have botched the engine lineup in the A5. I drove the turbo-4 and was not impressed - and that is the model they are stocking up on now. They still make the 3.2 V6 version, but they are very limited in availability, and in my opinion it was not a good value equiped the way I wanted it. I would lust after the S5, but too much money and hard to find (and no deals on them).
Also, the A5 does not offer a couple of features I really wanted, like ventilated seats and a true surround sound stereo. The B&O stereo in the A5 would have probably kept me happy, but the other issues I was not willing to deal with in the end (along with the fact that Lexus has better lease deals in December).
But in the end, a couple of things conspired against the A5. One is that they have botched the engine lineup in the A5. I drove the turbo-4 and was not impressed - and that is the model they are stocking up on now. They still make the 3.2 V6 version, but they are very limited in availability, and in my opinion it was not a good value equiped the way I wanted it. I would lust after the S5, but too much money and hard to find (and no deals on them).
Also, the A5 does not offer a couple of features I really wanted, like ventilated seats and a true surround sound stereo. The B&O stereo in the A5 would have probably kept me happy, but the other issues I was not willing to deal with in the end (along with the fact that Lexus has better lease deals in December).
I do really like the A5/S5 and the emotional part of me is leaning towards that car, however I've read the same thing about the vibration issues on a Audi A5/S5 site. Also I saw that it was rated worst in reliability amongst cars in its group. So it looks like I'll be leaning towards what has treated me well in the past the GS. I've still got a couple of months before I'll choose but its seems like my decision now will be 07/08 GS350 AWD vs 07/08 GS450H.
Thanks as always for the great insight.
Thanks as always for the great insight.
For me, Audi was the last choice of them all - the styling is good. I'll give them that, but maintenance is overly expensive and the cars develop a lot of little problems that add up $$$.
I would personally go with the GS350 because the styling is classy but understated. The more I stare at the car, the more beautiful it gets to me haha....
AWD is always a great choice, plus the GS350s use timing chains instead of belts now, so that's one maintenance item that you can check off.
Whatever car you get, as long as you're good about keeping it clean, polished, and waxed, it's all good.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
A good general rule is that if you keep your new car for 4 or 5 years, buy European, if you drive your car to the ground, buy Japanese.
The last time I check, Audi's maintenance hourly rate is the same as BMW and MB and Lexus. MB is actually the most problematic of the 4. If you consider routine maintenance, Lexus is by far the most expensive. The 5000 miles oil change and the routine maintenace addes up quick. The parts for Lexus are also way up there as well. The only good thing about Lexus is that after the warranty runs out, generally there is less maintenance, but thats no guarantee.
A good general rule is that if you keep your new car for 4 or 5 years, buy European, if you drive your car to the ground, buy Japanese.
A good general rule is that if you keep your new car for 4 or 5 years, buy European, if you drive your car to the ground, buy Japanese.
Everything else is DIY or goes to my friend's shop. I just keep all service records.
I mean, these things are basically Toyotas. If I need an oil change, I use my preferred synthetic oil. If I want to use a Toyota oil filter, I can pick one up @ Toyota for 3.99 as opposed to going to a Lexus dealership and getting it for 10 bucks or whatever ridiculous mark up they want.
Only a shmucks or old people who don't know any better go to the dealership for minor things like this. Maybe I've had enough bad experiences with dealership shops that I'm pretty negative about them doing work on my car, unless it's on their dime.
Last edited by dadoody; Dec 31, 2009 at 01:16 PM.
i will also say i don't find lexus maintenance to be much cheaper, especially the first few years. after warranty i cant' say much. but looking at the first 4/5 yrs of ownership, bmw is free, mb and audi they offer one time maintenance plan and that's around 700 to 1000 bucks. i haven't really seen any for lexus and from my experience the first 5 yrs i will likely pay more than 1000
but again, after 5 yrs, that's another question. coz' german cars, they start to have more "weird" problems
but again, after 5 yrs, that's another question. coz' german cars, they start to have more "weird" problems
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: VA
I came very close to replacing my GS450h with A6 3.0T a month ago. In the end, the hybrid HOV exemption, ventilated seats, keyless entry / start, and the get-out-of-the-way steering wheel in the GS swayed me over back to GS. But it was a VERY close competition.
Like you mentioned, A5 is not A6, it is closer to A4 than to A6. I sat in A5 and was not as comfortable as in the A6 so I decided to not even drive it. I don't consider A5 to be a comparable vehicle to GS350; not by a mile.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 8,809
Likes: 143
From: MA
I have to strongly disagree on that. A Quatro A6 handles WAY WAY better than GS. Don't take my word for it; read any automotive magazine. And A6 with 3.0T is more powerful than GS350 in normal daily driving. Only the V8 or hybrid GS are more powerful than 3.0T.
Like you mentioned, A5 is not A6, it is closer to A4 than to A6. I sat in A5 and was not as comfortable as in the A6 so I decided to not even drive it. I don't consider A5 to be a comparable vehicle to GS350; not by a mile.
Like you mentioned, A5 is not A6, it is closer to A4 than to A6. I sat in A5 and was not as comfortable as in the A6 so I decided to not even drive it. I don't consider A5 to be a comparable vehicle to GS350; not by a mile.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,277
Likes: 3
From: USA
I have to agree with your comparison. Having owned both the GS350 and the A6, the A6 handles much better in stock form and rides smoother. Although the A5 does not have the same quality as the A6, it does handle better, but much like you, I dont like the low sitting position and the over all quality.
I am convinced the reason most magazine reviews rate GS badly is because they test models without APSS and without high performance tires. You can't drive a car on touring tires against one on Pilot Sports and claim the one on the touring tires handles badly. That's just testing the tires.